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.

From the Northeast

When the wind

And rain shift,

Push abruptly

From the northeast,

Blow whistling through

My attic window,

Snatches my hat,

A schoolyard bully,

And all the starlings

Are vexed, skittish,

I do not comprehend,

I am confused by the turn,

My routine up-ended

(a precarious wont as it is).

To evade apprehension

And a sound pelting,

I’m required to tilt,

Bend my head in

A diffident incline,

An unaccustomed direction.

Neither Memo Nor Miro

Everything everywhere frozen,

Thawed and frozen again,

Over standing, brackish water,

Inconsequential configurations,

Curvilinear spirals of ice,

I admire, I’m mesmerized by

These designs and look longer

And longingly at the ditch,

Longingly at a simple beauty,

Longer than at oh-so-significant

Office memoranda, busy, busy

Strategies, missions, implementations.

No, these meandering forms

Are priceless museum Miros,

Studied, revered, emulated.

And no, quietly apparent, this

Scene is neither memo nor Miro.

An Ordinary Saturday Night

Four beers in

On an ordinary Saturday night

And he’s doing internet research

On why dogs

Sit on people’s chests,

He can’t believe that his London

Has been gone

For more than two years.

Taylor Dibbert is a poet in Washington, DC. He’s author of, most recently, “Takoma.”

Lightning Blossom

When I quietly close my eyes in prayer

Or stroll through the morning forest catching my breath,

Suddenly, a bud of lightning

Blooms in the sky of my heart.

That flower becomes a spring of poetry,

Whispering a new song

Or gently untangling

The knotted threads of my troubles.

A thrilling ripple striking my heart—

Perhaps it is

A shining jewel placed in my heart

By the Master of the universe who breathes wisdom.

This jewel, flown in on a beam of light,

Is a warm proof

That He lives and loves me.

May this mysterious gift dwell often,

Let me pray daily with a burning heart,

And may the jewels He has poured out

Shine for His joy and glory.

Even when the gift hesitates,

I quietly hold in my heart

The mysterious melody

That my beloved will someday sing.

Spirit

The spirit dwelling deep within the body

Hears a whispering voice above the clouds.

The soul breathing alongside the spirit

Is an antenna catching the world’s vibrations.

The soul listens to city noise and crowd murmurs,

The body sways to soft whispers of instinct’s temptations,

So the spirit often misses the Creator’s gentle breath.

Amid the whirlpool of desires stirred by soul and body,

My spirit firmly grasps

The Creator’s shining shield and sword,

And cautiously feels along the path

Opened by the grace and wisdom flowing from His spring.

O Almighty, who fills all things with light,

Do not leave my spirit to its wavering choices,

But guide my spirit with Your hand,

Illuminating the way with a quiet light,

That I may follow wholeheartedly every day.

Embrace my spirit, trembling with unrest,

In Your warm arms like morning sunlight,

And fill it abundantly

With waves of laughter that seep deep within the heart,

And with the hope of sprouts blossoming toward tomorrow.

Conscience

Every time a wicked thought passes,

In the dark forest of my heart,

A chilling blade grazes the flesh,

Passing like a flash of lightning.

Dark clouds gather and weigh upon my mind.

The river within my heart

Is tossed about like a raft in a storm.

Invisible whispers

Come like a gentle breeze

And illuminate the shining path.

The One who quietly guides from above

Is the lighthouse of the soul,

Shining upon us in the dark, a star that guides to truth.

Wandering the alleys of online political news,

As comments overflow with lies and hatred,

My heart is crushed like a heavy stone,

And my pulse leaps erratically like a cricket.

Even amid the flood of evil falsehoods,

With eyes clear as spring water, beholding the truth,

Let me walk according to the will

Of the Creator of all things.

With drops of prayer,

May I cleanse the lighthouse of my soul.

Wansoo Kim achieved Ph. D. in English Literature from the graduate school of Hanguk University of Foreign Studies. He has published 8 poetry books. One poetry book, “Duel among a middle-aged fox, a wild dog and a deer” was a bestseller in 2012. He won the World Peace Literature Prize for Poetry Research and Recitation, presented in New York City at the 5^th World Congress of Poets(2004). He published poetry books, “Prescription of Civilization” and “Flowers of Thankfulness“ in America.(2019), received Geum-Chan Hwang Poetry Literature Prize in Korea(2019) and International Indian Award(literature) from WEWU(World English Writer’s Union)(2019). He published “Heart of God” in America(2020). He published an autobiography book, “Secrets and Fruits of Mission” and a poetry book, “Flowers of Gratitude”(2021). He received India’s Independence Day Literary Honors 2021”(2021). He published the Chinese version of his ebook, “Heart of God,” which reached Amazon bestseller #1(2022). He published poetry books, “Captive of Crazy Love.”(2023) and “Teachings of Mother Nature(2024).

The Beauty of Monsoon

The skies grow dark with a velvet grace,

Clouds gathering in a soft embrace.

A whisper stirs the sleeping trees,

And dances gently with the breeze.

First drops kiss the thirsty land,

Painting gold where dust once ran.

The earth exhales a musky sigh,

As peacocks call beneath the sky.

Fields awaken, lush and green,

Bathed in nature’s silver sheen.

Raindrops tap on roofs and glass,

A lullaby as moments pass.

Children splash in puddled lanes,

Their laughter rising with the rains.

Leaves glisten with jeweled light,

And frogs croak songs into the night.

Streams that slept begin to sing,

Revived by monsoon’s magic wing.

Each droplet writes a tale anew—

Of life, of hope, in shades of blue.

Don  Bormon is a student of grade ten in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

Where the Warmth Comes Not from Radiators, but from People: Chorsu Awakens!

Bustling life, the lively exchange between seller and buyer, the noise of hundreds of conversations, Assalomu alaykum – the motto of everyone in this beautifully historic place.

It’s just past five in the morning. The air is still warm, touched by a cool breeze that sends a light shiver through the skin. While some people are only beginning to wake up, life at Chorsu is already in full swing. Vendors’ hands are deep in dough, while buyers clutch white plastic bags filled with fresh herbs sticking out on top, alongside warm, delicious flatbreads. This is not just a marketplace – it’s a way of life, like a massive mansion where millions of different people live together each day.

“Come here, daughter! I’ve got tasty khanym – just give it a try!” shouts a woman in a green apron and headscarf. At the same time, she gives change, places a fresh portion of food on a plate topped with onions, and manages to smile warmly and kindly.

The Uzbek bazaar Eski Juva (Chorsu) is not about buying and leaving. It’s an ancient theatre, formed over 2,000 years ago in the heart of the old city, at the crossroads of four trading streets.

Since ancient times, it has served as a convenient gathering place for merchants from many countries. Here, anyone could sell their crafts, food, clothing, and more. This tradition has been passed down through generations, which is why every tourist visiting Uzbekistan eagerly awaits their chance to visit the bazaar – to become a participant and a member of this living family. It’s a place where grandmothers argue over the price of potatoes, grandfathers discuss football and the latest news while browsing goods, girls try on dresses made of adras and atlas, and boys pick out their perfect tubeteika.

“I’m here every Saturday. Not to buy – to chat,” says Hikmat-ota, playing backgammon right on a carpet spread over the asphalt. “Chorsu is like a mini Uzbek mahalla, filled with bright colors. Everyone here belongs.”

Here, you don’t just buy food – you experience the real atmosphere of Uzbekistan. Stalls overflow with mountains of raisins and figs, rows of pahlava and nuts, spices of every shade and aroma – from the sharp scent of zira to the rich fragrance of saffron.

This bazaar is more than just a place of trade – it’s a mirror of the Uzbek soul, where every respected vendor is something of a philosopher, and every customer is not a guest, but a neighbor. Here, people know how to slow down, how to listen, and how to genuinely enjoy meeting each other.

By evening, the shopping bags are heavier, but the mood is lighter. And as the sun dips lower and the market begins to exhale after the day’s hustle, it becomes clear: Chorsu is not just a market.

It is the heartbeat of the city, its soul. It is the living memory of Tashkent, where every morning begins with a friendly shout, a hot flatbread, and the feeling that you are home.

Sultonova Mohidil, student of journalism and mass communications