On May 7, 2025, the President Valdas Adamkus Gymnasium in Kaunas hosted the international conference EKO Idėjos Lietuvai 2025, a day-long event that brought together educators, students, and sustainability advocates to promote environmental awareness and innovative practices. The agenda was packed with lectures, interactive workshops, and creative showcases, all centred around the theme of sustainability.
A Warm Welcome and Insightful Talks
The day began with a friendly registration and welcome coffee, followed by an opening ceremony filled with music and greetings from the event organizers and guests. This set the tone for an inspiring and collaborative atmosphere.
Two keynote plenary presentations started on the learning sessions. The first, titled “The Dark Side of Clicks,” explored the hidden environmental impacts of digital consumption. The second talk, “On Climate and Sustainability, “Without the Boredom,” broke down complex sustainability topics in an engaging and accessible way.
A dynamic panel discussion followed: “Sustainability: Trend or Necessity?”. Here, participants debated the deeper importance of sustainable living beyond temporary trends.
Creative Eco Fair and Exchanges
The midday segment featured the EKO idea Fair with various hands-on workshops. Attendees could create seedling pots from recycled egg cartons, sew textile coasters for mugs, and craft herb planters from plastic bottles. These practical and imaginative sessions illustrated how waste can be reborn into useful, beautiful items.
In parallel, plant and book exchange markets encouraged participants to reuse and share resources, an example of sustainability in everyday life.
Workshops like “Organic Ink Making for Calligraphy”, Sweet Kiss” (natural lip scrubs), and “Pillow Creations” (from plastic and textile waste) blende environmental consciousness with self-care and design, showing how eco-friendly practices can fit into all aspects of life.
(Pillow Creations Workshop)
From Borrowing to Innovating
In the afternoon, a special working group titled “Borrow, Innovate, Apply” gathered international and local educators. Here, teachers shared how they adapt and implement successful sustainability initiatives from other countries. Projects ranged from eco-club partnerships with waste management centers to strategies for engaging youth in environmental activism.
Educators from Lithuania, Spain, Portugal and Italy explained how they borrow ideas, innovate upon them, and apply them within their school contexts. The emphasis was on collaboration, adaptation, and real world application, empowering schools to become hubs for sustainable transformation.
A Lasting Impact and a Message for the Future
As the day came to a close, one thing was clear: EKO Idėjos Lietuvai 2025 was more than just a conference, it was a movement. It sparked ideas, built connections, and reminded everyone that sustainability is not a solo journey but a shared responsibility. With borrowed ideas, fresh innovations, and practical applications, participants left inspired to make real change in their schools, communities, and beyond.
Enjoy the video and join the movement for a greener tomorrow!
