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| Bulletin 16
April - May 1999 |
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| MIO-ECSDE Secretariat News
MCSD
Thematic Group Workshop on “Information, Awareness, Environmental Education and
Participation”, Athens, 24-25 May 1999
During these months the
Secretariat advanced its work as task manager of the MCSD Thematic Group “Information,
Awareness, Environmental Education and Participation”.
It prepared and distributed to the members of the Thematic Group the Final
draft report of the MCSD Thematic Group on Information, Awareness, Environmental Education
and Participation. MIO-ECSDE also contributed in the formulation of a questionnaire
elaborated, supervised and distributed by CREE, concerning the issues of the Thematic
Group. The questionnaire was distributed widely to regions, local Authorities and other
relevant actors of the European Mediterranean regions and it included questions related to
participatory procedures and access to information e.g. how they get information, how easy
it is, etc.
Another brief questionnaire, including specific questions meant to help
the presentation, during the workshop, of successful case studies on the issues of the
Thematic Group, was also distributed by MIO-ECSDE.
The Workshop was organised at the MIO-ECSDE premises and was attended
by representatives of most of the members of the Thematic Group and other relevant bodies
(namely representatives from CREE, UNEP/MAP, European Community, Ministry of Environment,
Planning and Public Works of Greece, Albania, France, Morocco, Turkey, experts from U.K.,
APNEK, EcoMediterrania, MEDASSET, MEDCities, WWF). The meeting’s agenda included (i)
presentation of the Background Document (Draft Final Report), (ii) presentation of the
results of the Questionnaire, (iii) Case Studies presentations and relevant discussions,
(iv) discussion on the formulation of the Final Report and (v) conclusions of the
Workshop.
The Final Report of the Thematic Group, which will include the
amendments made during the workshop, will be used as a background document for review in
the 5th plenary meeting of the MCSD (Rome, 1-3 July 1999), while its recommendations will
be proposed for adoption by the Contracting Parties. The recommendations adopted during
the meeting are given herewith (Attachment 1).
More information on the outcomes of the Workshop will be included in
the forthcoming issue of the Sustainable Mediterranean.
12th Executive
Bureau Meeting of MIO-ECSDE
12th Executive
Bureau Meeting of MIO-ECSDE
The 12th EBM of MIO-ECSDE was organised on the 23rd
of May 1999 at the MIO-ECSDE premises, with the opportunity of the organisation of the
MCSD Thematic Group Workshop. The meeting’s agenda included amongst others:
- Presentation of the MIO-ECSDE activities since the previous EBM in December 1998.
- Discussion on MIO-ECSDE organisational issues: Staff matters, Financial issues,
ongoing projects and new applications.
- Information and discussion on the MCSD Thematic Group Workshop on “Information,
Awareness, Environmental Education and Participation”.
- Membership issues. (Four new members were in principle accepted by the Bureau to
be formally voted at the next AGM)
- Other business.
The next EBM, if necessary, is foreseen for early July, on the
occasion of the 5th MCSD meeting in Rome, 1-3 / 7 / 1999.
Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999 Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999
Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999
Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999
Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999
Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999
Instruments Favouring Sustainable Tourism and Green Purchasing of Incentive
Tours, Congresses and Seminars, Athens, 19-20 April 1999
This hearing was organised
jointly by MIO-ECSDE, the European Partners for the Environment (EPE) and the Ministry of
Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works of Greece, with the support of UNEP, the
International Hotels Environment Initiative and the Eco-labelling Unit of DGXI.
The main objectives of the
hearing were to inform all interested parties about latest trends and best practices
regarding Eco-labels, EMAS, ISO 14000, Local Agenda 21, Green purchasing for hotels,
congress and conference centres/halls, cities and destinations.
The meeting, which was attended by approx. 75 representatives of
various relevant to the issue actors (ministries, local authorities, tourism associations,
NGOs etc.), was very fruitful and successful.
MIO-ECSDE has proposed to the Greek Ministry of Environment to
undertake the preparation and edition of the meeting’s proceedings.
ENVIRONMENTAL CIVIL FORUM, (Stuttgart, 13-15 April
1999)
(NGOs’ contribution to the
Euro-Mediterranean Ministers’ of Foreign Affairs Conference -BARCELONA III, Stuttgart,
15-16 April 1999)
The “Environmental Civil Forum” was the major and combining event
of a series of actions organised by the Comité de Suivi in cooperation with the Heinrich
Boll Foundation, as the NGOs’ contribution to the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers’ of
Foreign Affairs Conference – BARCELONA III. More than 80 representatives of NGOs from
the EU and Mediterranean region attended the Forum. From the MIO-ECSDE Bureau M. Scoullos,
E. Adly and Y. Nouri attended and actively participated in the meeting.
The European Commission has communicated the following text for the
Euro-Mediterranean synopsis:
The NGOs reaffirmed their commitment to the objective of sustainable
development called for under the Barcelona Declaration. They recalled the EuroMed Partners’
commitment to integrate environmental concerns into all policies; underlined the crucial
environmental importance of the Mediterranean and welcomed the adoption in 1997 of the
Short and Medium Term Action Programme on the Environment (SMAP). Among other issues they
recommended the EuroMed Foreign Ministers’ conference to: 1) recognise in their final
Declaration that a EuroMed Sustainable Development Strategy for the next 15 years should
urgently be adopted. 2) Establish a EuroMed Sustainable Trade Area based on economically
viable, socially equitable and environmentally positive development. 3)Promote the
integration of environmental policies into all fields of co-operation foreseen in the
Barcelona Declaration as is agreed in the Amsterdam Treaty. 4) Establish a dispute
resolution mechanism for potential trade and environment disputes arising out of the
proposed Free Trade Area. 5) Make all loans compatible with the carrying capacity of the
region and align lending procedures with those of other multilateral development Banks.
The European Investment Bank as a main financial mechanism for the implementation of the
Partnership should be used as a leverage for sustainable development. 6) Consider that
foreign debt of many Med Partners is a significant constraint to their development and
take the necessary measures to convert their debt into projects promoting sustainable
development. 7) Support the Commission’s efforts for environmental integration as well
as the ability of EU Delegations in the Med Partners to inform and support local NGOs;
enhance the Commission’s role in integrating environment in the Barcelona Process; give
all support to the SMAP, and facilitate the Med NGOs’ access to the funds available.
Two other meetings were organised parallel to the Ministerial Meeting. The
“Conference on Human Rights and Citizenship in the Mediterranean”, 15-16 / 4 /
1999, focussed on the Middle East peace process, the situation of human rights, concerns
regarding human exchanges and fight against all forms of discrimination, women’s rights
and the participation of Civil Society to the Barcelona Process. The “Conference on
Economic Development, Industrial Relations and the Role of Trade Unions”, 13-16 / 4
/ 1999, focussed on the reinforcement and structure of the EuroMed Trade Union
Co-operation, the promotion and development of a balance between social and economic
interests, the creation of employment and prospects for young people, the establishment of
genuine social dialogue at national and transnational levels and on democratisation as a
pre-condition for progress and respect of human rights.
“La Fête en Mer”, Marseille/Ajaccio/Bastia, France, 26-29/4/1999
The Association MARINU, the
Local Authorities of Corsica and Marseille, the Ministry of Environment of France and
UNESCO, organised the 6th “La Fête en Mer” which took place on the
liner (Marseille-Corsica) “Bonaparte”, with stops at Marseille, Ajaccio and Bastia.
There were 25 different Workshops, on the ship, aiming to familirise, entertain and
educate school children on scientific and cultural aspects concerning the sea. 4000
children participated, as well as many educators involved in environmental education. On
the 28th of April an Environmental Civil Forum took place at the Prefecture
Hall in Ajaccio, were the establishment of a Mediterranean Research Centre on
Environmental Education Studies, was proposed and discussed.
Ms A. Veneti represented MIO-ECSDE at this event.
Environmental Education and Training
in Europe, DGXI, Brussels, 3-4 May 1999
Environmental Education and Training
in Europe, DGXI, Brussels, 3-4 May 1999
The Conference consisted of four sessions: (1) The Community
Policies, (2) Environmental Education, (3) Environmental Vocational Training and (4)
Prospects for the Future. MIO-ECSDE was represented by Prof. Scoullos whose presentation
was on “Education for Environment and Sustainability: International and
Euro-Mediterranean Experience” and Ms A. Veneti whose presentation was on “The Use of
Networks in Environmental Education – A Euro-Mediterranean Experience”.
RAMSAR Convention
meeting, Costa Rica, 8-18 May 1999
MIO-ECSDE participated actively at the Conference, and in the works
of MEDWET, the Mediterranean component of RAMSAR. There it was decided for MIO-ECSDE to
become more active.
MEDITERRANEAN
ENVIRONMENT – THE WOMEN’S PERSPECTIVE, ATHENS, 26-30 May 1999
This meeting was organised by the Association of Women of the
Mediterranean Region. The Conference’s objectives were to examine today’s reality
regarding environmental preservation and environmental threats in the Mediterranean
Region, to formulate and initiate common action in order to achieve a Mediterranean region
free on pollution, to halt wanton environmental destruction; safeguard the sea, air, soil
and water and press for measures toward sustainable urban development. Ms A. Veneti
represented MIO-ECSDE and presented an overview of the main environmental problems
occurring in the Mediterranean region.
MEDTAC Meeting, Bari, Italy, 29 May 1999
A MEDTAC meeting was organised on the 29th of May 1999
in Bari. The agenda of the meeting included the presentation and validation of the MEDTAC
calendar of events, presentation and discussion of the work strategies for the coming
months, presentation of the Mapping process in the Mediterranean region, presentation of
the Vision process in the Mediterranean region and discussions on the relevant issues.
Forthcoming Meetings
-5th MCSD Meeting, Rome,1-3 July 1999
-Euro-Mediterranean Water Director meeting, Malta, 6-7 July 1999
-Mediterranean Water Network Assembly, Malta, 5 July 1999 (Mediterranean
Water Network, c/Modesto Lafuente, 63-6o A, E-28003 Madrid, Spain, tel: +34 91 5350640,
fax: 5333663, e-mail: 106173.2041@Compuserve.com)
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