On July 23, 2022, an expedition to Kirovsk (Murmansk Region), one of the key sites to clean the Arctic zone this year, was launched as part of the large-scale ecological federal project “Clean Arctic”. The initiative brought together public and volunteer organizations, scientists, heads of regions and business. For the first time, FinU students became participants of the action.
“Ecology today ceases to be the sphere of interests exclusively of relevant departments and caring enthusiasts. Today it is one of the most important factors of the economy, public life, legislative initiatives and corporate culture. We consider it necessary to expand the integration of FinU students and in activities so important for the present and future of our country. In addition, the stable ties formed within the project can become a new round of fruitful cooperation in various projects. Separately, it is important to note the uniqueness of the Arctic. This is a stunning territory with its beauty, the preservation of which is our responsibility, and the participation of our team demonstrates the interest and extremely responsible approach of the FinU”, said Dmitry Semenov, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Work with Authorities of the FinU.
Dmitry Semenov also noted that participation in this initiative can become a driver for the sustainable institutions’ development of the environmental movement among FinU faculty and students.
During the expedition, volunteers will clean up the shore of Lake Maly Vudyavr, located in the southern part of Khibiny, as well as part of the city’s territories. All works will be carried out jointly with the administration of the municipal district with the support of PhosAgro. The collected waste will be disposed of or sent for recycling.
“Participation in the project is an opportunity to contribute to the care of the environment. I believe that through joint efforts we will be able to achieve the project goal – to purify the Arctic”, Tina Sanashokova, accompanying the group, shared her expectations from the expedition.
“I agreed to participate in this project with great joy, because this way I can help make this world a little better and cleaner. This is a great opportunity to see new places, meet people. I hope I can inspire even more people to participate in such projects. I think this is very important for the future of our planet”, said volunteer Garcia Cayo Alvaro Rudi.
“I decided to take part in the Clean Arctic project because I believe that the problems of ecology and pollution have no borders and are global, and they need to be solved as soon as possible. And only by uniting into one cohesive team, we can help our planet.
From participating in the project, I expect to communicate with people who are not indifferent to environmental problems,” says Aydana Dushebayeva.
“For me, the Clean Arctic project is an opportunity to contribute to the ecological care of our country. While participating in the project, I expect to gain teamwork skills, the ability to quickly respond to changes in the situation. I want to show by my example that everyone can benefit the ecology of our planet,” Ruslan Elkanov notes.
“I agreed to participate because I like to be a volunteer and meet new people,” says student Tawadros Youssef Hany Youssef Malk.
“The topic of ecology is important to me and I want to contribute to the Clean Arctic project, it’s interesting to get such experience,” says Houngan Segbemon Paterne.
As part of the project, volunteers will also learn more about the history and culture of the region. The expedition will last until July 30, 2022.
Clean Arctic is a large-scale project to clean up the Arctic territory from waste accumulated since Soviet times. The idea belongs to the captain of the nuclear icebreaker “50 Let Pobedy” Dmitry Lobusov, as well as the Soviet and Russian icebreaker captain, Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation Gennady Antokhin. The project partners are MMC Norilsk Nickel, Phosagro and Russian Railways.
The project curator on behalf of the FinU is the Directorate of Career Development, Work with Alumni and Partners.
In 2021, with the support of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East and Arctic and the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, the Federal Clean Arctic project was launched, which is a long-term civil and public initiative aimed at solving the urgent problem of eliminating pollution of Russian Arctic territories at the local, regional and federal levels.
