Protecting the environment also means protecting people, communities and future generations. This message brought together around 100 legal professionals and civil society representatives at the Van Bar Association on World Environment Day to discuss the link between environmental protection and human rights.
Expert-led sessions explored the general principles of environmental law and the ecological challenges posed by mining and hydroelectric power projects. Panel discussions also examined the complex intersection of ecology, climate, and gender, shedding light on how social dynamics shape environmental outcomes.
The sessions also addressed ecological migration and how environmental degradation can force people to leave their homes. Expanding on the theme of migration within the local context, the “Border Memory” art exhibition provided a powerful visual narrative of how intertwined environmental and human journeys can be.
The digital exhibition, narrated by one of the creators, featured images of Van’s potter's fields, the final resting places for those who lost their lives along the migration route, marked only by the locations where they were found. A narrative gallery also presented the story of an Afghan woman’s migration journey, capturing both her hardships and the resilience she demonstrated in forging a sense of belonging in Van.
The event also drew inspiration from children’s imagination. In a creative workshop organised in partnership with the Educational Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye (TEGV), 17 children were invited to draw pictures on love for nature and environmental protection. Using notebooks, colouring books, pastel crayons, pencils and colourful papers, the children expressed their ideas on how to protect the natural world.
The workshop encouraged children to express their hopes and visions for a sustainable future through art. Their drawings, later displayed in the main conference room, highlighted the importance of engaging young people in efforts to protect the planet. The children’s creations served as a powerful reminder of the essential role future generations play in shaping a greener and more sustainable world.
The joint programme “Fostering Civil Society Participation and Capacity Building in Access to Justice in Türkiye: Enhancing Human Rights in the Context of Migration and Environmental Justice” is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
