Board of Directors’ Meeting in Copenhagen
The FEE Board of Directors’ Meeting took place on 29th November at the FEE Head Office in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The FEE Board of Directors’ Meeting took place on 29th November at the FEE Head Office in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Board of Directors are in charge of the overall political management of FEE and their responsibilities include ensuring compliance with the organisation’s objectives and values, recommending policies and plans, approving membership applications, and monitoring performance in relation to plans, budgets, etc.
The Board usually meet four times a year, normally in February, April, June and October. The November meeting was an extraordinary one in order to introduce the newly elected Board members. On this occasion, the new Board members arrived a day early to be introduced to FEE Head Office, the International Directors and learn about their political responsibilities regarding the programmes. They were also presented with other tasks for the Board and were brought up to speed with work carried out by the former Board.
The main issues for discussion at the meeting were the FEE programmes, annual action plans, financial reporting, and sponsorships.
Back-to-back with the BoD meeting, the Learning about Forests (LEAF) International Steering Committee (ISC) meeting took place. The ISC is responsible for supporting and advising the International LEAF Director. The ISC meet twice a year to discuss the development of the LEAF programme.
FEE Contributed to Education for Sustainable Development in Bogotá
Gimnasio Moderno, Gimnasio Femenino and Colegio Los Nogales organised the II Meeting of Education for Sustainability on 4 November, 2016, at the Centro Cultural of the Gimnasio Moderno School in Bogotá, Colombia.
With the goal of contributing to the development of an environmental culture in educational activity and generating environmentally responsible behaviour in institutions for students and teachers, the educational centres: Gimnasio Moderno, Gimnasio Femenino and Colegio Los Nogales organised the II Meeting of Education for Sustainability on 4 November, 2016, at the Centro Cultural of the Gimnasio Moderno School in Bogotá, Colombia.
Public and private schools that are currently working on Education for Sustainability Projects participated in the meeting. Many national and international guests also attended. Janeira Duran, National Operator for Eco-Schools in the Dominican Republic, represented Foundation for Environmental Education and held a presentation about the Eco-Schools programme and network.
Numerous topics, including schools’ environmental projects, collaborative networks, and cultural and creative industries in education for sustainability were addressed and discussed at the meeting.
Janeira Duran’s participation and presentation of the development of the Eco-Schools programme at a global level, was of great interest and motivation to all participants, as was her introduction to FEE, its programmes, initiatives and methodologies. All agreed that the implementation of the programme would be a great contribution to the strengthening of environmental education in Colombia.
At the request of the organisers, Janeira visited Gimnasio Moderno, Gimnasio Femenino and Los Nogales School with the aim of inspiring and motivating. She held workshops which explained strategies to educators of different subjects, so that they can develop and implement pedagogical practices that contribute to the formation of values, knowledge, skills and competencies for sustainability – all from the Eco-Schools programme methodology.
In the visits made to the schools, it was possible to learn more about and appreciate the excellent initiatives implemented in topics such as: water saving, healthy eating, recycling, biodiversity, school garden development, and others.
FEE will be at COP22 in Marrakech
Climate Change Conference (COP22) is going to take place at Bab Ighli in Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November 2016.
Copenhagen, November 2016 – the Climate Change Conference (COP22) will take place at Bab Ighli in Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November 2016.
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is once again hosting a conference, this time the theme is: “Climate Change from school to home – Teaching children to modify family behaviour”. It will take place at the Green Zone on the 14th November from 17:00-18:30 (room: Tensift). The Green Zone is open for the general public by accreditation only. Please find more information about accreditation for the Green Zone here:
“Climate Change from school to home – Teaching children to modify family behaviour”
Article 6 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change emphases the importance of education as a solution for climate change. Through FEE's experiences, we have been observing students of all ages are powerful agents of change: their education can impact the behavior of people close to them and move them towards more sustainable lifestyles and help to adapt to the consequences of climate change. The panel-format conference aims at exploring how this could be achieved in today’s educational systems, highlighting some good practices, addressing possibilities and the difficulties of multiplying the effects of environmental education outside of the school.
Foundation for Environmental Education will invite guest speakers playing different roles, e.g. student, educator, local government, civil society to share their experiences and thoughts around the theme.
Other events
FEE will be presenting at the Young Reporters for the Environtment (YRE) Workshop “Forum des Jeunes Reporters” which will take place on the 14th November from 9:00-10:30 (room: Moulouya). This event is hosted by our Moroccan Member organisation, Mohammed VI Foundation for The Protection of the Environment.
FEE is also invited to the high level session “Education - A Key Driver to Scale-Up Climate Action” in Blue Zone.
Please help us tweet this news using the hashtags #FEECOP22 #FEEClimateEducation
Contact: Yukiko Tsuburaya | E: yukiko@fee.global
PRESS RELEASE: YRE International Competition
Do you feel passionate about the environment? Do you want to get the chance to show your photo, video or article to everyone? Don't hesitate and participate with us in the International YRE Competition.
Contact: Gosia Luszczek, International YRE Director | E: gosia@fee.global
Yukiko Tsuburaya, International YRE Assistant | E: yukiko@fee.global
Copenhagen, October 2016
Do you feel passionate about the environment? Do you want to get the chance to show your photo, video or article to everyone? Don't hesitate and participate with us in the International YRE Competition. The winning entries will be published internationally on the Huffington Post Kids and on the YRE International website!
YRE international competition is for winners of YRE National Competition in country running YRE programme. Students who are participating in the YRE programme in each country has a right to participate in the competition. Students have to compete and be selected as national winner to be sent to the international competition.
International Competition categories
YRE International Competition is consisted of three different categories.
International Competition – open for all countries with every theme, except for the theme litter for countries participating in the Litter Less Campaign. Countries that are not participating in the campaign, still can submit entries related to litter problem.
Litter Less Campaign – theme litter, open for countries that are involved in the Litter Less Campaign: Israel, Romania, France, Portugal, Slovakia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, China, India, and Ireland
* Please note that the submissions under the theme of Litter from Litter Less Campaign countries will be evaluated separately, and the winners will receive recognitions with a certificate.
International Collaboration – open for all countries with 3 recommended themes from 17 Sustainable Development Goals: 11-Sustainable Cities, 12-Responsible consumption & production, 13-Climate action. The submission must be a form of “Article” and a collaborative work between 2 countries, and it is open for the age category 15-18 years old.
More information: http://www.yre.global/
PRESS RELEASE: A landmark General Assembly for the Foundation for Environmental Education
During the two-day General Assembly in Ahmedabad, India, FEE member organisations elected a new President and Board of Directors.
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.
Download the PDF.
FEE Story Book published
In September 2016 FEE published the story of the organisation, as told through interviews by Jan Eriksen and Finn Bolding Thomsen.
In September 2016 FEE published the story of the organisation, as told through interviews by Jan Eriksen, FEE President 2004-2016, and Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Green Key Director. You can download the FEE Story Book here.
Join the Outdoor Classroom Day campaign on 6 October!
Outdoor Classroom Day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire learning and play outside the classroom.
Outdoor Classroom Day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire learning and play outside the classroom! Building on the UK’s Empty Classroom Day, the aim is to get as many children as possible outside for at least one lesson in the school day – because lessons learnt outdoors often stay with us for life.
The campaign recognises that play is important too! As well as being fun, play teaches children critical life skills, such as resilience, teamwork, leadership and creativity. And parents agree – 75 per cent of those surveyed believe children learn social skills when they play outdoors*.
With increasing pressures on childhood, kids today are too often overprotected, overscheduled, and overly attached to screens, and yet all parents and teachers want is for children to grow up happy and develop the skills they need for the future. That’s why it’s more crucial than ever before to help get children outdoors.
Whether you’re a teacher, organisation or an individual that cares about childhood, there’s a way for everyone to get involved. Teachers can take a class or the whole school outdoors for at least one lesson on 6th October; organisations can help promote the campaign; and individuals can join in the conversation about the benefits of play and ‘learning by doing’.
With everyone’s support, we can make sure children everywhere enjoy their childhood and have the foundations they need for the life they want to live.
Play for today, prepared for tomorrow.
Join the global movement at: http://bit.ly/29NJFZQ
*Edelman Berland for Unilever, 2016
Outdoor Classroom Day is backed by Unilever’s Dirt is Good brands, coordinated nationally by Project Dirt, and led in specific countries by local NGOs.
PRESS RELEASE: Heading towards the General Assembly 2016
Copenhagen 8 September 2016 – The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is holding its biennial General Assembly on 15-16 September in Ahmedabad, India.
Contact: Rikke Florager, Administrative Director, E: rikke@fee.global
Nicole Andreou, Communications Assistant, E: nicole@fee.global
Copenhagen 8 September 2016 – The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is holding its biennial General Assembly on 15-16 September in Ahmedabad, India. At the assembly sessions, member organisations from 75 countries will be discussing the most recent developments in FEE and elect their new President and Board of Directors.
The General Assembly is arranged and hosted by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) India, FEE’s Associate Member in India. The first two assembly sessions will be addressing the latest developments and strategic planning for FEE and its five programmes, whilst at the Members’ Forum sessions, members will have the opportunity to join workshops on the implementation of programmes, projects and campaigns. 15 new organisations are to be confirmed as members of FEE.
The FEE President is elected every four years and the Board of Directors every two. Following the nomination procedure, a new President and Board of Directors will be elected for the period 2016-2020 and 2016-2018 respectively. The coming General Assembly will herald the end of an era with the retirement of Jan Eriksen. Current president and a member of FEE for over 26 years, Jan has steered the organisation through some its most demanding periods of transition and growth and is leaving it as the globally recognised and respected organisation that you know today: a fitting testament to his diligence and commitment to FEE over the years.
The assembly will be followed by the CEE Conference on ‘Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for Transforming Education for Children and Youth’, to take place on 16–18 September 2016. The Conference aims at bringing together global experience and expertise to highlight and strengthen the role of ESD.
About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) www.fee.global
With members in 75 countries around the world, FEE’s programmes represent the cutting edge in Education for Sustainable Development and Environmental Education. It is the vision of the Foundation for Environmental Education that its programmes empower people everywhere to live sustainably and in an environmentally conscious manner.
Download the PDF.
The Foundation for Environmental Education listed on the Harvard GEII website
GEII at the Harvard Graduate School of Education is a multi-country research-policy-practice collaborative examining relevant, powerful, and effective education.
The Global Education Innovation Initiative (GEII) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education is a multi-country research-policy-practice collaborative examining relevant, powerful, and effective education in the 21st century for all students, including marginalised youth.
GEII looks at education in the 21st century in the following ways:
- Competencies in the Intrapersonal Domain
- Competencies in the Interpersonal Domain
- Competencies in the Cognitive Domain
- Values and Attitudes
- Active, engaging, and empowering pedagogy
Having carefully assessed the role and global impact of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), GEII has seen fit to recognise us as one of the most competent organisations putting 21st century education into practice.
Check out the page dedicated to FEE and explore the Global Education Innovation Initiative here.
Daniel Schaffer's visit to South Korea
Last week, Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education, visited South Korea to participate in the 2nd International Water Safety Symposium in Incheon.
Last week, Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education, visited South Korea to participate in the 2nd International Water Safety Symposium in Incheon organised by Lifesaving Society Korea (LSK). Daniel, attending as a keynote speaker representing both FEE and Blue Flag, took part in fruitful panel discussions and met with stakeholders in the fields of water safety and education.
LSK has been member of FEE and implementing the Blue Flag programme in South Korea since November 2015.
YRE International Jury and Competition Winners 2016
The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Jury meeting for the 2016 Competition successfully took place on 26 May.
The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Jury meeting for the 2016 Competition successfully took place on 26 May at the Foundation for Environmental Education Head Office in Copenhagen, Denmark.
YRE International Jury
The Jury was composed by stakeholders in the fields of environmental journalism and Education for Sustainable Development. The members, as of May 2016, are Christopher Slaney, freelance journalist, Mari Nishimura, Associate Programme Officer, UNEP, Julie Saito, Programme Specialist of Communication, UNESCO, Clemens Bomsdorf, journalist and correspondent for the Nordic countries, Torvald Jacobsson, Founding Director of TheGoals.org, Amine Ahlafi, FEE Board of Directors member, responsible for YRE, and Anne Vela-Wagner, Executive Director of the Wrigley Company Foundation. You can find more information on their profiles here.
The Jury went through and discussed the top national entries in the media categories of articles, photographs and videos, across the age categories 11-14, 15-18, 19-21, as well as the new category; International Collaboration. The Jury then decided on this year's YRE International Competition winners, who will be shortly receiving prizes and distinctions for their entries. All entries can be found on the competition's Exposure page.
Here is a general comment from the Jury members;
The members of YRE International Jury appreciated this year’s submissions for the YRE International Competition. The Jury members are especially impressed with the quality of submissions in younger age categories. Some of the submissions from younger age categories are well-made in terms of composition, structure, and technics. The Jury members also appreciated the submissions for the new category; International Collaboration. The Jury members hope to see more of this collaboration between students and youths in different countries.
The each first place winner will receive a prize of a laptop, camera or video camera according to the media category. The winning entries will also be published on Huffington Post kids as a prize.
The winners for 2016 are:
Article
11-14 years old
1st Place
Title: Not to bee put aside
Author: Lovisa Kjell, Hildur Eriksson (Sweden)
"A very interesting approach. It is a wonderful piece with a great cover photo and a good ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) story. "
2nd Place
Title: Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Plastic Pollution Near and Far
Author: Sarah Goodstadt (Canada)
2nd Place
Title: Save Ksar El Kebir Gardens!
Author: Khadija Soussi, Omar El Bakri, Ghizlan Lanaya, Fatima Boudich, Khaoula Loumi and Zakaria Saydi (Morocco)
15-18 years old
1st Place
Title: Green Roofs – A new life to city’s monotony
Author: Angelina Grom’yak, Maria Cruz, Diogo Marques, Rodrigo Mateus, Pedro Barreira, Bárbara Machado (Portugal)
"It is well-researched and well-written with good amount of data."
2nd Place
Title: Coffee Pods - a Modern Trend or an Environmental Risk?
Author: Patrícia Beličková (Slovakia)
3rd Place
Title: Metempsychosis in a dustbin
Author: Marie Pouillaude (France)
19-21 years old
1st Place
Title: Clean water is the source of our lives
Author: Andrijana Arsić (Serbia)
"A good approach to the topic, and it shows the actual engagement. Interested in the implementation of actual actions."
2nd Place
Title: Impact of our railways
Author: Joana Pedro (Portugal)
3rd Place
Title: A Waste paper… a Lost Tree
Author: Ilham Derrez, Haitham Fathi, Ouiam Zeaimi, Wijdane Jouhari, Soukaina El Aouni, Diaeedine Dahmouch (Morocco)
Photograph
11-14 years old
1st Place
Title: Surprising and unexpected finding
Author: João Pedro Paour Carvalho (Portugal)
"It shows the effort to understand the problem, and the story is good and well-connected to the picture. The picture is beautiful. "
2nd Place
Title: Guilty Conscience
Author: Julia Scerri (Malta)
15-18 years old
1st Place
Title: "I live today hoping for a better tomorrow"
Author: Sonia Miheş (Romania)
"A great photo, horizon at an angle, smoke stack over shoulder, hands in pockets. It is a symbolic and eye-catching picture, and it delivers a strong message."
2nd Place
Title: Returned to sender by the waves!
Author: Kurt Micallef (Malta)
3rd Place
Title: We are Killiing Ourselves
Author: Lukáš Krnčok (Slovakia)
19-21 years old
1st Place
Title: Companionship
Author: Xue Fan (China)
"A nice and strong photo. Eye-catching. "
2nd Place
Title: The Last Call
Author: Ouijdane Chahdi, Mohamed Lwardi (Morocco)
3rd Place
Title: Gardens Bloom Once a Year…
Author: Irina Gavrilova (Kazakhstan)
Video
11-14 years old
1st Place
Title: Energy in water
Author: Ana Daniela Silva, Bruna Silva, Inês Rodrigues (Portugal)
"A great story and well-told. Reporters managed to view the issue objectively, particularly by pointing out what improvements are still lacking, while addressing the environmental benefit of this means of transportation."
2nd Place
Title: “Tale of ant and elephant”
Author: MUSTAFA EMİR KAYA, OĞUZ TOPAL, BARKIN CANOĞULLARI, BATIN GÖRKEM ÇOLAK, AZRA PEKGÖZ, ELİF NİSA BOYRAZ, BUĞRA MACUNCU, BİYÇE KORKMAZ, GÜLÇİN DİNÇ, CEYLİN AKIN (Turkey)
3rd Place
Title: Trees in Nová Dubnica
Author: Mária Jánošíková, Tamara Eliášová, Michal Mazánik (Slovakia)
15-18 years old
1st Place
Title: Bready steady sort in Blaise Pascal High School
Author: Axel Heitz-Retamal, Emma Plisson, Clémence Borgard, Eglantine Meriau, Delphine Millard, Damien Mouveau (France)
"A great story, many different elements but all interconnected. Good approach and it works well. Nice camera work and unique ending which makes this piece original."
2nd Place
Title: Collect Cooking Oil and Make a Difference
Author: Matej Majerský, Patrik Štefík (Slovakia)
3rd Place
Title: Plastic Pollution
Author: Mymoon Bhuiyan (Canada)
3rd Place
Title: One day as an environmental crook
Author: David Norberg, Elias Vernersson, Maja Jonsson, Julia Portin (Sweden)
19-21 years old
No winners
International Collaboration
Honourable mention
Title: Bicycle: the vehicle for sustainable mentality
Author: Maria Carreira, Sharad Poudel, Martim Teixeira, Rita Costa, Kyriaki Hadjichambi, Katerina Papamiltiadous (Cyprus and Portugal)
"Good research and arguments from different perspectives are described."
The meeting was concluded by a fruitful conversation on the developments in Young Reporters for the Environment, and how the programme and the competition itself can evolve in the future.
FEE fully committed to the Sustainable Development Goals
As a global organisation, FEE shapes and highlights its role as a stakeholder and trendsetter in the Sustainable Development process.
As a global organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) shapes and highlights its role as a stakeholder and trendsetter in the Sustainable Development process, particularly for environmental, educational and eco-tourism matters.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) define a relevant part of the context within which FEE operates, thus we strive to see our work reflected in the Goals.
FEE as an umbrella organisation aims at reaching objectives as indicated in the SDGs:
- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (SDG 3).
- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all (SDG 4).
- Ensure availability and sustainable management of water (SDG 6).
- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all (SDG 7).
- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (SDG14).
- Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).
- Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), particularly to implement policies to promote sustainable tourism which creates jobs, and promotes local culture and products (SDG 8.9).
- Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11).
- Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12).
- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (SDG 13).
- Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development (SDG 16), particularly to build transparent institutions and promote non-discriminatory policies for sustainable development (SDGs 16.6, 16.b) with a positive, proactive, democratic modus operandi and a strong synergistic support to civil society and third sector.
- Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17) through a geographically spread, multi-stakeholder approach.
The programmes based on Education for Sustainable Development, such as Young Reporters for the Environment, Eco-Schools and Learning about Forests, show a strong direct link with the educational Goal (SDG 4) and the Goal on global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17). FEE’s tourism eco-labels, Green Key and Blue Flag, on the other hand, have theirmain focus on making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11), and on implementing tools for monitoring sustainable development impacts for tourism (SDG 12.b).
Recently, Green Key published a document in which it describes the ways in which the programme connects to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Launched today! Promotional video for YRE and the Global Action Days
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is happy to open the week of YRE Global Action Days with a brand new YRE promotional video.
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is happy to open the week of YRE Global Action Days with a brand new YRE promotional video. The video is to share the joy of the programme with everyone and especially with the Young Reporters and potential Young Reporters around the world. Watch below!
Global Action Days is a call for all students and teachers around the world to be active and share their actions on being more sustainable in our modern world.
WHEN: 18-24 April 2016
Be creative and use your skills to deliver your opinions and thoughts in the best possible way! Please register yourself on Global Action Days website and share your action and stories on our Global Action Days Facebook page.
Green Key National Operators' Meeting, Copenhagen 2016
Green Key National Operators from 35 countries gathered on 11-13 April 2016 to discuss the status and future development of the Green Key programme.
Green Key National Operators from 35 countries gathered on 11-13 April 2016 to discuss the status and future development of the Green Key programme.
The 2016 Green Key National Operator Meeting took place on 11-13 April 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark, where Green Key National Operators from countries in Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Africa, Middle East and Japan gathered to discuss the status and the future development of Green Key.
The main issues for discussion at the National Operator Meeting were the implementation of the new Green Key criteria, Green Key for the various categories, sharing of best practise examples from different countries, new Green Key developments as well as the monitoring, evaluation and promotion of the Green Key programme.
Green Key International would like to thank our corporate partners, SGS, Lucart Group and Semaphore as well as the Green Key National Operators for their support and active participation in the event.
Green Key contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030
Green Key has just agreed on new criteria that will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In September 2015, the United Nations approved the Sustainable Development Goals to frame the global development agenda for the coming 15 years. Green Key has just agreed on new criteria that will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
When approving the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations nominated 2015 as a landmark year for sustainability. The new agenda is transformative, people-centred and with bold and ambitious targets. 17 goals and 169 targets are set to frame the global development agenda for the coming 15 years. The economic, social and environmental dimensions of the goals seek to address poverty, hunger, disease, fear and violence, education, healthcare, social protection, sanitation, safety, sustainable habitats and energy.
Green Key has just agreed on new criteria for its six categories that will be in force from 1 July 2016. Through the new criteria, Green Key has the potential to contribute directly or indirectly to the achievement of all the 17 goals. Goal 4 – Quality Education, relates to Green Key’s criteria on information, education and training of staff, guests and suppliers. Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, and Goal 13 – Climate Action, relate to the reduction of carbon emissions and lowering environmental footprint through a high level of environmental management of especially water, energy and waste, and are also central requirements in the Green Key programme.
The new Green Key criteria also focus on CSR related issues, such as job creation, local community engagement, equal opportunities for all (including vulnerable groups) etc. and many of these issues are included in the Sustainable Development Goals.
The full document describing Green Key’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals can be downloaded here.
New FEE member: Keep New Zealand Beautiful to run Blue Flag
In January, Daniel Schaffer visited New Zealand to meet our new FEE member : Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
In January, Daniel Schaffer visited New Zealand to meet our new FEE member : Keep New Zealand Beautiful. This organisation will very soon take over the Blue Flag programme, and is currently implementing processes in order to do so. During Daniel’s visit, he and Keep New Zealand Beautiful staff conducted control visits of two Blue Flag awarded marinas, Westhaven Marina and The Landing.
Currently New Zealand have two Auckland Marinas that hold Blue Flag status. Westhaven Marina is the largest marina in the southern hemisphere with more than 2000 boats of all kinds. The marina takes pride in upholding a clean environment and has successfully achieved international Blue Flag status for the tenth consecutive year!
The Landing at Okahu Bay is a dedicated marine based site at the entrance to the Hauraki Gulf with facilities that include a public boat ramp and pontoon and boat hardstand, maintenance and storage. The Landing has held Blue Flag status for 5 years.
Daniel was able to offer to Keep New Zealand Beautiful staff his vast experience and expertise in conducting a Blue Flag control visit and it was also a fantastic opportunity for the staff at both Marinas to meet with an international FEE representative.
With the support of Blue Flag International, Keep New Zealand Beautiful is aiming to grow the Blue Flag programme further to include Sustainable Boating Tourism Operators in New Zealand as well as increasing the number of marinas with Blue Flag status.
Global Forest Fund - Report 2015
In the report, you can read the inspiring stories from all the countries that received support from the FEE Global Forest Fund.
For eight years, the Global Forest Fund has been investing in worthy tree planting events and environmental education activities around the world. The Foundation for Environmental Education invests 90% of the Global Forest Fund each year into worthy projects. Over the past eight years, 154 projects have been supported around the world.
In 2015, the Global Forest Fund received almost €7,000 from the Foundation for Environmental Education as CO2 compensation for flights in 2014. A welcome donation was also received from Semaphore Signs, The Netherlands, as CO2 compensation for the worldwide production of the Blue Flags.
During the course of 2015, the Global Forest Fund supported twelve projects in seven countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. More specifically, the fund supported one project in Bangladesh, five in Bulgaria, one in D.R. Congo, two in Ghana, one in Guinea, one in Kenya and one in Zambia.
In the report, you can read the inspiring stories from all the countries that received support from the FEE Global Forest Fund.
