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ISSUE: OCT 2002 |
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FROM THE EMS The EMS is always pleased to get in touch with the international community to share environmental and sustainable development concerns from the local perspective. However, on this occasion we even go beyond that, at this turning point where crucial discussions and decisions led to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, in Johannesburg. The EMS was an active participant in the preparatory instances and thus promoted the launching of a declaration of the MercoCities Network toward Johannesburg 2002, that was presented at the summit by Stela Goldenstein, who represented the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Summit created hope though some doubts still persist. The proposal on sharing cities -- following the equity principle strongly promoted by the EMS, encouraging ethics as the essential element in sustainable development and favouring weaker populations--, is included in the World Solidarity Fund, as part of its chapter for Latin America and the Caribbean, to combat poverty. The multiple and equitable Partnership proposals advanced by the EMS, are materialized worldwide and will represent one of the most innovative strongholds of international cooperation. During the summit, though in general there was a lack of agreements in terms of defining time frames to comply with the different goals approved, we remembered the commitment implicit in the Millennium Declaration to reduce by half the number of poor people in the world by the year 2015 (see interview to Dr. Franco Micieli de Biase). Simultaneously, several new countries expressed their intention to ratify the Kyoto agreements; Canada, among them. The EMS also maintains its permanent concern to be more effective in delivering instruments to support the improvement of local institutions in environmental management. To this effect, and through an external evaluation, it obtained a detailed vision of the state-of the-art of activities in the region. This effort will be continued with follow-ups to requests for new competitive funds for research, consolidation of agreements with local government networks throughout Latin America, workshops for local managers, specialist meetings and search for new donors. With the purpose of providing an instance for reflection and exchange of visions, the EMS is inaugurating –under a new publication format—a series of interviews to men and women who eagerly followed the Johannesburg World Summit and who deeply reflected on the outcome of the summit. We are pleased to inaugurate this new section with Minister Franco Micieli de Biase, EMS Advisory Committee member, an authority in environmental issues and member of the official delegation of the Italian Government to the Johannesburg Summit. RIO +10: WHAT’S NEXT AFTER
THE WSSD? Which are the highlights the Johannesburg
World Summit will be remembered by? EMS NEWS - The position of Research Officer to strengthen the EMS teams is now open for applications. The deadline for reception of CV’s is November 8, 2002. The job description for this call is available in our site at: http://www.ems-sema.org/ro/ - We are pleased with the news on the final decision of IADB to approve the project "Management of Municipal Environmental services for vulnerables populations groups in Central American Cities" to strengthen Central American municipalities in environmental management of their urban areas inhabited by the more vulnerable population, as mentioned in the previous INFO-EMS newsletter. - The EMS has hired Dr. Michael Nelson to proceed with an external evaluation. Dr. Nelson is an international expert with vast expertise in international organizations involved in sustainable development in Latin America. This activity allowed him to be in touch with representatives of all sectors in seven countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. He was able to confront visions that would help prepare recommendations to guide a new phase that will require the active participation of all local actors and the support of international development agencies and governments that share the sustainable development visions and social equity values pursued by the EMS. VISITORS TO THE EMS - In the launching of the declaration of the MercoCities Network towards Johannesburg 2002, distinguished visiting friends accompanied us: Mrs. Stela Goldenstein, representing the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who read the declaration; Mrs. Patricia Durán de Jagger who provided FEMICA’s vision vis-á-vis the Summit; Mr. Randy Zadra, Director of the Connectivity Institute for the Americas and several other local government authorities.
EMS SERVICE: CITY PRESS It is an open space dedicated to the publication of news in the field of environmental management in cities and municipalities of Latin America and the Caribbean, received through our Information and Knowledge Network. In this space you will find: professional opportunities, events, courses, articles and publications, newsletters and bulletins, electronic fora and news. Share your activities by filling out the form at: http://www.ems-sema.org/english/noticias/city_press.htm or send an e-mail to: info@ems-sema.org Professional Opportunities - http://www.ems-sema.org/english/evts/oportunidades.html Vacancies - EMS Research Officer http://www.ems-sema.org/ro/ - Closing date: 8/11/2002 - At UNEP (United Nations Environmental
Program): - Municipal Strengthening/Decentralization Specialist - Latin America Fellowships and financial support - RESEARCH SUPPORT Events - http://www.ems-sema.org/english/evts/conferencias.html - WATER FOR THE AMERICAS IN THE 21ST CENTURY Courses - http://www.ems-sema.org/english/evts/cursos.html - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
(Courses and Seminars) Articles, Publications and Documents - BRAZIL – NATIONAL SOLID WASTE POLICY Article by Elisabeth Grimberg, Coordinator of
the Environment Area, Instituto Polis.Features some reflections on the
proposal for a national solid waste policy. - GROUND WATER AND SURFACE WATER: A
SINGLE RESOURCE - GUIDELINES FOR THE PROTECTION OF GROUND
WATER: water quality, administrative activities in the protection of ground
water; participation of community members. - ACCESS – An e-newsletter of the Water and
Sanitation Program (WSP) - SON DE TAMBORA – activities on
communications for development Electronic Forum - ELECTRONIC CONFERENCE ON WATER MANAGEMENT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Organized by: SETEDER (Technical Services for Rural Development) and FIDAMERICA October 15 to November 1, 2002 Contact: rmoreno@catie.ac.cr - 2003: INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FRESH WATER - LIVING CITIES PRESS RELEASE –
"Unique Public-Private Partnership Commits Half-Billion Dollars over next
Decade to Spark Inner-City Revitalization; Plans to Build on Progress in
Improving Inner Cities during Past 10 Years." - METAS (Southern Metropolis) – Inter-disciplinary NGO devoted to the study, understanding and resolution of metropolitan urban-environmental phenomena in Southern Cone cities. Contact: Sergio Cordoni - The Municipality of Santiago de Surco, keen
on making the population aware of the importance of environmental issues, has
successfully started a programme called "School-on-Wheels for
Environmental Education" (EIDEA).
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“The EMS-SEMA has the support of IDRC, IADB, Environment Canada, UNEP and the Ministry of Housing, Land Management and the Environment of Uruguay (MVOTMA). It is an International Secretariat managed by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC-Canada)"
Internet EMS: http://www.ems-sema.org Internet IDRC - Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office: The
publication of INFO-EMS is under
the responsibility of Walter Ubal and |
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