Solange Fiallos Ayala on 16th European Youth Parliament for Water

Solange Fiallos Ayala on 16th European Youth Parliament for Water (23-26 October 2024, Budapest).

"I participated in the 16th European Youth Parliament for Water, which focused on water and biodiversity.

We had field trips and engaged in workshops, debates, and other activities to inspire young people to become agents of environmental change. One of the field trips included a case study at the dike relocation monitoring site in Fokoru-puszta. The focus was on how flooding, especially during winter and spring, has affected the region and how the construction of dikes has provided solutions. The area's flood history includes significant events, such as the "flood of the century" in 1879, which destroyed the city of Szeged as water levels rose to 763 cm. Other major floods occurred in 1970, with water levels reaching 909 cm, and in 2000, when levels peaked at 1041 cm.

To manage flood risks effectively, several targeted strategies were discussed. These include moving dikes inland to allow rivers more space, removing sediment from riverbeds to enhance water capacity, and increasing dike heights in high-risk areas.

The Parliament fostered collaboration and encouraged participants to take active roles in addressing environmental challenges while promoting sustainable and resilient water management practices.

Everybody in Miskolc Uni knows Solange (third from right). The guy on her right is the ex-president of Hungary, Dr. János Áder."

Written by: Solange Fiallos Ayala