#EMDinMyCountry

[doorsblacksea]

Mariam Avakova becomes WtGA award finalist!

Many congratulations to Mariam Avakova who was a finalist in the Welcome to Georgia Awards for the best event organizer category. The Awards generally recognise those who work in tourism, but Mariam has been very proactive in the last 2 years and has made a huge contribution particularly in engaging the young people of Georgia in climate issues.

During the pandemic, her story began online, and for Mariam it soon became a narrative on how virtual events can play a significant part in ones’ personal growth. She became an ambassador for the Young Black Sea Community, and was also accepted to a Malta University Ocean Governance programme. She became a Youth4Ocean advocate and was able to work with other young professionals, helping to organise and moderate a youth panel networking event: ‘Let's Listen to the Arctic Oceans’.

Image: Mariam wore a traditional Georgian dress of her Mother to the Awards. © Mariam Avakova

“I've always been the first to take action rather than waiting for it to find me. My creativity and optimism encouraged me to keep learning, and to uncover new chances for myself and my country. I am fueled by self-inspiration and a global imagination - Think globally, act locally”

Mariam Avakova, Georgia

Image: Georgian young people are very enthusiastic about climate issues. © Mariam Avakova

Mariam was also selected to represent Georgia at #EMDinMyCountry, which was the first time Georgia had been depicted on the EMD map and where an individual has been given the responsibility of organising an event. Supported by DOORS, Black Sea Connect and Bridge-BS, the #EMDinGeorgia event featured artwork activities and an awareness-raising quiz competition for young people about the Black Sea environment. Mariam was also able to promote the ‘New Plastic Economy’ through the Eco-friendly TENE USB cable, produced from melted plastic bottle caps.

"The event astonished me by being really entertaining and energetic and allowing me to meet a lot of young people who are enthusiastic about what they do. Being the first person to put Georgia on the map as part of #EMDInMyCountry is an honour and a historical milestone. Huge gratitude goes to my My former director Kakhaber Bilashvili, DOORS and all my EU4Ocean forum team. My country is my soul, I am proud to be Georgian and to think globally. I feel I'll be a positive challenger to start a new chapter among all award categories next year.”

Mariam Avakova, Georgia

We are keen to hear from all Black Sea young people looking to get involved in climate issues (email: social[at]doorsblacksea.eu). Tell us what you're doing and tag us @doorsblacksea so we can share your stories wider in the network. It really makes a difference.

[doorsblacksea]

Engaging young people in Georgia on European Maritime Day

An interview with Mariam Avakova, Black Sea Young Ambassador, youth 4 ocean advocate and EMD in Georgia event host on her experience of organising activities for an interactive scientific-educational day focusing on the Black Sea Blue Economy in Batumi, Georgia on July 5th 2022.

What activities were you involved in at the event? Mariam: I helped to design a "Black Sea & Ocean awareness - raising quiz" within EMD in my country as a part of the joint activities with Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) held within the EU funded H2020 projects Black Sea Connect, Bridge-BS and DOORS. The quiz involved more than 50 students from local schools including a range of prizes, such as a Georgian Eco-Friendly USB cable made from melted plastic, colorful cotton bags with the EMDinMyCountry logo and t-shirts and notebooks. It was great to meet a lot of young people who are enthusiastic about what they do, it was a really entertaining and energetic atmosphere.

Image: Young people take part in the Black Sea and Ocean Awareness quiz. © Mariam Avakova

What issues did the quiz raise? Mariam: The quiz included 27 logically connected questions that would help the young people learn and develop knowledge about the Black Sea and the Ocean. The overall goal was to help them understand and remember the Black Sea's endemic species, the use of ocean power to reduce emissions, our efforts to prevent marine damage, the EU's involvement in ocean and sea protection, and pollution materials.

What were the key messages that came out of the event? Mariam: Plastic pollution is an important issue for young people. As it was noted during the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, a million tons of plastic waste are produced annually, and by 2050, there may be more plastic in the oceans than fish, threatening the survival of our marine life. I'm pleased to support the #SaveOurOcean and #BlackSeas campaigns with our actions – we have to find ways to minimize plastic pollution by creating stable new plastic recycled products which can bring economic, social, and environmental benefit.

Image: Painting the Black Sea marine environment. © Mariam Avakova

Do you feel ocean awareness is an important topic in Georgia? Mariam: Georgia is moving toward becoming an EU candidate and I feel is a nation built on European values. I was overjoyed when our Deputy Minister of Education and Science visited us at the conclusion of her trip and acknowledged the eco-friendly cables and applied scientific awareness quiz as excellent ideas – it was a great inspiration. I added Georgia to the EMD map with this activity and with access to the EU media, we had the chance to share information about our country and what we are doing.

How does it feel to be a young environmental champion for your country? Mariam: I am incredibly appreciative that EU Mare and the EMDinMyCountry team chose me to host an event for European Maritime Day in Georgia. I am grateful to the Youth4Ocean Forum for inviting me to attend the EMD Ravenna Days in May and meet with Virginijus Sinkeviius, the Commissioner for Environment as a Youth4Ocean advocate. I had the honour of organising and putting Georgia on the map of #EMDinMyCounty during this period of Georgia's European membership journey. All of this motivated me to start the EMD event and contribute to the #SaveOurOcean and #BlackSeas campaigns.

Image: Incredible artwork! © Mariam Avakova

What would you like to see happen to keep young Georgian people engaged in the future? Mariam: Georgia, a Black Sea nation, has its own responsibility for protecting the earth, the sea, and the ocean. The young people here are very intelligent and only need one chance and some assistance to feel empowered to make improvements. I think raising awareness and educating the public might be the primary areas of action. But first, we need to let them know their thoughts are valued by including them in debates on policy and possible actions - all themes must be localized so it means something to them.

Image: Cleanups are an excellent way to bring young people together. © Salome Kobaidze

There are many gaps to fill here, but proper education, providing leadership chances, developing trusting relationships and promoting free self-expression are all important. For example, activities like meetings, cleanups, and workshops encourage us to view the world through a different lens, which helps us increase awareness and think positively about the impacts we can have.

Image: Salome Kobaidze leading a workshop event with young people. © Salome Kobaidze

My colleague Salome Kobaidze, a Black Sea Young ambassador herself, has organized her own events, funded by Black Sea Connect, in Kobuleti and Poti, that have opened discussion about the pressures affecting the Black Sea and the blue economy in the region. These have included face-to-face meetings, physical workshops, clean-up activities and meetings with students, instructors, and Kolkheti National Park representatives. Initiatives like these link young people to blue entrepreneurship and science job opportunities, as well as providing a platform to contribute to the decision-making process. I think trusting your citizens to carry out their projects is a progressive step foward and in the future, we should be investing in those ideas through small grants and financial support.

Mariam Avakova is a Black Sea Young Ambassador, Youth4Ocean Advocate, Master of MSc Natural Resources and Black Sea Connect Scientific team member based at Tbilisi State University (TSU). The Black Sea Blue Economy event was delivered by the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science with assistance from Batumi Shota Rustaveli University.