FEE Christmas Volunteering Day 2017

On Friday 8 December, FEE Head Office personnel visited the Danish Red Cross Volunteer House in Copenhagen as part of their teambuilding Christmas outing.

The Danish Red Cross organises a two-day event before Christmas annually.  The event is a Christmas Sale for which a variety of items have been donated from well-known brands and designers. The clothes, jewellery and artifacts are sold at very low prices.

The FEE Head Office team comes in after the Christmas Sale and helps by collecting up the remaining clothes and materials and repacking them for recycling, then cleaning up the place where the event took place.

All funds that the Danish Red Cross collects during their Christmas Sale goes to the Red Cross’s work for vulnerable people throughout the world.

This was the fourth time that the team assisted the Danish Red Cross with their Christmas Sale, and has turned out to be an enjoyable pre-Christmas tradition for the FEE Head Office.

FEE Global Action Days 2017

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) once again invited everyone around the world to participate in promoting their work through FEE Global Action Days: a week-long showcasing of the amazing work carried out by FEE members during the week of 6-12 November 2017.

Global Action is a campaign by FEE for all students, teachers and communities around the world to actively share their activities towards being more sustainable in our modern world.

On 10 November, the FEE Head Office personnel gathered to collect all the inspiring and positive actions from across the world and shared them on all our social media platforms, promoting sustainable development and awareness-raising activities, reaching thousands of people across the world.

Here is what FEE’s President, Lesley Jones, shared about our international campaign:

“We’re delighted to be celebrating Global Actions Days and raising awareness of the positive action that is taking place around the world to create a more sustainable society.  

We’re proud to work with members in 73 countries – reaching out across the globe to thousands of businesses and organisations, as well as millions of students. The commitment and innovation of those involved in FEE programmes can’t be underestimated and deserves to be showcased on the global stage.

Hundreds of stories have already been shared – from students in Turkey using insects to protect forests, to a Latvian holiday park making the switch to locally sourced energy.  I’d encourage everyone to make the most of this opportunity and take part in Global Action Days - promote positive action, share learning with international partners and help inspire the rest of the world.

Finally, on behalf of FEE, I’d like to thank our members, partners and programme participants. Thank you for everything that you do to bring about positive change. By working together, we can ensure a sustainable world for us, our children and future generations.”

The next FEE Global Action Days will take place during the week of 16-22 April 2018.

So, save the dates and plan your actions for next year’s #FEEGAD!

Until then, join our Facebook group to stay up-to-date!

FEE at COP23 in Bonn, Germany

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is pleased to announce its partnership agreement with the UN Climate Change for the participation of YRE students at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP23), taking place in Boon, Germany from 6-17 November.

The partnership aims at promoting the implementation of climate action, as well as the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

During COP23, the Foundation for Environmental Education will host a mini event at the UNESCO Pavilion at 10:00 on Thursday 16 November.

Title: Climate Education - how far are we?

The importance of Climate Education is undeniable. Changing people’s perception and behaviour through education is the way to create long-lasting positive impact. Guest speakers showcase their achievements and allow the audience to learn how Climate Education influences people and think about how we can improve.

Guest speakers

1)      Kenza Khallafi – The Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection

2)      Allison Gacad – Student, Young Reporters for the Environment, FEE

3)      Charles Hopkins – UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Teacher Education to Address Sustainability, York University

4)      Libby Giles – Global Citizenship Education Director

One of the five FEE programmes, Young Reporters for the Environment, has selected four young reporters to represent the programme at COP23. They will be reporting about the conference from the perspective of youth. More information can be found here: http://www.yre.global/stories-news/2017/11/7/young-reporters-at-the-cop-23

Eco-Schools Growing Strong in Russia

Former FEE President, Jan Eriksen, was invited by our member organisation, Keep St Petersburg Tidy, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the FEE Eco-Schools programme in Russia earlier this month. During his stay, he conducted a presentation during an Eco-Schools event, which numerous schools and kindergartens attended and participated in the Green Flag awarding ceremony.

Furthermore, he attended a conference chaired by a representative from the St Petersburg Educational Department about Environmental Education, Eco-Schools, and an Austrian financed Environmental Education programme.  Following this, Jan Eriksen travelled to Irkutsk where he met the team responsible for the Eco-Schools programme and visited the centre for educational facilities for outdoor activities.

He also headed north of Irkutsk in order to give a presentation about the Eco-Schools programme, as well as to visit a kindergarten, where he was impressed by the institution’s extraordinary recycling scheme which included endless facilities at the playground made out of every material, from plastic containers to tyres.  All 27 staff of the kindergarten gathered that Sunday to celebrate the award of their Eco-Schools Green Flag.

The FEE former President also visited Ulan-Ude in the Burijat region where he joined students and teachers from the Cadet School as they celebrated their Eco-Schools Green Flag.  Jan also found time to visit an orphanage in Tahoy where he presented them with the Eco-Schools Green Flag at the award ceremony.

Jan Eriksen commented that the Eco-Schools programme in Russia took some time to grow, but the work and the engagement is enormous today.

Board of Directors’ Meeting in Utrecht, Netherlands

The FEE Board of Directors meets four times every year and is in charge of the overall political management of FEE. This time the Board of Directors’ meeting took place on 13 October and was hosted by FEE’s Dutch members at the Green Key and Blue Flag Headquarters in Utrecht, Netherlands.

On this occasion, the Board of Directors stayed at a Green Key awarded hotel, NH Center Utrecht, right in the centre of the city.  The board used bicycles, a sustainable transport method, to travel to all meetings and events they attended, thereby experiencing the famous Dutch biking culture. Utrecht is one of the most bike-friendly places in one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world. Even the Dutch prime minister was seen arriving at the King’s castle on a bike.

During the meeting, the FEE Financial Standing Orders & Regulations, as well as the Risk Management strategy were approved by the Board of Directors.

On 14 October, the full day was dedicated to a FEE strategy workshop, aiming at initiating a strategic discussion across FEE’s organisations and stakeholders by capturing board members’ perspectives and insights on strategy, long-term goals, and areas requiring strengthening or development. The external facilitator, Noam Gressel Ph.D., came from Israel to guide the Board of Directors through this workshop.

The next FEE Board of Directors’ meeting will take place in January.

PRESS RELEASE: Climate Change and Rebuilding Sustainably

The International Blue Flag Jury meeting took place only a few hours before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico so violently on 19 September 2017, and a few days after Hurricanes Irma and Jose devastated the Caribbean Islands and the USA.  From the countries proudly flying the Blue Flag,  Bahamas, Dominican Republic, French Department and Territories, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten and US Virgin Islands have seen damages, and in some cases losses, after these terrible weather episodes.

“We would like to express our most sincere solidarity and hope for quick recovery to all affected countries of the recent natural disasters occurring in the Caribbean and Mexico region” commented Lourdes Diaz Colón, Chairwoman of the International Blue Flag Jury. “The International Jury would like to make sure that all the sites affected by these catastrophic phenomenona will return to their former condition. Thus, we wish to express our willingness to provide technical guidance and support when remodeling these sites in the future to guarantee that the Blue Flag criteria are met.  We especially reach out to the Blue Flag applicants impacted, and also to other sites that have the will to be part of the International Blue Flag network,”.
 
Unfortunately, these episodes will become more recurrent and stronger due to climate change. The International Jury, not only as an awarding authority for the Blue Flag, but also as a community of international organisations and experts in the fields of environmental education, safety, services, management and tourism, wishes to highlight the importance of resilient and sustainable ways of thinking, working, and rebuilding after these major climate occurrences.
 
During the International Jury’s meeting, 131 sites have been awarded for the 2017-2018 Blue Flag season in the Southern Hemisphere, 91 beaches, 20 marinas and 22 boats within nine countries running the Blue Flag programme in this part of the world. Globally, the Blue Flag is proudly flying over 3,667 beaches, 681 marinas and 72 boats in 2017.
 
The Blue Flag International Jury also approved the feasibility study for South Korea, officially enabling them to start working on the Blue Flag programme.
 
The full list of awarded sites will be published on 1 November on the international Blue Flag website. Users can visit the Blue Flag website and enjoy its new maps and search systems, in order to find the perfect site depending on their needs.
 
The next meeting of the International Blue Flag Jury will take place on 11 April 2018 to award beaches, marinas, and boats from the Northern Hemisphere.
 
The International Blue Flag Jury is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) and FEE, plus an Environmental Education expert.  You can find out more about them on Blue Flag’s website.
 
The Blue Flag greatly appreciates the support of its sponsor and worldwide flag producer, Semaphore, as well as the support of AccessRec who provides access for the disabled on beaches.
 
 
PR Contact: Amalia Speleta, Communications Assistant, E: amalia@fee.global

PRESS RELEASE: YRE International Competition 2017

Contact: Gosia Luszczek, International YRE Director | E: gosia@fee.global
Yukiko Tsuburaya, International YRE Assistant | E: yukiko@fee.global

Copenhagen, 2 October 2017 - The Young Reporters for the Environment International Competition is open to all students aged 11-21 from the 35 countries participating in the YRE programme. Do you feel passionate about the environment?  Do you want to express your opinion?  Then, do not hesitate, participate in the International YRE Competition by writing an article, submitting a photo, or making a video.  The winning entries will be published internationally on the Huffington Post Kids and on the YRE International websites!

The YRE International Competition is for winners of the YRE National Competition in countries running the YRE programme. Students who are participating in the YRE programme in each country have a right to participate in the competition. Students have to compete and be selected as a national winner before being sent onwards to the International Competition.

The YRE International Competition consists of three different categories. 

• International Competition – open to all countries and all themes, except for the litter theme for countries participating in the Litter Less Campaign. Countries that are not participating in the Campaign, can still submit entries related to the litter problem.
• Litter Less Campaign – theme litter, open to countries that are involved in the Litter Less Campaign: Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Israel, Wales, Spain, Northern Ireland, Malta 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 recognition with a certificate.

• International Collaboration – open to all countries with three recommended themes from the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: 11-Sustainable Cities, 12-Responsible Consumption & Production, 13-Climate Action. The submission must be in the form of a written Article and be a collaborative work between two countries.  It is open to the age category 15-18 years.

17 Sustainable Development Goals through the YRE Competition

YRE is aiming to integrate the SDGs into the YRE International Competition in the near future. Therefore, in every country SDGs will be introduced though the National Competition.

More information: http://www.yre.global/yre-competition  

PRESS RELEASE: FEE Global Action Days 2017

Contact: Amalia Speleta, Communications Assistant
E: amalia@fee.global
 

Copenhagen, 26 September 2017 – The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is once again inviting everyone around the world to participate in promoting their work through our Global Action Days: a week-long showcasing of the amazing work carried out by FEE members which will culminate in Global Action Days which will take place during the week of 6-12 November 2017.

On 10 November 2017, FEE Head Office personnel will spend the whole day working with our social media platforms sharing and promoting all of the positive actions you have organised, promoted and participated in throughout the year. In this way we will achieve the recognition on the international stage that these actions are so worthy of. Working to raise awareness of our members and the work you do, the success of this event will depend on you sharing stories, posts and images.

So please be active and share your best!

Anyone is welcome to participate: students, parents, communities and NGOs, both inside and outside the FEE network, are all invited to join in this event.

To participate simply register online, plan your action, document it by taking pictures, making a video, or writing an article, join FEE’s Facebook Global Action Days group, share your action…and inspire the rest of the world!

Registration is mandatory and you can do so here.

Please share this link through your network.

For more information please contact Amalia Speleta on amalia@fee.global.
 

#GLOBALACTIONDAYS
#FEEGAD

Once more FEE is Outstanding

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) will receive the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) award for Outstanding in Environmental Education at the Global Level.

FEE is honoured to receive this award as Outstanding Organisation in Environmental Education and particularly pleased to be recognised by the North American Association for Environmental Education for our commitment towards environmental education and sustainability.

Former President of FEE, Jan Eriksen, and Treasurer, Ian Humphries, will receive the award on behalf of FEE at the NAAEE Conference in October in Puerto Rico.

“FEE is thrilled and honoured to be nominated and to receive the North American Association for Environmental Education award for Outstanding in Environmental Education at the Global Level. Since 1981, our organisation has consisted of devoted and enthusiastic individuals all around the world, who believe that education is an essential component in our strive to reach a sustainable and healthy society that is in sync with our environment. FEE has developed programmes that deliver environmental education and education for sustainable development to a broad audience, from very young children to adults; acknowledging that the effort to change perception and behavior has to be aimed at all ages and to all sectors. FEE has grown into one of the leading global agents for delivering practical, positive action-based programmes. It is now recognised by an important partner in this area. In the name of all FEE members and their teams in 76 countries, thank you for your trust and acknowledgement.”  Daniel Schaffer, CEO

Indian Ocean States Become FEE Members

In 2017, four new countries from the Indian Ocean States (Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Zanzibar) joined the network and became FEE members in line with the FEE strategy to increase our involvement with small island nations and developing countries.

FEE’s CEO, Daniel Schaffer, visited the Indian Ocean States earlier this year and met with various organisations which are addressing the issue of environmental education. With funds from the EU and support from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) there has been great work and commitment by everyone involved in the programmes and there is hope that the programmes will expand in the near future. An example of great success is Mauritius. Reef Conservation, FEE’s member in Mauritius, that has already reached an amazing 25% of schools participating in the Eco-Schools programme in just over two years.

Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zanzibar are implementing FEE’s Eco-Schools programme in their regions, however FEE is very committed to introducing all five programmes to these countries. During his visit, Daniel Schaffer presented not only the Eco-Schools, but also the Learning About Forests (LEAF) and the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes to the Ministry of Education and other organisations in Mauritius. It should be noted that some hotels in Mauritius have already registered on the Green Key programme and some are the first in the country to receive the Green Key award.

FEE realises that a common issue that numerous African and Indian Ocean members are facing is the insecurity concerning finding the necessary funds for FEE membership and for implement the programmes. Thus, FEE is working towards seeking funding for those countries while hoping that this kind of support will allow more countries to apply for FEE membership and will secure the implementation of FEE’s programmes in those regions.

To find out more, please follow our CEO’s blog on his latest visit to the Indian Ocean States here.

FEE Head Office Teambuilding Day

Sustainability and urban development were on the agenda on 30 August when the FEE Head Office visited projects around Copenhagen during their teambuilding summer outing.

Our first stop was the Maritime Allotments, where they are experimenting with the production of oysters, mussels and seaweed in the clean water of Copenhagen’s harbour. This community-based aquaculture project aims at strengthening the link between production and consumption through producing local and sustainable seafood.

During our second visit - to Tagtomat (translated into English as Roof Tomato) we became familiar with an urban gardening initiative that started in May 2011. It began on the roof of their backyard’s garbage shelter and has now spread all over Denmark and Scandinavia. We visited many more of these green spots in the city and learnt about the challenges of creating such an innovative project.

It was a great opportunity to meet some of the people working on these inspiring projects in Copenhagen and we are immensely grateful to them for hosting us and showing us around.

A special thanks is extended to Bodil Sofie Espersen from Maritime Allotments and Anne Tange from Tagtomat.

Mentor Visit to Tanzania

On his recent trip to Tanzania, Nikos Petrou, FEE’s Board Member, visited some Eco-Schools projects.

In Mkindo, a village in the Mvomero District of the Morogoro Region in the central-eastern part of Tanzania, students from the Eco-Schools Committee participated in a meeting with members of the village council, representatives of the Parents Association and their teachers, as well as education officials from the Mvomero District. The meeting was held to discuss the challenges the school faces, and to plan the future steps and activities of the Eco-Schools programme. The students in this school, some 800, have elected their representatives democratically. Through Eco-Schools, the children have a voice in matters affecting the school, but also the village and their whole community.

Nikos Petrou also visited Hebeti, where a banana plantation was created in February 2017 with financial support from the Danish Outdoor Council. Even though the 780 trees were planted just six months ago, they have produced crops which are almost ready for harvest. Some of the bananas will be used for school lunches, and the surplus will be sold, generating a substantial annual income that will be used to improve the school buildings and acquire necessary materials. The Eco-Schools Committee will decide on how the money will be spent. Many of the Eco-Schools in Tanzania are implementing these types of micro-projects, which will provide much needed financial support for the schools. Despite the short period of implementation (less than a year for most of them) these simple but effective sustainable development initiatives have attracted the interest of local villagers, and already several have started similar activities.

Furthermore, Nikos Petrou noted that less than a year ago, this lush schoolyard in Lusanga was just bare, dusty earth. One of the first activities of the Eco-Schools Committee was to plant grass and flowers in the yard and playground.  They used coloured plastic bottles to delineate the paths in an imaginative form of reuse. The children, guided by teacher Anasali Mamkwe, have also created a nursery, with some 10,000 seedlings, mostly fruit trees, but also Teak for which there is much demand. Many fruit trees have been planted in the school grounds to provide food for the children, but the bulk of the seedlings will be sold to generate income for improving the school. This micro-project has already attracted imitators in the village.

30th Anniversary Donation from the Wrigley Company Foundation

30th Anniversary Donation

In recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the Wrigley Company Foundation, FEE was privileged to be awarded a generous donation of $300,000 USD. In collaboration it was agreed to spend the grant on three strategic objectives of FEE.

Firstly, it will be used to develop the inaugural Global Forest Fund which is a unique non-profit tool on the carbon offsetting market. The fund not only accounts for harmful carbon emissions through tree planting activities, it does so in conjunction with environmental rejuvenation and awareness initiatives which improve the environmental literacy of communities worldwide.

Secondly, the grant will serve to expand FEE’s geographical reach. It will help establish the first Emerging Eco-Schools Fund which aims to provide countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with better opportunities to join and implement the Eco-Schools programme, both through financial support as well as collaborative activities within the global FEE network. 

Thirdly, the grant will serve as an important investment in FEE’s capacity to communicate. It will allow FEE to develop its abilities to transmit the work of the organisation throughout the world and to bring a myriad of success stories into the light.

Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education, notes:
"We are very thankful for this award from the Wrigley Company Foundation and for their recognition of the importance of these areas. The grant will help increase our impact significantly in the future."

PRESS RELEASE: Litter Less Campaign Phase III

The Litter Less Campaign: Six years and still going strong

Contact: Gosia Luszczek, International YRE Director
Foundation for Environmental Education
E: gosia@fee.global

September 2017 marks the beginning of Phase III (year 7) of the Litter Less Campaign, a joint initiative of the Wrigley Company Foundation and the Foundation for Environmental Education. The Campaign aims to engage and educate children and young people on the issue of litter and encourage them to make positive choices.

Two phases have been completed over the past six years, and the continued collaboration confirms the importance of the work and the on-going necessity of dealing with issues of litter and encouraging thoughtful behaviour from early on.

The main objectives of the Campaign are to:

• raise awareness of the effect of litter and waste on the local environment
• increase knowledge and practical skills in preventing and managing litter and waste
• improve students’ behaviour and the schools’ waste management treatment
• report on litter issues
• encourage collaboration between schools for spreading good practices
• tackle the issue of litter with active involvement from the local community

The partnership between the Wrigley Company Foundation and FEE already has a history of over six years of very effective collaboration. Phase II of the Litter Less Campaign began in 2014 and since then has been running in 35 countries in schools which engage in two of the FEE programmes - Eco-Schools (ES) and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE). Over the full period of implementation of the Campaign, since 2011, 1,962,285 students in 3,184 schools from all over the world have been engaged. Such reach suggests that there is undoubtedly an impact on participants’ perceptions, behaviour and opinion leadership. In 2015-2016, a total of 1,356 Community Action Days were held and 240 schools introduced recycling systems.

For a short video about the achievements of the Litter Less Campaign Phase I and II, click here.

The Litter Less Campaign is our organisation’s largest project that embeds a positive and fruitful partnership between the Wrigley Company Foundation as the enabler, and FEE, its members, National Operators and participating schools as the implementers. This strong relationship allows for transparency and flexibility, which is ultimately what ensures the delivery of a fantastic Campaign.

Anne Vela-Wagner, Wrigley Company Foundation Executive Director, notes:
“The Wrigley Company Foundation is proud of the positive transformation that has occurred in schools and communities around the world through the Litter Less campaign. Teaching students to be leaders and work to change littering behaviour and improve their communities is the strength of the program”.

The new Phase III will engage schools from 15 countries from both the YRE and Eco-Schools programmes. At the end of the project, we plan to have over half a million of students involved in practical activities related to litter prevention. Our target is to change students’ behaviour and increase understanding and action around litter prevention by an additional 10% of the students we serve.

Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education, adds:
“The Litter Less Campaign is a textbook example of how positive collaboration between the corporate world and a respected NGO can realise a shared vision. We highly appreciate the long-term partnership with the Wrigley Company Foundation and we are extremely grateful for the possibility of moving the Litter Less Campaign into Phase III. Their strong commitment and support cannot be taken for granted.”

Participating through the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme:

• Australia
• China 
• India
• Ireland
• Israel
• Malta 
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Spain
• Wales

Participating through the Eco-Schools Programme:

• Australia
• China
• England
• India 
• Ireland 
• Kenya
• Mexico 
• Northern Ireland
• Russia
• Scotland
• Spain 
• Wales

About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)

With members in 76 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.

About the Wrigley Company Foundation

The Wrigley Company Foundation has awarded more than $70 million USD since its establishment in 1987. With a focus on oral health, the environment, particularly education for litter prevention, and improving Wrigley’s site and sourcing communities, it works to build brighter futures around the world.

About Wrigley

Wrigley is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops. Wrigley's world-famous brands – including Extra®, Orbit®, Doublemint®, and 5™ chewing gums, as well as confectionery brands Skittles®, Starburst®, Altoids® and Life Savers® – create simple pleasures for consumers every day. With operations across 50 countries and distribution in more than 180 countries, Wrigley's brands bring smiles to faces around the globe. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, employs approximately 15,000 associates globally, and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated.
 
Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 85,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

REPORT FROM EnE17, BELGRADE, SERBIA - Incentive professionals and young people

The 13th Regional Conference ‘’Environment to Europe - EnE17’’ was held on June 5, 2017 in Belgrade (Serbia) to address issues related to Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development. Traditionally, this Conference has been organized by the professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. The Conference was UN WED event and a ESDW (European Sustainable Development Week) event. A Panel on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development was also held as the part of the Conference. The Panel was attended by top local and foreign experts in the field of education, climate change and the environment.

The Conference participants (about 100 registered participants) agreed the following: education on climate changes is very important in order to be able to mitigate the consequences of climate changes and to adapt to them. Key role should have educational institutions to prepare and implement multidisciplinary programs tailored to different educational institutions and different age categories. Education on climate change requires professionals who will work with young people, to be prepared to make the right decisions in the future. Discussion was directed to try to provide answers on questions how to be more effective in environmental protection and responsive to nature.

During the special part of the Conference, awarded ceremony for the best Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), was performed. They took part in the national competition, "Save resources, do not throw, recycle!" The competition is organized in the framework of the International Young Reporters for the Environment, implemented in Serbia by a professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and supported by RECAN Foundation. The awards have been given by Mrs Aleksandra Mladenovic, President of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, Ms. Milena Tabasevic, coordinator of the Young Reporters for the Environment in Serbia and Mrs. Jelena Kis, manager of the RECAN Foundation for recycling beverage cans.

More information about the event: http://ambassadors-env.com/

FEE at the United Nations Ocean Conference

Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education, has recently participated in the United Nations Ocean Conference which was held in New York from 5th to 9th June. Daniel, attending in the capacity of a panellist, took part in fruitful discussions and presented the Foundation for Environmental Education and its programmes while highlighting our commitment to Ocean Literacy worldwide.

The opening statement was given by Ms Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General.

FEE Annual Report 2016 published

In May 2017 we published our latest Annual Report. You can now download it and find all our previous Annual Reports here. 

Enjoy reading!

Board of Directors' Meeting in Copenhagen

The April FEE Board of Directors’ Meeting is always hosted in Copenhagen at the FEE Head Office. This year it took place on Friday 21 April.

This annual event is a great opportunity for the Board of Directors to meet with the staff to get a better insight into the everyday work of the Head Office and the management of the programmes. On this occasion, all International Directors participated in the meeting to report on the latest achievements and challenges in their programmes. All agree it was great to be able to talk and discuss relevant subjects face to face.

Back-to-back with the Board of Directors’ Meeting, the Blue Flag International Jury and the Green Key Steering Committee meetings took place. The Board members responsible for these programme contributed and played an important role.  

In short, it was, as always, an enjoyable recurring event. The Head Office is always happy to welcome the Board of Directors to Copenhagen!

Keep Britain Tidy welcomes country’s first-ever Litter Strategy

Story provided by Keep Britain Tidy, www.keepbritaintidy.org

Government backs Eco-Schools programme to educate the next generation

We have welcomed the launch of the Government’s Litter Strategy for England, published today.

The Strategy identifies Eco-Schools, the world’s biggest environmental education programme, which is run by Keep Britain Tidy in England, as a key mechanism to educate children and young people about the impact of litter.

Eco-Schools has already received support from the Prime Minister who has visited two in her constituency since September last year.

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “Educating the next generation is vital if we are to win the war on litter. Our children and young people are the key to making littering a thing of the past.

“Learning about litter and its impacts, as part of their wider environmental education, must be a central pillar of the concerted effort needed to tackle the problem once and for all.”

Last month more than 300,000 people, including thousands of school children, took part in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, clearing more than half a million bags of rubbish from our streets, parks, beaches and countryside.

The Government has recognised the value of this initiative in the Strategy, not simply to remove litter from the environment but also to raise awareness that a growing number of people want to see an end to littering and are prepared to take action.

Allison said: “We are delighted that the Government has pledged its continued support and endorsement of the Great British Spring Clean and to use its influence to encourage participation and support from people and businesses.”

The Government’s decision to set up a working group to look at how economic measures could help reduce littering is also a positive step, given the success of the 5p charge on single-use carrier bags.

Keep Britain Tidy runs awards programmes, including the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for beaches, the Green Flag Award for parks and the Keep Britain Tidy Award for public spaces and the Government identifies these as being central to creating litter-free environments in the Strategy and says it will encourage land managers to apply for these awards to ensure their efforts are recognised.

The charity also welcomes the Government’s pledge to introduce regulations that will allow local authorities to issue penalty charge notices to the registered keeper of a vehicle if litter is thrown from it, which will make it easier for local authorities to tackle the problem of roadside litter, which is difficult and costly to clear.

Keep Britain Tidy has been at the forefront of developing and testing innovations to tackle littering, some of which are identified in the Strategy, and we are delighted that the Government has pledged to set up a Litter Innovation Fund to support the development of affordable and scalable solutions that are proven to make a difference.

Allison added: “There is much to commend in this Strategy and we look forward to seeing some ambitious targets from the Government and effective monitoring to ensure that the Strategy makes the measurable difference we all want to see.”

You can read the litter strategy in full here.

Daniel Schaffer’s Visit to Scotland

Last week, Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education, visited Scotland to participate in the celebration of the award of their 2,000th Green Flag.

The event was hosted by Eco-School St Johns RC Academy in Perth, which was awarded its first Green Flag. The Deputy First Minister John Swinney was present along with other local representatives.

Daniel Schaffer highlighted that: “Eco-Schools connects over 15 million children, young people and educators through sustainable development education and is the biggest formal learning network in the world – with young people from 64 countries involved.  It is wonderful that Scotland has achieved this milestone. It stands as proof for the huge possibilities that can be attained when civil society and government work hand in hand to reach common goals based on positive actions.”