On 25 September 2025, World Lung Day was marked in Sarajevo through a series of interconnected activities aimed at raising awareness about air quality, public health, and the importance of collective action. The events brought together different generations and stakeholder groups, highlighting how clean air is essential for both individual well-being and community resilience.
The programme began at the Centre for Healthy Ageing, where participants from various age groups took part in interactive games, educational experiments, and expert lectures designed to engage both elderly participants and children. A key highlight was the expert lecture on lung health, which addressed the impacts of air pollution on respiratory health, particularly among older adults, and offered practical advice on reducing exposure. The session encouraged open dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions, share personal experiences, and express their concerns related to air quality and health. The activities concluded with the “Lung Challenge,” an interactive exercise that reinforced key messages in an accessible and engaging manner.
In parallel, children participated in hands-on environmental workshops that introduced basic concepts related to air, pollution, and combustion. Through simple experiments, they were able to understand how air behaves, how pollution is created, and why protecting air quality is important, fostering early environmental awareness.
Later the same day, activities continued at the Experimental Field of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, where discussions focused on greener cities and sustainable urban solutions. In a natural outdoor setting, participants reflected on how individual behaviour changes, combined with coordinated community efforts, can contribute to healthier and more resilient cities. Contributions from representatives of local authorities, civil society, and educational institutions underlined the importance of integrating environmental education, policy initiatives, and citizen engagement.
A particularly inspiring moment was the performance delivered by students of Primary School “Aleksa Šantić”, the first Eco-School in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through their presentation, the students demonstrated the power of youth engagement and showed how environmental messages can be effectively communicated through creative expression.
Activities continued on 26 September 2025 during the European Researchers’ Night, where the campaign reached a broader and more diverse audience. Through information booths, interactive quizzes, educational games, and visual materials, visitors were invited to learn more about air pollution, chemical safety, and everyday actions that can contribute to cleaner air. The high level of interest, particularly among younger participants, was reflected in thoughtful questions and active discussions, confirming the importance of engaging youth as key actors in future environmental action.
Overall, the events conveyed a clear message: air pollution is not a seasonal challenge, but a long-term issue that requires continuous, inclusive, and collaborative solutions. By connecting science, education, and community engagement, the activities marking World Lung Day 2025 contributed to strengthening public awareness and encouraging shared responsibility for cleaner air and a healthier future.