Welcome to the River University 2024
The River University is an open and international, interdisciplinary course, sharing river ecosystems knowledge via open access, wide availability and understandable-science platform in the Baltic Sea Region and Europe for a variety of participants - river stakeholders: academia staff and students, river practitioners, water-related institutions and official country representatives, consulting/business participants, landscape architects, municipalities, locals and individuals.
The River University supports institutional and official knowledge and was founded by Ewa Leś in 2018 under the wings of Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB), where it has been successfully developed through the co-organization with different CCB Member Organizations. The pilot case took place in Poland in 2018. It was then established internationally with the 1st edition in Poland (2020) and successfully continued with the 2nd edition in Lithuania (2021), the 3rd one in Estonia and the 4th edition in Germany. Always reacting on the current water issues in European and non-EU countries.
01 to 06 September 2024
Zwierzyniec, Roztocze, Poland
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The international River University - 5th Edition:
The 5th edition of the River University took place in Poland from 01 to 06 September 2024 focusing on water security in Ukraine, recovery and restoration of water sector in Ukraine. The co-organiser of this edition was Ecoterra.
During this year’s edition we studied Ukraine's current water sector issues and water transboundary cooperation with its neighbouring country, Poland. Since 2014 Ukraine has faced Russian aggression and support from the neighbouring countries is vital.
Water security and water resilience, water monitoring improvements and recovery of Ukraine were our highlights this year. We dived into the freshwater ecosystems of the Roztocze region, including its protection and conservation, resilient & healthy agriculture practices, nature based solutions. The topics were discussed and acknowledged mostly during outdoor trips on the river, near the river, in its waters and in the river valley.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The co-organizer of our event this year was
Ecoterra.
WHEN:
Arrival on 01 September and departure on 06 September, 2024
WHERE:
Roztocze, Poland. We were based in Zwierzyniec, Roztocze, a transboundary region which rises from the Lublin Upland, Poland and extends southeastward through Solska Forest and across the border into Ukrainian Podolia. Since 2011 it is recognized as UNESCO Roztochia Biosphere Reserve. The Polish part of the range makes up the Roztocze National Park which was one of our outdoor visits.
The closest train and bus station is in Zwierzyniec and the closest airport is in Rzeszów.
HOW:
As usual, we combined indoor lectures with outdoor practice on/in the river. A full boat of riverine knowledge was delivered by top lecturers from the best universities, and by practitioners who know rivers simply by working on it tirelessly.
Lectures and presentations were provided in English.
Helping each other (e.g. with translation or other issues) is a key element of teamwork.
WHO:
We invited participants from the EU and Eastern Partnership countries. Knowledge of freshwater ecosystems, rivers in particular was advantageous as the course was oriented towards exchanging knowledge amongst water-related sectors.
Participants were invited to share their concepts of initiatives or projects where the River University knowledge might be applied and supportive. This approach ensured that River University with its participants delivered useful, applied knowledge that can be used in practice.
Up to 30 participants were invited on the basis of the registration form, to keep our group familiar and comfortable.
REGISTRATION:
The registration is closed but stay tuned for the next edition of the River University in 2025.
Please, DO NOT buy any tickets before getting a confirmation from the organizers.
COSTS:
The course was free of charge and the costs of participation (accommodation, travels, meals, lectures and outdoor activities) were covered by CCB. however, knowledge contribution from the participants was required as presented above: either during particular edition or during developing River University as a whole.
Refunded costs for participants were up to 150€ include carbon footprint-wise travel costs for participants from EU Member States, as well as from Eastern Partnership countries.
CCB is not responsible for injury or loss of property during the River University 2024.
Video from the event
Media coverage:
- Article in Polish written by Piotr Panek for the Polityka.
Originator and founder of River University/Rzeczny Uniwersytet (tested in 2018, established internationally in 2020). A biologist by profession, but looking towards people and their perception of the environment. Co-founder of Koalicja Ratujmy Rzeki/Save The Rivers Coalition (KRR), a social initiative for the protection of natural rivers in Poland, gathering the voices of ‘river stakeholders’ into one strong tone. Member of EEB water working group, Observer of International Commission for the Protection of the Odra River against Pollution. Co-creator and coordinator of the first Water Round Table in cooperation with the Polish Ministry of Environment (2009-2011). Engaged in creating a Partnership for the Baltic initiative (2007-2011). Particularly working in areas of transboundary rivers, water stakeholders inclusion and engagement, water conflicts, water democracy building. A supporter of NVC dialogue. She comes from her two parental organizations: Society of Friends of Ina and Gowienica rivers and EkoUnia Association.
~ Let’s go with the river flow and learn from each other! ~
The River University is one of our annual events.
You can read more about the project and the previous or future editions.