Contact: Rikke Florager, Administrative Director | E: rikke@fee.global
Nicole Andreou, Communications Assistant | E: nicole@fee.global

Copenhagen 23 September 2016 – During the two-day General Assembly in Ahmedabad, India, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) member organisations elected a new President and Board of Directors. Officials from 75 countries represented their national NGOs in discussing and deciding on the future strategy for FEE and its five environmental education programmes.

On 15 September, the first day of the assembly, participants discussed the 2014-2016 activity of FEE and its programmes; Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Green Key, Learning about Forests and Young Reporters for the Environment; the strategic plan and objectives for 2016-2020; financial issues; and developments in the organisation concerning its trademarks and logos, communications, and fundraising strategies. Following the membership evaluation process, conducted by FEE Head Office, new and existing members were confirmed, and finally, the new FEE President and Board of Directors were elected.

The election results are as follows:

President: Lesley Jones, Keep Wales Tidy (Wales)
Lesley Jones has been the CEO of Keep Wales Tidy since 2010 and the Vice-President of the Foundation for Environmental Education since 2014. Lesley has served on a number of Boards and Committees including the Vice Chair of the Association of British Credit Unions, a public appointee on the Welsh Government's Financial Inclusion Advisory Group and a member of Co-operatives UK New Ventures Panel.

Board of Directors:
Amine Ahlafi, Mohamed VI Foundation (Morocco)
Boris Šušmak, Društvo DOVES - FEE Slovenia (Slovenia)
Ian Humphreys, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (Northern Ireland)
José Hendriksen, FEE Netherlands (The Netherlands)
Laura Hickey, National Wildlife Federation (USA)
Lourdes Díaz Colon, Organisation for Sustainable Environment - OPAS (Puerto Rico)
Nikos Petrou, Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (Greece)

Lesley Jones, newly elected FEE President, noted: ”It is a privilege and an honour to be elected President of FEE at a stimulating and exciting General Assembly hosted by our member in India. As we move forward into a new stage in the progress and development of FEE, I look forward to working with the rest of the Board, FEE members and staff in the spirit of mutual support, enthusiasm and fun which I have come to value so much over the past few years. I would like to recognise our out-going President, Jan Eriksen, who has led our great organisation over the last 12 years through remarkable developments and changes. His commitment and vision have played a huge part in bringing us to where we are today - a truly global force for good”.

On 16 September, the assembly concluded with Members Forum sessions on fundraising; best practices in cross-country cooperation; regional cooperation; cross-programme collaboration; and general programme presentations.

At the General Assembly Jan Eriksen, founding member and President of the Foundation for Environmental Education 2004-2016, was recognised as an Honorary Member.

About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) www.fee.global

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1981. With members in 75 countries to-date, FEE and its five programmes, Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Green Key, Learning about Forests and Young Reporters for the Environment represent the cutting edge in Education for Sustainable Development and Environmental Education.