Every year, during World Earth Day and Children’s Day, the well-known quote by poet Justinas Marcinkevičius is often cited: “If this land belongs to anyone, it belongs to the children first.” Inspired by this sentiment, for the second year in a row, the Klaipėda City Municipality Immanuel Kant Public Library is organizing a project to highlight that the world indeed belongs to children, emphasizing the importance of their education and environmental awareness. The project, “Blue Children’s Conference: Baltic Sea Challenges,” runs from July 10th to November 12th, 2024, at the Melnragė Branch (Molo St. 60).

The initiative is targeted at 5th-7th grade students from Klaipėda, inviting them to learn about the challenges facing the Baltic Sea, such as pollution and biodiversity loss, and explore potential solutions with the support of scientists and mentors through educational and interactive activities.

During these educational sessions, we not only present the problems and solutions related to the Baltic Sea, but also stimulate children’s imagination, deepen their knowledge, and enhance their awareness. The activities foster teamwork experience and provide a platform for leadership and sustainability skills. Special attention is given to children with disabilities, ensuring their inclusion in all project activities.

The aim of the project is to foster children’s interest in maritime environmental issues in Lithuania, nurture an active, civic-minded, and environmentally conscious society, and educate students about sustainability, climate change, and pollution’s impact on the environment. Importantly, we focus on acquiring practical knowledge, not just theoretical insights, to encourage active participation in preserving the Baltic Sea.

Throughout the project, children will work on specific maritime challenges assigned to them and, at the end, creatively present their solutions during the Blue Conference.

The project is funded by the Klaipėda City Municipality.

For more information, visit www.biblioteka.lt or follow our Facebook page “Melnragės biblioteka – KMSVB.”