Raising Eco-Conscious Leaders: My Journey with the ʼʼEcoMarathon ʼʼProject

In a world grappling with climate change, pollution, and the degradation of nature, the importance of environmental awareness cannot be overstated. Among the many initiatives working toward a greener planet, the ʼʼEkoMarathonʼʼ  stands out as a remarkable and impactful project that not only educates youth but also transforms them into active defenders of the environment. I am honored to have been part of this inspiring journey.

The EkoMarathon is the brainchild of the dynamic and visionary Xusayn Tursunboyev—a person who wears many prestigious titles and plays several key roles in the field of youth activism and environmental advocacy. He is a member of the Youth Parliament, part of the TOP 20 Eco-Activists, recipient of the Ulughbek State Scholarship, the first-ever laureate of the Nature Protector Award, mentor-trainer at @uva_uz, Chairman of the Youth Ecologists Council (@yoshekologlar), and founder of the @ekonuruz and its flagship initiative, the ʼʼEkoMarafonʼʼ.

Launched in 2023 by the ECONUR team, the project has already completed ten successful seasons, growing in impact and recognition with each passing year. It is designed not only to equip young people with theoretical knowledge about ecology but also to guide them in putting that knowledge into practice. The project instills responsibility, awakens love for nature, and creates a ripple effect by encouraging participants to initiate their own environmental efforts within their communities.

My First Step Into a Green Future

I became part of this movement during its 7th season, and currently, I am proud to be participating in the 10th season as well. Thousands of young people apply for each season of the marathon, yet only 150 delegates are carefully selected based on merit, commitment, and potential to make a difference. The competitive nature of the selection process itself speaks volumes about the credibility and seriousness of the project.

Participating in the 7th season was a turning point in my life. Before that, I had a general interest in nature, but the EcoMarathon deepened my understanding and strengthened my emotional connection to the environment. It turned my curiosity into a calling. As a result, I not only became more environmentally responsible in my daily life but also took the initiative to create my own project called EkoZakovat, which focuses on ecological knowledge and awareness through educational games and challenges.

What Makes the EcoMarathon Unique

The EcoMarathon is structured as a 3-day program. Though it is technically an online project, the actual activities and assignments are performed offline by the participants, ensuring practical engagement. Delegates are divided into teams, each supervised by coordinators who monitor progress, ensure participation, and maintain discipline throughout the program.

Despite the online nature of coordination, the atmosphere is incredibly vibrant and unifying. In just three days, strangers from different corners of the country become like a family—sharing experiences, solving real-life ecological challenges, and motivating each other to do better. One of the most admirable features of the project is its balance between strong discipline and a supportive environment. Delegates who do not fulfill their responsibilities are respectfully removed, maintaining the quality and seriousness of the marathon.

The sessions include hands-on ecological training, creative challenges, recycling activities, awareness campaigns, and much more. The training sessions are delivered by environmental experts and mentors who offer valuable insights into various ecological issues and solutions. Each day of the marathon is carefully planned to be meaningful, motivational, and memorable.

EcoMarathon’s Deeper Impact

The EcoMarathon is not just about cleaning up parks or planting trees—it is about changing mindsets. It encourages participants to see the environment not as a separate entity, but as an extension of themselves. It teaches us that every small action, from using reusable bags to conserving water, can have a meaningful impact if multiplied across society.

Moreover, the project fosters leadership, communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Delegates learn to handle pressure, cooperate with people from diverse backgrounds, and take ownership of responsibilities. These are life-long skills that serve well beyond the ecological context.

The ripple effect is truly visible—many former participants have gone on to lead their own eco-initiatives, conduct local training sessions, and become influential voices in their communities for sustainable living.

My Personal Growth Through the Project

Looking back, I can confidently say that being a part of the EcoMarathon helped shape who I am today. It was not just a program I attended—it was a transformational experience. It changed my perspective on life, strengthened my belief in youth power, and most importantly, showed me that even a single individual can contribute to global change.

I still remember how nervous I was before my first season. But within the first day, I realized I was in a space where everyone shared the same dream—a greener, cleaner, and more conscious world. That sense of unity, shared purpose, and boundless energy still motivates me today.

After my 7th season, I continued to stay active in ecological work. I volunteered for other environmental events, helped organize eco-quizzes, and even mentored younger students who were interested in environmental protection. I now feel a sense of responsibility not only to nature but to future generations.

The Power of Youth and the Road Ahead

The EcoMarathon proves that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the changemakers of today. When given the right guidance, tools, and opportunities, they are capable of tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Projects like the EcoMarathon are essential in building this bridge between knowledge and action.

As the 10th season continues, the dream is to expand the program even further—to reach more young people, create more awareness, and amplify the impact. The organizers hope to one day involve hundreds, if not thousands, of delegates per season, bringing ecological education into the mainstream of youth development.

I deeply support this vision. I believe that if every young person could go through an experience like the EcoMarathon, we would be living in a vastly different world—one where empathy for the planet is a natural part of our daily decisions.

Final Reflections

In conclusion, the ʼʼEkoMarathonʼʼ is more than just a project; it is a movement. A movement that brings together knowledge, action, and emotion in the most powerful way. It awakens the inner environmentalist in each participant and empowers them to carry that fire into the real world. For me, it wasn’t just a season of training—it was the season where I found purpose.

I am grateful to Xusayn Tursunboyev and the ECONUR team for their relentless efforts, their belief in youth, and their dedication to making this world a better place. The EcoMarathon is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose, and when young hearts come together for a common cause.

As I continue on my own journey of environmental activism, I carry with me the lessons, memories, and friendships built during the EcoMarathon. I hope my story inspires others to participate, to care, and most importantly—to act.

Because the future of our planet begins with the choices we make today.

Surayyo Nosirova Elyor qizi was born on May 13, 2006, in the Narpay district of the Samarkand region, Uzbekistan. From an early age, she showed a deep interest in literature, languages, and creative expression. Her passion for learning and writing became evident during her school years, where she actively participated in various academic, literary, and cultural activities. Currently, Surayyo is a first-year student at the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, specializing in English Philology and Teaching. She is known for her strong academic performance and her dedication to mastering the English language. Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom—she is the author of three published books: Heartfelt Thoughts, Voices in Writing, and Beyond Words: Mastering English. Each of these works reflects her insights into language learning, writing skills, and the emotional depth of student life. In addition to her books, Surayyo has written numerous articles.

A WONDERFUL LIFE

Kathy, lovely Kathy,

you’re just seventeen,

a sixth former with slip-on self-assurance,

doing an additional A-level

(in Sophistication),

talking Blake and Camus over coffee,

inhaling Coltrane and Beethoven’s late quartets,

Kathy with the liquefying lips and willing breasts

and spring in your smile.

You’re free from

the quagmire of kids

(nappies, potties, snot, spots);

games of happy families with cardsharper in-laws

and the Oedipean, Oresteian tragedy

of turning thirty;

after that the long death-march across mindless plains,

mediocre amid mediocrities,

just another Cycladic head;

days, weeks, months, years, decades of sameness –

dull, dull, dull, dull, dull,

only enlivened by prostate trouble and piles;

finally a joyless retirement from a meaningless job;

then afternoons of staring at dust-motes in wintry sunbeams;

unliving your life by forgetting bits of it;

waiterly disdain and the furious indifference of shop assistants;

insidious dilapidation – wonky eyes and ears, squiggly fingers,

insubordinate bowels

and the ultimate betrayal, by the bastard liver –

falling asleep after four drinks.

Kathy, lovely Kathy,

you’re free from all that

and still seventeen

over sixty years later.

You’ll always be seventeen

until I die

and with me my memories

of my first girlfriend

before the move for dad’s new job

made me lose touch with you.

Actually

she’s almost certainly snuffed it by now,

or is slowly zimmering off into the sunset,

like me,

fallen among husks

that are drooling in the death row of armchairs

in front of the shouty TV,

confounded by Coronation Street,

here in our frigging home from home –

the Enchanted Elders Serenity Centre.

SYNECDOCHE

Two trees

grey gaunt

no leaves no buds no nests

branches and twigs clenched in agony,

a madman’s scribble on the sky

motionless writhing

speechless screaming

two contorted torture victims;

refugees from lands of famine and flood

reaching out Belsen-thin fingers and arms;

when the wind blows,

skeletons jerking in a dance of death

a prodigy beside a portent.

The man had been pissed off because these two trees at the bottom of his

neighbour’s garden blocked the sunlight for his boozy barbecues, so one

night he leaned over the fence and poured diesel oil on their roots,

murdering nature.  

Conclusion from yourself…

A mother had a daughter and a son. Since her son was little, he used to play ambulance a lot. When the mother noticed this, she said: “My son will become a doctor.” The mother then directed her son to the medical field. When he grew up, he studied medicine. Thus, he became a qualified doctor. The mother married off her daughter and raised her son. The son’s wife kept saying to her husband, “Let’s buy a separate house and live separately.” One day, the son told his mother what his wife had said. The mother agreed, saying: “Okay, my son, live separately.” The son and his family moved to another house. The son gradually paid less attention to his mother and received less news. One day, the son had a dream. His dream was as follows: one day, there was a call. The son and his assistant were The ambulance was driving to the address given. The driver turned the steering wheel to the street where the boy’s mother lived.

At that moment, the boy’s body was filled with great anxiety. The driver stopped the car in front of the house where the boy’s mother lived and said, “This house.” The boy hurriedly entered the house and when he entered the room… he saw his mother lying dead on the floor. At that moment, the boy woke up. The boy said that it was a wonderful dream. He quickly dressed and went to his mother. He went and hugged his mother tightly, tears welling up in his eyes and said, “Mom, I love you.”

The mother said to her child, “I love you too.” When the boy came to himself, the mother asked, “What happened, my child?” The boy told her about the dream he had. After saying that, the son said, “Mom, I will not leave you alone anymore, we will live with you now.” The mother hugged her son again and said, “Oh, my child.” “My child,” he said. Dear ones, let’s not forget that parents are a blessing. Before it’s too late, pay more attention to your parents now, make them happy, tell them that you love them every day, every hour if possible. May that dream not come true for you!…

Yuldasheva Oyshakhon was born on May 28, 2011. She lives in the Sabo neighborhood of Yangiyul city, Tashkent region. She is currently an 8th grade student at Yangiyul city, Secondary School No. 3. She is an active participant in various events, competitions and science Olympiads held at the school.

The path I have chosen is for the future of children.

Every time I hear the laughter of children, something flutters in my heart. As if a voice inside me says: “That’s why you live.” They are innocent, pure, sincere. 

One of their tears shakes the world, one of their smiles warms the heart. 

I want to live for children. Not just that – as a person who listens to their pain, heart, and breath. I want to protect them. That’s why I chose Pediatrics. 

This profession requires not only knowledge, but also heart, love, and patience. You can’t just treat a child – you also need to understand him. You need to look into his fearful eyes and give him confidence. 

Being a doctor is not just about writing prescriptions, it’s about giving love, receiving blessings, and being a reason to live. Even though I’m still a student, I’m learning slowly. Every lesson, every page of a book brings me closer to my dreams. Every night I memorize terms, every morning I wake up – all this is for the future I want. 

Sometimes I get tired, cry, and suffer. Questions like “why did I choose this profession?” also arise inside me. But suddenly my parents’ voices are heard, and every time I write to my father, they say: “Daughter, you will grow up, you are our greatest hope, we trust you, you will justify our trust.” These words give strength to my heart. In fact, the biggest reason for me to choose this profession is my father. My father’s faith in me, his dreams, and his prayers will not stop me from my path. I did not choose this path by chance. My heart chose this path. For the children, for the future, and above all, for the trust in my parents.

Rushana Raupova Sanjar qizi was born on May 7, 2005 in Yakkabag district of Kashkadarya region. Currently she resides in Tashkent city. She is a 2nd year student of the Faculty of Pediatrics of Tashkent State Medical University and participated in the international anthology in Turkey. Her articles are being published in the international anthology. 

Dream?

Dreams embrace the sky,

Then dreams fly from this dream

Let me fly in the sky, embrace the cloud

Even if it’s just in my mind, I’ll reach my dream.

If there was a way, I would find a way,

My hope would save my heart from breaking

May the sky embrace my aching heart,

May the clouds fill my heart.

Even if it’s just in my mind, I’ll reach my dream,

Even if it’s just in my mind, I’ll embrace the sky.

There are no opportunities to make a dream come true,

There are no people who give me opportunities.

Murodillayeva Mohinur was born in 2008 in Kashkadarya region and is an 11th grade student of secondary school No. 44 of Guzar district of Kashkadarya region.

She came draped in birdsong

among those tender ponds they’d planted

for us

among our dressgreen lawns.

Immediately,

her smile feathered into action

a fowler’s net over us unwary all

(and I, admittedly, no less the nestling than another).

And when she’d left

our ponds in tatters,

our lawns gone feral again,

her shoes still twittered

In the new forest of I’s

(some trees fallen, some blazed).

REGRETS

I’m sorry we never walked arm/in/arm,

but that was from my own defects

and not your guise.

Next to your lovely limbs I’m left un/armed and fallen.

If I never said you were beautiful,

then it was from my tongue’s neglect

and not my eyes.

(I could tell you were lovely at once, but not tell you.)

Then I finally stripped down to humble,

paraded for you my regrets,

frustrations, sighs…

Keep my rubble.

You may require fill material.

FROM VIENNA, THEIR INTERPRETATIONS OF DREAMS

Two men fought their Mein Kampfs in their minds,

their unconscious wars on vaginas,

their struggles with a less-than mankind.

While Freud, that Jew, painted Austria

as a vast panorama of dicks,

Adolf Hitler, antisemitic,

bent crucifix into swastika.

Reader of signs, and maker of myths,

these, then, our architects, these our smiths.

GLUE ALL GONE

1. At my touch you’d rain from within.

You’d pulse like pigeons on a bush.

Our stormy passions fused our crows

into a rainbow made for me,

(Monochrome to Technicolor!

Distinguished Valor in a poem.)

Each new day after the havoc,

honored like sabbaths tossed in clay,

ceramic artifacts, intact

(though blackened and scratched) among bricks.

We did love the moon’s wallpaper

till stripped by scrapers in sun’s gloves.

2. There’s a toad between my legs

where I used to rear a snake,

and that nest between your limbs

disintegrated to stems.

3. I was determined to climb the mountains

but you always rode the lifts.

I was eager to dare the uncertains

and you wanted to tame the ifs.

Whenever my compass pointed to lost

you would new-rig my spankers,

and when all meridians were crossed

you would balloon my anchor.

I was the pistol in the crystal shop,

and you the glue in the glue gun.

The day came when you were ready to stop,

though my days had just begun.

You had followed in the wake of my wrecks

with your tender of repairs.

And now I gamble on an empty deck,

my hold bereft of a pair.

YOUR MARRIAGE TO THIS OLD MAN

To possess a stone of rules against those pharaoh-boys

and their noisy persuasions and their handsome toys

you needed to meet a thin christ at Calvary

or a buddha declining in his banyan leaves.

The unexpected dwarf you met your wedding night

was a bullrush baby again, enough of knife

to open a Red Sea but not a Promised Land.

All the commandments are sleeping tablets cut from sand.

You’re lost in the desert, and deferred in the dust

your legendary golden calves, your burning bush.

…

I WISH MY STEPMOM DIDN’T HAVE MY PHONE NUMBER

on Father’s Day 

my stepmom texted me-

“I can’t believe you haven’t called your father!”

I wish I could’ve texted her in 1988-

”I can’t believe you’re a home wrecker!”

but I was just a powerless

lost

10 year old 

made of tears

and I didn’t know what to do but wish

I hadn’t forgotten to call my father today

I was sick in bed

I’m about to call him now

thank god for cell phones

now there’s no chance of my stepmom

picking up