An International Training Workshop on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in MAB Biosphere Reserves (MAB BRS) & other specially designated areas in SEE and the Mediterranean will take place in 22-24 June 2009, Greece. The wider aim of the workshop is to inform, exchange views and train on ESD those staff of MAB BRs, as well as bodies of other kind of designated areas (Protected Areas - PAs), who are in charge of educational activities in their area. More specifically the training aims at preparing the participants on possible ways to apply a new educational material entitled ESD in MAB BRs and other specially designated areas, that is being currently drafted in English Language.

MIO-ECSDE co-organised throughout 2008 jointly with GWP-Med and other organisations a series of targeted capacity building activities that focus on methodologies and experiences on addressing issues of transboundary water resources management in the framework of the Petersberg Phase II / Athens Declaration Process and GEF IW:LEARN. Four workshops in total were organized until the end of 2008 while two more are planned for 2009. The aim of the workshops is to enhance the practical capacity of key stakeholders on priority issues of integrated management of shared water bodies, hence assisting in advancing practical application in Southeastern Europe (SEE). The activity is also supported by GEF IW:LEARN, the German Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and UNEP/MAP.

A new course on Environmental Economics is now available on the www.smap.eu Learning Centre, in English and Arabic. Environment has a value for all of us. What Environmental Economics does is to help determine the monetary value of environmental assets and of the degradation of those assets. This course is intended for anyone interested in Environmental Economics (EE) tools and techniques and/or in their use as decision-support tools.
It provides a thorough introduction to the subject covering aspects such as:
- Basic economic theory
- EE concepts and valuation techniques
- EE decision-support tools, with a special focus on cost-benefit analysis
- Use of economic instruments to support sustainable development.

The course is divided into 9 lessons, each of which should take 2 to 3 hours to complete.
Theory is presented in clear, accessible language and is complemented by practical examples, mainly from the Euro-Mediterranean context.

On April 2nd 2009, at the European Parliament in Brussels the conference ‘Working and living with nanotechnologies’ took place, which focused on the results of the European NanoCAP (acronym for “Nanotechnology Capacity Building NGOs”) project. The Mediterranean Information Office for Environment Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) presented jointly with the other NGOs participating in the project, its position on Nanotechnologies. Interestingly enough, the views and positions of the Trade Unions very much coincided with those of the NGOs, although originating from the perspective of safety in the working place.

High level decisions are in progress in Europe (EU Parliament, Commission, Council, etc.) and around the world on the future of nanotechnologies, which although at a first glance provide very promising applications, when examined in more detail may pose environmental and health risks that need to be taken into account and prevented.

“Although indisputably nanotechnology could offer an endless extent of possibilities, the key challenge is to set a long term plan of action, by engaging all stakeholders in an open discussion; and this, at an early stage of development of this powerful, innovative, high-end technology so as to ensure that it moves towards the resolution of many of the world’s current problems, and at the same time constitutes a ‘no regret’ approach”, states the Chairman of MIO-ECSDE, Prof. M. Scoullos.

Within the framework of the NanoCap project a final conference entitled "Working and Living with Nanotechnologies" took place on the 2nd of April 2009, at the European Parliament, Brussels (Rue Wiertz 60).
At the NanoCap conference European Trade Unions and Environmental NGOs presented their positions and perspectives on nanotechnologies at the workplace and in the environment.
In a workplace and an environmental panel the positions were discussed with the Members of European Parliament, European Commission, Industry, Trade Unions, Environmental organisations, Consumer associations and Scientists.

In December 2008, in Jordan, at the Civil Society meeting held on the day before the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Water (December 22nd), Mediterranean regional NGOs had the opportunity to voice their views and concerns on freshwater issues in the Mediterranean as well as on the process of development of the Mediterranean Strategy for Water, which was officially launched at the Ministerial Conference.
To follow up on these recent events, the Comité de Suivi (CdS), representing hundreds of environmental NGOs in the Mediterranean, reiterates some key points of the Civil Society Statement that was adopted in Jordan on the 21st of December 2008 in a position paper.

As every year LEGAMBIENTE is organizing the Clean up the Med Campaign. To strengthen our common willingness for a cleaner environment, we kindly ask you to join the initiative and to disseminate the participation form.

Comme d’habitude LEGAMBIENTE organise le campagne annuelle «Nettoyons la Méditerranée». Appuyez notre engagement commun pour une Méditerranée plus propre, joignez l’initiative et diffusez la fiche d’adhésion.

Find more information and the registration form here in english and in french .

Beyond expectations, the environmental ministers of 140 countries gathered in Nairobi, Kenya for the 25th UNEP Council meeting
(20 February 2009), agreed to begin negotiating a treaty to control global mercury pollution. The new treaty for the control of global mercury emissions will include actions to reduce: mercury supply, its use in products and processes and overall atmospheric mercury emissions, which will ultimately reduce human and environmental exposure globally. The preparations for the negotiations on the global treaty will start in 2009 and will be completed by 2013.
It is well known that mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife. Exposure to high concentrations of mercury and its compounds can be fatal to humans or exposure to low concentrations can cause adverse effects to the development of the neurological system, and have recently been linked to possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems.
Read the full-text press release here

Mediterrània CIE and MIO-ECSDE are calling for candidates to be considered for the 9th MEDITERRANEAN HONORIFIC AWARD, addressed to innovative projects relating to the environment and sustainable development. The award is open to all those organisations in the Mediterranean region working for the protection of the environment, culture, as well as on sustainable development issues. This year any ongoing action combining art/culture and environment/sustainable development can apply.
Submissions should be made in English.
Further details on how to make a submission can be found attached and at http://www.mediterrania-cie.org
Deadline for submissions: April 30th 2009.
The Award ceremony will take place in Tarragona, Spain in June 2009.

A Civil Society Meeting took place on the 21st of December 2008 at the Dead Sea in Jordan. MIO-ECSDE was one of the co-organisers along with RAED, GWP-Med (regional partners) and JOHUD (local Jordanian organisation).