This year’s NOM took place in Cardiff, from 4th to 6th Decemeber, and was organized by Keep Wales Tidy team in the premises of Maldron hotel. Workshops, presentations, group discussions and many interesting sessions made all participating National Operators fully involved.
After the warm welcome from Lesley Jones, Chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, Laura Hickey (Member of the Board with responsibilty for Eco-Schools) introduced Peter Davis – Wales’ Commissioner for Sustainable Futures. Sessions related to 7 steps were being introduced either by Brid Conneely, International Eco-Schools Director or Laura Hickey and facilitated by Team Wales. Several Eco-Schools’ showcases presented the good practice in Welsh schools. The Environmental review session, Action planning, Monitoring and evaluation, Social media connections, 21st century skills: linking to the classroom and Eco-Schools report session were followed by FEE Environmental education principles presentation and group work. Decade for ESD, conference update, was given by Lesley Jones, Yukiko Tsuburaya, Kenza Khallafi and Paul Pace. FEE’s new flags supplier, Semaphore, introduced themselves. Conference dinner was served in the beautiful banquet hall of Cardiff Castle. Young Reporters for the Environment were involved in the Meeting as well.
NOM was filled with positive attitude and cooperation, sharing of knowledge, experience and fresh ideas among operators. Many attendees returned to their home countries with precious suggestions and materials for further improvements of the Programme after successful 20 years.
Dragana Grujičić