School No. 85 in Astana hosted an environmental awareness session entitled “Every Drop Counts: Water Conservation Starts with Us”, attended by Michał Łabenda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Talgat Momyshev, Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The event was organized as part of the “Save Water – Preserve the Future!” initiative of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, implemented by the Non-Profit Joint-Stock Company “Information and Analytical Center for Water Resources.” It was also held within the framework of the “Adal Azamat” unified educational programme, in partnership with the Astana City Methodological Center for Educational Work, in support of the “Law and Order” principle. During the environmental awareness session, the guests met with the school administration, leaders of the School Parliament, and representatives of the “Earth Ambassadors” youth environmental movement. The participants then took part in a joint tree-planting activity along the school's “Alley of Leaders.” At the school's AQUA LAB, seventh-grade students presented their research project assessing and comparing water quality indicators across different districts of Astana. The students demonstrated the research methods they had applied and shared their findings with the guests. Third-grade students participated in an interactive environmental lesson entitled “Save Water – Preserve the Future!”, where they were introduced to the principles of sustainable water use and everyday practices that contribute to conserving natural resources.
Ambassador Michał Łabenda subsequently addressed the students on the topic “Water Unites Us: The Responsibility of the Younger Generation for a Sustainable Future.” His remarks focused on the importance of water resources, responsible water consumption, European experience in water conservation, and the role of education and young people in addressing environmental challenges. Following the Ambassador's remarks, students had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion with the guests. The participants explored opportunities for international cooperation in environmental protection, the role of young people in promoting environmental initiatives, and practical steps that students can take to contribute to environmental conservation.
“The key message of this event is that a culture of water conservation begins with the everyday actions of each individual. Schools play a vital role in instilling responsible habits from an early age through classroom learning, research, practical experience, and personal responsibility. The participation of international delegates in our initiative demonstrates to students that preserving water resources is a shared responsibility of all countries,” said Talgat Momyshev, Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.