UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
10/08/2024 | News release | Archived content
Advancing sustainable water use through research, education and community action in Haţeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark
When asked about her experience in the project "Sustainability at work! Research and community-driven action for sustainable development", local student Alexia Niculesc shared her thoughts with an enthusiastic smile: "this project is incredibly important as it ensures our water is safe, preventing diseases and protecting our environment. It has also raised awareness about water safety among our community, empowering us with knowledge to safeguard our water sources." Alexia is one of 70 students and 11 volunteers who have participated in the project in the Haţeg Country Global Geopark(UGGp), representing a growing number of young people who are benefiting from the transformative power of education and collective effort.
Situated in the heart of Southern Transylvania, Romania, the Haţeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) has been a haven of biodiversity for millions of years. The unique region provides an insight into key milestones of our planet, bearing evidence from the earliest geological eras 600 million years ago, to the age of the dinosaurs, as well as housing significant classical and medieval sites. Today, in the face of the climate crisis, it has become imperative to protect its natural resources. More than ever, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet's limited water resources from harmful human activities.
In light of this, under the project "Sustainability at work! Research and community-driven action for sustainable development", the Haţeg Country Geopark team have pioneered innovative solutions to address local challenges through research and education. The initiative was selected as one of the 5 sites of the second year cycle of the UNESCO and abrdn Charitable Foundation project "Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO's programmes and sites". The project works with UNESCO designated sites to test innovative local solutions aimed at promoting sustainable development and mitigating climate challenges.
Citizen science and collaboration
The Haţeg Country UGGp project fully mobilised different partners and networks; it is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Bucharest, which has joined forces with the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development and Climate Change at the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. The project also includes the Geopark's volunteer network, 6 schools from the local EduGeoparc network, of which 3 are UNESCO ASPnet schools, and local NGO partners to link scientific research with education and community action.
By leveraging the power of citizen science, a key tool in addressing environmental challenges head-on, the initiative is engaging local students and educators in research on critical issues of water quality and climate change. This is empowering community members with the knowledge and skills to safeguard their water sources and contribute towards sustainable development. Through these efforts, the project is paving the way for future community-driven initiatives, which are fundamental to ensuring long-term sustainable practices.
Hațeg Country UGGp
We are all together in this citizen science project, which will undoubtedly help us in our effort to act effectively towards sustainable development goals and be an example for other geoparks in Romania and the Global Geoparks Network.
Adina Popa, University of Bucharest, Haţeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark team, EduGeopark Network coordinator
Water consumption: hands-on learning
The positive response from participants underscores the impact of the project. The Babes-Bolyai University (UBB), the academic partner of the University of Bucharest, conducted training on the use of the sampling kits and ensured the accuracy of the collected data. Following the activities, they gathered feedback, which has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants thrived on the hands-on learning approach, with many students expressing a newfound interest in water consumption and its environmental impacts. "We analysed water samples and connected what we learnt in our Biology and Chemistry classes with real environmental issues," shared one inspired student, highlighting the practical application of classroom knowledge.
The project not only educated students on the physical properties of water, but also highlighted the detrimental effects of human activities and waste pollution on their local groundwater sources. This aspect proved particularly eye-opening for the students, who were able to observe first-hand the consequences of improper waste disposal in their communities.
Hațeg Country UGGp
Testing drinking water sources is vital to the health and well-being of communities, and engaging students in such educational activities is extremely beneficial. This not only enriches the educational experience of students, but also contributes to their development as responsible and informed citizens, able to face future challenges.
Cristina Andrieș, Chemistry and Biology teacher, Bretea Română Secondary School
Educating the local community
Adina Popa, EduGeopark Network coordinator, reported that students were eager to contribute to scientific research, work with experts, and learn about water consumption patterns in their villages and towns.
"The data we collected was surprising and motivated us to think critically about our local environment and how we can contribute to its preservation", one volunteer noted.
Adina emphasised that the project results will inform communities about safe unconventional drinking water sources, with this information being made available on the Haţeg Country UGGp's website and its citizen science platform.
In addition to the 6 schools from the area of the Hațeg Country UGGp that will continue to collect data for this platform over the next 3 years, other schools within the geopark have expressed interest in participating in future events, having observed the impact of the project. Participants will continue to populate the interactive map on the online platform with more data, building on the base of 68 samples from 18 communes already collected, to further engage and educate local community members on the importance of safeguarding their precious water resources.
Hațeg Country UGGp
It undoubtedly paves the way for new actions that can be done here. It paves the way for replicating the activity in other geoparks from Romania and of course it paves the way for maintaining a collaboration in this direction of water quality assessment.
Nicoleta Brișan, Associate Professor, Co-Chair at UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca
United towards sustainability
Through multi-stakeholder cooperation, the project is also contributing to assessing the water footprint of 2 local NGO partners, and aims to propose a sustainability strategy that could limit the impact of their activities on the water resources.
"By involving academia, teachers, students, volunteers and also NGOs, we want to enhance the spirit of community that the geopark needs in order to achieve sustainable development", explains Cristina Toma, coordinator from the University of Bucharest and member of the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark team.
Empowered students like Alexia illustrate the success of Cristina and the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark team. "The positive impact of this project will be felt for years to come", Alexia concluded, emphasising the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration and the strength of the community, which is leveraging the successful coordination model led by the Hațeg Country Geopark.