Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) hosted a series of presentations, evaluation of works and an awards ceremony for the winners of “Save the Planet with Us!” contest, whose participants include young people who share the goal of saving the planet. Students, activists of NGOs and youth organizations as well as journalists – all those who have worked to attract public attention to climate change through their creative endeavors.

The contest participants presented works delivered in various media formats – video and radio clips, posters and slide shows – which were judged by a jury.

“Save the Planet with Us!” contest has important social implications. First, it is in sync with the provisions of the “Year of Harmoniously Developed Generation” State Program, i.e. it helps ramp up social activity and boost youth responsibility in Uzbekistan. Second, the contest is expected to contribute to efforts by NGOs engaged in ecology issues and is seen as a continuation of the Uzbek draft law on “Ecological Control” currently on the anvil which is aimed at determining the role and place of NGOs in the system of environment protection. Lastly, the contest is consistent with the ideas of the state program, currently under development, of switching to digital radio and TV broadcasting.

It is noteworthy that the contest organizers did not put a premium on a professional level of presenters. What matters more to the jury is that the works should be thought-provoking and shed light on pressing issues and our attitude toward nature. The ideas presented must be realizable in collaboration with the invited professionals: film directors, artists and cameramen. Other important criteria included creativity, brevity, and urgency of an issue.

The best works will be broadcast via local television channels in an effort to help raise public awareness of ecological issues. By means of these innovations all the populated areas of our country will be able to learn more of climate change.

A total of 50 participants have emerged as winners of the contest. These include individual participants and creative teams. Each winner took home a valuable prize. For instance, the Fund Forum presented a prize to Iliza Garayeva for her video titled “Save the Tigers” and a group of international relations students from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) for a video urging people to save energy resources.

The contest was initiated by the British Council in Uzbekistan with support from the Fund Forum, Kelajak ovozi (Voice of the future) Youth Initiative Center, GEF Small Grants Program, World Bank Country Office in Uzbekistan, UNFPA, UN Representative Office in Uzbekistan, UNIC, UWED, WIUT, Student Support Organization and WIUT Student Union.