augMENTOR Kick-off Meeting, Athens, January 2023
augMENTOR project Kick-off Meeting is on January 26th and 27th, 2023, in Athens, Greece. All project partners attended.
augMentor
augMENTOR (full title: Augmented Intelligence for Pedagogically Sustained Training and Education) project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-CL2-2021-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05 , Integration of emerging new technologies into education and training) under grant agreement (No. 101061509).
Overall, the augMentor propose a new Pedagogical Framework for designing and planning technology-augmented educational scenarios. The main specification of this type of educational activity will be the embedment of Artificial Intelligence and Learning Analytics techniques. In addition, they will focus on overall classroom activity design alongside putting great emphasis on the orchestration from the teacher’s point of view and, at the same time, using emergent technologies as powerful cognitive tools for students and decision making and adaptation tools for teachers. In addition, it will aim to develop higher-order cognitive competencies/thinking skills (design and critical thinking, creativity, decision making, modelling, computational thinking, etc.).
Part of this research (pilot studies) will involve minors, and in particular school children of 8 to 18 years old. The studies will take place in schools.
Duration: 36 months starting at 01 Jan 2023.
augMENTOR is led by UNISYSTEMS LUXEMBOURG SARL, (Luxembourg) and the augMENTOR consortium is composed by the IASIS NGO (Greece), CSI CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION LTD (Cyprus), Universität Duisburg-Essen (Germany), EPISTIMI EPIKOINONIA – SCIENCE COMMUNICATION (Greece), KONNEKT ABLE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED (Ireland), PANEPISTIMIO PATRON – UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS (Greece), TSAKALIDIS-G.DOMALIS OE – NOVELCORE OE (Greece), AMBASADORI ODRZIVOG RAZVOJA I ZIVOTNE SREDINE UDRUZENJE – EASD (Serbia), Université Côte d’Azur (France), KAUNO TECHNOLOGIJOS UNIVERSITETAS (Lithuania), Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (OSTERREICHISCHES STUDIENZENTRUM FÜR FRIEDEN UND KONFLIKTLÖSUNG-ÖSFK) (Austria). Associated Partner is Mission-X LTD (United Kingdom).
ENV.net
ENV.net project consists of ENV.net 1/2 (2012-2016) and ENV.net 3 (2017-2020) projects. EC supported
ENV.net 1/2: ENV.net – Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration, EuropeAid/132438/C/
ACT/Multi – 2012/306-642 and 2014/351-610; Partners for project implementation are: Puntosud , EASD , Co-PLAN , EEB – European Environmental Bureau, ATRC and TEMA . The project builds on the experience of an EU-funded project, namely the Environment Forum, implemented in the period 2009-2012, aiming at developing capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities. The present project strategy has been designed to achieve a greater commitment and capacity of a group of CSOs coming from Environment Forum experience and which have agreed on the creation of a new network, the ENV.net, to support the civil activism, give citizens a voice and influence the public reform processes in the approximation to the environment acquis. With the view to further enhance their capacities to work with CSOs and to share experience with other European countries, EEB has accepted to participate and to share its experience. Project objective – Greater commitment and capacity of the ENV.net to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes in the environment sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy. As one of the outcome National ENV.net networks (to complement Regional ENV.net network) were established; established ENV.net Network in Serbia have 54 organizations (multistakeholders).
ENV.net3: “ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” – EuropeAid/154870/ACT/Multi ; EASD (Serbia) partners for project implementation are: 4X4X4 Balkan Bridges from North Macedonia, European Environmental Bureau from Belgium, Advocacy Training and Resource Center, from Kosovo*, Green Home, from Montenegro, Lir Evolution, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, TEMA – the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and Protection of Natural Habitats, from Turkey and Foundation Punto,Sud, from Italy. The project contributes to the improvement of environmental policy-making and implementation in compliance with the EU standards. To this end, the network foresees to contribute to both improved and intensified inter-action among actors (including environmental CSOs, media and policy-makers) and an overall more enabling technical and financial environment where these actors operate. The action sets out to strengthen the profile of ENV.net as the leading network and bridging actor in environmental policy-influencing in the WB and Turkey region (vis-à-vis EU). Further, it foresees introducing and initiating a discussion on the Circular Economy concept in the region, as well as intensifying climate change actions. The action also foresees a number of value-adding, cross-cutting elements such as inter-partner learning/exchange, networking, and thematic organisational support to third parties (i.e. local grass-root organisations, media).
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Paper published: Andjelka Mihajlov, Aleksandra Mladenovic & Filip Jovanovic, Contribution to Environmental Communication: comparative analysis of two qualitative methods as the performance to European Union accession, in “Adapt to Survive. The role of social media, sharing and communication to ameliorate this world “, Conference Proceedings Book Edited by Margarita Kefalaki, Communication Institute of Greece (COMinG),Athens, p.57-66 , 2021 ( ISSN: ISBN: 978-618-85622-3-3 ), Available at https://coming.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_1_2021_Adapt-to-survive_Book_conf-proceedings_COMinG.pdf
Selected activities:
March 2021:
Information paper on Climate Change and Energy
Information paper on Climate Change and Floods
August 2021: Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool
Promotion by media (Da li smo spremni za sve češće poplave?)
December 31, 2020: ENV.net3 project final steps – infographics with documents developed by EASD
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Report on monitoring the progress of national environmental legislation (Chapter 27) in 2018, 2019, and half-year 2020, with projections through end-2020 / Izveštaj o monitoringu napredovanja nacionalnog zakonodavstva o životnoj sredini (Poglavlje 27) u 2018., 2019. i prvoj polovini 2020. godine, sa projekcijom do kraja 2020.godine (Extended abstract in English, Full text in Serbian)
Position Paper on COVID 19 and waste management
Circular Economy goes beyond Waste Management presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium 2020
Information paper on meaning of Cluster “Green agenda and sustainable connectivity” for Serbia
Reflection paper on air quality data for Serbia
2020 Spotlight Report on Circular Economy in Serbia
EASD publication on circular economy acknowledged by European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform
Virtual tour on the experience from Italian practices in circular economy
November 2020: Joint civil society statement for Sofia Summit
EASD research presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium
October 2020, New Momentum for the Environmental Agenda in the Western Balkans and Turkey?
Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP
Recap the moments from EnE19/ENV.net Conference
March 2019: UN Environment : 4th Assembly (and pre- and side-events) , ENV.net related event
November 2018: To report: The first Regional Conference on Circular Economy was success ; The first regional conference on circular economy, Belgrade, November 2018: Agenda
Call for sub-grants (6.novembar 2018: Otvoren poziv za dodelu sub-grantova u okviru ENV.net projekta)
YRE competition: apply before February 1, 2019.; Theme: Energy Efficiency
ENV.net Initiative: to update National Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Goods, by applying Circular Economy concept ; ENV.net Initiative and Knowledge based advocacy: to update National Strategy of Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Circular economy knowledge based advocacy in Eco-schools network in Serbia
May 2018. Guest lectures made at two Universities in Serbia: “Circular economy is concept and process, and still not full circle” ; Participation at the Green Parliamentary Group meeting
Follow project at : facebook.com/envnetsite/ and www.env-net.org
February 2018 – ENV.net 3 Kick-off Meeting in Tirana
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In December 2017. we started with ENV.net 3 : ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda (reference number 2017/394-372)
ENV.net 3 – Serbia team include: Aleksandra Mladenovic –National Coordinator and Manager. In addition, Thematic experts/consultants, on demand, are Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov and Filip Jovanovic, and Media communication expert, on demend, is Milica Momcilovic.
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Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration – EuropeAid/132438/C/ACT/Multi – 2012/306-642 and 2014/351-610 (2012-2016)
The project builds on the experience of an EU-funded project, namely the Environment Forum , implemented in the period 2009-2012, aiming at developing capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities. The present project strategy has been designed to achieve a greater commitment and capacity of a group of CSOs coming from Environment Forum experience and which have agreed on the creation of a new network, the ENV.net, to support the civil activism, give citizens a voice and influence the public reform processes in the approximation to the environment acquis. With the view to further enhance their capacities to work with CSOs and to share experience with other European countries, EEB has accepted to participate and to share its experience. Project objective – Greater commitment and capacity of the ENV.net to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes in the environment sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy.
Partners for project implementation are: Puntosud , EASD , Co-PLAN , EEB – European Environmental Bureau , ATRC and TEMA . EASD Activity circles represent the scope of our activities.
Project launched site for presentation of activities in all participating countries, as well as facebook page and ENV.net Newsletters.
ENV.net 1/2– Serbia team include: Dr Nataša Žugić Drakulić –National Coordinator and Filip Jovanović – project manager , chosen in transparent process by „ Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development“, partner organisation in this project. In addition, National consultant for European integration is Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov , dr Hristina Stevanović Čarapina is leading expert .
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ENV.net Serbia network is functioning : Some of activities could be followed only in Serbian, like calls to participate, and other actions targeted to citizens in Serbia.
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Highlights: ENV.net publications
- A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries: Chapter 27, (Authors and contributors: Andjelka Mihajlov, Natasa Zugic-Drakulic, Filip Jovanovic, Federico Bastia, Simona Pogliani, Mara Silina, Teida Shehi and Dusko Hristov), Published by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development with the financial assistance of the EU – ENV.net project document, Belgrade January 2015
- How to influence environmental policy through effective advocacy (Authors: Margherita Tolotto and Mara Silina), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels, January 2015
- Climate change and challenges of the enlargement (Authors: Anja Kolmuss, Dragana Mileusnic, Zanna Vanrenterghem and Richard Filcak), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels,September 2016
June 2016: Agenda, WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe” , REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA
April 2016 – ENV.net Course: CSO Participation in Accession Process , Chapter 27: CSOs participation
March 2016 – New internet portal: Greenweb
January 2016 – Save the date for EnE16-ENV.net Conference ; We participate: Regional Conference: „Sustainability of the FPAs” , Brussels . Water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus assessment in the Sava River Basin – Lessons learned and further steps
October – December 2015 – Ministry support to ENV.net , Event
October – Partnership for Climate Change issue : Serbia’s climate talks – on the way to Paris
June 11 – European Commission Vice-President Mr Maroš Šefčovič had meeting with CSOs in Belgrade. EASD participate!
June 7 – Bicycling-ENV.net promotion in town Gornji Milanovac , Green day in Gornji Milanovac
June 5 – Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe” EnE15 – ENV.net EU Environmental Horizontal Legislation: Methods, Standards and Tools , Invitation , AGENDA , Proc. of papers
May 26, 2015 – Promotional activity
April 21, 2015 – Participation in Public Hearing on Climate Change related challenges in Republic of Serbia
April – THE ELEVENTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – ENE15 – ENV.NET acknowledged as the European Sustainable Development Week event
March 22 – Celebrating the World Water Day in Serbia: field visit to Ada Ciganlija
February 2, 2015: Invitation for EnE15-ENV.net Conference launched
January 29, 2015: A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries (ENV.net region): Chapter 27 , document finalized
January , 2015: Promotion of Publication
December 31: Thematic Publication “Environment to Europe”, 2014 ( Tematski zbornik radova “Životna sredina ka Evropi”)
December 12: ENV.net Serbia Seminar: Environmental Education in Schools
November 24-25, ENV.net on the margins of ECF Annual Meeting in Brussels with European Commision
November 4-5 , Regional training on the process of designation of potential Natura 2000 sites
October 30 – Conference “EU accession in the field of environmental protection and the role of local authorities”
October 28 – Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection is co-funded ENV.net project , contract signed
October 22-23, Belgrade: ENV.net training: “EU project design process and Implementation of environmental policy”, Invitation , Agenda , Training
October 2014 – ENV.net brochure published and presented
October 14 – ENV.net related: Participation on Conference “Eco-standards and Education”
October 8 – “Little progress has been made in the areas of environment and climate change”
September 29 – ENV.net Round-table Dialogue for Green Future (ENV.net okrugli sto sa niškim srednjoškolcima “Dijalogom ka zelenijoj budućnosti“) (sub-grant)
September 23-25, Brussels: ENV.net preparatory partnership meeting and Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) Closing Event for Phase I
September 19-24 , We are following Explanatory Screening for the Chapter 27
August 29 – ENV.net (sub-granting) publication published PUBLICATION : “Species of plants and animals of special conservation concern in EU” , in Serbian
July 27 – Partnership with media – Radio Beograd 2
June 19 – Eco-package initiative as the example environmental education for the future EU citizens
June 5 – CONFERENCE , ENV.net multi-stakeholder Conference on Chapter 27: about 200 participants
June 4 – Meeting with media , Moments from the Conference for Media
May 29, 2014 – ENV.net Serbia Conference organisation on the good track –Agenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00
May 22-24, 2014 – 4th Partners Meeting in Milan
May 13, 2014 – European Solar Days – participation in promotion of EU environmental values
May 10, 2014 – ENV.net Let us clean up Europe! event: Ada Ciganlija Beograd ; ENV.net Serbia with children, parents and teachers “cleaning up Serbia” , Event in pictures
May 22-24, 2014 – 4th ENV.net Partners Meeting in Milan
May 7-8, 2014 – Some of ENV.net Partners meet in the corridors of ECRAN ECF Meeting
April 25, 2014 – UNEP acknowledged EnE14-ENV.net 2014 Conference as the World Environmental Day Event
April 5, 2014 – Education for future citizens of EU: guest lecturing at the Law Faculty
April 4, 2014 – EU Delegation to Serbia: Consultative Meeting with CSOs on progress towards EU in 2014
Aprl 4, 2014 – We participated to the meeting related to EU-Serbia Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee – JCC
April 2, 2014 – ECRAN NGOs Environment and Climate Change Forum – Evaluation Outcome – Congratulation to ENV.net partners!!!!
April 1, 2014 – Protego and Protecta sign subcontracting contracts
Marc 20-9, 2014 – EASD written contribution to the 2014 Progress Report
March 25, 2014 – Participation on UNECE consultation related to the 3rd EPR for Serbia
March 23, 2014 – ENV.net sub-grants winners announced , ENV.net
March 20, 2014 – We participate on Panel at Faculty of Organisation Sciences – University of Belgrade : Knowledge about Environment
March 9, 2014 – Technical (formal requests) evaluation of sub-grants application finished: 45 projects eligible for further evaluation
March 6, 2014 – Promotion of global activity EARTH HOUR (Marh 29, 20:30-21:30) and call for participation
March 4-6, 2014 – We participate in Zagreb on Workshop on Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus Assessment in the Sava River Basin
From February 2014 – EU negotiation process: we are following explanatory screenings
February 26, 2014 – In accordance with procedure, QUESTIONS by potential applicants with our ANSWERS are posted on web site on February 26, at 07:00 , taking in account questions received by February 25 at 23:59
February 20-21, 2014 – EASD-ENV.net Serbia participated in defining the first strategic framework for CSOs development
February 18,2014- Knowledge based advocacy: Environment should be within priorities in the negotiations with EU
February 13, 2014 – Environment in youth policy in Serbia
February 12, 2014 – Meeting with ENVAP2 Project representatives
February 7, 2014 – Participation on Training related the Sector Planning Documents – SPDs
February 1, 2014 – Call of proposals for ENV.net sub-granting in Serbia “EU: we watch and learn to be ready!”
January 30, 2014 – Participation on public hearing by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Study Group
January 30,2014 – Thematic meeting of the SECO mechanism on IPA II programming
January 30, 2014 – Participate in the Mapping of CSOs and other stakeholders in in the process of EU accession negotiations
January 19, 2014 – EASD / ENV.net Team reading of European Parliament Resolution, January 2014
January 07, 2014 – Starting preparation for ENV.net 2014 Round-table / Conference
January 2, 2014 – Attention to ENVIRONMENT in EUROPA DAIRY
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December 23, 2013 – Workshop on environmental values for kindergarten children from Sombor (Minutes) , Participation on meetings in Nature Protection Institute and Agency for Environmental Protection
Decembar 20, 2013 – In media : Promotion of knowledge based information
December 20, 2013 – Environmental Education for future EU citizens , Minutes
December 17, 2013 – ENV.net region news: European Affairs ministers give green light to Serbia’s EU negotiations
December 16, 2013: Workshop for strategic planning of further work SECO mechanism
December 3, 2013 – ENV.net presented to the master students of Faculty of Security Studies
December 2, 2013 – Eye on EU integration process: Parliament of Serbia , Eye on SEE regional cooperation
November 28, 2013 – Meeting FPA project grantees with DG Enlargement representative
November 25, 2013 – Partnership with Media : Partnership agreement with Journalist’ Association of Serbia
Environmental Education of future EU citizens: Activity on November 19,2013
Acknowledging the outreach of ENV.net Survey and ENV.net 2013 Roudtable recomendations, EASD – ENV.net Serbia recognized importance of children/youth education for active EU citizenship , through promotion of EU environmental values. We would like to share moments from kindergarten “Pčelice”, from village Šetonje, as promotion event for environmental values in education. With children and teachers, as well as EASD Team, there were Prof dr Ivica Radovic and mr Ljubiša Antonijević, assistant ministers for education and science. |
Partnership with municipality – On November 18., 2013, ENV.net project presented on the Round table in Municipality Vračar (within City of Belgrade).
Cooperation with TACSO Serbia – On November 15. 2013, in Belgrade, TACSO Advisory Committee (LAG) organized a consultative meeting with representatives of civil society organizations and networks and Serbian civil society expert community. At the meeting a draft of a document on the assessment needs of civil society in Serbia was discussed.
EASD prepared Opinion and contribution to the Draft Strategy Paper for the Republic of Serbia 2014-2020. Through SECO mechanism opinion is sent to Governmental Office for European Integration. Opinion is based on Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team .
Organisation capacity building process: EASD acknowledged becoming IPEN network Participating Organization
Eye on environmental laws changes: monitoring compliance with EU directives
November 2013. – The third ENV.net partnership meeting in Milan
28. October – Meeting with European Parliamentarians
ENV.net Serbia Team prepared document: Reading of 2013 Progress Report for Serbia and Strategy by ENV.net Serbia Team ( Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team ).
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22. and 23 October – Education on sustainable management of lead/chemicals
October 18 – EC Delegation in Serbia, present to relevant CSOs, on October 18, 2013 , Serbia Progress Report 2013, in which the Commission services present their assessment of what Serbia as the candidate country has achieved over the last year.
October 2013 : Participated on different events organized to raise awareness to EU approximation environmental challenges.
Promotion of ENV.net facebook page!
October 2, 2013 – ENV.net team participated at the First SEE Regional Science Promotion Conference (SCIPROM), opened in Belgrade, with the aim to bring together science promotion professionals, practitioners and enthusiasts to share experience and network in order to strengthen the link between science and society in our Region. In the current competitive global environment it is an imperative to enhance economic and social capacities by improving the educational structure of society, inspiring innovation and technological advancement and creating a milieu for appreciation of the value and benefits of knowledge. In the opening address, Minister for Education, Science and Technology development of Serbia underlined, among others the importance of knowledge based actions, as well as the importance of drinking water for development. Conference bring international experts and representatives of international organizations, research and educational institutions, science camps, science communicators, NGOs, private sector and media on board.
This conference justify the path of ENV.net Serbia implementation and development, linking European Integration, Knowledge based activities and sectors : Education, Science and Environment/Natural Resources.
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Waste management and water management are considered as two important segments of environmental acquis and studies in this area represent an important aspect of ENV.net project. Environmental accession status of Serbia ( waste , water and EIA thematic issues) was presented by EASD team at International Conferences in Vienna (Austria) and Zadar (Croatia), as well as on chemicals at SAICM Regional Meeting (Skopje, Macedonia FYR).
In addition, possible ENV.net partnerships are discussed with other participants and interested CSOs.
In Skopje, EASD representative met Macedonian 4x4x4 BB representative on September 26, 2013, to discuss possible enlargement of ENV.net project to Macedonia.
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Promotion of ENV.net site in place Join us!
Added value for ENV.net Serbia is EASD activities within the development of Post-Rio+20 Agenda.
Office for Cooperation with Civil Society organized on September 6, 2013 Conference devoted to negotiating Chapter 27 (Environment). Presentation (in Serbian) from the Conference includes: Poglavlje 27 pregovori, Iskustvo R Slovenije, Natura 2000 Ministarstvo, Uloga civilnog drustva u monitoringu, Natura 2000 NGO )
September 2013: ENV.net project presented in the Ministry of Education, Science and Development of Serbia (Meeting of the National Committee for Environmental Education Programs)
August 2013. – Snapshot analysis : While waiting for EC 2013 Progress Report
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Citizen science concept in terms of adaptation and mitigation to the climate change
“Citizen Science refers to the general public engagement in scientific research activities when citizens actively contribute to science either with their intellectual effort or surrounding knowledge or with their tools and resources” .
In last decade, direction in science development moved from traditional circle of research to the new ways, by involving the public and becoming more and more inclusive in a growing range of disciplines. Historically this is not new that universities/academic researchers need to start involving public, citizens, civil society organizations… in their own activities (like Benjamin Franklin or Charles Darwin in the topics of topics that include applied life sciences and health research. It is evident that Citizen Science grows, reflecting in creation of large data sets (especially in monitoring and observing. The main challenge and very applicative approach is to involve citizen scientist in research of the topic that is very important for every unique life and that tackle every single citizen – CLIMATE CHANGE.
It is a question how citizens can be involved. Let we see some facts regarding ongoing climate change issue globally and in Serbia. The fact known wider is that from 1850 until know, temperature raised for 1 degree. The problem is that in relatively short period of time, temperature rises continually. Regarding Serbia, developing country, some of the consequences are following:
At the yearly level, every citizen from Serbia emits 4-5 t of carbon dioxide, what is a quantity at least 10 times bigger than quantity of communal waste per citizen per year. Precipitation is at the same level, more or less, but the problem that we are faced on is that redistribution is uneven. Dried periods are increased, for the period of 83 years, there were 13 dried periods, while in last 47 years, and same number of dried periods are evidenced. Furthermore, number of precipitation days of 20, 30 i 40 mm/per day also increase, especially important is that almost 5 times increased precipitation values of 40 mm/per day, for the period 2001-2017 compared to the period 1951-1980. The problem that urban places faced with relates to the sewage system, it is not constructed to accept raised amounts of atmospheric waters. Climate change goes beyond, without comeback to the previous, „climatelly“ better time!
Globally, to combat climate change, it is very important to follow Paris agreement conclusions and obligations. It should be taken into account that damages caused climate changes costs: at the EU level, from the period 2010-2016, 12,6 billions of eur (or from the period 1980-2016, costs are 436 billions of eur)
Possible practical solution is to include adaptation into future plans, construction, and agriculture through calculation of climate change parameters in order to avoid consequences of extreme climate events. That means to construct savage system to be able to accept extreme amounts of different precipitations, even it is not necessary in this moment.
What is solution and form of citizens’ engagement?
There is a recent project “Territorial RRI Fostering Innovative Climate Action (Responsible Research and Innovation)” with eight partners from Europe, among them Serbia and Center for the promotion of science, under Horizon 2020. One of the pilot region will be Belgrade. This project envisages active participation of citizen, civil society organizations, scientific and research institutions in applying adaptation measures at basic level of the society. The interactive map will be produced, where citizens will be able to mark places and points in the City of Belgrade, where they are fill uncomfortable during the year, in terms of climate parameters. This will help in future planning to pay more attention of local community what adaptation and mitigation measures to apply to these areas.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, as member of ECSA network, will use citizen science approach to contribute to better understanding what are possibilities of citizen engagement exist through Eco-school network in different parts of Serbia.
2019 UN Environment : 4th Assembly (and pre- and side-events)
In Nairobi, on March 7, 2019 started Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum (GMGSF). GMGSF is unique opportunity for civil society organisations to engage on agenda of the 2019 UN Environmental Assembly. The Forum is focused on INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION.
As UN Environment accredited , EASD is participating. We also participate as the EEB network member and ENV.net regional network member.
After this meeting, we will participate at Science, Policy and Business Forum (9-10 March), UN Environment Assembly (11-15 March) and side events, Green Tent events and Sustainable Innovation Expo.
More in following days…….
We participate at UN Environment SEE Ministerial Conference “Innovative Solutions to Pollution in South East and Southern Europe”
UN Environment and the Government of the Republic of Serbia, with the support from the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea, are convening a Ministerial conference on “Innovative Solutions to Pollution in South East and Southern Europe” taking place on 4-5 December 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. Conference is bringing together all relevant stakeholders – EASD participated as UNEP/UNEA accredited NGO .
At the end of the first day, it was the meeting of participating NGOs, in order to finalise text for intervention within the Plenary.
We are so proud when Mr Michael Stanley-Jones, Secretary, United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, UN Environment, in his speech related Innovative Solutions to Sustainable Textiles and Fashion in South East and Southern Europe, noted as “One example may be cited to illustrate one innovative solution.• Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, the UNEP accredited organization based in Serbia, and their 2018 activity of textile upcycling – collecting used textiles/clothing, donated to schools for the disabled, where they are refashioned into new products, is a model of one promising innovation“.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Environmental Ambassadors / EASD) continue preparation for Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly (4UNEA)!
EASD activities related SDGs
EASD team , from January 1,2018 will follow activities through SDGs lenses:
SD GOAL 1 – No Poverty SD GOAL 2 – Zero Hunger SD GOAL 3 – Good Health and Well-Being SD GOAL 4- Quality Education SD GOAL 5 – Gender Equality SD GOAL 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation SD GOAL 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy SD GOAL 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth SD GOAL 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SD GOAL 10 – Reduced Inequalities SD GOAL 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities SD GOAL 12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production SD GOAL 13 – Climate Action SD GOAL 14 – Life below Water SD GOAL 15 – Life on Land SD GOAL 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions SD GOAL 17 – Partnerships for the GoalsIn addition, we are following our activities as UN Environment TOPICS:
AIR CHEMICALS AND WASTE CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE FORESTS GREEN ECONOMY RESOURSE EFFICIENCY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS WATER SCIENCE, INNOVATION ENVIRONMENT UNDER REVIEW ( ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, INFORMATION MANAGEMENT).The goal of this activities categorisation is EASD strategic planning of activities in future. It is also lesson learned after EASD representative participation at UNEA3 in Nairobi.
2018!…..With activity highlights from 2017!
Activity important milestones in 2017
EASD activities are focused to 3 thematic groups:
- Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs;
- Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice;
- Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors
Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
“Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
EASD participate at 2017 Vienna UN Conference – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
“EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate at 2017 Blue Flag National Operator Meeting
Eko-paket – Eco-Schools annual conference for the school year 2017/2018
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
EASD become the Member of the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform!
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”
EnE17 Conference and Panel in Media
Mercury Initial Assessment in the Republic of Serbia Workshop – we participate
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 is organised linked to the 4th intergovernmental Summit of Western Balkans and EU countries and it bring together representatives of civil society organisations with the objective of providing a platform for their impact on the so-called Berlin Process.
The Forum consider the topics high on the agenda of the political Summit: youth cooperation, rule of law and anti-corruption, enterprise development and innovation potentials, regional cooperation and bilateral issues; also, it will initiate debates on questions as environment, energy and climate change (EASD participation is focused to environment and climate change issues, as well as innovation, youth and regional cooperation), migrations, media freedoms, the issue of Brexit in relevance to the Western Balkans and the possible role of civil society in increasing the efficiency of the Berlin Process through communications.
The outcomes of the Civil Society Forum meeting (EnvEnCC MESSAGES) in Trieste will be communicated to the intergovernmental Summit in several ways: at a policy event attended by a number of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and a number of representatives of civil society of the Western Balkans, on July 12; at a press conference organised by the Civil Society Forum; in form of recommendations which will be presented to the Summit organisers and through the follow-up advocacy process. The goal of the Civil Society Forum meeting in Trieste is to support regional cooperation and “Europeanisation” of the Balkans through more active civil society participation in the decision-making process.
The Civil Society Forum Trieste is organised under the umbrella of the Civil Society Forum of the Western Balkans Summit Series, as a joint initiative of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), ERSTE Foundation and the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung, in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), and in close cooperation with the Central European Initiative (CEI), Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Centro Studi Politica Internazionale (CESPI) and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso.
EASD and ECOSOC signals: Achieving sustainable development through infrastructure
Infrastructure is a pre-requisite for advances across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including for reducing poverty, promoting economic growth, addressing inequality and ensuring environmental sustainability. Infrastructure is addressed directly through SDG 9, which commits the international community to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Moreover, “investments in sustainable infrastructure are recognized as a major cross-cutting driver that can contribute to achieving all the SDGs”, as stated by Under-Secretary-General for UN DESA, Wu Hongbo, at the 2015 Global Forum on Development. Resilient infrastructure is essential for ensuring sustainable development for all. “If we are to achieve our goals, and leave no one behind, we must address large infrastructure gaps in developing countries,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum in April 2016.
“Developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable, need international support to bridge existing infrastructure gaps,” emphasized Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the Global Infrastructure Forum. Infrastructure gaps pose major challenges to the implementation of the SDGs. The financing gap for infrastructure in developing countries, for example, is estimated to be 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars annually. Through the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the international community has committed to support resilient, sustainable infrastructure and to provide a comprehensive framework for mobilising the means to finance it.
Infrastructure that enables countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change is needed to support the Paris Climate Change Agreement. New and resilient infrastructure is also needed to support sustainable urbanization, as the number of people living in cities in emerging economies is expected to double by 2030. Resilient infrastructure is needed, moreover, to cope with the increasing incidence and magnitude of natural disasters.
In recent years there have been several new global, regional and national initiatives aimed at increasing investment in infrastructure. In Africa, for example, infrastructure is a priority element for realizing the vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063. At the global level, the international community committed to support the realisation of resilient, sustainable infrastructure through the AAAA, and created a new Global Infrastructure Forum—which held its inaugural meeting in April—to facilitate access to financing and technical expertise.
The global discussion on infrastructure will continue on 21 July 2016 at UN Headquarters as part of ECOSOC’s 2016 thematic discussion on “Infrastructure for sustainable development for all”. The thematic discussion, part of ECOSOC’s High-level Segment, will engage a broad range of voices in a global dialogue on infrastructure for sustainable development that is inclusive and leaves no one behind. It will offer policy recommendations and inform the Inter-agency Task Force report on Financing for Development, as well as the 2017 Global Infrastructure Forum. For more information: UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
EASD already is addressing the issue of environmental infrastructure as the condition for sustainable development ( 1 , 2 , 3….), as well as by research and promotion ( A, B, C , …)
Towards UNEA-2: background paper for multistakeholder dialogue
The background paper for the multi stakeholder dialogue that will take place during UNEA-2 on Friday 27 May, is prepared and available.
Other information and all relevant UNEA-2 documents are also available . EASD representatives are registered for participation at UNEA-2 (still subject of financial support).
The Second Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly will take place on 23-27 May 2016, at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya under the overarching theme “Delivering on the Environmental Dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The assembly will be preceded by the Science and Policy Forum taking place on 19-20 May 2016. The two day event will bring together science and policy stakeholders with the aim of addressing challenges and opportunities as well as recommending concrete measures for collective action in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 16th Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum (GMGSF16) will take place on 21-22 May 2016. This meeting facilitates the preparations of Major Groups & Stakeholders for UNEA-2 and is open to representatives of accredited and non- accredited organisations. In parallel to UNEA-2 proceedings, a three day Sustainable Innovation Expo (SIE2016) will be held from 23 to 25 May 2016. More information is available at . Furthermore, Greenroom side events which are primarily for and by Major Groups & Stakeholders, and official side events will take place from 23 to 27 May 2016. They will provide an opportunity for dialogue and exchange on a variety of themes.
SDGs as the relevant part of the context within which FEE operates
After a long series of intergovernmental negotiations on various themes,which saw a broad participation from major groups and civil society stakeholders under the guidance of the United Nations State Members, the Goals have been adopted on September 25th at the New York United Nations Summit by 193 Member States. In the same occasion, the UN launched their post-2015 development agenda, in which the Goals are integrated. UN Member States, the civil society and private sector contributors will use this new, universal set of goals, targets and indicators to guide development global efforts over the next 15 years in a concerted international action within the broadest, most ambitious development agenda ever agreed at the global level. The 17 Goals and 169 Targets are meant to be action-oriented, concise and easy to communicate, aspirational, global in nature and universally applicable to all countries, while taking into account the different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities.
The Foundation for Environmental Education with its global network thus needs to frame and highlight its role as a stakeholder and trendsetter in the Sustainable Development process, particularly for environmental, educational and eco-tourism matters. The SDGs will define a relevant part of the context within which FEE operates, thus we are driven to reflect our work in the Goals.
FEE through its mission of fostering awareness, knowledge, participation, commitment, skills, actions and creativity on the environment and on sustainable development, shares the core values behind the set of SDGs. The programmes based on Education for Sustainable Development, such as YRE, Eco-Schools and LEAF show a strong link with the educational Goal (SDG 4) and the Goal on global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17). FEE’s tourism eco-labels, Green Key and Blue Flag, on the other hand, have a focus on making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11) and on implementing tools for monitoring sustainable development impacts for tourism (SDG 12.b).
Thus, FEE as an umbrella organisation aims at reaching objectives as indicated in the SDGs:
– “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” (SDG 3).
– “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all” (SDG 4).
– “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water..” (SDG 6),
– “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” (SDG 7),
– “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” (SDG14), as well as to
– “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems..” (SDG 15).
– “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth..” (SDG 8), particularly to “..Implement policies to promote sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products” (SDG 8.9).
– “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” (SDG 11).
– “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” (SDG 12).
– “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” (SDG 13).
– “..Promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems..” (SDG 15).
– “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development..” (SDG 16), particularly to build transparent institutions and promote non-discriminatory policies for sustainable development (SDGs 16.6, 16.b) with a positive, proactive, democratic modus operandi and a strong synergic support to civil society and third sector.
– “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG 17) through a geographically spread, multi-stakeholder approach.
Programmes’ overview:
a) YRE: Young Reporters for the Environment is a network of international youth engaged in environmental journalism and Education for Sustainable Development, where the students investigate an environmental problem and report it to the local community, while, at the international level, they may cooperate with young reporters from other countries for sharing information or data, with the aim of proposing a solution and disseminating it.
The most evident link between the Young Reporters for the Environment programme and the SDGs is found in the Goal 4:
“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality educationand promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” and its subparagraphs“..increase … the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship” (SDG 4.4) with the aim of learning to think critically, “ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skillsneeded to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of cultures contribution to sustainable development” (SDG 4.7) for being able to connectwith concrete issues.
The environmental educational programme thus also wish for taking “action to combat climate change and its impacts” (SDG13), specifically for what concerns to “improveeducation, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning” (SDG 13.3) through active solution-oriented learning. The programme canalso help to“promote mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change related planning and management, in LDCs, including focusing on women, youth, local and marginalized communities” (SDG 13.b).
YRE is a network of young people educating for sustainable developmentand environmental issues in general, thus it also supportsthe aim of many other SDGs, such as:
“Promotesustainable agriculture” (SDG 2).
“Promote well-beingfor all at all ages” (SDG 3).
“Achieve gender equality and empowerall womenand girls” (SDG 5).
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of waterand sanitation for all”, supporting and strengthening the participation of local communities (SDG6)
“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energyfor all”(SDG7)
“Promotesustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”, developing measures that support creativity and innovation (SDG8)
“Build resilient infrastructure, promoteinclusive and sustainableindustrializationand fosterinnovation”enhancing scientific research (SDG9)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable … Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality, municipal and other waste management”(SDG 11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”, raising awareness on sustainable development and lifestyles which are in harmony with nature (SDG12)
“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans seas and marine resources for sustainable development”, aiming to preventmarine pollution and protectmarine and coastal ecosystems (SDG14)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”, promoting the implementation of sustainable management of the forests (SDG15)
YRE helps to “Promotepeaceful and inclusive societies for sustainabledevelopment..”(SDG16)
YRE can encourage to “..Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG17)
The journalistic piece can influence the local communities to take action on various environmental matters
b) ECO-SCHOOLS: A global student-led change process in Education for Sustainable Development which involves also teachers’ training, integration in the school curriculum, environmental reviews, action plans, monitoring and evaluation, informing and involving the local community, setting an eco-code focusing on the various environmental themes (water, energy, waste, global citizenship..).
The programme is fully in line with the Goals:
“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant skills and ensuring that all learners acquire knowledge for promoting sustainable development, developinga culture of peace and global citizenship while upgrading education facilities to child, disability and gender sensitive ones as to provide a safe, inclusive and effective learning environment for all(SDG 4)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, strengthening efforts to safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritagewith a focus on schools’ waste management, resource efficiency and climate change mitigation (e.g. Litter Less Campaign) (SDG 11)
“Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG 17).
The implementation of the Eco-Schools programme also works towards the achievement of the aim of more SDGs, such as:
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-beingfor all at all ages” (SDG 3)
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, improving water quality and water-use efficiency with pollution reduction, minimizing the release ofhazardous chemicals, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater,increasing recycling or safe reuse and ensuring sustainable withdrawals together with the strengthening of the participation of local communitiesfor such purposes (SDG 6)
“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” increasing the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency, with the result of creating also savings (SDG 7)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”with the improvement of resource efficiency in consumption and production as to endeavour to decouple economic growthfrom environmental degradation (SDG 8)
“Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation” (SDG 9)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”, using the natural resources efficiently, reducing the waste generation (including the food waste) and managing sustainably the chemical products (SDG 12)
“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”specially improving education, awareness raising and capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning (SDG 13)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrialecosystems..” (SDG 15)
“Promotepeacefuland inclusivesocietiesfor sustainable development… and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels” highlighting the theme ofsocial justice(SDG 16).
c) LEAF: Learning About Forests wants to encourage environmental education through awareness raising among students, teachers and the wider school community, to increase knowledge about the key role forests play for sustainable life on our planet, reflecting their cultural, ecological, economic and social functions, with themes as biodiversity, climate, products or services, codes and myths.
The key Goals linked to the Learning About Forests programme are:
“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”, increasing the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills and ensuring that all learners (referring to the whole school community) acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature (SDG 4)
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water..”, protecting water-related ecosystems and supporting the participation of local communitiesfor improving water management(SDG 6)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”, ensuring a sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, including their biodiversity, in particular forests, wetlands mountains and drylands, preventing the extinction of threatened species(SDG 15)
The principles behind LEAF are compatible with the aim of more SDGs:
“End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promotesustainable agriculture”, implementing agricultural practices, such as the tree-planting events, which help maintain ecosystems and progressively improve land and soil quality (SDG 2)
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” (SDG3)
“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainableand modern energyfor all” (SDG7)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment..”, endeavouring to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation and devising policies that encourage sustainable tourism which promotes local culture and products, such as jobs related to the forest, while learning to respect the forest community as well as its myths, laws and codes (SDG8)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage while supporting positive links between the urban and the rural areas as to widen the access to inclusive green and publicspaces (SDG11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption patterns” through relevant information and awareness for achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG12)
“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” improving education and awareness raising on climatechange and the role of forests (SDG13)
“Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG17).
d) BLUE FLAG: The world’s biggest voluntary eco-label for beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats works towards sustainable development through compliance with criteria dealing with environmental education and information, environmental management, water quality, safety and other services.
The principles and rules of the programme comply with the content of many Goals:
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, improving water quality with pollution reduction and minimization of hazardous chemicals release, increasing recycling, safe reuse and water-use efficiency through the usage of sustainable withdrawals as to protect water-related ecosystems also with the support and participation of local communities (SDG 6)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”improving the resource efficiencyin consumption while devising and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism which creates job, promotes local culture and products.Blue Flag focuses as well on the protection of labour rights together with the promotion of a safe and secure working environment and the prohibition of child labour (SDG 8)
“Build resilient infrastructure..”upgrading it as to be sustainable and equipped with clean technologies (SDG 9)
“by 2030 empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status”with the aim of reducing inequalities and discriminatory practices for wages as social protection policies (SDG 10.2)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”enhancing capacities for participatory and sustainable human settlements as to strengthen the efforts for safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage while providing universal access to the public spaces particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities(SDG 11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”for the efficient use of natural resources, through a sound management and reduction of chemicals and wastes and the promotion of sustainable public procurement practices (SDG 12)
“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”preventing and reducing marine pollutionalso from land-based activities, addressing the impacts of ocean acidification and conserving coastal and marine areas. Blue Flags also contributes in increasing the economic benefits to SIDS and LDCs with the sustainable use of marine resources through tourism (SDG 14)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems… halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss” for halting the loss of biodiversity and preventing the extinction of threatened species, also through the integration of ecosystem values into local planning policies (SDG 15).
The implementation of the Blue Flag programme also work towards the aim of several more SDGs:
• “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” (SDG3)
• “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”as education has a central role in the programme and reaches out for all the persons involved in it as well as for theusers (SDG4)
• “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”(SDG5)
• “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable,and modern energy for all” to help increasing the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency(SDG7)
• “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”(SDG 13)
• “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development..”enforcing non-discriminatory policies for sustainable development (SDG16)
• Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”through a multi-stakeholder partnership, which involves also public partnersand local authorities,where knowledge and expertise are shared (SDG17)
e) GREEN KEY: This eco-label for tourism facilities (hotels, campsites, small accommodations, tourist attractions and restaurants) is a voluntary award that aims at contributing to prevent climate change and reach sustainable tourism by awarding and promoting best practice, with the goal of changing the environmental practices at the awarded establishments but also the behaviour of tourism actors, including guests, staff, suppliers, authorities, local communities so to involve them in increasingly safeguarding their own environment. The focus is on themes such as environmental management, water, waste and energy saving, involvement and awareness of guests and staff, management of food and beverage and open spaces.
For what concerns the part of the programme related to environmental management, the Goals mainly involved are:
“Ensure … sustainable management of water..” improving its quality, having the proportion of untreated wastewater, increasing recycling, safe reuse and sustainable withdrawals of freshwater (SDG 6)
“Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”setting rules for developing or upgrading quality infrastructures to support economic development and human well-being for an increased resource use efficiency and greateradoption of clean technologies (SDG 9)
“Make … human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”paying attention to air quality, indoor environment and waste management as to tackle climate change(SDG 11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”with rules for achieving sustainable management of natural resources,respecting eco-criteria for food and beverages, reducing waste generationand achieving environmentallysound management of chemicals (SDG 12).
This way the programme “develops and implements tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products” (12.b).
As an eco-tourism programme focused on the environmental awareness of staff and guests, the Goals principally involved are:
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being..” where the programme has to encourage the users to take part in green activities (SDG 3)
“..ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights..” as part of the “educational Goal” (number 4), whereby the learners are the recipients of the environmental information expected in the implementation of the programme (SDG 4.7)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”, as the Green Key programme sets Corporate Social Responsibility and safety rules for the workers(SDG 8)
“Take urgent action tocombat climate change and its impacts”through a reduced environmental impact but also through the improvement of education and awareness raising for both the facilities’ staff and users (SDG 13)
“..revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG 17).
The final 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
In the Outcome Document from the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, session held on 19 July 2014, there are 17 SDGs:
Places and Technologies 2014
On April 3, 2014, as the Conference Guest lecturer, Prof Andjelka Mihajlov participated in Plenary, presenting interconnections between sustainable cities planning and design, climate change and sustainable development. The main tasks of this First International Academic Conference PLACES AND TECHNOLOGIES are issues related to:
- the future of society and places,
- design of places, facilities and infrastructure in line with new and future needs of inhabitants,
- development of institutions and regulations with an aim of creating appropriate and high quality environment, and
- creation of favourable conditions for the advancement of innovation and business.
Eye on EU approximation environmental challenges
Different events organised to raise awareness to EU approximation environmental challenges.
International Fair Eko-Svet was held from 2.6. october 2013. in Novi Sad where different innovations and new technologies were presented. Also, numerous interesting presentations on environmental issues were organized as an important part of this Fair.
10th International Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Fair – ECOFAIR is held from 9-12. October 2013. in Belgrade. Aside from participation of major national and international companies and institutions which are active in the field of environmental protection, there is also very rich professional and scientific program. For example, Regional Conference on Environmental Reporting – precondition for investment and sustainable business was held in the organization of Camber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
ENV.net Team awareness on climate change have media attention.
Minister for Education and Science underlined the importance of drinking water for development
The First SEE Regional Science Promotion Conference (SCIPROM), is opened on October 2, 2013 in Belgrade, with the aim to bring together science promotion professionals, practitioners and enthusiasts to share experience and network in order to strengthen the link between science and society in our Region. In the current competitive global environment it is an imperative to enhance economic and social capacities by improving the educational structure of society, inspiring innovation and technological advancement and creating a milieu for appreciation of the value and benefits of knowledge.
In the opening address, Minister for Education, Science and Technology development of Serbia Tomislav Jovanovic underlined, among others the importance of knowledge based actions, as well as the importance of drinking water for development.
Conference bring international experts and representatives of international organizations, research and educational institutions, science camps, science communicators, NGOs, private sector and media on board. ENV.net team participated.
This conference justify the path of ENV.net Serbia development linking European Integration, Knowledge based activities and sectors : Education, Science and Environment/Natural Resources.