Message from our 14 NGOs to Brussels: End amalgam use!
To the European Commission:
The transition to 21st –century dentistry – mercury-free and minimally-invasive – has substantially occurred across Europe. Now the imprimatur of government is necessary to complete the process to the benefit of all Europeans.
The past decade in Europe has witnessed a historic and drastic shift from amalgam to mercury-free dentistry: (a) by dentists in their clinics, (b) by consumers in their choices, (c) by manufacturers in their productions, (d) by scientists in their conclusions, and (e) by European Member and Non-Member States in their policies.
For the second time, the Commission’s consultant recommends an end to amalgam, the first being BIOIS in 2012. At that time, Europe was not yet ready. But since 2012 has come a torrent of developments that show, definitively and manifestly, that Europe stands ready for the E.U. to take the necessary steps to complete the transition to mercury-free dentistry.
2013: Manufacturers shift to welcoming the end of amalgam. The European Dental Materials Conference, announcing “the increasing likelihood . . . of a significant reduction or complete ban on the use of amalgam in the near future,” held its conference in Birmingham with the theme “The Demise of Amalgam.” The manufacturers welcomed the shift as an opportunity to make and market modern alternatives to amalgam.
2014: European public votes over 85% for the end of amalgam. The European Commission conducted an internet poll to determine public opinion about mercury issues. Twice as many Europeans voted on the amalgam issue than on the other questions (meaning half of them voted only on amalgam and exited the poll), and voted by more than 6 to 1 to end its use. By the high number of voters only on amalgam, the poll showed that the single biggest issue of concern on mercury was dental amalgam – and that its end was drawing almost universal support.
2014: SCHER adds major support to the environmental argument to ban amalgam. The environmental health scientists used the chilling term “secondary poisoning” to describe the process of dental amalgam getting into the fish, methylating, then being eaten by European children, the subpopulation most susceptible to permanent neurological harm.
2015: SCENIHR changes its position to disfavor amalgam. Reversing the robust support for amalgam in its 2008 report, the health scientists not only recommended an end to amalgam right away for children and pregnant women, but upon a question from Norway, withdrew its claim that amalgam is “safe,” retreating to the discomforting claim that it is only “effective.”
2016: Parliament calls for complete phase-out. The ENVI committee of the European Parliament votes for a total phase-out of dental amalgam, then began negotiations with Council of Europe for a consensus solution.
2017: EU Mercury Law was enacted, with its strong amalgam provision. Implementation of the phase out comes in three phases: the virtual ban for children under 15 and for pregnant women, and breastfeeding women in 2018; the mandate for each Member State to submit a further phasedown plan in 2019; and the Commission to recommend a route to a phaseout, and a date, in 2020.
2017: Berlin Declaration: Gathering at a two-day Pan-European Summit to plan the end of amalgam, environmental and consumer NGOs, dental associations, Parliamentarians, academicians, and industry issued the “Berlin Declaration to End Amalgam Use in Europe in 2020.”
2018: Partial amalgam ban begins. Without noticeably less resistance from the shrinking number of dentists still using amalgam, with insurance shifts in the largest Member State Deutschland, and with smooth implementation even in former oppositional Member States like the U.K., the virtual partial ban begins.
2019: Four Member States joined Sweden in deciding to phase out amalgam: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ireland, and Finland. Three of these are high amalgam users, a signal to the other three remaining high users (Slovenia, Greece, and Poland) that they too can phase out amalgam. The high users not yet phasing out r epresent only 11% of the Member States with (coincidentally) only 11% of the post-Brexit population.
2019: Full amalgam ban on French territory: the self-governing territory of Nouvelle-Calédonie adopts an absolute ban in September 2019. France Metropolitan also has changed drastically; the biggest user of amalgam in 2012 (says the BIOIS report) is now at the lower end of Member States users as a percentage,
2019: Lowest income country in Europe bans amalgam. Demonstrating that the end of amalgam is not a question of money, Moldova enacts a law ending amalgam use.
2020: Almost three-quarters of the Member States (17/27) are either under 10% use or have filed a plan to phase out amalgam. Environmental rules can never wait for 100% support; the 70% support far surpasses any of the complicated weighted voting systems.
2020: European stakeholders coalesce around ending amalgam use. For example: “From the point of view of the EurEau, the European Federation of Water Services, we have consistently favoured a phase out of dental amalgam according to the Swedish model. “
Amalgam placement requires removal of more tooth tissue, in sharp contrast to today’s technology: the alternatives are minimally-invasive, tooth-friendly, and contribute to cavity prevention. This primitive, tooth-unfriendly pollutant – dating to the era of Napoleon III, Garibaldi, and Bismarck – has no place in 21st century dentistry.
The Council of European Dentists — the last holdout for mercury fillings — is a lobby group for the polluters: the dentists benefitting from a system that lacks the “polluter pays” principle. If the polluter paid, the real cost of amalgam would be prohibitively expensive. Here is the largest use of mercury in Europe – being subsidized by European governments who today pay the bill (the polluters skate) for the dangerous, far-reaching environmental releases wrought by dental amalgam.
Paying the heaviest prices are the children of Europe who, are at manifest risk of neurological damage when dental mercury is released into the environment, e.g., from the fish or vegetables they eat. Certainly the health and safety of European children are more important than the inconvenience for some older dentists to switch to mercury-free dentistry.
In contrast to many environmental decisions, the end of amalgam means more jobs for European workers, because Europe specializes in making minimally-invasive modern fillings, not in making amalgam.
All of the players, the stakeholders, including the majority of dentists and including three-fourths or more of the Members States, are ready – now – for mercury-free dentistry for Europe.
Sincerely,
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)
Florian Schulze, European Center for Environmental Medicine (Deutschland)
Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Србија)
Ann-Marie Lidmark, Tandvårdsskadeförbundet (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)
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-
Charlie Brown, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry (USA)
14 February 2020
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
EASD participate at 2017 Vienna UN Conference – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
The 2017 ACUNS-UN Vienna Conference—hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)—is a major multi-stakeholder forum for Vienna-based organizations, civil society, the diplomatic community, and academics to discuss actions, potentials and challenges linked to the realization of the Agenda. The conference is an occasion to share best practices, explore potential future collaborations, and engage in inter-sectoral and inter-agency dialogues.
EASD (Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development) honorable president Prof A.Mihajlov participated at session related science and technology: innovative Solutions to challenges in the 21st century.
EASD is institutional member of ACUNS, and Prof Mihajlov ACUNS expert.
Agenda 2030 and SDGs in the focus of EASD work
Multi-stakeholder partnerships at the national, local, regional and international levels, that are solution-oriented and inclusive of all groups, including women, indigenous peoples and minorities, will be crucial to realizing these joint aspirations and will be a key element of the 2030 Agenda and SDG implementation.
The successful adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals was the result of more than two years of intensive consultation and engagement of all stakeholders.
The UNEP Regional Office for Europe, in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Environmental Bureau, organized a multi-stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, combined with the yearly UNEP Regional Consultation Meeting for Major Groups and Stakeholders on 12-13 November 2015 in Brussels, Belgium. EASD participated ( report).
Sustainable Development Indicators data and development for SEE region is underway through Platform Indicators Development. For Serbia, EASD team is focused on Environmental Sustainability, Science and Technology , Health and Hygiene and Energy and Environment . EASD promote The World Environmental Education Day, having the great event in school “Vuk Karadžić”, Surčin.
The 2nd meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will take place from 23-27 May, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting will be held under the overarching theme: “Delivering on the Environmental Dimension of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.” There will also be a Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) held prior to UNEA-2 on 21 and 22 May 2016. Environmental Ambassadors (EASD) is organisation accredited in UNEP/UNEA.
In the preparatory phase, EASD participated in the process of UNEP Redefinition of its Youth Strategy, familiarise with the interactive version of the Bali Guideline Implementation Guide , reviewing new sustainable development agenda (results from open consultation on ‘grey‘ and “green” indicators are now available ).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requested the UN Secretary General, in consultation with Member States, to prepare a report in preparation for the 2016 meeting of the High-level Political Forum, which outlines critical milestones towards coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review at the global level, for consideration of the General Assembly. In order to informally contribute to the reflection, Major Groups and other Stakeholders have been invited to provide their views and inputs on these issues by completing an online questionnaire by 15 November 2015. The inputs and responses received is available on the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform (our organisation is the member of SDKP). In addition, we keep eye on Open-ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP (OECPR) and Preparatory meeting for the 2nd Session of UNEA, 14-19 February 2016 – we registered our representative to participate.
EASD participated in the UNEP’s survey on the involvement of Major Groups and Stakeholders in the generation, utilization and dissemination of environmental information developed by UNEP. Below some of the key findings are highlighted:
· 63% of the organizations contributed to the generation of environmental information by UNEP to a moderate, large or very large extent
· Of contributions made, the greatest percentage, 56%, was to UNEP publications.
· 88% have accessed environmental information generated by UNEP; publications were the most common form of information accessed, with assessments and findings, and emerging issues coming a joint second.
· The most common way in which organizations accessed UNEP information was via the UNEP website, with the second most common mechanism being via email.
· 87%, have made use of information generated by UNEP either to a moderate, large, or very large extent. Organizations primarily used UNEP generated information for educational purposes, as a guide to their own work, or for analysis.
· 86% have contributed to the further dissemination of environmental information generated by UNEP, principally during meeting discussions or through posting on social media.
· 65% experienced no difficulties in contributing to, accessing, using or disseminating environmental information generated by UNEP, but for those who did the main issue was with language constraints.
· The most effective mode for organizations to be involved in the generation, access, receipt and dissemination of environmental information generated by UNEP was email; this was followed by the UNEP website and through social media.
· 85% successfully received the type of information they needed from UNEP either to a moderate, large or very large extent.
· Suggestions on how UNEP could improve included:
o greater interaction from UNEP on social media
o improvements to websites to make them more user-friendly
o sending of hard copies of important reports and documents to resource centers
o the use of shorter bulletin messages to facilitate understanding of the public
o greater dissemination
o more translations
o timely information sharing to allow sufficient time for review and comments
o the use of Google hangouts, online workshops
o more active engagement with mass-media (e.g. TV)
We “keep eye” on the multi-stakeholder dialogue will be held on Friday 27 May 2016 from 12:30 hrs to 14.00 hrs, TO BE HELD DURING THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT OF UNEA-2. It will be open to all interested delegations and will be organized as a moderated, interactive dialogue session. The proposed theme for the dialogue is: “Restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems for people and planet: partnerships to jointly deliver on the environmental dimension of Agenda 2030”.
In February 2016, EASD promote stronger position of Environmental NGOs in the draft UNEP Stakeholders Engagement Policy (SEP) . More in local language
Connecting regions: participation at 10th International Convention on Environment and Development in Havana, Cuba, July 2015
Moments from the Conference …..
The Environment Agency of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of the Republic of Cuba, together with other agencies and organizations, kindly invited researchers, authorities, educators, specialists, managers, entrepreneurs, professionals, producers and other people around the world working for the sustainability of our planet, to participate in the 10th International Convention on Environment and Development (X CONVENCIÓN INTERNACIONAL SOBRE MEDIO AMBIENTE Y DESARROLLO) , from July 6th-10th, 2015, at the Havana Convention Centre (The nine previous editions of this convention were attended by more than 7,000 people, approximately 50 % of whom came from more than 60 countries on the five continents of the world).
2015 year´s Convention emphatically promotes cooperation among countries, exchange of experiences, sustainable practices, and knowledge transfer, in order to cope with the urgent necessity of creating a new concept for development: integral development agenda that is flexible enough to meet the requirements, priorities and particularities of every country and region around the world.
The 10th Convention is organized around several events. Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development research presentation is on the agenda of the 7th CONGRESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
Paper “Scoping the future trends in natural resources availability using selected indicators as measures of progress: the links with interests and values” (authors: Andjelka MIHAJLOV, Danko ALEKSIC, Filip JOVANOVIC, Khumo Sakgabe JOVANOVIC, Aleksandra MLADENOVIC, Dunja PROKIC and Milena TABASEVIC) is presented by Prof Andjelka Mihajlov, on July 7, 2015, in Havana Convention Centre.
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.
For your attention: Europa Diary in Serbian, p.51-61
Centre of the European Union publishes its fifth edition of the Europa Diary. Seventy six thousand copies of this specific textbook will be distributed to the 2nd grade students of all high schools in Serbia at the beginning of the 2nd semester. Europa Diary users are 2nd grade students in almost 500 four- and three-year high schools in Serbia. The Diary contents topics on Serbia’s European integration process, but also other topics that are important to the students, such as environment, consumer protection, sport, travel, and human rights. All topics are adapted to the age group. In addition to the Diaries 3,200 Teacher’s Guides will be delivered to the teachers. The Guides are designed to complement the Diary providing a selection of activities, worksheets and class preparations for the teachers. Serbian edition continues to be the only edition published outside the European Union and therefore the only edition in non EU official language. Europa Diary project is funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia and has been implemented in the schools for several years with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Serbia. A substantial support was also given of drafting some of the texts by the Office for European Integration of the Government of Serbia. A copy of this year’s edition of the Europa Diary and Teacher`s Guide is available on the EU Delegation website or EU Info Centre website .
Text from EU Delegation in Serbia.
In accordance with EASD Mission to environmental educate future EU citizens in Serbia (as the outreach of ENV.net Survey and “Serbia we want” process), we are sharing this publications, with special attention to p.51-61 of Europa Diary.
ENV.net
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)
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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 – Serbia team include: Dr Nataša Žugić Drakulić –National Coordinator and Filip Jovanović – assistant , 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 (in the first year of the project), dr Hristina Stevanović Čarapina is leading expert .
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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, EnE16-ENV.net Zbornik radova/Proceedings of papers ; 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 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 27, 2015: Promotion of Publication
January 8, 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
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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 organised 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)
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August 2013. – Snapshot analysis
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Participation at UNEP Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum, Global Ministerial Environment Forum and High-Level Gender Forum
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development participated at the “Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14)”, and “The First Universal Session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-27/GMEF),” Nairobi, 16-22 February 2013. Ministers meeting for the first time under universal membership of 193 member states- again as a result of the decisions taken and adopted last year at Rio+20 and the UN General Assembly later in the year- adopted a welter of other decisions relating to the way UNEP will operate and work as the global platform for environmental policy-making and action over the coming years and decades. Governments called for the transformation of the existing Governing Council into a UN Environment Assembly of UNEP and to build stronger links between UNEP’s science-based Global Environment Outlook process and its ministerial meetings – further implementing the call by member states at Rio + 20to strengthen the science-policy interface.
Among the wealth of other decisions taken at the first Universal Membership of the UNEP Governing Council were: 1. A UNEP-led consortium will host and coordinate the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) which will be the implementing arm of the Technology Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 2. The CTCN will work on leap-frogging the technical and financial hurdles to the even greater take-up of clean and renewable energies to low carbon tranportation and energy efficient buildings, 3. Full operationalization of a decade-long initiative to decouple economic growth from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution generation-the 10 Year Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP for SCP), 4. The UNEP-hosted initiative will assist countries in areas from sustainable public procurement, lifestyles and education to sustainable buildings and construction and sustainable tourism, including ecotourism – again bringing from outcome to implementation other key aspects of the Rio+20 Future We Want, 5. Governments also decided to convene in October this year an intergovernmental diplomatic conference to formally adopt the Minamata Convention on Mercury that was agreed in January in Geneva under a UNEP-facilitated negotiation-again a further implementation of the Rio+20 outcome document.
Over 1300 participants from 147 countries, including 80 ministers, representatives of UN agencies, international organizations, academia, NGOs, business and industry, and women and youth organizations attended the first Universal Session of the GC following the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen and upgrade UNEP, as called for in the Rio+20 outcome document. Delegates adopted 13 decisions, on inter alia:
– the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
– coordination across the UN system, including the Environment Management Group (EMG);
– oceans;
– sustainable consumption and production;
– the green economy in the context of sustainable development;
– advancing justice, governance and law;
– state of the environment; and
– chemicals and wastes.
The GC adopted a decision on institutional arrangements that, inter alia, invites the UN General Assembly to rename UNEP’s governing body “UN Environment Assembly,” and provides that the body “will ensure” the active participation of all relevant stakeholders and explore new mechanisms to promote transparency and effective engagement of civil society in its work and that of its subsidiary bodies, inter alia, by: developing by 2014 a process for stakeholder accreditation and participation that builds on the existing rules of procedure and takes into account the inclusive modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and other relevant UN bodies.
The day before the Governing Council got underway, the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment (NWMLE) and UNEP hosted the second High-Level Gender Forum. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov participates, by invitation to “Gender Forum” as a member of the “Network of Environmental Women Ministers and Leaders”, as the former Minister for Protection of Natural Resources and Environment. The forum participants called upon ministers and environmental leaders to have dedicated officials for coordination of related gender and environment programmes and agreed to send a consolidated proposal on gender actions to be forwarded for consideration by UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The women ministers also requested nations to support the ratification of the Minamata convention on Mercury, which opens for signing in October.
More about meetings at www.unep.org . Moments from EASD participation are in Galleries of pictures. These activities are foreseen as the important international cooperation activities.
Prior to this, organisation participate at Rio+20 Conference.
Scientific Signals
Different researches are under one umbrella project “Research and scientific signals”. Recently team conducted:
1. Achieving sustainable development through infrastructure
2. Scoping the future trends in natural resources availability using selected indicators as measures of progress: the links with interests and values, presented at the 7th CONGRESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT – X CONVENCIÓN INTERNACIONAL SOBRE MEDIO AMBIENTE Y DESARROLLO, 6 -10.07.2015, Havana, Cuba
3. RETHINKING WASTE MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE RESOURCE-EFFICIENT CONCEPT ; Scientific signals: Waste as the crosscutting issue of SDGs , Waste, health, sustainability: what way forward? ,
4. Transforming education for children and youth ; FEE General Assembly 2016 and International Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, Ahmedabad, India
5. InWASTEgate
6. 6th UN regional meeting on SAICM, Poland, February 2018: we participate
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News and signals:
EASD participate at 2017 Vienna UN Conference – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe”
EU SEVENTH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PROGRAM: EIA AND SEA ARE EFFECTIVE TOOLS WHEN CORRECTLY IMPLEMENTED
Research: Waste Technology Transfer
Scientific signals No 4: Evaluation of the long-term environmental performance of lignite-fired power stations
Eye on EU approximation environmental challenges
Research results presented to scientific community
Ranking of universities for 2013
RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
EnE13 – Environment to Europe 2013 Conference
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Scientific signals No 3: Science of the Total Environment
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Scientific signals No 2: Recognition
Hristina Stevanović Čarapina, President of EASD Council
- Scientific Committee Member: INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE CONFERENCE “REPORTING FOR SUSTAINABILITY”,followed with the 5th EMC PROJECT CONFERENCE
- 7– 10 May, 2013, Hotel Mediteran, BEČIĆI, MONTENEGRO
Anđelka Mihajlov, EASD President
- International Advisory Board Member: Sardinia 2013 – 14th International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium, Forte Village – S.Margherita de Pula, Italy, 30.09-4.10 2013
- Scientific Committee Member: First Regional Conference on Environmental Impact Assessment, Zadar, Croatia, 18-21 Septembar 2013
- Scientific Committee Member: EUROASIA WASTE MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM, 28-30 April 2014, Istanbul Turkey
Scientific signals No 1:
Fishing area management programs have to be implemented
Environmental protection in protected areas must be coordinated and harmonized with the Program management of fisheries in the area. We point out the consequences of failure to follow the Program in protected area of exceptional quality “Gorge Gradac.” will have serious consequences, as presented in the scientific statement given to the 2010th in Yellowstone in the Wild Trout Symposium X – “Conserving Wild Trout”, Proceedings, pp.354
The Program of Scientific, Innovative, Research and Professional Work
The Program of Scientific, Innovative, Research and Professional Work in the fields of environment and sustainable development, is focused towards goals:
- Advancement of scientific research work, promotion and popularisation of science and technology and ensuring the preservation of scientific and cultural heritage, development of innovative and development projects, as well programs of general interest;
- Monitoring the contemporary development of engineering, technology and ecology and indication of the trends of events and changes as well as giving opinions on technical and technological solutions in the fields of sustainable development and environment;
- Initiation and organisation of scientific and professional meetings, exhibitions, conferences and seminars, publishing activities, publishing of scientific and professional papers, monographs and other publications of interest in the field of sustainable development and environment;
- Promotion of sustainable (harmonic economic, social and environmental) development as a commune bonnum and interest, by implementing expertise and the promotion of the sustainable development and implementation of projects – sustainable management of natural resources – environmental protection and biodiversity – eco-standardisation – participation in the work and cooperation with all kinds of institutions nationally and internationally, industrial and other associations and organisations;
- Organisation and implementation of eco-certification in cooperation with the competent authorities and organisations for issuing appropriate certificates in the field of assessment of fulfillment of international standards and programs relation to the environment and sustainable development;
- Awarding of appropriate rewards and recognitions for successful achievements in the field of sustainable development and environment;
In order to achieve these objectives, the Association monitors among other scientific and technical literature in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development, organize, solely or together with other organizations, professional meetings, conferences, seminars and other forms of education, announces the publication of matters relating to development and application of technical and scientific publications in the field of sustainable development and the environment, in accordance with the law, in order to improve the social and economic aspects of sustainable development, working with universities, collegues, schools, professional associations and other similar organizations at home and abroad, gives professional expertise, arbitration, provides advice, opinions and reviews, has been doing research and development in multidisciplinary, natural, technical, technological, biotech, and technical and social sciences, develops international (global, EU) and regional cooperation, developing partnerships with other organizations and institutions in the country, and others.
Organisation is the Institutional Member of ACUNS – Academic Council on the United Nations System
( http://acuns.org/category/members-partners/institutional-members/ )
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Science Festival 2012 – Present popular scientific topics in everyday language, proving that science is more accessible, more interesting and more present that it seems to be. EASD and Prof A.Mihajlov took part at Panel: Earth after Man – The Story about Biodiversity and Climate Change (http://www.festivalnauke.org/index-en.html , http://www.festivalnauke.org/#prettyPhoto[iframe]/29/ )
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