In this edition:

1. The 1st International Conference on Sustainability of Archaeological Sites through Cultural Events, 6-7 September 2001, Nafplion, Greece.
2. Working towards the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development
3. First Announcement of the MIO-ECSDE 6th AGM
4. Update on various activities
5. Euro-Med News

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1. THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABILITY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES THROUGH CULTURAL EVENTS, 6-7 SEPTEMBER 2001, NAFPLION, GREECE.

The Conference reviewed already existing positions and investigated through a global and multi-disciplinary approach, the necessary provisions for the conciliation and harmonization of today’s large-scale cultural events with policies and activities to promote, preserve and manage the historical and archaeological sites. A list of appropriate indicators was discussed, while it was decided that further work should be done on that with the collaboration of international bodies (UNESCO, Council of Europe, etc.). It was also recommended that Carrying Capacity Assessments should be elaborated for such sites in order to better meet the high standards of the events’ organisations and, at the same time, protect the site.

The Conference, which was organized by MIO-ECSDE and the Attiki Cultural Society, was attended by more than 130 participants and was put under the auspices of the Greek Ministry for Culture. A relevant background document was elaborated by MIO-ECSDE which is available from the Secretariat upon request.

The Conference was followed by two Performances of the “Teatro di San Carlo” of Napoli in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus with Igor Stravinsky’s plays of Oedipus Rex” (by Jean Cocteau) with Gerard Depardieu and “Persephone” (by Andre Gide) with Isabella Rosellini. The Conference and Performances were supported by Coca-Cola Hellas.

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2. WORKING TOWARDS THE JOHANNESBURG WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

MIO-ECSDE has been very much involved in the preparations for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development within the UN ECE region. The Chairman actively participated in the first PrepCom in July (Geneva, 12-13 July) and in the ad hoc NGO coalition, which held a meeting on the 11th and managed to include in the preliminary draft Ministerial Statement crucial issues pertaining to Mediterranean concerns (Environmental Education, Water, etc.). Throughout the summer MIO-ECSDE was asked to contribute comments and input in the drafting process, which culminated in the Ministerial Statement for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which was adopted during the Regional Ministerial Meeting (Geneva, 24-25 September 2001). The Chairman Prof. Scoullos represented MIO-ECSDE during this meeting as well as during the NGO and Multi stakeholder meetings held just before (22-23 September, 2001). An important fact that became clear from the above-mentioned meetings is that the views of NGOs largely coincide with those of the EU but are considerably different from those of both the U.S.A and some Eastern European countries.

MIO-ECSDE, MED Forum and RAED began co-organising, under the coordination of the latter, an NGO meeting just before the scheduled MCSD meeting in Turkey (1-2 October 2001). However, since the MCSD Meeting was postponed this joint meeting was also postponed till March-April2002.

Mediterranean Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Meeting: Contribution to a Mediterranean Strategy for the Johannesburg WSSD, 13 November 2001, Monaco
The meeting will take place directly before the 12th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties (14-17 Nov) and after the Extraordinary MCSD Meeting (12 Nov). This initiative of MIO-ECSDE has been commended by all stakeholders involved in the Rio+10 process (UN, UN ECE, UNEP ROWA, UNEP European Region, UNED, European Rio+10 Coalition, etc) and this is reflected not only in the interest shown on behalf of the European Commission and the Co-ordinating Unit of UNEP/MAP to support it and the Principality of Monaco to host it, but also in the very good response to the meeting in terms of early registrations. The overall objective of the meeting is to inform about and review the recommendations of the international sub-regional documents, and propose how to strategise on the position of governments, civil society, etc. and thus best influence the WSSD Prep Com Meetings 2, 3 and 4 and contribute to an effective presentation of the Mediterranean at Johannesburg.

The Secretariat has prepared two working documents:
(i) a compilation of the most relevant extracts from international sub-regional documents and suggested points which could be considered as appropriate to be incorporated and/or enrich the final text of the statement prepared by the UNEP/MAP Secretariat which will be based on the Tunis Declaration and will be adopted by the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention during the Ministerial segment of the meeting;
(ii) A 2001-2002 calendar of meetings including all possible Mediterranean contributions to the Johannesburg WSSD process.

For further details on the meeting contact the Secretariat or visit our web site www.mio-ecsde.org

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3. FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MIO-ECSDE 6TH AGM

The first announcement of the 6th AGM, which will be held in Cairo in December, was sent out in October along with a letter informing the members on their membership fee status. The second announcement will follow in early December with details on the venue, time and the provisional agenda. The report of activities, budget, proposed 2002 programme, etc., will be prepared and the Secretariat will try to budget the time so that for the first time the documents will be mostly bilingual (English and French).

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4. UPDATE ON VARIOUS ACTIVTIES

• The Federation attended the Focal Points Meeting (Sept. 11-14) in Athens and made significant contributions (additions, recommendations, etc.), all of which were adopted in the final document of the meeting, which in turn were adopted by the Contracting Parties in the 12th Ordinary Meeting (Nov. 14-17). The Mediterranean Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (see above) was also announced for the first time during this meeting.
• Thirteen (13) Member NGOs are participating in this year’s (2001) Med Action Day, which is entitled “Water in the Mediterranean in view of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10)”:

Algeria: TOUIZA, AE BOUMERDES
Egypt: AOYE
France: URVN
Greece: ELLINIKI ETAIRIA
Morocco: CMEPE
Palestine: PHG
Portugal: AMIGOS DA TERRA
Slovenia: DPPVN
Spain: ITACA, MEDITERRANIA
Tunisia: ADPE LA MARSA, APNEK

Each participating NGO has signed an agreement and will submit a full report with photos, newspaper clippings, videotapes, etc. by the end of the year. One member from each participating NGO will come to the Cairo meetings and bring a poster presentation of its Action Day.

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5. EURO-MED NEWS

THE NEW ‘EURO-MEDITERRANEAN STATISTICS’ IS OUT
Want to find out about recent population trends, inflation, transport or the environment in the Mediterranean region? The latest ‘Euro-Mediterranean statistics’ biannual publication from Eurostat, the EU’s Statistical Office, has the details in English, French and Arabic. Data for the publication was collected in the framework of the MEDA-funded MEDSTAT Programme. The 179 page ‘Euro-Mediterranean Statistics’ also covers European Free-Trade Association (EFTA) countries and it can be downloaded from Eurostat’s website http://europa.eu.int/comm/eurostat . First select ‘Quick Search’ then double click on ‘Euromed statistics’.

Representatives of the current Belgian Presidency of the European Union, of the European Commission and of the EU Council of Ministers’ Secretariat visited the Middle East from 1 to 11 October. The trip was designed to prepare the 5-6 November Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers’ meeting and to underline the importance of maintaining dialogue under the present circumstances. EU representatives had meetings in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, and Israel.

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