Gomel’s 9th Republican Contest of Economic Habits Projects — Energy Marathon 2015 — attracts over 1,500 artistic and technical works

Gomel’s 9th Republican Contest of Economic Habits Projects — Energy Marathon 2015 — attracts over 1,500 artistic and technical works, awarding prizes for the top 50 creative, innovative and feasible ideas

Contest winner Ivan Gapeenko

The event was launched, jointly, nine years ago by the Department of Energy Efficiency (of the State Committee for Standardisation) and the Education Ministry. Since then, the contest has developed, as the First Deputy Energy Minister, Leonid Shenets, asserts. He tells us, “It began with children’s drawings; the competition has now moved on, to encompass a whole generation of young people. They understand the value of efficient energy use, and can make practical suggestions for application.”

Students at the Beloe Ozero State Professional-Technical College of Electrical Engineering (Brest Region) presented their mini hydro-electric station at the event, showing how it could be used to illuminate an eco-route at the reserve. Vitaly Kretsky, who was heading the jury, explains that a similar project has been already implemented, providing affordable electricity.

Ivan Gapeenko, an eleventh grade pupil at Minsk’s State Gymnasium-College of Arts, was praised for his video, planned for TV broadcasting, which shows that ‘energy is not an abstract notion’. He explains, “It embraces real trees, nature and everything alive. In saving energy resources, we’re saving the health of our planet. I’m convinced that this topic can unite young people into action.”

The Energy Marathon will soon unite not only Belarusian but foreign youngsters, with organisers keen to give the campaign ‘international’ status.