A working meeting of the youth from Russia, Finland and Poland dedicated to the problems of the Baltic Sea was held last week in Helsinki under the auspices of the John Nurminen Foundation and personally President of Finland Taria Halonen. Representatives of the youth core group from the Youth Environmental Centre of SUE “Vodokanal of St. Petersburg” took part in the meeting.

Before the meeting all participants got a task to discuss with their counterparts the environmental achievements that had been done in the country represented by them and also choose three events or factors which favorably influence the environment of the Baltic Sea.

The Delegation of the Youth Environmental Centre of SUE “Vodokanal of St. Petersburg” representing Russia marked among such events the construction of the South-West Wastewater Treatment Plant, strengthening HELOCM’s requirements regarding content of nitrogen and phosphorus in the effluents and also environmental enlightment of adults and the youth as an important factor in questions of protection of the Baltic Sea.

During the meeting in Helsinki the children made up by joint efforts a map of the Baltic Sea and marked the aspects on it which they pointed out as the most significant to the region. The presentation of the map was done in the presence of President of Finland on the Harakka Island on the 11th of September.

Taria Halonen noted she was deeply touched by the emotions, knowledge and care of the children and also emphasized that she was especially pleasant to see on this map the reflection of the Vodokanal's work, as the construction of the SWWWTP became one of the key projects of the international cooperation for Finland. President of Finland promised that this map of the Baltic Sea will be hung out in the very centre of Helsinki. Besides, Taria Halonen plans to demonstrate it at the Summit of Baltic Countries in February next year where she will tell about perspectives of the young on these problems.