Baku, Fineko/abc.az. An international scientific & practical conference on the theme "Youth for ecological progress” has started in Azerbaijan.

Deputy youth & sports minister Intigam Babayev has said today that the conference theme is close to the Ministry, as ideas "youth" and "ecology" ensure a healthy future for our common home.

"2010 has been declared by the government a Year of Ecology, and natural disasters observed during this year around the world have confirmed the relevance of incontestability of the Year of Ecology. Besides, since 12 August 2010 it was proclaimed worldwide the beginning of the Year of Youth, and in this context, the initiative of the country’s youth on this conference holding confirms the creation of conditions for development of potential of young people and their direct participation in the processes occurring in the country’s civil society," the deputy minister emphasized.

He also pointed out that climate change, greenhouse effect, acid rain, forest fires, desertification, reduction of biodiversity of the planet are among the main problems of the current decade.

"Despite signing of a range of eco-protection agreements, growth rate of environmental jeopardy exceeds speed of tackling these problems," Babayev said.

Environment minister Huseyn Bagirov, in turn, underlined increase of the role of youth in the process of solving global environmental problems.

"International experience shows that today the major part of decisive innovations in the sphere of tackling ecological problems come from young people. Holding of such conferences contributes to changing the thinking of country’s citizens, particularly young people who begin to think about their role in the struggle for a healthy society, and this in turn affects the perception of the problem by the society, as a whole,” the minister stressed.

The conference, which involves about 200 scientists and young people, consists of four sections: environmental law and safety, environmental innovations in science, environmental education and awareness, formation of ecological thinking.

A resolution will be passed following the conference (its official website: www.ecoyouth.az). The event is due to finish tomorrow, 12 November.

11.11.2010 13:10