QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE Volume 2 Number 4 | DECEMBER 2005 | EUR 5.00 REC 15TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION ISSUES that matter green HORIZON | DECEMBER 2005 | 2
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QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE Volume 2 Number 4 | DECEMBER 2005 | EUR 5.00
R E C 1 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y
SPECIAL EDITIO
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ISSUESthat matter
green HORIZON | DECEMBER 2005 | 2
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL | editorial
green HORIZON | DECEMBER 2005 | 2
Green Horizon is the quarterly magazine ofthe Regional Environmental Center for Centraland Eastern Europe (REC), published from1990 to the spring of 2004 as The Bulletin.
Green Horizon assists the REC in its mission topromote public participation in environmentaldecision making by providing information onthe environment and encouraging cooperationbetween regional stakeholders.
Green Horizon reports on the cases andstories that shape the environment andsustainable development in Central andEastern Europe. The magazine is useful forprofessionals from businesses, internationalorganisations, national governments, localauthorities, non-governmental organisations,academic institutions and the media.
The views and opinions expressed in GreenHorizon do not necessarily reflect the viewsand opinions of the Regional EnvironmentalCenter for Central and Eastern Europe.
Green Horizon is not responsible for thecontents of paid announcements andadvertising published in the magazine.
Green Horizon is available on the Web at<http://greenhorizon.rec.org>.
MAGAZINE TEAMEditor-in-Chief: Pavel AntonovDeputy Editor: Greg SpencerSales Officer: Alex GregorioDesigner: Patricia BarnaProofreader: David LandryAdministrative Officer: Emese GalWebmasters: Tamas Bodai, Vadim OstapenkoIntern: Sachin Arora
EDITORIAL BOARDSustainable development: Janos ZlinszkyInformation and research: Jerome SimpsonFunds and investments: Jennifer McGuinnPublic participation: Magdolna Toth NagyEnvironment and security: Marta Szigeti BonifertEnvironmental policy: Oreola IvanovaBusiness and corporate responsibility:Robert NemeskeriEnvironmental law: Stephen StecNew EU member states: Beata WiszniewskaSouth Eastern Europe: Radoje LausevicTurkey: Sibel Sezer
CONTRIBUTORSJustin Hyatt ■ Ausra Jurkeviciute
ARTGreen Horizon archives ■ Iskren Petrov
PRODUCTIONPrinting: Typonova Kft, HungaryPre-press: Stuart Repro Kft, HungaryGreen Horizon is printed on Cyclus Printrecycled paper.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
The Italian Trust Fund has contributedfinancially for the publishing of this issueand for a broad range of activities related tothe REC’s 15th anniversary.
Volume 2 Number 4 | DECEMBER 2005 | ISSN 1786-0423
CONTACTSEditorial:
The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern EuropeAdy Endre ut 9-112000 Szentendre, HungaryTel: (36-26) 504-000Fax: (36-26) 311-294Web: www.rec.org
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■ It is not necessary to live, but it is necessaryto sail, ancient mariners said. But even thesaltiest of seamen need to occasionally weighanchor, look at their charts, and considertheir next destination. In June representativesof governments, civil society, and businessgathered at the REC’s head office inSzentendre to share lessons learned on thejourney toward sustainability in Central andEastern Europe (CEE). Participants alsostrived to chart a course and select the rightvessels for the next leg of the voyage.
Green Horizon, or as many still call it, TheBulletin, has been the REC’s banner publica-tion since the organisation set sail 15 yearsago. For the centre, 2005 was a year to takestock. What was confirmed during theanniversary celebrations is that transitiondoes not end. The route to sustainability islong and a good vessel and capable crewremain indispensable.
The REC was launched for a particularhistoric moment of political and economictransition, and for navigating a particularregion: CEE. With the start of politicalchanges in the region, the REC was chris-tened as a vessel dedicated to environmentaldemocracy. Five years later, at the 1995Environment for Europe MinisterialConference in Sofia, the REC model was rec-ommended for the newly independentstates. On its 10th anniversary, the REC wasacknowledged as a useful tool for EUapproximation and accession.
Today, governments realise that the REC,with its multi-stakeholder approach, is a sea-worthy ship whose horizons extend beyondthe circumstances and region for which itwas built. The anniversary declaration by theREC’s signatory states calls for the REC toplay a “greater role” in the EU. Corrado Clini,director general at the Italian Ministry forEnvironment and Territory, and chairman ofthe REC’s Board, called for an integratedapproach to the centre’s work. “If we isolatethe protection of the environment from eco-nomic policies, we will fail,” Clini warned.
A ship’s purpose is to reach a destination.
The REC’s purpose is more than just carryingon activities within the framework of its mis-sion. The 15th anniversary ministerial decla-ration emphasised that the REC must contin-ue discussing with governments their visionsand needs, but also proactively suggest solu-
tions and new areas of activity. The REC hasalready been doing this — by initiating poli-cy processes in areas like environmentalinvestment, enforcement and compliance,strategic environmental assessment and pub-lic participation.
The REC’s experts have devised tools,methods, legislation and policies. They haveraised issues and provided solutions, andhave propagated them throughout society,said REC Executive Director Marta SzigetiBonifert. “After the anniversary, the REC’smission has been reinforced and the REC’sposition has been reconfirmed.Governments have reaffirmed the centre astheir political assistant for sustainability.”
Pavel P. Antonov
En route to sustainability
C O N T E N T S
3 Donors take stockOrganisation continues to reap well-appreciated returns for investments in CEE.
4 Look three ways before crossingAt the REC's anniversary events, keynote speeches focused on the three pillars of sustainable development.
7 Best ways forwardGovernment representatives discuss their view of sustainability and how best to pursue it.
8 SEA gets boost in regionREC helps organise first global conference focused solely on strategic environmental assessment.
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Iskren Petrov, age 13, won a United NationsEnvironment Programme children’s drawing contest.This entry from Bulgaria was one of 3,500 in Europe.
3 | DECEMBER 2005 | green HORIZON
UNITED STATES: CATALYST FOR CHANGEJudith Ayres, Assistant Administrator forInternational Affairs, EnvironmentalProtection Agency
■ The REC played an essential role inmaking the commitment to environ-mental protection and subsequentpositive results a reality for all. Worldhistory provides a poignant context,for it was not long after the Berlin Wallfell that Hungary, the EU and the USAjoined to dedicate the new spaceamong the old walls of a silk mill asthe Regional Environmental Center’sfirst home. The extent of the dramaticpolitical, economic and environmentalchanges that have taken place inCentral and Eastern Europe since 1990is more than extraordinary. The REChas consistently served as a catalyst forpositive change.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: PARTNER IN ENLARGEMENTSoledad Blanco, Director, InternationalAffairs, DG Environment
■ The REC played a part in the bene-fits that European Union enlargementhas brought to the environment.These benefits include a 60 to 80 per-cent reduction in primary air pollu-tants, a 50 percent reduction in toxicpollutants, and up to an 80 percentreduction in organic matter pollutionin water. In the environmental workconnected to the expansion of the EUinto Central and Eastern Europe, theREC contributed significantly. Andbecause of this, we have a better envi-ronment for our continent. The expe-rience gained by the REC should bespread to countries that may one dayjoin or aim for a closer relationshipwith the EU.
JAPAN:TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGEKazuko Nose, Parliamentary Secretary,Ministry of the Environment
■ In recent years, the REC has beenplaying a significant role in addressingclimate change issues. The frequentoccurrence of heat waves in Europeand typhoons in Asia in recent years
have made us realise the importance ofaddressing climate change issues.
Through its contributions to theJapan Special Fund (JSF) at the REC, thegovernment of Japan is supporting andenabling CEE countries to implementthe Kyoto Protocol. Talks between theJapan Bank and the REC are underwayregarding a cooperation agreementabout the implementation of Kyotomechanisms. Considering the importantrole played by the REC, the Ministry ofEnvironment of Japan would like topromote environmental cooperation bysending experts and making full use ofthe existing engagements.
NETHERLANDS: BREAKING DOWN BORDERSPieter van Geel, State Secretary,Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning andthe Environment
■ The REC was established out ofnecessity. It introduced a form of coop-eration of environmental managementthat was new. The goals were to helppeople look beyond their walls andoffer more scope to local governments.Ordinary citizens would again have theright to organise, set up volunteerorganisations and build a vital civil soci-ety while also building their young
democracies. The REC has been achampion in carrying out the RegionalEnvironmental Reconstruction Pro-gramme, thanks to its contacts in theformer Yugoslavia and the rest of SouthEastern Europe. In a region with somany borders, it is good that they arebecoming less important. That was pre-cisely the goal with the Stability Pact forSouth Eastern Europe. You see, cooper-ation on environmental protection alsoserves a higher goal. We want people tolive in peace, not only with nature butalso with each other.
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TOP TO BOTTOM: In 1995, the REC’s then boardchairman Bedrich Moldan (left) and HungarianMinister of Environment Ferenc Baja signed papersgiving the REC status as an international organisation.• In the late 1990s, the Czech Republic and Hungarystarted pilot projects on pollution release and transferregisters (PRTRs), giving new impetus to hazardouswaste control. • At Aarhus, Denmark, in June 1998,activists sang “The Battle Hymn of the NGOs.” • Anti-nuclear protests like this one against Slovakia’sMochovce plant were one of the early rallying pointsfor regional environmentalists.
Donors take stockOrganisation continues to reap well-appreciated returns for investments in CEE
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Continued on page 8
We want people tolive in peace, notonly with nature butwith each other.
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donors’ remarks | ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
green HORIZON | DECEMBER 2005 | 4
ENVIRONMENT: THE NEW REGIONAL CHALLENGESBedrich Moldan, Director, Environ-men-tal Center, Charles University, CzechRepublic
■ When the REC started in Hungary,the communist regime was starting tofall, and the state of the environmentwas simply disastrous. There were cer-tain factors that were specific to theregion. For example, was that pollu-tion was not as universal and wide-spread as, say, in Western Europe, butwas concentrated in hotspots whichwere very, very polluted. However,there were still large areas in a ratherpristine state.
We all know that soon after thefall of communism big changes tookplace. As a result of rapid and massiveenvironmental improvement, therewas a dramatic rise in life expectan-cies in all the countries, and we havebasically clean air, safe water and safefoodstuffs — a relatively acceptableenvironment.
The main contributing factors arevery well known. First of all was thechange to the democratic regime.With it came all the necessary institu-tions, including the rule of law, min-istries of environment and inspec-torates. Public support was key.Paradoxically, this support was aresponse to the communist neglectand indifference toward the environ-ment. People were angry with this andenthusiastically supported measuresto improve the environment. The roleof civil society, which was very muchsupported by the REC the region over,has been crucial. In the later stages,the prospect of accession to theEuropean Union was an importantincentive, and it availed the region toexpertise and inspiration in the shap-ing of laws.
Gradually we have entered thenext phase. Basically all countries
have seen rapid economic and socialdevelopment, which brings new chal-lenges. Two things could be seen asobstacles for further environmentalimprovement. First is complacency,and hand-in-hand with this comes thesecond factor: lessening public sup-port for environmental measures.
The environmental challenge isstill with us but with new dimensions.Let me mention four of them.
First is rapid economic develop-ment. You can see that most newdevelopments haven’t used brown-
fields, or old structures, but rathergreen meadows. The challenges nolonger stem from neglect but fromconflicts between development andstricter environmental protection.
The second dimension is thatgiven these relatively short 15 years,the old environmental problemshave hardly disappeared. Ratherboring tasks remain: a more thor-ough cleanup of water and air, andimprovements in waste collection.You may also look at the state of theforests: 50 percent of the forest inthe Czech Republic are still affectedby acid rain. Acid rain no longer fallson them, but forests are still dam-aged and the Czech Republic is noexception. From this point of view,EU policies such as REACH andCAFE are desperately needed, yet
Look three waysbefore crossingAt the REC’s anniversary events from June 24-27 inSzentendre, keynote speeches focused on the threepillars of sustainable development: environment,society, and economy
Two things could be seen as obstaclesfor further environ-mental improvement:complacency andlessening publicsupport.
TOP TO BOTTOM: The NATO bombing of Kosovo in thespring of 1999 was a signal event in the politicaltransformation of South Eastern Europe. • Part of thebombing’s legacy was environmental hotspots such asthis destroyed petrol facility near Pristina. • In January2000, a tailings pond burst at a gold mine in Baia Mare,Romania, with devastating results in the Tisza River. • An activist in Sofia embodied the vigor of the emergentNGO movement in the late 1990s in the Balkans.
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ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL | keynote speakers
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the level of understanding and sup-port for these programmes is quitelow in this region.
Third, we have new challengesnot readily understood in this region.Consider the underdevelopment allaround us. We still have [transport-related] pollution costs from nitrogenoxides and don’t know how quickly arecovery of the soil is taking place.We haven’t identified the criticalroads yet. We still have many placesin Europe where roads overburdenenvironment.
This region is still very muchfocused on itself. People think, “Weare a forgotten part of the world, sodon’t talk to us about our responsibili-ties.” But they are here. If we look atthe production or consumption ofenergy per capita in CEE, it is amongthe highest in the world.
The fourth point is most important:a framework for sustainable develop-ment. Efficient solutions to environ-mental problems, especially here inthis region, lie with new technologiesthat are less burdensome to the envi-ronment. These technologies can alsoimprove the economy — the famouswin-win solution.
I see a very big potential role forREC in [overcoming] all the problemsthat I have presented.
SOCIETY: THE HUMAN SIDE OF SUSTAINABILITYAndrzej Kassenberg, President, Institutefor Sustainable Development
■ Speaking about the social dimen-sion of sustainable development is noteasy for me as an environmentalistwho was involved in the issue foryears. The environmentalist is toooften focused on the relationshipbetween the environment and theeconomy, and not on social issues.
I have the same feeling about thesocial NGO movement: they focustoo much on social issues in relationto economic issues, but they can notsee the relationship with environ-mental issues. It is a challenge for theREC to build the relationshipbetween environmental and socialNGOs, especially the consumerorganisations and maybe the evolv-ing trade unions.
Many say that in this regiondemocracy has been built. It is true,but it is not yet participatory democ-racy. We are really at the beginning.The “homo sovieticus” way of think-ing still exists. We have just finaliseda study assessing to what extentPoland is prepared for access to infor-
mation and public participation inenvironmental matters. The sad resultis 58 percent — a very low score. Theworst score was received for a ques-tion regarding how the governmentwants to develop its own capabilitiesin public relations. Only 44 percent ofthe people we asked knew what thiswas about.
Not many people will like what Iam saying, but if you stop someoneon the street in Poland or the CzechRepublic — or elsewhere in CEE —and ask them where they live, youwill hear the same answer frommany: “We are from a poor country.We need aid, we need assistance. Wewere cheated after the World War,we were cheated by the communistsystem, and now the West needs tohonour a debt to us.” But if you askpeople in Central Africa or SouthAmerica about Poland, the CzechRepublic or Hungary, they would saythese are rich countries that belongto the EU and NATO.
We in CEE belong to a rich part ofthe world, but we are not [personally]rich. The time has come for rethink-ing, for making the switch from beingcountries which receive aid to coun-tries which deliver it. We have prod-ucts and very good practises that arehighly applicable to countries in tran-sition. It is time to rethink our exportpolicy, not only for goods, but forconsultancy and expertise.
It is also time to rethink the verynice slogan, “Think global, act local.”It is time to build a global ethics, andwe need to take responsibility as aregion, too. We have to recognisethat in a consumer society, we canvote for companies which deal notonly with environmental issues, butsocial issues as well: companies thatare concerned about workers, fairtrade and impacts on communities;companies that don’t employ chil-dren and don’t discriminate againstwomen. We have a very powerfultool in our wallets: our money. Wehave to learn that money is a tool fora better world.
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TOP TO BOTTOM: The Zastava car factory inKragujevac, Yugoslavia, restarted production inSeptember 1999 after being struck by a NATO bomb. • Nuclear plants, like that in Temelin, Czech Republic,still account for a significant share of CEE’s total power.• A November 2001 protest in Moscow showed that anti-globalisation had reached Eastern Europe. • Protesters in Bali, Indonesia, signaled theirdispleasure with the build-up to the JohannesburgWorld Summit on Sustainable Development.
The time has comefor rethinking, formaking the switchfrom being countrieswhich receive aid tocountries whichdeliver it.
keynote speakers | ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
green HORIZON | DECEMBER 2005 | 6
ECONOMY: KINDER, GENTLER TRANSPORTTakis Athanasopoulos, Managing OfficerToyota Motor Corporation and ExecutiveVice President Toyota Motor Europe
■ Creative solutions are urgentlyneeded to realise the EU’s vision forstronger economic growth, greatersocial cohesion and a healthy environ-ment. This is just as true in transport asin other sectors.
Enhanced personal mobilityincreases access to essential serviceswhere individuals live. But it has comeat a significant cost: increased pollu-tion, congestion, risk of death and seri-ous injury, noise and disruption ofcommunities and ecosystems. By 2020there will be more than 1.2 billionvehicles on the roads, a 50 percentincrease from today. Without remedialaction now, there will be significantenvironmental damage.
Today’s responsible companiesmust predict problems and take correc-tive measures. This philosophy isembodied in Toyota’s key principle,“Today for tomorrow.” In order to meetthe sometimes conflicting demands ofsustainable mobility our vision is to“zero-ise” and maximise. This meansthat we strive for zero negative impactson the environment, zero accidentsand zero traffic congestion.
On our product side, we believethat hybrid technology is a key to thataim. On the manufacturing side westrive for green, clean and lean manu-facturing, and in our philanthropy weseek to translate our environmentalconcerns to raise environmentalawareness. In the long term, fuel cellelectric vehicles have the most prom-ising outlook. In the meantime, weare focusing on both gasoline hybridsand clean diesel. We consider hybridsas a core technology for these differ-ent types of power sources. No exter-nal recharging is necessary, becausethe battery is recharged not only fromthe energy surplus during the opera-tion of the conventional engine, butalso from the energy released duringbraking or slowing.
Toyota came on the market in 1997with the first Prius hybrid car, and in2003 a new model was developed.This month the electric hybrid waslaunched in Europe. This is just anexample at how Toyota looks at prac-tical solutions to the challenges thatsociety faces. We cannot tackle theseissues alone, but must cooperateclosely with our customers, suppliers,competitors, government and non-governmental organisations.
As a responsible company, webelieve we should make philanthropicdonations to the society in which welive. Our contributions are orientedtowards projects that benefit society,while at the same time lining up withour company’s missions and objec-tives. For example, if the quality oftechnical education in a particularregion is poor and some NGOs are try-ing to enhance it, this could be a goodopportunity for Toyota’s support. Notonly will we provide our customerswith better technicians, but this willhave positive effects on society as awhole. This way we can give not onlymoney, but also our expertise in engi-neering, manufacturing, environmen-tal technology and so on. We havecreated the Toyota Fund for Europe
and have identified three focus areas:environment, road safety and techni-cal and engineering education. Webelieve these areas greatly influenceour competitive context.
For example, if environmentalawareness increases, society will lookmore into sustainable alternatives. It isin this area that we are privileged tohave the opportunity to work with theRegional Environmental Center. Ourhistory with the REC dates from 2001,when they were selected by our moth-er company as the only European proj-ect to receive funding from the Toyotaglobal environmental grant system.With this funding, the REC developedthe Green Pack approach. The GreenPack contains a variety of educationalmaterials for teachers to use through-out the school programme.
For Toyota it is important that peo-ple develop more environmentalawareness and are willing to explorealternative solutions. We are allpleased with the professionalism andcommitment with which the REC andits staff have always delivered on theirpromises. In Poland, Bulgaria,Hungary, Slovakia and the CzechRepublic, the Green Pack already isavailable in schools, and recently theREC started new Green Pack projectsin Russia and Turkey. I very muchwelcome the work of the REC.
Not only will weprovide bettertechnicians, but wewill have positiveeffects on society.
TOP TO BOTTOM: The 2001 flooding of the Wisla River inPoland counted among the increasingly frequent extremeweather events cited as evidence of global climatechange. • The disappointing follow-up after the Rio EarthSummit in 1992 (pictured) fueled an air of scepticism inthe lead-up to the 2002 World Summit on SustainableDevelopment. • A peasant farmer outside theJohannesburg summit, which ran Aug. 26-Sept. 4 2002. • EU leaders formally invited the candidate states forunion membership.
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ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL | keynote speakers
7 | DECEMBER 2005 | green HORIZON
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: A CONCEPT THAT UNITESVlado Buchkovski, Prime Minister
■ Sustainable development is not anisolated process but one that leads tocooperation and communicationbetween countries. Nothing unitescountries more than joint protectionof the environment. In this processthere are no politics, no conflicts ofinterest. There is just one thing: pro-tection of the region. A great examplefor this is the fifteenth anniversary ofthe REC, which managed to unite thecountries of SEE for the future.
I have an idea of holding a regionalsummit of prime ministers of SEE andthe countries of the Visegrad group onenvironmental protection in theprocess of approaching the EU. Now isthe right time to discuss this issue.
ITALY: A TOOL FOR INNOVATIONCorrado Clini, Chairman of the Board ofDirectors of the REC
■ We have to face the challenges ofeconomic growth and competitivenessusing protection of the environment asa tool. It is an engine for technologicalinnovation, for identifying the bestpractises for conserving naturalresources and energy while fosteringeconomic growth and new jobs in ourregions. This is a very difficult task.
If we look at the situation of manyEuropean countries, like Italy, we arereconsidering how to combine socialsecurity and environmental protec-tion. We need to improve our compet-itiveness based on the creation of newtechnologies and new services foreconomic growth.
CZECH REPUBLIC: TRANSPARENCY IS KEYLibor Ambrozek, Minister of Environment
■ The first steps towards sustainabledevelopment were initiated and per-formed by the environmental sector.But it is evident that sustainabledevelopment cannot be achievedwithout partnership and integration
of environmental concerns into ourstructural polices and decision mak-ing processes. A horizontal coordi-nating body for sustainable develop-ment can be a tool for promoting thisapproach at the national, regionaland local levels.
Such a body was established in theCzech Republic in August 2003. Themain lessons from this very intensiveprocess are very simple. The main wayto success is transparent communica-tion which can replace the feeling ofcompetition with trust and partnership.
SLOVAKIA: GAPS REMAINLaszlo Miklos, Minister of Environment
■ The very basic idea and very basicapproach is that there is a big differ-ence between projects — or develop-ing a project — and realising the proj-ect. Institutions like the REC are thereto develop a project, and then some-body should realise them. But the gapbetween that and who will have a con-crete tool — who will go and workafter the end of a nice project — is stillthere. If the REC could overlap, solveor fill this gap between the end of anice project and realisation in thefield, it would be a great step forward.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA:INSTITUTIONS NEEDEDRamiz Mehmedagic, Minister, FederalMinistry of Physical Planning andEnvironment
■ With the support of the ItalianMinistry for Environment andTerritory, REC Bosnia andHerzegovina was enabled to systemat-ically address environmental issues inBosnia and Herzegovina. In 2003, min-istries of environmental entities werestrengthened, a state-level frameworklaw on environment was drafted and astate-level environmental protectionagency was established. This is one ofthe preconditions for Bosnia andHerzegovina to join as an equal inmajor environmental projects. Bosniaand Herzegovina still [needs to build]the necessary institutions which cansupport these activities.
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thoughts on sustainability | ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
Best ways forwardGovernment representatives discuss their view of sustainability and how best to pursue it
TOP TO BOTTOM: In the lead-up to EU accession, some5,000 Czech farmers protested in Prague aboutexpected unequal EU subsidies. • The Rosia Montanagold mining proposal — still pending at the close of2005 — has drawn criticism because it would requirethe relocation of more than 1,000 village residents. • At the REC’s 15th anniversary celebration, VladoBuchkovski, prime minister of former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia, proposed a regional summit ofprime ministers on environmental protection efforts inthe run-up to EU accession.
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ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL | anniversary event
■ Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) gained ground in Central and EasternEurope during a landmark meeting on the subject September 26-30 in Prague. TheREC and the Czech University of Agriculture co-hosted the event, a conference ofthe International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA).
The meeting opened discussions between almost 400 SEA practitioners and repre-sentatives of development banks, donor agencies and UN organisations. With partici-pants from 72 countries, it was the first ever global conference focused solely on SEA.
SEA gives stakeholders a weapon to prevent environmental pollution, degrada-tion and global problems such as climate change, said Jiri Dusik, the REC’s topicarea leader for environmental assessment. It was hoped that the Prague conferencewould help bring SEA into practice in CEE, thereby promoting sustainable devel-opment, said Barry Sadler, a UK-based expert on the practice.
The discussions had five streams: SEA legislation and policy, SEA practice inkey sectors, linkages between SEA and other assessment or planning tools, cross-cutting issues and improving standards in SEA practice, and building capacity forSEA. During the meeting, 38 sessions, 85 workshops and several discussions, sem-inars and ad hoc meetings took place. Many participants expressed the hope forfollow-on regional and global conferences.
Participants agreed on the need for SEA capacity building, although they cau-tioned against static standards. Principles should be developed, but countries needto find their own good practices, participants concluded. SEA should be considereda tool, with sustainable development the ultimate aim.
HUNGARY: GROWING WITH DEMOCRACYMiklos Persanyi, Minister ofEnvironment and Water
■ The REC and democracy havegrown up together in Centraland Eastern Europe. The RECwas intended to assist democrati-sation, and we must admit whenwe celebrate that this processhas not finished in this part of theworld. The REC therefore stillhas many important tasks to do.
The REC was a witness andparticipant in the developmentof environmental policies inHungary as well. When we con-sider the recent and futureenlargement of the EU, thisopens new opportunities andalso new challenges in furtheringEuropean environmental policywithin the EU and beyond.
The REC can contribute tobridging between EU memberstates, South Eastern Europeancountries, Turkey and the regionof Eastern Europe, the Caucasusand Central Asia.
▼ Continued from page 2
Ministry for the Environment and Territory
The Italian Trust Fund supports the Course for Sustainability, an educationalprogramme for key government officials responsible for the “three pillars” ofsustainable development: economy, social development and environment.
The course is designed to give members of various ministries and agencies from 10 target countriesa chance to examine the major approaches to sustainable development. Noted professors andexperts conduct five modules examining strategies, methodologies, policies and activities topromote sustainability in Central and Eastern Europe.
The third round of the Course for Sustainability got off to a successful start in October of 2005.
www.sustainablecee.net
C O U R S E F O R S U S T A I N A B I L I T YSTRATEGIES, METHODOLOGIES, POLICIES AND ACTIONS FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
SEA gets boost in regionBy Ausra Jurkeviciute
green HORIZON | DECEMBER 2005 | 8
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