Water knows no borders
On June 21, 2025, Hajógyári Island was once again filled with families and children attending the Danube Day 2025 programs. At the heart of the event, the Faculty of Water Sciences stand at the Generali Children’s Island was especially popular, with a steady stream of visitors drawn to its engaging water-themed demonstrations and interactive stations.
A key new element this year was the involvement of the UNESCO Chair in Water Conflict Management, which joined the event for the first time with a range of interactive educational activities designed specifically for younger children. The Chair’s mission is to foster awareness of water-related challenges, sustainable water use, and the importance of international cooperation among even the youngest age groups.
The playful stations created by the Faculty captivated both younger and older children alike:
- two eye-catching infographic games that taught children about the water cycle and introduced them to the wildlife of aquatic habitats;
- a coloring table where the youngest participants could bring the world of the Danube to life with their drawings;
- a water-themed matching game.
One of the most popular attractions remained the Faculty’s drones, with staff presenting an impressive demonstration over the Danube, following a fish release event in which the children also took part — while the microscope stations also attracted many curious young minds.
During the activities, children collected stamps in their Danube Day passport for each station they completed, and they eagerly anticipated exchanging their fully stamped passports for prizes.
The Danube Day programs jointly organized by the Faculty of Water Sciences and the UNESCO Chair in Water Conflict Management once again highlighted the importance of raising awareness among the youngest generations: it is never too early to talk about the future of water, shared responsibility, and international cooperation — and playful learning remains one of the best ways to engage even the youngest minds.
Both the Faculty and the Chair are committed to returning to next year’s Danube Day with similar programs — because the Danube is our shared river, and water is our shared responsibility.