Invitation to civil society organizations to take part in the Regional consultation meeting for the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5)
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UNEA 5 and the open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives meetings, which were originally planned for February 2021, were divided into two parts and two terms. The first part, a virtual session, was held in February 2021 (https://www.unep.org/environmentassembly/unea5), while the second part will be organized according to a hybrid model, physically and online in February 2022. Discussions on substantive resolutions were postponed until the February 2022, which was happened under the UNEA 5.2. The UN Secretary-General’s 2020 report on progress towards sustainable development goals includes the impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and the environment, marking this pandemic as the largest humanitarian and economic crisis to date. Therefore, urgent joint action is needed, in order to substantially change the current patterns of production and consumption and establish policies, improve regulations and take actions that deal with the crisis. Therefore, civil society organizations at the global level are committed to dialogue and agreement, calling on their governments to make the best use of the Decade of Action to Deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, to accelerate efforts of global environmental decision-making. There is an urgent need to significantly increase positive efforts for further living in harmony with nature, in order to remedy the consequences of previous activities that undermine sustainability.
Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development is one of the UNEA-accredited civil society organization, and the President of the Environmental Ambassadors, Mrs. Aleksandra Mladenovic, together with colleagues from Northern Macedonia and Albania, will have the opportunity to moderate a subgroup for the Western Balkan and Turkey during the Regional consultation meeting which well be held on 14 December 2021.
We invite colleagues from the civil societies from Serbia which deal with environmental protection issues to get involved and to contribute by knowledge and experience in the preparation of a key message that will be presented at UNEA 5.2, as part of the efforts of our region. The main topic of importance and for which regional contributions are expected are a global response to plastic pollution and the strengthening of global environmental law and governance (Res 73/333), built on the collaboration of peoples and governments. The stakeholders involved should strongly support the process related to the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and microplastics (UNEP / EA.4 / Res.6).
Comments, suggestions, ideas, contributions… can be sent to office@ambassadors-env.com. During the preparatory process before and after the regional meeting on December 14, we will regularly report on the progress and development of the common position of the civil sector.
All interested parties can join the Regional consultation meeting on December 14th, by registering to the link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvceyqrD8jEtFUDYiwtIOB5ljY8xiCB83p
The Regional Consultation meeting for Major Groups and other Stakeholders in the European Region is open to all UNEP accredited organizations in the European region (EU + EFTA + UK, Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey, Caucasus and Central Asia). Non-accredited organisations are welcome if they have an interest in the UN Environment Assembly process, UNEP@50 and Stockholm+50.
CLIMATE BOX is available in Serbian language!
We are promoting the use of “CLIMATE BOX” – Serbian Edition (available in English and Russian language ).
This is outreach result of the project Adaptation of the innovative interactive learning toolkit on climate change – the Climate Box , EASD team with partners developed in 2020 and 2021. The main objectives of the project are to promote education and awareness on climate change impacts and drivers among youth and general public, and to enhance the ability of Serbia to participate actively in addressing the global environmental threat of climate change.
EASD research presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium
EASD research on circular economy (paper Circular Economy goes beyond Waste Management 2020), supported by ENV.net project, on October 27 2020, was presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium.
EurAsia Waste Management Symposium provide a comprehensive overview of effective waste management strategies across the Asian and the European regions. Also, the symposium provide the opportunity to discuss and evaluate the current and future regional waste management strategies and recycling projects face to face, to establish business or research relations and to find global partners for future collaboration.
Also, to note that Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov was chairing Session on Waste Management Legislation.
(Our) Berlin Declaration have the quotation in the European Commissions Report
In the Final report on Assessment of the feasibility of phasing-out dental amalgam, on page 32, used Berlin Declaration as the reference, more precisely:
*2017: Berlin Declaration: After a gathering at a two-day Pan-European Summit to plan the end of amalgam, environmental and consumer NGOs, dental associations, Members of the national parliaments and the European Parliament, academics, and industry issued the “Berlin Declaration to End Amalgam Use in Europe in 2020, available at: https://www.ig-umwelt-
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development expert participated in Berlin Declaration development! EASD lead Initiative in Serbia.
In 2020 the European Commission recommends the phase out of amalgam. In concluding that the end of amalgam is “technically and economically feasible,” the Commission explains in its report (mentioned above) to Parliament and Council.
· The alternatives are fully acceptable, and dentists fully trained to put them in, quoting: “Mercury free materials are nowadays of good quality, effective restoration methods are widely available and dental schools are increasingly teaching the necessary skills”.
· The risk from BPA (present in some but not all composite) is “negligible’;
· The price differential has shrunk so much such that neither patients nor dentists, will be adversely affected by the phase out;
· 95% of amalgam manufacturers also make alternatives hence they are fully prepared to switch;
Therefore the European Commission will propose a legislation in 2022 for a phase out on a date specific, earlier than 2030.
The report of the Commission focuses equally on the international challenge to end amalgam by promising to turn its attention in 2021 to (a) an amendment of the Minamata Convention and (b) international trade rules to stop amalgam trade.
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November 2020: Our letter to Commissioner (the European Commission and Commissioner for the Green Deal) Frans Timmermans was well-received
Letter, sent at October 26, 2020 :
Dear Commissioner Timmermans,
European civil society salutes you for your landmark decision to recommend the phase out of dental amalgam to the Parliament and the Council.
Dank u wel!
Your decision makes sense for five solid, incontrovertible reasons:
1. Environment: Dental amalgam is the single largest use of mercury in Europe – and unnecessarily so. The European Union’s science committee SCHER calls amalgam a “secondary poison” because its mercury methylates in fish that children then eat.
2. Technology: Over the past decade the alternative materials have surpassed amalgam in effectiveness – and unlike amalgam, they are minimally-invasive and tooth-friendly.
3. Economics: The prototype is here, because in 2018 amalgam was banned for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women, and simple changes in insurance and government programs made the transition seamlessly. The same can now be done for the general population. Moldova, the poorest nation in Europe, banned all amalgam use last year.
4. Preparedness: (1) Manufacturers are ready: virtually all of them make the alternatives, so no jobs will be lost. (2) Dentists are ready: all know how to place the alternatives to amalgam and probably half of them have stopped using amalgam altogether. (3) Consumers are ready: in the European Commission’s internet poll before the Mercury Regulation was enacted, 88% voted in favor of an amalgam ban. (4) Member States are ready: 89% of the Member States (24 of 27), encompassing fully 88% of the population, either have phased out amalgam, have announced a phase-out date, or have low to moderate amalgam use already.
5. Synergies with other EU goals: Whether the goal is specific, such as clean water, or general, such as the Green New Deal with the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability , the route to a toxic-free Europe must include the end of dental amalgam, a primitive device that pre-dates the Franco-Prussian War and can lead to cracked teeth.
We wish to single out and thank your team at the Commission who laboriously and competently shepherded this issue to the end point of recommending the demise of amalgam for Europe: Aneta Willems, Christopher Allen, David Grimeaud, and Jenny-Johanna Green.
We wish to continue to work with the Commission as you craft legislation for Parliament and the Council to phase out amalgam, and we urge you to set a phase-out date of 2025 or sooner.
Good health to you.
Florian Schulze, European Center for Environmental Medicine (Europe), IG Umwelt-Zahnmedizin (Deutschland)
Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, European Environmental Bureau (Europe)
Dr. Claudia Castell-Exner, President of EurEau – European Federation of Water Services (Europe)
Génon K. Jensen – Health and Environment Alliance (Europe)
Laurette Casal & Antoine Lecuyer, Non Au Mercure (France)
Hanna Schudy, EKO-UNIA (Polska)
Sascha Gabizon, Women Engage for a Common Future (Nederland)
Trine Jørgensen, Foreningen mod Skadeligt Dentalmateriale (Danmark)
Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Србија)
Ann-Marie Lidmark, Tandhälsoförbundet (Sverige)
Dr. Hanns Moshammer, ÄrztInnen für eine gesunde Umwelt (Aegu) (Österreich)
Dr. Elena Manvelyan, Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (Hayastan)
Monika Frielinghaus, SHV für Umweltgeschädigte e.V. (Deutschland)
Dr. Stefan Dietsche, European Academy for Environmental Medicine (Deutschland)
Lutz Höhne, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelt-ZahnMedizin e.V. (Deutschland)
Susana Fonseca, ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável (Portugal)
Reinhard Lauer, Bundesverband der Beratungsstellen für Umweltgifte, insbesondere Amalgam, Schwermetalle und Holzschutzmittel e.V. (Deutschland)
Julia Tudare, Intoxication Métaux Nouvelle-Calédonie (Nouvelle-Calédonie)
Graeme Munro-Hall, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry (United Kingdom)
Dr. David Harvie-Austin, British Society for Mercury Free Dentistry (United Kingdom)
Leticia Baselga, Ecologistas en Acción (España)
Branislav Moňok, Friends of the Earth – SPZ (Slovenská republika)
Dr. Mihaela Cuțui, Timiș College of Dentists (România)
Dr. Claudia Bottino, Metallica_mente (Italia)
Adaptation of the innovative interactive learning toolkit on climate change – the Climate Box
During 2013-2015, UNDP developed and piloted in Russia a new innovative interactive learning toolkit on Climate Change –” Climate Box” . The toolkit was developed by an interdisciplinary team of Russian experts including climatologists, geographers, biologists, economists, environmental experts, teachers and methodologists, and launched on UNFCCC 21st Conference of Parties (in Paris, 2015). Since 2016, the toolkit has been adapted, translated into national languages and piloted in 7 other countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Since 2020, Serbia has joined the Climate Box project.
The purpose of the project is to adapt the innovative interactive learning toolkit on climate change – the Climate Box into Serbian language.
The main objectives of the project are to promote education and awareness on climate change impacts and drivers among youth and general public, and to enhance the ability of Serbia to participate actively in addressing the global environmental threat of climate change.
CLIMATE BOX is available in Serbian language!
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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Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
Berlin, Brussels, Munich, Washington, supported from Belgrade, 4 December 2017
A call to phase out mercury use in dentistry by 2022 in the European Union has been made by health and environmental NGOs.
Mercury is currently used in dental amalgam in fillings and is easily replaceable. Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin which can damage the nervous, renal and cardiovascular systems.
Given that dental amalgam is 50 per cent mercury, the Minamata Convention on Mercury requires each participating nation to reduce its use.
In 2017, the European Union adopted an amalgam ban for children under the age of 15 and for pregnant and breastfeeding women from July 2018. The new rule requires also each Member State to set out a national plan to phasing down amalgam use and requires the European Commission to make a recommendation in 2020 on whether to phase out amalgam entirely.
The call to set a date to end all use in dentistry in the European Union was made as part of the Berlin Declaration to End Amalgam Use in Europe by 2022 at a two day civil society summit on 21-22 November, in Berlin.
Stefan Eck, German MEP, who shepherded the partial amalgam ban through the European Parliament, praised the Berlin Declaration:
“It was important to participate in this summit in Berlin. I will try my best to work with civil societies to accomplish the goal of an amalgam-free dentistry in Europe.”
Charlie Brown of World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, who organized the summit, said:
“The Berlin Declaration parallels similar civil society goals for Africa and Asia: the Abuja Declaration (2014) and the Dhaka Declaration (2015) respectively.”
Elena Lymberidi-Settimo of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), which hosted the first European conference to end amalgam a decade ago, said:
“The Berlin Declaration highlights a ten-year campaign by the EEB to bring mercury-free dentistry to this entire continent. It’s now time Member States roll up their sleeves and pave the way.”
Florian Schulze of IG Umwelt Zahn Medizin, which hosted the Summit and launched a national campaign, said:
“Germany can end amalgam sooner, in 2019. Amalgam use is now very low, and dentists are ready for the switch. All we must do is make changes in the insurance system that are fair to dentists and fair to consumers.”
Philippe Vandendaele of Health Care Without Harm-Europe, said:
“We co-led the campaign to end mercury in the other two medical devices, thermometers and sphygmomanometers, and now Europe needs to tackle the job on the third one, dental amalgam.”
Dr Silvia Pleschka of Women Engage for a Common Future, said:
“The protection enshrined for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women needs to be extended across the board, in the EU and beyond.”
Notes to the editor:
Berlin Declaration, https://mercuryfreedentistry.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/berlin-declaration-to-end-amalgam-use-in-europe-by-2022.pdf
EU Mercury regulation 2017, http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-4-2017-REV-1/en/pdf
EEB-WAMFD-Memo on Technical advantages of mercury free dentistry, May 2016
Abuja Declaration, https://mercuryfreedentistry.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/abuja-declaration-for-mercury-free-dentistry-for-africa.pdf
Dhaka Declaration, http://cephed.org.np/pdf/31421052006.pdf
National German Campaign launched: #OpenYourMouthAgainstAmalgam http://ig-umwelt-zahnmedizin.de/mund-auf-gegen-amalgam/
For more information contact:
Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, Project Manager ‘Zero Mercury Campaign’, European Environmental Bureau, 0032 (0)2 289 1301, elena.lymberidi@eeb.org
Ian Carey, Communications Manager, European Environmental Bureau, 0032 (0)2 289 1309, ian.carey@eeb.org
Philippe Vandendaele, Chemicals Policy Advisor, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe, 0032 (0) 2503 0481, philippe.vandendaele@hcwh.org
Aidan Long, Press & Communications Officer, HCWH Europe, 0032 (0) 2503 0481 / 0032 (0)465 100 940, aidan.long@hcwh.org
Johanna Hausmann, Project Management Chemicals and Health, Women Engage for a Common Future, tel +49 173 8010040, Johanna.hausmann@wecf.org,
Florian Schulze, Project Manager, IG Umwelt Zahn Medizin, 0049(0)1781812729 or 0049(0)3055232755, florian.schulze@ig-umwelt-zahnmedizin.de
Charlie Brown, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Attorney and President, Washington, USA, [1] 202 544 6333,
Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, Honorable President, Serbia; office@ambassadors-env.com
EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
Environmental NGOs from EU Member States and Europe-wide, dentists, insurers, officials of the Bundesregierung, plus European experts in science, economics, communications, and political science are coming together to plan the end of amalgam in Europe.
The new EU amalgam rules will soon enter into force and it’s time to plan the next steps about how a consequent implementation of the following achievements can be supported: the phase out for children and for pregnant and nursing women in 2018, the duty of each EU Member State to submit its plan for further phase down in 2019, and the requirement that the Commission has to make a recommendation in 2020 whether to phase out amalgam.
Meeting is concluded with Berlin Declaration to End Amalgam Use in Europe by 1 July 2022:
1. We insist that the European Union end all amalgam use on a date to be determined, and in any case no later than 1 July 2022.
2. We urge each Member State to act before that deadline, ending amalgam use by 1 July 2020.
3. We recommend that all non-Member States in Europe likewise end amalgam use by this date.
4. We will work with civil society, governments and other stakeholders in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Island States to accomplish the same goal.
Indicators and a Monitoring Framework for Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has recently published its final report on Indicators and a Monitoring Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals: Launching a data revolution for the SDGs. This report is the result of over 18 months of consultations led by the SDSN with the contributions of nearly 500 organizations and thousands of individuals – draft versions of the report have so far been downloaded over 80000 times.The report outlines a tiered monitoring framework at the national, global, regional, and thematic levels, and presents a concise set of 100 Global Monitoring Indicators. This limited number of indicators can comprehensively track all 169 OWG targets while balancing countries’ capacities and domestic monitoring commitments. This report is a contribution to the ongoing post-2015 processes, including the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on the SDGs (IEAG-SDGs).
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development is the Member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network – SDSN .
We follow Informal interactive hearings with representatives of NGOs, CSOs, major groups and the private sector on the post-2015 development agenda, in NY.
One more publication , as the outreach in Rio+20 process is 2015 Food Security Report, with key findings : – For the world as a whole, the MDG 1 indicators for prevalence of undernourishment and underweight children under 5 years of age have largely moved in parallel, providing a consistent message regarding achievement of the hunger target; – Underweight in children is expected to decline less rapidly than undernourishment, given that better hygiene conditions, access to clean water and more varied diets usually require more investment and more time to materialize than enhanced availability of calories: – Despite showing rapid reduction, Southern Asia is the region with the highest historical prevalence of underweight children among the developing regions; – In sub-Saharan Africa, there has been limited progress in reducing both undernourishment and child underweight; – Economic growth is necessary for sustaining progress in efforts to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition. But it is not sufficient; – Inclusive growth – growth that provides opportunities for those with meagre assets, skills and opportunities – improves the incomes and livelihoods of the poor, and is effective in the fight against hunger and malnutrition; – Improving the productivity of resources held by family farmers and smallholders is, in most cases, an essential element of inclusive growth and has broad implications for the livelihoods of the rural poor and for the rural economy in general; – In many situations, international trade openness has an important potential for improving food security and nutrition by increasing food availability and for promoting investment and growth; – Social protection directly contributes to the reduction of hunger and malnutrition by promoting income security and access to better nutrition, healthcare and education; – Prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition is significantly higher in protracted crisis contexts resulting from conflict and natural disasters. For more information
Research: Waste Technology Transfer
In Istanbul, Turkey, from 26 to 28 April 2014, EurAsia Waste Management Symposium was held. Environmental Ambassadors researchers and experts (A.Mihajlov, H.Stevanović-Čarapina and N. Žugić-Drakulić) presented paper Waste Technology Transfer from Developed to Developing Countries: Challenge at the Opening Plenary Session.
In addition, A.Mihajlov was the Member of Scientific Committee, and H.Stevanović-Čarapina was chairing Session.
Research results presented to scientific community
EASD experts presented research results at international conferences.
Papers:
– Rethinking Waste Management within the Resource-efficient Concept, Anđelka Mihajlov and Hristina Stevanović-Čarapina, key note lecture
– Identification and characterization of Marinas in Vojvodina, Serbia, Nataša Žugić-Drakulić, Hristina Stevanović- Čarapina and Anđelka Mihajlov
were presented at the 7th ICEEM Conference: Challenges for Sustainability, Vienna, September 2013 ( full program).
Paper:
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA): meaning and framework , Nebojsa Pokimica and Andjelka Mihajlov
was presented at the FIRST REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, Zadar, Croatia, September , 2013.
2013 ISWA world Congress – October Vienna. Almost 1,300 delegates from 84 countries gathered in the beautiful city of Vienna, which constitutes once again a new record participation for the ISWA World Congress. The participants were offered a lot during the 3 congress days, from the inspiring opening to the tropical closing ceremony, e.g. 250 speeches in 56 sessions, 180 poster presentations. EASD / ENV.net team participated. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR LOCAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS, Hristina Stevanovic Carapina and Andjelka Mihajlov was presented.
Presentations are ENV.net study related.
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.