The GREENWAY NEWSLETTER, No. 29, 1996 CONTENT I. GREENWAY...GREENWAY?...GREENWAY! 1 CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT 1 SUSTAINABLE SLOVAKIA 4 II. FROM GREENWAY MAIL BOX 8 NORWAY PROPOSES OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECYCLING AND PACKAGING WASTE 8 THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 9 SUSTAINABLE EUROPE CAMPAIGN 11 CONCLUSIONS FROM THE NOVEMBER PAN-SLOVAKIA CONFERENCE 12 TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SLOVAKIA IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT 14 III. CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, COURSES, OTHER EVENTS 16 8TH INTERNATIONAL ECOPEDAGOGICAL COORDINATION MEETING 16 THE FIRST SESSION OF THE WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS 17 THIRD INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE 17 XI WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS: FORESTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 18 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS: THE ALPS - TOUCHSTONE OF EUROPE 20 IV. IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING/USEFUL TO KNOW 22 A "GREEN" DANISH ISLAND 22 MANAGEMENT SIMULATION LETS FIRMS TEST SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES 23 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESEARCH 24 ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CENTRAL EUROPE: PROBLEMS OF TRANSITION 25 PLANNING EDUCATION TO CARE FOR THE EARTH 26 I. GREENWAY...GREENWAY?...GREENWAY! CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATION OF EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN NGOs AND POPULATIONS (4 - 7 July 1996, Toulouse, France) The Conference was the second phase of the European process of consultation of NGOs and mountain populations regarding sustainable mountain development. The Conference followed on from a survey based on a questionnaire sent to 5,000 NGOs in 45 European countries (elaborated in 15 various languages). 100 delegates from 25 countries were invited on the Conference on basis of the questionnaire's answers from under 1,000 NGOs, that filled in the questionnaire and sent it back. The conclusions of the Conference will be submitted to the second session of the European Inter-Governmental Consultation on Sustainable Mountain Development, to take place in Trento, Italy, in October 1996. The Conference included plenary sessions and working groups. There were 4 working groups: I. NGOs as key participants in sustainable mountain development. Keywords: information, education, mobilisation, role of local populations, decision and action process, control instruments... II. Tourism and the conservation of the mountain heritage: conflicts or complementarities? Keywords: forms of tourism, stakeholders, employment, carrying capacities and environmental limits, cultural identity, attractions, impacts... III. Mountains for production or protection? The role of agriculture and forests. Keywords: over-exploitation, under-exploitation, employment, subsidies, impacts, landscape, natural resources, quality products, evaluation of mountain products... IV. Planning and infrastructure: necessity or threat for sustainable development in the mountains? Keywords: urbanisation, industry, employment, services, transport, impacts... Conclusions of the Conference WORKING GROUP I. Chairmen: Delfi ROCA, Association for the protection of the Environment, Andorra Alexander JURAS, The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), Hungary It has been prepared 28 recommendations to governments. Some most important conclusions: Governments should take into consideration the special problems of areas affected by war and should ansure peace in these regions Introduce financial incentives which support sustainable mountain development Launch a series of pilot projects to demonstrate succesful ways for implementing sustainable mountain development; ongoing successful projects should be taken into account To create and enforce legislation on the protection of mountain environment To give financial and other kind of support to promote the exchange of information between mountain NGOs To support initiatives to develop the capacity of NGOs and others to contribute to sustainable mountain development WORKING GROUP II. Chairmen: Alan BLACKSHAW, Scottish Natural Heritage, United Kingdom Ivan VASHAKMADZE, Sustainable Tourism Center, Georgia These recommendations belong to the most important elaborated in this group: The importance of social or informal tourism. In considering policies for mountain tourism, Governments should recognise the importance of informal tourism. Combined Government approach. Governments should recognise the needs of mountain tourism as a specific issue requiring action on several fronts in combination: 1. MINISTRY OF TOURISM. Work out specific mountain tourism laws and policies, taking account of environmental protection etc; 2. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. Identification of areas where sustainable mountain tourism can be a first priority. 3. MINISTRY OF FINANCE. Consider favourable tax policies (e.g. tax- free zones) for small or local organizations in mountain tourism. Publicise scope for Government financial support to mountain tourism. A continuing ROLE FOR NGOs. NGOs may have specific expertise or experience as follows: 1. the mountain environment across many countries; 2. the practice of mountain recreation (e.g. walking, climbing, canyoning, canoeing) or other aspects of informal mountain tourism (e.g. bird-watching); 3. the protection or promotion of particular mountain areas which could be of direct value in establishing, and publicly promoting, policies likely to command the support of mountain users. WORKING GROUP III. Chairmen: Charles GALVIN, Euromontana, Federation Francaise d'Economie Montagnarde (FFEM), France Liri DINGA, Independent Forum of Albanian Women, Albania This section recommends to Governments and the European Union to following relevant conclusions: The specific nature of mountain areas be taken into consideration in all policy- making. The policy of support and of compensating for the handicaps of altitude and slope be sustained and enhanced, to promote small-scale and diversified agriculture. Such support may take the form of direct aid, reductions and exemptions for land and other taxes and reduced interest rates for loans. The support should include income support and also support for modernization or improvements to the living conditions of families, aid for integrating buildings into the landscape and renumeration for the maintenance functions and services rendered by agriculture. A network for the exchange of information and experience should be established between countries, between mountain massifs in these countries, and also between lowland and mountain areas. Twinning between Regions, for example between Eastern and Western Europe, should be envisaged. The education and training for the people of these regions should be enhanced, to enable them to take responsibility for the development of their regions. WORKING GROUP IV. Chairmen: Jean-Jacques FIX, Association Europeenne des Elus de la Montagne Jeronimo BLASCO, Foundation Ecology and Development, Spain Some important conclusions: Any mountain massif and any authority above commune level should have a master plan for regional development that attempts to promote respect for natural values and to establish guidelines for sustainable development and land use, with concern to respect the mountain region's architecture, restrict urban growth and center on existing villages. Public consultation on major projects should be designed to favor participation by local authorities, NGOs, local inhabitants and independent experts, and also include information and education on the environment. The ecological principles of restricting growth in the consumption of energy, products and raw materials, and promoting materials recycling, are to be encouraged. Infrastructure for transport and particularly for through traffic, should be designed to favour rail transport and piggyback routes, so as to reverse the present trend towards the predominance of road transport, the priority being for goods to go by rail. Protected areas should be used to test sustainable development projects and should be integrated with neighbouring areas, which should also include environmental principles in their planning and development schemes. For additional information: Svetlana Tomanova, Greenway SUSTAINABLE SLOVAKIA OVERVIEW OF RECENT PRO-SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES IN SLOVAKIA (State of the Art) This overview deals with activities handling with the notion sustainable development (life, living, society, future, etc.) in theoretical, practical, political and other spheres on different hierarchic levels (international, national, regional-local, etc.) 1. Theoretical level 1.1. Theoretical, event. methodological studies. 1.1.1. Productivity - Stability - Sustainability. 1.1.2. Principles, Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Development. 1.1.3. A Contribution of Landscape Ecology to the Concept of Sustainability. 1.1.4. The Approach to Sustainable Mountain Development in Slovakia. 1.1.5. Ecological Principles of Sustainable Development of Landscape Systems. 1.1.6. The Theoretical Problems Promoting of Sustainable Human Settlements Development in the Conditions of the Slovak Republic. 1.1.7. Sustainability: Environmental and Economic Problems of the Small Country in the Transition. 1.1.8. Ecological Networks - the Way to the Sustainable Development. 1.2. Conferences and Seminars 1.2.1. Revitalisation of the Rural Landscape - Precondition of the Sustainable Development, Nova Bosaca, 1993. 1.2.2. Sustainable Development in the 21st Century - Applications of the Conclusions of Rio Summit '92, Banska Stiavnica, 1993. 1.2.3. Perspectives of Sustainable Living in Europe, Kostelec nad Cernymi Lesy, 1993. 1.2.4. Programme og Revitalisation of the Spis region in the Spirit of the Sustainable Development Principles, Sp.N.Ves, 1993. 1.2.5. Sustainable Development and Landscape-Ecological Planning in European Mountain Regions, Zvolen, 1994. 1.2.6. Revitalisation of Villages and Landscape in White Carpathians, Strani, 1994. 1.2.7. Perspectives of Sustainable Living in Europe, Japan and North America, Prague, December 1994 (representative Slovak participation). 1.2.8. Sustainability of Ecosystems: Ecological and Economic Factors, Bratislava- Smolenice, 1995. 1.2.9. Towards Slovakia and the Czech Republic. 1.2.10. Post-November Slovakia from the environment and sustainable living point of view, 1994,1995. 1.3. Other relevant publications 1.3.1. Post-November (Post-revolutionary) Slovakia. 1.3.2. Sustainable Future for the Czech and Slovak Republics. 1.3.3. Collections: Message to...Rio, Luzern, Manchester, Kostelec, Buenos Aires, Paris, America, Kolymbari, Prague, Smolenice, Sofia... 1.3.4. Report on Sustainability in Slovakia. 1.3.5. Sustainable Development - The Environment Newsletter (Special Issue - 6/1994). 1.3.6. The New Europe - Newsletter for NGOs,...Sustainable Living and Change of Paradigm. 1.4. Education Dep. for Sustainable Developmnet - Banska Stiavnica (supported by UNESCO). Academia Istropolitana, Institute of Advanced Studies, Bratislava, PGS. 2. Practical Level. 2.1. Alternative (sustainable) sectoral policies. 2.1.1. Alternative (sustainable) water management policy. 2.1.2. Alternative (sustainable) energy policy. 2.1.3. Alternative agriculture. 2.1.4. Alternative tourism. 2.1.5. Alternative transport. 2.2. Sustainable management of different landscape types. 2.2.1. Sustainable cities. 2.2.2. Sustainable rural landscape (countryside). 2.2.3. Conservation and sustainable management of protected areas. 2.2.4. Implementation of sustainable ideas and concepts in regional environmental action programmes. 2.3. Alternative (sustainable) regional/local policy level. 2.3.1. Regions (White Carpathians, Sub-Tatras region, Spis region, Bratislava...). 2.3.2. Microregions (Horna Torysa, Cierny Hron, Podpolanie...). 2.3.3. Villages (Tulcik, Vistuk, Kvacany, Zajezova...). 2.4. National comprehensive level E.g. "sustainabilisation" of the territorial planning..., general and recommendations dealing with Sustainable Slovakia... 2.5. International level Proj.: Sustainable development in the Central Europe, Sustainable Europe - Towards Sustainable Slovakia, Sustainable Agriculture... 2.6. Concrete projects 2.6.1. Alternative (sustainable) energy projects in Slovakia. 2.6.2. Sustainable Land Use and water management in Horna Torysa region. 2.6.3. Multicultural project: Identification in Space and Time (big exhibition of "Sustainable artists" from Slovakia and the Czech rep., Music, Philosophical disputes about sustainability, Catalogue). 3. Political level. 3.1. Legislative. 3.1.1. General Environmental Act. 3.1.2. Nature and Landscape Conservation Act. 3.1.3. EIA Act. 3.2. Governmental Programme Documents. 3.2.1. Strategy, Principles and Priorities of the State Governmental Environmental Policy. 3.2.2. Programme Declaration of the Slovak Government. 3.3. Development Plans. 3.4. Programmes of Political Parties form Point of View of Sustainability. 3.5. Institutions - National Committee on Sustainable Development is under preporation. 3.6. Communities programmes 4. NGOs level Note: Majority of activities in Par. 1 and 2. 4.1. Society for Sustainable Living (see Annual Rep.). 4.2. Fund for Alternative Energies. 4.3. NGO People and Water. 4.4. - 4.x Partially also: Slovak Union of Nature and Landscape Protectors, Slovak Rivers Network, Greenpeace, Green Hope, Greenway and some else. 4.5. NGOs supporting international Funds and Foundations: Environmental Partnership for CE, Regional Environmental Center for CEE, PHARE, Environmental Training Project... For other information please contact: Mikulas Huba The Society for Sustainable Living in Slovakia Starotursky Chodnik 1 811 01 Bratislava SLOVAKIA Tel: +42.7.544 13 968 Fax: +42.7.544 13 968 II. FROM GREENWAY MAIL BOX NORWAY PROPOSES OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECYCLING AND PACKAGING WASTE Two working groups set up by Norway's environment ministry have proposed new legislation to ensure the collection and recycling of electronic equipment and of packaging waste that contains hazardous materials. The working group on electronic equipment waste wants the government to set a collection target of 80% for the 144,000 tons of this type of waste generated in Norway each year. Producers and importers of electronic equipment would become responsible for the collection, recycling, or safe treatment of used products. To this end, they would set up an organization that would cooperate closely with the environment ministry, according to BATE's sister publication, "Environment Watch: Western Europe". To meet the 80% target, the group has proposed new regulations that would enable consumers to return used equipment free of charge to retailers or municipal collection stations. Business users would be able to return equipment to retailers if they purchased an equivalent amount of new products. As for packaging waste, the Norwegian government is considering new measures to raise the collection rate for packaging containing hazardous materials. A recent survey indicated the present collection rate is only 8%; the national target is to collect all waste containing hazardous compounds. One option under consideration is a new law that would require municipalities and producers to ensure that all packaging waste containing hazardous materials is collected and treated according to existing regulations. The government is also examining the possibility of refundable taxes on such packaging. Contacts: Ministry of the Environment of Norway P.O.Box 8013 Oslo 0030 NORWAY Tel: +47.22.249090 Fax: +47.22.249560 THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT (Environmental NGO from Hungary) The Foundation for Our Environment came into existence in 1992 with the following objectives: disclosure of environmental problems concerning the population of Southwest Hungary to further develop environmental conscience, working out possible solutions and coordinating their realization in collaboration with organizations, institutions and individuals concerned. According to our possibilities we support the work of local environmental organizations already existing or just establishing themselves, encourage local solutions according to local possibilities, pass on information obtained from competent institutions and thereby we work as a bridge between the citizens on the one side and institutions as well as interested companies on the other. ACTIVITIES: Selective waste-collection The quantity of waste in Pecs is growing rapidly every year. for the solution of this problem we have worked out the Selective Waste - collecting and Educational Programme (collection of used batteries and waste paper). Now some 30,000 children and adults take directly part in this programme; through them their families are also affected, which means further approximately 70,000 persons. Numerous competitions and contests accompany this programme to keep interest alive: a battery collection competition; writing and illustrating of fairy-tales; writing of fairy-tales for theater or puppet-shows; a quiz about batteries; drama, sketches, music, pantomime; at Christmas: a riddle-market, manufacturing of picture postcards. PROGRAMMES Collection of used batteries at University Twice a year we organize these activities at the universities of our city with the aim of drawing the attention of the prospective intelligentsia to the importance of environment protection. Cyclists' Conference (March 22-23) The programme will be arranged together with the Touring Cyclists' and Environment Protection Club of Pecs. Lectures accompanied by film showings will be given on the situation of cycle paths, accidents and international experiences. Earth Day (April 20) On the occasion of the international Earth Day on April 22, we contribute some programmes. Our goal is to draw the attention of the participants to the importance of the protection of our environment by means of entertaining activities. Besides we will give partner-organizations an opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. Thus the city's cyclists will for example during a Traffic Forum discuss their further plans and means to represent their interests. Conference and exhibition on the recycling of waste Will be organized in September in collaboration with the South-Transdanubian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. This will be an excellent opportunity for designers, manufacturers and consumers to learn about demands and services offered with regard to recycling technologies. Conference on Religious Faith and Environment-protection Will be held in May in collaboration with the periodical Kagylokurt. The main bulk of this conference will be lectures, which tell about the connections between religions and ecology and what religious communities can do for the protection of the environment in practice. We would also like to publish the documents of this conference in a book. National Youth Meeting for the Protection of Environment (Sept.6-9) Into a youth camp situated at the southern shore of the Pecs Lake we invite young representatives from different environment-protecting organizations all over the country. Our object is to inform about environmental and ecological problems and values of the city of Pecs as well as the Mecsek region; we offer opportunities to become acquainted with the historic cultural relics there, to exchange experiences and to make contacts. The Experts' Day (October) This conference which will take place in the Artists' House offers representatives of all institutions in the city concerned with the protection of environment a good opportunity to exchange experiences and to obtain a comprehensive view on the current situation of our environment. Christmas Playhouse (December) Among our programmes this one we have been organizing already for some years. So presents, gift-parcels and ornaments which they have manufactured with their own hands from natural materials have become rather popular with kindergarten and school children alike. A puppet show provides the afternoon with additional colour. Contact: Foundation for Our Environment Kossuth ter 2 H-7621 Pecs HUNGARY E-mail: gabor@kora.zpok.hu SUSTAINABLE EUROPE CAMPAIGN The aim of the Sustainable Europe Campaign of Friends of the Earth Europe is to enhance the development and diffusion of concrete ideas and proposals on sustainable development in Europe between all key social groups, business, NGOs, consumer organizations, trade unions, government bodies and other institutions. In 1994 initial contacts were established with key individuals in industry, trade unions, NGOs and governments all over Europe. The study "Towards Sustainable Europe" was produced by the Wuppertal Institute. It serves as the basis for the debates in 1995. In 1995, in more than 30 countries in Europe, an inventory of national use was made with a common methodology. Options for social and economic development are being discussed with key persons. The National studies are be available at the end of 1995. In 1996 the outcomes of the National inventories and debates will be integrated on a pan- European level. ENVIRONMENTAL SPACE APPROACH The Study, "Towards Sustainable Europe", analyzes the available "environmental space" for Europe, based on the principles of sustainable use of resources, environmental quality, global justice and equity in consumption. Environmental space is the total amount of absorption capacity, non-renewable resources, agricultural land, water, forests, and other resources that we can use globally without impinging on the access of future generations to the same amount. The amount of environmental space is limited and partially quantifiable. To live within their environmental space, the industrialized countries in general will have to cut their use of energy and non renewable resources by approximately 80-90%. NATIONAL STUDY The study "Towards Sustainable Slovakia" was prepared by an expert team headed by the Society for Sustainable Living in SR, an environmental non-governmental and non- profit organization. This study analyzes the concerning the situation in contemporary use of the environmental space in Slovakia and a prognoses of future trends, possibilities as well as obstacles. It is also dealing with the results of pan-Slovakian Conference "Towards Sustainable Slovakia in the International Context", November 1995. Source: Mikulas HUBA: "Towards Sustainable Slovakia"- National Study Society for Sustainable Living in the Slovak Republic, STUZ/SR, Bratislava 1995 CONCLUSIONS FROM THE NOVEMBER PAN-SLOVAKIA CONFERENCE (part I) 1. The Study and Handbook "Towards Sustainable Europe" represent scientifically based outcome with an acceptable methodology. It is progress in comparison to previous attempts to concrete concept of sustainable development. 2. Submitted materials represent results only from the I Phase. 3. Accent is not given on millimeters, grams of tens of percents, but on framework imagine on Energy and Material Flow and their limits in connection with Europe. 4. The methodology of "Towards Sustainable Europe" is not covering all the spectrum of problems, but it is mainly oriented on production and consumption indicators and definition of their limits limiting the environmental space. 5. Accent is given on physical indicators of sustainability. Social, cultural, health, educational, philosophical, ethical, axiological and other aspects are only in background. 6. The authors are coming from the premise of rational behaviour of politicians and people. This western rationalistic concept in Post-Communist Eastern Europe need not hold (see reality of last 6 years). 7. Submitted materials (Study and Handbook) are good background materials for qualified discussion. But, it is only an introduction to this discussion. Of course, it is possible to propose other approaches and indicators. Such proposals are welcome. Today we have discussed first of all about a submitted approach and methodology and supported the shift of Slovakia toward sustainability in a context of Sustainable Europe. Main positives: an effort of CONCRETISATION, EXACTISATION, QUANTIFICATION and PARAMETRISATION of up to now very general concept of sustainable development expressed in a slogan: Environmental space is quantifiable, USING OF THE NEWEST KNOWLEDGE about the condition and evolution of the Earth and thinking about it (with the help of Wuppertal Institute), GLOBAL APPROACH to solving the problem on continental, national and regional level according to the slogan Think globally, act locally!, AN EFFORT TO BROADEN KNOWLEDGE, COMPREHENSION AND PARTICIPATION OF EUROPE from present the dimension of the European Union to the territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural, THE SAME METHODOLOGY FOR ALL PARTICIPATED COUNTRIES enabling on the one hand to compare the situation in particular countries and on the other hand to create a reflection of the old continent, SUFFICIENT TIME SPACE FOR PROVIDING THE CAMPAIGN and its logical division to 3 time sections (general image, metodologico-gnoseological principe, national studies, comparison, summarizing and generalizing on the all-Europe level), CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAMPAIGN, connecting scientific research projects and an effort of wide and the most active public participation from the decisive-making sphere through the professional public to laymen, CREATING MANAGING AND FINANCIAL ASSUMPTIONS Main shortages: IT IS NOT A COMPLETE APPROACH, BUT ONLY A "PURPOSE" APPROACH. From the aspect of the goal of this campaign, it is easy to understand, though insufficiently declared. So this fact can become the source of misunderstanding, SELECTION OF KEY-PARAMETERS (CRITERIA AND INDICATORS) IS DISCUSSIBLE. It is required to add some spheres, minimally transport and turism as well as other continental economic activities with important environmental impact, PROPOSED MATERIALS CONTAIN SEVERAL INACCURATE DATA, THE PROJECT works with a language, which can be hardly translated into Slovak. It could create certain psychological barriers. What is more, repeated translation from German-Dutch-English brings into Slovak translation many problems, THE PROPOSED STUDY AND METHODOLOGY contains a great deal of open questions. Although it does not diminish the value of them, it is important to distinguish between questions and answers, THE STUDY CONTAINS TOO MANY NOTIONS OF EUROPE, which makes it less clear and causes some misunderstandings, THE LACK OF TIME, in our case. Report on Pan-Slovakia Conference TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SLOVAKIA IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT The Pan-Slovakian Conference "Towards Sustainable Slovakia in international context" was carried out in Bratislava on November 6-7,1995. The Conference was organized by "The Society for Sustainable Living in the Slovak Republic", with the help of Environmental Training Program- Slovakia". In the conference took part more than 90 participants, covering all the key social groups (decisive sphere, political parties, local governments, educational institution, entrepreneurs and contractors, non-governmental organizations) took part from Slovakia as well as from abroad. The programme of the conference was as follows: The plenary session in the morning, was held in order to help the participants become acquainted with the situation and the tendency of Slovakia from the aspect of an international obligation of a permanently sustainable development concept. The afternoon programme consisted of working in separate professional sections, specialised on the problems of energy, raw materials, land-use (with an emphasis on agriculture and forestry), water and comprehensive problems. The participants presented a variety of interesting opinions, subjects, views, information and attitudes contributing to the improvement of methodology and elaborating the National report named "Towards Sustainable Slovakia". The Conference, the National report and other activities in this field, covered in Slovakia by The Society for Sustainable Living are the part of FOEE Sustainable Europe Campaign. The participants came to an agreement, that the resembling work-meetings of representatives from all sectors for solving the problems in this sphere are very useful and important. According to the views and attitudes, it is evident that there is still a great difference between the recommendations of international documents, obligatory also for Slovakia and the reality. This difference is caused not only by extensive development in the expired decades, but also insufficient standing to the principles of sustainability in the new-approving development concepts and or policies. Source: Mikulas HUBA Society for Sustainable Living in the Slovak Republic Starotursky chodnik 1, 811 01 Bratislava tel/fax: +42.7.544 13968 III. CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, COURSES, OTHER EVENTS 8th INTERNATIONAL ECOPEDAGOGICAL COORDINATION MEETING Agenda 21: Sustainable development, local participation and environmental education (29th September - 2nd October, 1996, Vienna) "Sustainable development" is the English term for the economic development which shows consideration both of ecological limits and the equality of human beings (that means consideration of later generations). "Sustainable" means "being able to maintain". Agenda 21, the final document of the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 is a comprehensive action programme subdivided into 40 chapters for the transition towards the 21st century. The regions play an important role when it comes to implementing concepts of sustainability. It is the spatial closeness of the ecological and economic problems and the immediacy in which they are experienced and recognised that gives rise to the specific political pressure which can bring about major changes. Chapter 36 of Agenda 21 deals with the promotion of education, public awareness and training. To us, as environmental educators, the question now arises how we can, even more than we have done so far, integrate the targets of sustainability and local participation into our work. How can we translate Agenda 21 into local and regional initiatives and involve both the public and politicians? This seminar intends to give all persons interested the opportunity to share their experience with each other, to present ideas and current projects or just to obtain new information. For information please contact: East-West Cooperation Office at ARGE Umwelterziehung Christa Schmollgruber Alser Str. 21 A - 1080 Wien AUSTRIA Tel: +43.1.4024701-14 Fax: +43.1.4024705 THE FIRST SESSION OF THE WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS (Montreal, Canada, 13-23 October 1996) That this meeting is now called the "World Conservation Congress", instead of the usual "General Assembly". This reflects a decision of the last General Assembly in Buenos Aires that the triennial gathering should be based on a wider concept than in the past. The members agreed that these meetings would be "maintained as a forum for discussion of global conservation issues, and as the main opportunity for sharing information and experience and harmonizing views among the members of the Union". In the spirit of this Resolution, Council has decided that the World Conservation Congress in Montreal will be more open than previous sessions and most workshops will be open to a wider audience. The Congress concept is seen as a means of broadening the discussion on global conservation issues and generating excitement, commitment and action geared towards achieving the Union's mission. For other information please contact: World Conservation Congress Coordinator IUCN Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland SWITZERLAND Fax: +41.22.999 0020 THIRD INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (September 10-13, 1996, Warsaw, Poland) Warsaw '96 is a follow-on activity to the Budapest '92 and Budapest '94 Symposia. An important feature of the Warsaw'96 Symposium will be activities which highlight a U.S. Department of Energy sponsored project at the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice, Poland. This project involves the demonstration of various technologies which are appropriate for many contaminated sites in the region. By integrating plenary sessions, concurrent technical sessions and poster presentations with exhibitions, this symposium will address issues related to the identification and evaluation of technologies which can be used to solve environmental problems, with an emphasis on site characterization, restoration/remediation, monitoring and waste management. Papers for Warsaw'96 are related to the following technical focus areas: site restoration and remediation, site characterization, waste treatment and disposal, containment & control, environmental monitoring and human health & risk assessment. For additional information about the symposium, please contact: Warsaw'96 Symposium Florida State University 2035 East Dirac Drive, 226 HMB Tallahassee Florida, 32310-3700 USA Tel: +904.644.5524 Fax: +904.574.6704 E-mail: Warsaw96@mailer.fsu.edu XI WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS: FORESTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY (13-22 October, Antalya, Turkey) The World Forestry Congress is held approximately every six years and is the world's largest most diverse meeting on forestry issues. Participants include governments, international organizations, NGOs, professional societies, private sector organizations, and students. Over 2500 people participated in the tenth congress which was held in Paris prior to the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Seven main programme areas The congress has been organized into seven main programme areas: A. Forest and tree recourses B. Forests, biological diversity and the maintenance of the natural heritage C. Protective and environmental functions of forests D. Productive functions of forests E. The economic contribution of forestry to sustainable development F. Social dimensions of forestry's contribution to sustainable development G. Policies, institutions and means for sustainable forestry development H. Ecoregional review They are closely modeled on the basic criteria of sustainable forest management (SFM) which have been developed at recent international fora. The areas also cover issues that have dominated international debates since the forestry congress held in Paris and UNCED. The main programme areas focus on questions that require responses and new directions, both in the forestry profession and in other disciplines that can contribute to sustainable development in forestry. NGOs may be especially interested in programme area "F" on the social dimensions of forestry's contribution to sustainable development, which covers: forests, quality of life and livelihoods; the vision and role of community forestry in sustainable development; addressing conflicts in natural resource use through participatory management from community to policy level; the role of NGOs and special groups, forest dwellers, indigenous people and local communities; and communication methods and raising public awareness. A number of sessions will also be devoted to sustainable forest management in six different ecoregions (boreal forests, temperate forests, Mediterranean forests, dry tropical forests, humid tropical forests and mangroves and other coastal forests). Contact: Mesut Y. Kamiloglu Secretary-General, XI World Forestry Congress Ministry of Forestry Ataturk Bulvari 153 Ankara TURKEY Tel: +90.312.417 7714 Fax: +90.312.417 9160 E-mail: obdi-f@servis.net.tr INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS: THE ALPS - TOUCHSTONE OF EUROPE (19 - 20 September 1996, Sesrier, France) The Nature Friends International will conclude its project "Landscape of the Year 1995/96 - The Alps" with an international expert congress on "The Alps and Europe". The European Single Market has, rightly or wrongly, given rise to diffuse fears among the people living in mountain regions. Like the people in many other regions, the inhabitants of the Alpine region expect the Single Market to strengthen their economic position and, in addition, to safeguard the establishment of a Europe of regions. The Alpine Convention is the first attempt at safeguarding the sustainable development in a bordercrossing region by way of on international agreement. Many obstacles will have to be overcome, however, and many problems solved until this goal can be achieved. In this context the general European framework, which may be favourable or unfavourable to a sustainable development, is of paramount importance. In preparation of the Alpine Congress a "Green Paper on the Alps" will be put together with the assistance of experts. Starting from the prevailing, general European framework and the situation resulting from it, the Green Paper is to provide the answer to the following question: what are the criteria of a general European framework conducive to a sustainable development in the Alpine region. Program Introduction to the Green Paper Discussion of the "Green Paper - The Alps" Transport: "Green Light for Quality of Life" Agriculture: "The Alps - The Health Food Delicatessen of Europe" Tourism: "Socio-cultural Experience vs. Landscape Consumption" Regional Development and Spatial Planning, Social Affairs: "Habitat - The Top Priority" Presentation of catalogue of demands Panel discussion with representatives Closing speech: "The Alps - Touchstone of Europe" Organization and registration Naturfreunde Internationale Diefenbachgasse 36 A - Wien AUSTRIA Tel: +43.1.892 38 77 Fax: +43.1.812 97 89 IV. IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING/USEFUL TO KNOW A "GREEN" DANISH ISLAND From the mid-80ies when tourist accommodation numbers stagnated at Bornholm, nature had been severely exploited by farming and the fish industry ended its last boom the mayor of Bornholm issued the slogan "Splendid Isolation" for the island. From that moment onwards trusting in its own virtues meant for Bornholm: To produce not to import energy; to use the island but not to exploit it; quality instead of quantity. Ten years later the results of such an environment directed approach are impressive: The Aimedingen forest at Bornholm is the third largest forest in Denmark The island has 200 kilometers of bicycle lanes (separated from the road traffic) farmers have started organic farming Fifty wind mills are in use and the first bio-gas installation has been built More than half of all Danish hotels with the so-called "Green Key" (quality mark for environment-friendly hotels) are based at Bornholm. Aspects of the Green Key are (among other criteria): Organic products for breakfast, low calorie dinners, non- smoker rooms and gardens without chemical treatment. The amount of water consumption decreased for 17% during the last five years 20% of the electricity is produced right on Bornholm today (only 4% in 1980) (Source: Adopted from an article by Peter Linden in Sueddeutsche Zeitung, 1995) MANAGEMENT SIMULATION LETS FIRMS TEST SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES Transformation Enterprises has developed a management simulation and training seminar that helps companies develop practical and profitable strategies for environmental management. Transformation - A Simulation About the Sustainable Corporation is designed so that businesses can reach a better understanding of integration of environmental and economic issues. The tool also allows NGOs and governments to see how their actions affect companies, according to Susan Svoboda, partner with the firm. Working in teams, participants test strategies for sustainable operations by designing, manufacturing, and marketing "products". The exercise offers a tangible framework for applying pollution prevention, product stewardship, and sustainable development. Svoboda and partner Stuart Hart (director of the University of Michigan Business School's corporate environmental management program) believe that "structures have to support the strategies". Svoboda told BATE that much of the exercise is focused on having people work through the processes. The tool had its genesis two years ago, when Svoboda was teaching at the University of Michigan. The first commercial beta-test of the tool was at Dow Chemical Company, where about 20 professionals involved in public policy, product stewardship, and business development took part. It was an excellent mechanism for demonstrating the complexity of the issues they faced. It gave people an improved understanding of what sustainability means, and what it means to the business. Svoboda recently visited the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, which plans to run the exercise this year. There's also been interest in using the simulation in the UK, Singapore, and Australia. "The Swiss exercise ran into some of the same troubles as Dow, in that managers won't set aside two days to attend the program but want to cover all the ground in one day or less. So we're drafting a proposal for sessions that run one, two, or three days, and this is a final product. We have re-evaluated what's in each segment and have edited the program. We can also tailor it to add issues especially relevant to a given industry or company". The simulation can be run once as a facilitated exercise, or Transformation will train someone within a company to run it several times. Svoboda noted that her firm is developing a third version of the tool, a kit that will be tested by the end of the years. Contact: Susan Svoboda Transformation Enterprises 7049 Chesley Search Alexandria, VA 22315 USA Tel: +1.703.9240047 E-mail: smsvoboda@aol.com. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESEARCH Environmental Education Research is an international referred journal which publishes papers and reports on all aspects of environmental education. The purpose of the journal is to help advance understanding of environmental education through a focus on papers reporting research and development activities. The journal also carries more diverse papers including, for example, conference reviews, retrospective analyses of activities in a particular field, commentaries on policy issues, comparative aspects of an environmental education issue and critical reviews of environmental education provision in a particular country or region. The criteria for acceptance of papers are that they are analytical and critical; that the ideas being discussed are transferable to other educational systems and cultures; and that they are accessible to an international audience. In addition, there will be a review section reinforcing the international nature of the journal by focusing on books, reports and publications in other media which deal with international environmental issues. For ordering information: Carfax Publishing Company PO Box 25 Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 3UE UK Tel: +44.1235.521154 (worldwide, 24 hours, 7days/week) Fax: +44.1235.553559 ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CENTRAL EUROPE: PROBLEMS OF TRANSITION (conference proceedings) Closer towards a new reality Obscured for years by superpower politics, Central Europe emerges as a herald of a new geopolitical reality worldwide. Sweeping political, economic and social changes in the region, and their full impact into the environment, makes keeping up-to-date on Central and Eastern European societies essential. Understanding those changes - their past and present trends, causes, and prospects - was the main objective of the International Geographical Union 1994 Regional Conference. Over 1000 scientists and other professionals from universities, government and environmental organizations, and business around the world were involved in discussing key problems covering major areas: education, research, technology and the policies. Topical and Comprehensive: Societies in transition: the new social and political climate in Central Europe Economic reconstruction and privatization Regional development and policies, regional cooperation Restructuring of local self-governments and local development Migration and refugee problems Philosophy of Man and Nature interaction, human ecology Nature conservation management: shared experiences Environment, new technologies and changes in metropolitan areas Geographic information systems in action Natural disasters, hazards and risks Climate changes: global and regional climate systems Assessing the "quality of life" Environment in education systems Public awareness upgrading The majority of papers not only shares a common broad structure providing comprehensive coverage of a given subject area but concurrently enhances cross- national comparisons and international learning. An excellent reference source: This unique selection offers over 470 thematically organized papers written by internationally acclaimed contributors representing more than 50 countries. Please fax or mail your order to: IGU RC Albertov 6 128 43 Praha 2 CZECH REPUBLIC Fax: +42.2.2491 5817 or +42.2.296 025 PLANNING EDUCATION TO CARE FOR THE EARTH Produced to facilitate exchange and improve expertise in how to motivate and guide people's participation through education and communication, to conserve and sustainably use natural resources, this book provides valuable practical lessons and examples for Government and NGO practitioners in education and communication from international case studies. It suggests environmental communication and education merits further investment and a strategic approach if we are to see progress towards environmental goals. Cases and papers are divided in three sections. Section 1: Some bases for education and communication planning. What have been influential factors in developing action for the environment? What is social marketing? What is the role of communication as a means of achieving policy? Knowing the cultural and social context before planning a programme. Section 2: Lessons from NGO educational programmes describes the principles for planning effective educational programmes. How du you measure success? One educational programme resulted in an increase in wildlife populations. Section 3 reviews national or government efforts to organize environmental education activities in a more strategic framework. Many of the examples show the importance of becoming more managerial at the government level in order to facilitate action by community organizations and educational institutes. Papers available from: IUCN Publications Services Unit 219c Huntingdon Road Cambridge CB3 0DL, UNITED KINGDOM Tel: