1. MED Forum News

The Round Table on the Eve of the United Nations Millennium Summit

MED Info est le bulletin électronique de MED Forum, Réseau d'ONG de la Méditerranée pour l'Environnement et le Développement durable

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1. MED Forum News

• Editorial

MED Forum begins a new stage.

We have already completed 6 years! MED Forum is a "child" in the stage of growth and affirmation of its identity. If we all helped him, MED Forum can have a great future, like the present we have in this moment.

We celebrated the anniversary of MED Forum during the VI Mediterranean Environmental Forum and the General Assembly. The Forum had a wide participation of the Mediterranean NGOs, institutions, experts and representatives of public administrations. During two days, the Forum discussed the Mediterranean proposals, that will be taken to the Johannesburg Summit 2002, and to the Euromediterranean Conference that will be celebrated in Valencia (Spain) April 2002.

The celebration of the second General Assembly of MED Forum has put in evidence, that in spite of the problems which can exist, MEDForum is a network that has a large participation of the Mediterranean NGO´s. A rich debate with tension and enthusiasm has also put in evidence, that our organization can become a referring force, for the international institutions, as well as for the national ones.

During the meeting, we also verified the extraordinary results obtained during the first six years of work and uninterrupted efforts. Results are gathered in the magnificent publication "MED Forum in action 1995-2000" (also one can see it in the web page: www.medforum.org). In spite of the great difficulties of financing that we have faced in the initial phase till the present time, MED Forum has been able to find the support of the European Union and of the Spanish administrations, that with their recognition and help, have allowed us to make all this enormous work. On the other hand, we also must emphasize, once again, the support that we received from EcoMediterrània especially at the time of obtaining the financial support of the administrations of Catalonia as well as their recognition of our network.

The General Assembly of MED Forum has elected its new Executive Committee and Mediterranean Council. At the same time they approved on the name of the Secretary General as proposed by the new executive committe. All these organisms have to direct our organization for the best during the next three years. For that the active participation of the members of MED Forum is necessary.

This new stage must consolidate our organization so that it can represent better the Mediterranean.

Barcelona, 12^th december 2001

Mohamed Ali Abrougui Rafael Madueño

President Secretary General

Ya hemos cumplido 6 años! MED Forum es un "niño" en plena etapa de crecimiento y afirmación de su identidad. Si entre todos le ayudamos, puede llegar a tener un gran futuro, aún mejor que el buen presente que tiene en estos momentos.

El cumpleaños de MED Forum lo festejamos durante la celebración del VI Forum Ambiental del Mediterráneo y de la Asamblea General. El Forum contó con una amplia participación de ONGs de todo el Mediterráneo, de instituciones, de expertos y de representantes de administraciones públicas. Durante dos días se debatieron las propuestas que los mediterráneos llevaremos a la Cumbre de Johannesburgo del próximo año 2002, y a la próxima Conferencia Euromediterránea, que se celebrará en Valencia (España), el próximo mes de abril.

La celebración de la segunda Asamblea General de MED Forum ha servido para volver a poner en evidencia que, a pesar de los problemas que puedan existir, somos la organización que cuenta con un mayor funcionamiento participativo de entre todas las existentes en el Mediterráneo. Un rico debate, no exento de tensión y apasionamiento, que ha servido para poner en evidencia, que nuestra organización puede convertirse en un referente obligado, tanto para las instituciones internacionales, como para las nacionales.

Durante el encuentro, también pudimos comprobar los extraordinarios resultados obtenidos durante estos seis primeros años de trabajo y de esfuerzos ininterrumpidos. Resultados recogidos en la magnífica publicación "MED Forum en acción 1995-2000" (que próximamente también se podrá consultar en la página web www.MEDForum.org). A pesar de las grandes dificultades de financiación que hemos padecido en esta fase inicial de nuestra andadura, y que continuamos teniendo en la actualidad, MED Forum ha sabido encontrar el apoyo de la Unión Europea y de las administraciones españolas, que, con su reconocimiento y ayuda, nos han permitido realizar toda esta enorme labor. Por otro lado, también debemos de destacar, una vez más, el apoyo inicial que recibimos de EcoMediterrània y que siempre hemos continuado recibiendo, sobretodo, a la hora de conseguir el soporte financiero y el reconocimiento de las administraciones de Cataluña.

La Asamblea General de MED Forum ha elegido sus nuevos Comité Ejecutivo y Consejo Mediterráneo. Asímismo, aprobó el nombramiento del Secretario General propuesto por el nuevo Comité Ejecutivo. Todos estos organismos de los que nos hemos dotado han de dirigir nuestra organización durante los próximos tres años, para situarla aún mejor de lo que está en estos momentos. Para ello es necesaria la participación activa de los socios de MED Forum.

La nueva etapa que empieza MED Forum debe de consolidar nuestra organización para que pueda representar mejor al Mediterráneo.

Barcelona, 12 de diciembre de 2001

Mohamed Ali Abrougui Rafael Madueño

Presidente Secretario General

More than 160 people, representing a great number of Mediterranean NGOs as well as institutions and organizations of local, national and international scope, participated on the 30 of November and 1^st of December in the VI Mediterranean Environmental Forum, celebrated in Barcelona by MED Forum, Mediterranean NGO Network for the Ecology and the sustainable Development.

The meeting was organized by the Catalan NGO EcoMediterrània. It gathered representatives of NGOs, experts and professionals of environment and cooperation, representatives of the political and the enterprise world as well as representatives of diverse organisms and public institutions. All of them participated in the debate that settled down the objectives of this VI Forum: to continue working to strengthen the presence and the participation of the civil society in Euro – Mediterranean process, and to analyze, to discuss and to prepare the position and the participation of the Mediterranean NGOs in Río + 10, organized by the United Nations in Johannesburg next September.

The opening conference of this sixth Forum, that treated the "Euro–Mediterranean process: the role of civil society on building the mediterraneanity", was the responsibility of Mr. Serge Antoine, Honorary president the 21-France Committee and vice-president of the Bleu Plan. The opening act counted on the presence and the participation of Mr. Ramon Espadaler, Environmental advisor at the Generalitat de Catalunya; Mr. Antoni Fogué, delegate-president of the Environmental Area of the Barcelona County Council, Mrs. Imma Mayol, town councilor of public Health and environment of the Barcelona Town Council and Mr. Humberto da Cruz, member of the Unit of Coordination of UNEP-MAP and Mr. Zohir Sekkal and Mr. Rafael Madueño, president and general secretary of MED Forum, respectively.

The first session was dedicated to the discussion and search of future channels to reinforce the paper of the civil society in the Euro–Mediterranean process. The session was presided over by Mr. Joseph Travé, CLAPE-LR (France) and counted on the participation of Mrs. Cristina Narbona, Environment Secretariat PSOE; Mr. Kostas Voliotis, PHNEO (Greece); Mr. Lavleo Sanna, ISPROM (Italy); Mr. Kamal Targuistí, APEWT (Morocco) and Mrs. Ana Gual, in representation of the European Cabinet of Integration and Solidarity of Barcelona City Council (Gabinete de Integración Europea y Solidaridad de la Diputación de Barcelona).

The second table of debate was dedicated to: The Euro-Mediterranean partnership and the MEDA Program presided over by Mr. Zubir Sahli, TOUIZA NGO Algeria. The session opened with a parliament of Mr. Joan Carles Gómez Masquef, Official of EuropeAid Cooperation (European Commission) and counted on the interventions of the Mr. Ayman Rabi, PHG (Palestine), Mr. Eric Van Monckhoven, CRIC (Italy), Mr. Mohamed Ali Abrougui, ATPNE (Tunisia), Mrs. Margarita Obiols, in representation of the department of External Relations of Barcelona City council and, finally, Mr. Josep Ferré, Ministry of Foreign affairs/ AECI (Spain)

The debates of the first day of the Forum were completed with other two sessions. The first was dedicated to "Mediterranean Assessment of Rio + 10" and the second to "Mediterranean proposals for the Summit of Johannesburg 2002".

The first session was presided over by Mr. John Hontelez, General Secretary of the BEE (Belgium), and Mr. Paolo Bifani, MED Forum Advisor and consultant at the United Nations,. They spoke about "Agenda 21 and the Mediterranean". On the other hand, Mr. Humberto da Cruz, UNEP-MAP, spoke about "Agenda 21: the strategic review and the MCSD".

In the "Mediterranean proposals for the Summit of Johannesburg 2002" session, Mr. Ali Darwish, Greenline (Lebanon), Mr. Mohamed Zeidan, FEDA (Egypt), Mr. Josep Bou, representing the environmental department in the Generalitat de Catalunya, Mrs. Rosalie Gardiner, UNED- Forum (United Kingdom) and Mr. Ronald Visser, ANPED (Holland) took part.

On Saturday, 1^st of December, the Forum continued with a session named as "EuroMediterranean environmental action priorities (SMAP) and Rio+10". It was presided over by Mr. Humberto da Cruz (UNEP - MAP) and counted on the interventions of the Mr. Mohamed Chorfi, CHOUALA (Morocco), Mrs. Alef Zaddem, APNEK (Tunisia), and Mr. Aldo Drago, IMC (Italy).

The last debate of the Forum was on " The local authorities and the mediterranean NGOs in front of the summit of Johannesburg 2002". The session was presided over by Mrs. Maria Antònia Grífols, EcoMediterrània (Spain), and counted on the participation of the Mr. Helder Careto, GEOTA (Portugal); Ms. Silvia Guanci, Forum per la Laguna (Italy); Mr. Joan Parpal, Med Cities; Mr. Txema Castiella, Director of Services of Education and Environmental Participation of Barcelona City Council (Spain) and Mr. Antoni Montseny, Coordinator of the Environmental Area of Barcelona County Council (Spain).

During the meeting, Mr. Rafael Madueño, General Secretary of our Network, also had presented the basic lines of Telemac (and Mare Nostrum 2004), project of Interexchange and Cooperation among Mediterranean young people for cultural Diversity, sustainable Development and Peace, cofinanced by the European Commission (EuropaAid)-Programa Eumedis-Meda.

The celebration of this new editing of the Mediterranean Environmental Forum of MED Forum counted on the collaboration of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona County Council, Barcelona City council of Barcelona, Metropolitan Area of Barcelona: Metropolitan Environmental Unit, Foreign Office of Spain (AECI) and the United Nations Environmental Program - Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP-MAP).

The Second General Assembly was opened by the President of our Network, Mr. Zohir Sekkal, who was accompanied by the members of the Executive Committee Mr. Joseph Travé and Mr. Rafael Madueño (General Secretary). With a limited presence of partners, due to economic difficulties prevented the ability to support the displacements of all the members, different points were discussed.

1. MED Forum in action: 1995-2000: "Barcelona: 5 years later"

The General Secretary presented the great task made by MED Forum during these first six years of existence. This explanation has widely been documented in Dossier MED Forum nº 9, elaborated by Mr. Xavier Segarra, titled as "MED Forum in action 1995-2000", and in "Report of the Activity of MED Forum 2001", elaborated by the General Secretary, Mr. Rafael Madueño. Also you can find these in both languages , french and spanish, in the web page.

Through these documents, the growth experienced by MED Forum is emphasized. From the beginning, in November 1995 (during the Euromediterránea Conference) when 8 NGO´s of 8 different countries met (EcoMediterrània - Spain; Eko-Rijeka - Croatia; Ecological movement of Cyprus - Cyprus; Lebanon Nature Environment (Line) - Lebanon; PHG - Palestine; ATPNE - Tunisia; MEA - Algeria and ASMAPE- Morocco), until today where we counted already 71 members and 44 applicants of 23 countries.

At the moment, MED Forum is a full member of the main international organizations, such as IUCN, BEE, ECOSOC-CSD, MCSD-MAP, etc. In addition, MED Forum maintains a very important interlocution with diverse organisms, like for example the European Union, the UNEP-MAP, the Convention to Combat desertification and the Environmental European Agency. During these years we have celebrated three Mediterranean Environmental Forums, always with the collaboration of EcoMediterrània. On the other hand, different Mediterranean Conferences on different subjects had been made: The Coast (Benidorm - Spain, 1997); Biodiversity (Malaga- Spain, 1999); Desertification (Negev - Israel, 1999) and (Murcia - Spain, 2000) and Conservation of Nature (Ammán - Jordan, 2000).

As for the Communication, a continued effort was made to fund the electronic newsletter "MED Info ", to updated and renewed the web page as well as to publish the magazine "MED Forum. Ecology and sustainable Development", "Dossiers MED Forum" and the " Special monographic".

The Department of Mediterranean Cooperation has collaborated with the members and adviced them in the presentation of projects. This department put the partners in contact for the presentation of common projects and inform them with the possibilities that exist at every moment.

The accomplishment of campaigns has represented the other great basic point on which our work has leaned, with the objective to put in contact the partners. The campaign on sustainable tourism of the project "Ulixes 21 for a sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean", as well as other campaigns like "The green light of the Mediterranean", or "Protect the MEDITERRANEAN ?… yes!! But… Ratify the Barcelona Convection and its Protocols", had allowed us to present our organization in the main international organisms.

The full members of MED Forum have strengthen this General Assembly. The Executive Committee and the Mediterranean Council are two organisms that direct MED Forum, whereas the performance of the General Secretary makes an effective management, that has taken our organization to the present situation of international recognition.

The initial agreement adopted in 1996 and ratified in 1998, by which the management of the General Secretary was entrusted to EcoMediterrània (Spain) and, this way, delegated the administrative and economic management to it. This has demonstrated its effectiveness during these initial six years. Effectiveness that has served to take to our Network to the recognition situation in which it is nowadays.

 

 

2. MED Forum in action: 2001

The Report of the Executive Committee on the main activities of year 2001 has been centered in emphasizing our activity referring to international presence:

- Pursuit of the Euromediterránea Policy: SMAP, DG External relations

- Relations with Barcelona Agreement: MAP-MCSD. Attendance to the meeting of the

Contracting Parties in Monaco, participation in the group work of the MCSD and

relation with the Coordination Unit.

- Convention to combat Desertification. Relations with the Agreement

Secretary , meeting of the Contracting Parties in Bonn, participation in the meetings of

The Annex 4 and in project MEDRAP (Italy)

- Pursuit of the process of Rio +10, Participation in the meeting of the CSD in New

York, Geneva with the NGOs and the ministerial meeting of the European states.

- Other organisms: European parliament, IUCN- Mediterranean Office,

Governments of Spain, Morocco, France, Tunisia, etc. and the Administration of

Catalonia

MED Forum had participated in many Congresses and conferences : water, biodiversity, combat desertification, integrated management of the coast, sustainable tourism and management of the remainders, etc…

As for the Communication, a continuous publication of the electronic newsletter "MED Info " (11 numbers); publication of Dossiers MED Forum: "MED Forum in action. 1995-2000" and a special one on the VI Mediterranean Environmental Forum: Working Document. The communication department had published numerous Dípticos monographic for the different international meetings in which we had participated, and the magazine "MED Forum. Ecology and sustainable Development". The external communication works for both the General Secretariat and the members of MED Forum in different countries. In spite of the continuous effort that had been made for the collaboration of the members, there has been still no a significant answer on the part of the partners. During year 2001, the efforts have been reinforced and a Network of correspondents of MED Forum has worked significantly to consolidate among our members.

The Mediterranean Cooperation had worked on different projects for the SMAP, EUMEDIS and has collaborated in the projects of the members: SEAM (Forum per la Laguna - Venice), Mediterraneo 2000 (CRIC - Italy), MEDRAP (Italy), etc. In addition, They had continued the campaigns mentioned in the previous section.

The consolidation of the Network has continued this year. At this moment we are 71 members and 44 applicants and the geographic distribution is 29% of partners of the states of European Unión (UE); 17% of the north non UE; 29% of the east and 25% of the south. This year the second General Assembly with a participation of 33 members of 18 of countries has been celebrated (could not attend: Albania, Malta, Jordan, Mauritania and Bosnia-Herzegovina).

A detailed financial report of the last five years was made. The Budget of MED Forum has changed from 268,000 euros in 1996 to 310,585 euros in 2000, with an average of 300,000 euros (1euro=0,9788 dollars, in date of the 27,11,01). 50 % of this budget had been covered by the European Commission (DG Environment) and other 50% had been obtained by EcoMediterrània (Spain), mainly through the Spanish administrations (specially of Catalonia).

In 2001 the budget had been 240,636.84 euros, of which 1,626.95 euros have been dedicated to international Politica, 6,323.69 to the Presence in international organisms, 1146.66 to the Participation in Congresses, 33,397.40 to the Communication, 96,999.63 to the Management of the program of activities, 2964.14 to the Executive Committee Meetings, 68,271.77 to the IV Mediterranean Environmental Forum and to the General Assembly, 34,679.56 to the Mediterranean Cooperation. The Budget has covered fundamentally with the contributions of the Spanish administrations and MAP, while we are waiting for the contribution of the European Commission.

The Program of Activities for the year 2002 is very similar to the one of the year 2001. The Executive Committee would have to adapt in its next meeting in January 2002.

We will continue working on the lobbying at the level of the Mediterranean institutions, specially MAP and the MCSD, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Environment European Agency, Convention to combat Desertification, the IUCN - Mediterranean Office, etc.

With respect to the meetings to participate or to organize, it is agreed upon that we have to center our efforts in the Johannesburg Summit September 2002, as well as in the euromediderranean meetings that will be celebrated in the next year. That is to say: April 2002 Euromed Conference in Valencia (Spain) and Conference of the SMAP (Greece).

With respect to the communication, the monthly publishing of the electronic newsletter MED Info will continous, as well as the update of the Web page and the creation of the correspondents Network. Also MED Forum will continue supporting the Program of Mediterranean Cooperation, on the projects and the campaigns.

In the same way, we will reinforce the paper of the Mediterranean Council Members because they are the ambassadors of MED Forum in their respective countries. The new Executive Committee has reinforce our Network at international level as well as to look for financing. For the accomplishment of this Program a budget of 322,190 euros was approved provisionally. In order to cover this budget subventions will be asked to the European Commission and different administrations. During this year the work of the Secretary General and the new Executive Committee will be focused to cover the totality with the noticeable objectives.

1. Pan- Hellenic Network of Ecological Organitzations - Greece
2. Association Chouala for Education and Culture - Morocco
3. TransMED Association - France

were approved

All the categories of members, except for the Honor Members, have the obligation to pay a fixed annual quotation according to their category.

The member, who till the moment of the accomplishment of the General Assembly or the Mediterranean Council, did not pay his annual quotation doesn´t have the right to vote or to be chosen for the Executive Committee or the the Mediterranean Council.

Quotas

1. Founding Members 160$ 175 Euros
2. Full Members 130$ 150 "
3. Supporting Members 50$ 60 "
4. International Members to be determined
5. Collaborating Members 25$ 30 Euros
6. Honor Members (free) -

 

6. Modification of statutes

The debate on the modifications of the new statutes was made in a tense atmosphere, although at the end the general assembly approved on what the Mediterranean Council aggreed in Malaga. Most of the added things were amendments presented by MEA-Algeria. The new amended statutes will be sent to all the members of our Network, once it will be transferred to Minutes of the Meeting, that must be approved by the next Executive Committee and presented to the Spanish jurisdiction, the country where our Network resides.

7. Meeting of the Founding Members

As it is mentioned in our Statutes, a meeting of the founding members was held. It was summoned by the President. After listening to the Report of the Secretary General, an approve to the new statutes was made.

The selection of the new Executive Committee was made in agreement with the new statutes. Two lists appeared, one headed by Mr. Mohamed Alí Abrougui and another one by Mr. Alí el Hili, both are from Tunisia associations. Finally it was arrived at a proposal of Candidacy of Consensus that was approved by absolute majority.

The new Executive Committe of MED Forum is constituted of the following:

President : Mr. Mohamed Alí Abrougui. (ATPNE – Tunisia)

Vicepresident: Mr. Piero Polimeni. (CRIC – Italy)

Vicepresident: Mr. Ayman Rabi. (PHG –Palestine)

Treasurer: Mr. Zoubir Sahli. (TOUIZA – Algeria)

Members: Mr. Mohamed Zeidan. (FEDA – Egypt)

Mr. Alenxander Bordero. (AMPN – Monaco)

PPNEA - Albania (Titular); MEA - Algeria (Founder); Ass. Ecologique Boumerdés - Algeria (Titular); Touiza - Algeria (Substitute); Eko-Rijeka - Croatia (Founder); ESMERGO - Croatia (Titular); E.M.C - Cyprus (Founder); FEEOC - Cyprus (Titular); FEDA- Egypt (Titular); SOEP - Egypt (substitute); Clape- LR - France (Titular); PAN-HELLENIK - Greece (Titular); INIER - Greece (Substitute); SPNI - Israel (Titular); CRIC - Italy (Titular); Forum per la Laguna - Italy (Substitute); LINE - Lebanon (Founder); Green-Line - Lebanon (Titular); ASMAPE - Moroccow (Founder); Ass. ASMIR - Moroccow (Titular); APEWT - Moroccow (Substitute); AMPN - Monaco (Titular); PHG - Palestine (Founder); WEDO - Palestine (Titular); SEM - Slovania (Titular); EcoMediterrània - Spain (Founder); CPNE - Spain (Titular); ATPNE - Tunisia (Founder); APNEK - Tunisia (Titular , Conditional); Les Amis dels Oiseaux - Tunisia (Titular/Substitute); DHKD - Turkey (Titular); Young Researchers of Serbia - Yugoslavia (Titular).

In the extraordinary meeting of the new Executive Committee, the new Secretary General was chosen. The Executive Committee proposed the name of Mr. Rafael Madueño to continue working as a Secretary General of MED Forum.

Because of the long discussion of the Statutes, some points such as the Commissions and the Telemac Project, could not be treated although the latter had been presented during the celebration of VI Mediterranean Environmental Forum. In the next issue of our electronic newsletter MED Info, an information on this subject will be elaborated.

As a conclusion, it is assured that this Second General Assembly has represented a very important act for MED Forum. In spite of the tension motivated by the debate of the Statutes and the selections to the Executive Committee, we can assure that MED Forum is the most opened and democratic organization, that exist in the Mediterranean. On the contrary, the lack of experience in the operation of our Network, the ignorance on the part of most of the members of the forms of financing of our organization and the little associative life on the part of a great number of our associate has been shown. This General Assembly has showed that we are all conscious of the greatnesses and the insufficiencies of our organization. It is necessary to give confidence to the new Executive Committee and to the Secretary General, so that they can make a joint work that assures that our Network will continue consolidating.

Barcelona, 18 december 2001

Rafael Madueño

Secretary General of MED Forum

By Mona Mroueh

Lebanon Nature Environment (LINE) - Lebanon

Volunteering means different things to different people. History, politics, religion and culture of a region have a great influence on volunteering. For some years volunteering is the absence of financial reward; for others lack of coercion is the main identifier. Nevertheless, in both cases volunteers make a valuable contribution to a society. The two main benefits are:

1) Economic Contribution

Volunteering makes an important economic contribution to society. It adds to the overall economic output of a country and reduces the burden on government spending. For example, in 1997, a survey of volunteering was done in UK, suggested that half the adult population took part in voluntary work, contributing a national £ 40 billion to the economy. This suggests that government should be interested in promoting volunteering. But this is not the case. Volunteering remains a marginal and invisible activity. And government continues to overlook the importance of volunteering and fail to take account of its dimension when developing policy. This is due to the absence of regular, reliable information on its extent and contribution.

2) Cohesive Communities

Volunteering helps in the building of strong and cohesive communities. It raises trust between citizens and helps develop norms of solidarity and reciprocity, which are essential to stable communities.

It enables people to meet new friends, learn new skills, gain in confidence, self-respect and bring personal satisfaction. In addition, it brings particular benefits to those suffering from social exclusion. For example, disable people participating in voluntary work can aid social integration and challenge negative stereotypes of these people as passive recipients of care. Also unemployed people participating in volunteering can improve employability for skills development and training. Also young people volunteering offers opportunities for skills development and risk-taking and provides a valuable grounding in the practice of citizenship. Finally older people participating in voluntary work has a positive contribution to make to the process of "active aging" by helping the newly retired adjust to life without the structure of the workplace, by providing opportunities for life-long learning and by improving physical and mental well being.

Building the community plays a role in economic regeneration. That’s why government should support volunteering by raising its visibility and recognizing its contribution. Including volunteering in the national accounts would highlight its contribution to the economy and help ensure that a volunteering perspective is built into the policy making process.

• SEAM Project

The Forum for the Lagoon is a non-profit organization that has been working since 1991, for the protection and the development of the city of Venice, its lagoon and the Mediterranean basin.

The "Forum per la Laguna" is a consultative member of the United Nations Program for the Mediterranean (UNEP-PAM), for the Urban environment HABITAT and is the Venetian node of the Urban Forum for Sustainable Development network of the European Commission. Forum per la laguna is the principle partner of the SeaM project - System for Environmental marine education in the Mediterranean (www.retemediterranea.com). The secondary partners are IPSIAM ‘N. Green’, IPSIAM ‘C. Colombo’, ARIADNE S.A., and Eco-Mediterrania.

SEAM project – which began in 1996 and will end on December 31 2001, with the financial support of the European Union and the Italian Ministry of the Environment – brings about the setting up of a network of centres for sea environmental education in the Mediterranean. The original group which started the project is composed of Venice (Principle partner), Barcelona, Catania, Cicladi, Corigliano and Costanza. The reserves in Capo Rizzuto, Sinis, Miramare, Ustica and Naples (the mouth of the river Volturno) successively joined the project.

Each node has the function of planning, realising and managing all educational experiences. The fruition of the project is open to schools, associations, citizens and local institutions. From a socio-economic point of view, SEAM project has the potentiality of creating significant by-products with regard to infrastructures and commerce in disadvantaged areas, thanks to the close relationship between environmental education and the tourist sector.

Objectives:

The main objective of SEAM project is the promotion of sea environmental education in the Mediterranean through the setting up of a network and a system of communication where local, national and international organisations might exchange information, help one another and start joint initiatives. SEAM, therefore, aims to promote: the joint management of coastal areas and sea reserves in the Mediterranean basin; the understanding of the Mediterranean in geo-physical terms as well as in terms of interconnection between nature and history; the production of research and alive experiences, training courses for teachers and tourist operators; the development of cultural and economic co-operations.

Foreseen actions:

- Creation of a telecommunication system between the nodes, the networks and the external world;

- Online publication of a catalogue with the initiatives and services for the Mediterranean;

- Publication of a periodical and an annual report on sea education;

- Publication of a SEAM guide as well as of a guide for the single nodes;

- Development of training courses for operators in the sector and SEAM operators that manage the

system and provide technical assistance to the nodes;

- Development of online services for the exchange of information among the nodes;

- Local actions: initiatives for environmental protection; training courses; exhibitions; theatre a

activities; arrangement of adequate tools for the observation of sea environment; exchanges with

the other nodes.

On October 25 - 27 2001, in Naxos (Greece) has been held the evaluation seminar of the first phase of SeaM project and the training course on "Environmental Communication and Marketing In Marine Areas" (www.retemediterranea.com) at this meeting the Management Committee approved the following appeal to continue their activity in the future.

Appeal to Authorities

The undersigned partners of the international co-operation network SeaM and representatives of cultural public and private institutions:

Considering that:

• Never like in this moment of great tension among cultures and religions it is necessary to state the need and the utility of a more incisive information, education, training and economic sustainable development in co-operative and joint forms;
• It is necessary to identify instruments and places to promote efficiently and concretely promote and sustain a renewed international co-operation engagement;
• The Mediterranean Basin for history and traditions, even if during the centuries and still now is living moments of tension and conflict, is an area of co-operation and trades, of common interests and knowledge. The Euro Mediterranean network SeaM showed how useful and profitable is the work among peoples of the North, East, South and East of the Mediterranean.

Ask:

To the leaders of the United Nations - MAP representatives, MAP Program Mediterranean Governments, European Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Margot Waalstrom, Italian Government in the person of the Ministry for Environment, Dr. Altero Matteoli

To

Sustain an re-launch the SeaM network with a proper technical and financial contributions for the establishment of Euro Mediterranean-Black sea Observatory to inform and bring about participation in environmental policies and actions of local economic sustainable development (strengthening and integration of the SeaM network) located in Venice. The Observatory is a meeting and exchange place on the principles of environmental sustainability and fight against poverty. The attached proposal is the full text of this appeal.

For any  information please address to: Mrs. Giosella Di Felice (European and International relations) Forum per la Laguna, Giudecca 212/c, 30133 Venezia Italy. Phone:    ++39.041.5212830,

Fax:        ++39.041.5212831. Website: www.forumlagunavenezia.org    www.retemediterranea.com
e.mail: info@forumlagunavenezia.org, giosella.difelice@forumlagunavenezia.org

• Résultats de la campagne Feu vert de la Méditerranée au Grau-Du-Roi

Par Nathalie Dupriez

CLAPE - LR - France

I- INTRODUCTION

La campagne Feu vert de la Méditerranée a remporté un véritable succès au Grau-Du-Roi. L’utilisation de la radio locale pour expliquer l’importance de cette campagne a permis de mobiliser en masse les habitants et toutes les personnes connaissant bien la commune pour remplir le questionnaire sur l’environnement de celle-ci. La participation des écoles fut également importante. Au total, ce sont 432 questionnaires dont 91 remplis par des enfants de moins de 14 ans qui ont été récoltés.

La rencontre de nombreuses personnes lors de la tenue d’un stand sur la campagne pendant deux jours au Palais des Sports et de la Culture a permis de mettre en évidence les attentes des habitants de la commune, leurs doutes, leurs questions sur l’environnement mais aussi le fait que beaucoup d’entre eux ne connaissent pas les actions réalisées par la commune en faveur de l’environnement. La notion d’espèce ou d’espace protégé est souvent mal connue.

II- Résultats

Les résultats montrent que la préoccupation des habitants pour l’environnement de la commune est forte (74.07%), mais ils connaissent peu les actions réalisées par celle-ci en faveur de l’environnement.

Une majorité de personnes ayant répondu au questionnaire habite le Grau-du-Roi (74.77%). Ce sont essentiellement des individus entre 30 et 50 ans (33.5%, et 12% d’enfants entre 10 et 13ans) et ce sont essentiellement des femmes (51.16%).

Les enfants décernent un Feu orange à 78.02% alors que 54.95% d’entre eux considèrent que la commune travaille suffisamment pour l’environnement (42.36% au total). Les adultes, quant à eux, décernent un Feu vert à 46.63% contre 43.99% pour le Feu orange. Il en résulte que la commune se voit attribuer un Feu orange à 51.16% (contre 39.81% pour le Feu vert).

Les enfants considèrent que la surface des bois et forêts est insuffisante et qu’ils sont dans un état moyen. Globalement c’est cette idée qui prime (environ 40% de l’ensemble des questionnaires). Les bois et forêts représentent 20.59% des propositions de protection par les enfants et 19.23% des propositions de protection par les adultes.

De manière générale, les rivières sont considérées comme étant dans un état moyen (41.44%) et les zones humides sont peu connues : 41.76% des enfants et 22.29% des adultes ont répondu « Je ne sais pas » à la question sur l’état des zones humides. Les adultes considèrent à 35.78% qu’elles sont dans un état moyen.

Alors que 54.55% des adultes considèrent les plages comme étant dans un bon état, 47.25% des enfants les trouvent dans un état moyen. Au total, 50.23% des réponses sont en faveur d’un bon état général des plages.

Comme pour les zones humides, les fonds marins sont peu connus : 34.03% des enfants et 34.31% des adultes ont répondu « Je ne sais pas » à la question les concernant.

Les adultes et les enfants trouvent qu’il y a de nombreuses espèces sur la commune mais que les espaces naturels sont insuffisants (51.85%) et qu’il faudrait en protéger plus (45.83%). Cependant seuls 58.94% des adultes pensant qu’il y a des espaces à protéger ont proposé des sites qu’ils souhaiteraient voir protéger (contre 85.1% des enfants).

Trois grands thèmes apparaissent dans le vœu de protection des adultes et des enfants : les pinèdes pour 19.23% des propositions des adultes et 20.59% de celles des enfants, le littoral (plages, mer, cordon dunaire…) pour 23.26% des propositions des adultes et 27.94% de celles des enfants et les zones d’eau (Vidourle, Etangs, marais…) pour 22.66% des propositions des adultes et 16.17% de celles des enfants. Il faut noter que 14.71% des réponses des enfants sont en faveur de la protection de la zone autour de l’hôpital.

III- OBSERVATIONS

Parmi les observations qui ont été faites, les personnes déplorent les problèmes sanitaires rencontrés dans la commune. Elles souhaitent qu’il y ait plus de poubelles dans les rues piétonnes et sur les plages (surtout en été) et que les touristes respectent plus la commune (pollution, propreté, arrachage de fleurs sauvages…). Un problème qui a été également fortement soulevé est celui de l’absence de toilettes sur les bords de plage. Les crottes de chien, ainsi que la présence de ceux-ci sur les plages, sont également très mal perçues.

Des remarques soulignent également une pollution de l’eau et de l’air, notamment l’été par les touristes et beaucoup de remarques ont été faites contre l’émissaire en mer de Montpellier. Il semble exister également un problème de manque d’espaces verts.

Néanmoins, beaucoup de personnes se rendent compte que la commune abrite une importante biodiversité et veulent la protéger. La commune ne semble pas passive en matière d’environnement aux yeux de ses habitants mais ils considèrent souvent qu’elle n’en fait pas encore assez.

IV- CONCLUSION

Les enfants sont très sensibilisés à l’environnement, beaucoup plus que les adultes. Cependant, peu de personnes semblent bien informées sur les actions réalisées par la commune en faveur de l’environnement. En effet, beaucoup ne savent pas que certains sites (Pinèdes, Espiguette) et certaines espèces sont protégés. Il existe une réelle attente de la population en matière de sensibilisation.

Les habitants de la commune sont surpris de constater l’absence de panneaux explicatifs, de gardes-mobiles dans les zones protégées. Pour eux, la protection de l’environnement passe par ce type d’actions.

Lors des rencontres au Palais des Sports et de la Culture, certaines personnes ont signalé qu’elles décernaient un Feu orange et non un Feu vert pour inciter la commune à ne pas relâcher ses efforts. Beaucoup considèrent en effet qu’il reste toujours quelque chose à faire pour l’environnement et qu’attribuer un Feu vert, c’est encourager la commune à ne pas faire plus pour protéger l’environnement.

S’il y a des efforts à faire en matière d’environnement, il semble très important d’informer les habitants de la commune sur ce qui est réalisé en faveur de l’environnement. Une campagne de sensibilisation à l’environnement semble nécessaire au Grau-Du-Roi.

Protection de l’environnement :

• Avertir, sensibiliser et pénaliser les personnes irrespectueuses de l’environnement par la

présence notamment de « Garde-Vert ».

- Création d’une brigade de nettoyage, notamment l’été.

- Limiter la surproduction des déchets, favoriser leur tri et leur récolte.

- Développer le tourisme soutenable.

Sensibilisation :

- Pose de panneaux d’affichages et d’explications dans les zones protégées sur les milieux

naturels, les espèces protégées et le type de comportement à adopter dans de tels lieux.

- Sensibilisation et responsabilisation des vacanciers et des plaisanciers par distribution de

tracts explicatifs et par l’intermédiaire de la capitainerie.

- Appel Radio pour informer et sensibiliser la population (explication du projet Grand site,

de l’incidence de notre comportement sur l’environnement etc.)

- Réalisation d’animations sur les plages avec, par exemple, la participation des enfants.

Propositions	Nombre de réponses	Pourcentage
Verte	172	39,81%
Jaune (non proposé)	3	0,69%
Orange	221	51,16%
Rouge	29	6,71%
Pas de réponse	7	1,62%

The Round Table on the Eve of the United Nations Millennium Summit

This book captures the essence of what was an important starting point for the year in stimulating global discussions on Dialogue among Civilizations.

Leaders from all continents assembled in September 2000 to share their views on the eve of the historic Millennium Summit. The political perspectives advanced then were complemented by contributions from personalities drawn from literature, the media, academia, diplomacy and international organizations. In presenting the various contributions, this book sets out a frame for dialogue in an increasingly interconnected world, although also one of growing and troubling disparities and divisions.

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• Cultural and Spiritual Values of Biodiversity

This book gives a rich sample of the vast web that makes up our cultural, spiritual and social diversity. The volume highlights the central importance of cultural and spiritual values in the appreciation and preservation of all life and argues that these values give us a true reflection of worth. It demonstrates how many cultures see Nature as an extension of society, and how sensitive stewardship is an integral part of the exercise.

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For further information visit: http://www.unep.org/Biodiversity/

Nice, 11-12 Janvier 2002

Contact Mr. Abbas Zahreddine, E-mail: medforum@pangea.org

• Sustainable Development of Ecotourism in Desert Areas

http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE/Regional_Activites/Algeria/Menu.htm

• World Summit on Sustainable Development (10^th Session – PreCom 2)

Contact Mr. Bakary Kante, E-mail: bakary.kante@unep.org

www.MEDForum.org