International Day of Forests, World Down Syndrome Day marked with screening at Georgia’s National Forestry Agency

Georgia’s National Forestry Agency marked International Forest Day and World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday by inviting young viewers to a screening of an animation film with an environmental message.

Hosting children with the Down Syndrome to the screening of the film based on a manga, the screening highlighted the topic of forest cover protection, with the event also awarding young authors for a potential second episode of the animated work.

Photo: National Forest Agency

A student of a school in eastern Georgia’s Dusheti Municipality, two participants from the Eco Club “AIA”, and a group from the Eco Club “Chlorophyll” of the No. 1 Public School in the city of Mtskheta received the prizes in the contest.

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Kakha Kakabadze, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, highlighted the importance of environmental protection by noting forests were a “unique treasure that need constant care” and stressing the role of the public in the task.

Responding to the dates in his comments, National Forestry Agency Head Kakha Tsertsvadze said environmental education and raising awareness about the importance of forests was the body’s “main priority”.

In his remarks, Nick Beresford, the Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Georgia, said forests were of “special importance” to Georgia.

“This project is an example of how forest protection brings benefits to the economy as well as to any person”, he said, emphasising the involvement of young people in ensuring forest cover protection.

The screening was hosted with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, the Embassy of Japan and the National Forest Agency.