ARMENIA

Sisian
The NGO "Sissian Development Center" will celebrate WED with a number of activities, including: an exhibition of items created by children with recycled materials; a bicycle race and a drawing competition, on the theme "Green Cities", for young people and children. In addition, a round-table on environment will be held, with the participation of representatives from local authorities, local and international organizations, political parties and interested individuals.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Manvel Soghomonyan
Sissian Development Center
2/7 Fizkulturnikneri St.
Sisian
Armenia
Tel: +374 2830 3555
E-mail: sdc_inf@yahoo.com

AUSTRIA

St. Poelten
The Austrian Environment Service "Die Umweltberatung" is planning an extensive programme to mark WED 2005.

1 June 2005: official opening in St. Poelten with environment secretary DI Josef Plank

BELGIUM

Brussels
One year ago, on 11 June 2004 the 1000 participants of the Fourth European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, Aalborg +10, adopted the Aalborg Commitments as the conference declaration and representatives of 110 local governments signed the document on stage. The initiative is called the Environmental Aalborg Commitments.
The Aalborg Commitments encourage local governments to start target setting across the 10 fields of sustainability defined in the document. The initiative also includes several steps, namely: producing a baseline review of the local situation, setting local targets, defining action plans and monitoring the progress. The Commitments also aim to monitor the local sustainability processes and facilitate the exchange of experience and benchmarking among the local governments in Europe. To date approximately 250 local governments throughout Europe have signed the declaration. Aalborg Commitments FINAL.pdf (21.6Kb)

Brussels
As previous years, UNEP Brussels will give a high profile to World Environment Day (WED) celebrations. The UNEP Brussels team is developing and designing a series of leaflets, posters and a special WED edition of the UNEP Brussels fortnightly newsletter. The themes for this year's outreach materials are transport and mobility, and energy. Our aim is to raise awareness and facilitate change on these key issues closely related to our behavior patterns in urban areas. The leaflets give ideas and easy tips to help us look at our behavior, its environmental impacts, and to change it. Key areas of concern and benefits of change, even slight ones, are highlighted. The leaflets are designed in such a way that they provide a folder for other materials. We are considering the inclusion of a CD-ROM with UNEP’s TV campaign on public transport. These information materials will be widely distributed.
In its activities for WED, UNEP Brussels works with various partners, including the European Commission- DG Environment, governments, private sector, NGOs, associations and schools. We also focus on outreach and media coverage, through press conferences, TV and radio interviews or newspaper articles.
Since 2003, they have collaborated with the European Commission Green Week http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/greenweek celebrations (May 31 to June 3). Green Week takes place at the beginning of June to coincide with WED. This year’s motto is: Get to grips with climate change. Green Week is a four-day series of events, exhibitions and conferences to raise the public’s awareness on sound environmental practices. As in previous years, UNEP will have a stand to present its latest reports and initiatives, as well as to disseminate the leaflets developed in partnership with the European Commission.

Brussels
As a follow up of the office activities for this year WED and Green Week, UNEP Brussels leaflet on energy and transport has been distributed to an updated list of contacts in Brussels, covering the European Parliament, schools and networks, as well as NGOs. Furthermore, the leaflet has been distributed internally within UNEP.

FINLAND

Helsinki
National main WED -event in Finland is a public City-happening in Hesperia Park, next to the Finlandia Hall, at 11.00 - 15.00. There is an official session at 12.00 o'clock with high-level speakers and the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC) will give its annual Environmental Prize.
The event is also targetted atchildren and their parents. There are many environmental education elements in this park party and people may twitch Aunt Green, Miss Algae and the City Squirrel in the park. Many NGO's and other organizations are representing their work for the environment (City of Helsinki/public works dept., Nature League, the Metropolitan Re-cycling Centre). UN:s exhibition bus will stop in the park.
An ecological picnic is available and people may carry their own food as well (people are kindly asked to avoid use-only-once plates etc.). Information for the national and local medias will be provided.
The main organizer is FANC, supported by the Finnish ministry for the Environment.

Joensuu
ENO-Environment Online is a global web school for environmental awareness at 180 schools in 69 countries. ENO's bicycle parade and kite flying events on the occasion of World Environment Day will finish the 2004-05 school year. ENO will organize a bicycle trip with students to a local park or green area where they will be able to fly their kites. The kite is a symbol of the ENO programme, and with these activities they will celebrate the day, not only in Finland but in schools in 69 countries!

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Mika Vanhanen
ENO-Environment Online
Pataluodonkatu 4
80160 Joensuu
Finland
Tel: +358 40 5070725
E-mail:vanhanen@cc.joensuu.fi
Website: http://eno.joensuu.fi

FRANCE

Paris
In January 2005, Veolia Environnement launched an international awareness campaign, entitled Streamers Around The World, around the theme "The environment, it's my nature… and my health". The French National Commission for UNESCO has given its support to this operation, which involved classes in 20 countries/regions. Primary schools children, aged between 9 and 11, designed their "streamers" symbolizing environmental protection, and wrote a short text explaining the thinking behind it. On the occasion of WED, all the countries that have participated in the campaign will organize simultaneous activities, including streamer expositions in schools, city halls, museum, and in operational sites managed by Veolia Environment. In France, the streamers will be displayed at the Jardin du Luxembourg of the French Senate, from 31 May to 5 June. The exhibition will be launched by Mr. Poncelet, President of the Senate, and Mr. Proglio, CEO of Veolia Environnement. Alongside the streamers exhibition, workshops for children will be conducted by professionals everyday from 10 am to 8 pm. This event aims to encourage people of all ages to think about our planet's environmental stakes against demographic and urban development trends, and to express their contribution and commitment.

Paris
On the occasion of World Environment Day, UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics in Paris organized a number of activities, including:
The posting of a WED banner on a leading newspaper's website for 3 days prior to 5 June. The French Ministry for Ecology posted the WED logo and link on their website. They also showed the Ozzy Ozone video and the Transport Ad on 2 June at the Ministry, open to the public. It was part of the events they organize for the 3rd edition of their ‘Semaine du développement durable’.
Rennes University broadcasted a special radio programme on WED on 4 June. On 5 June, the Mairie de Paris ‘advertised’ WED and carried the slogan on their LCD billboards throughout Paris. The Mairie de Paris also distribute to other ‘mairies’ the WED kits in French.
RFI broadcasted a special WED programme on 5 June live from San Francisco. Special programmes in Arabic were broadcasted on Radio-Orient on 3rd or 5 th June and Radio Monte Carlo Moyen-Orient. The WED logo also featured in the magazine for youth ‘C’a m’intéresse’.
JNE (Journalistes-écrivains pour la Nature et l’Ecologie) posted the WED logo on their website and bulletin.

Paris
A good example of the success of World Environment Day: In its 2005 school book Cahier d'activité BEP Seconde et Terminale, the publishing house Nathan Technique has reprinted the poster produced by UNEP for WED 2003 with the slogan, Water, 2 billion people are dying for it! In an excercise on page 137, it calls on students to express their opinion by formulating arguments and examples based on the poster. The young are thus made aware of the need to be environmentally friendly.

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN and GEORGIA

Caucasus Zone Green is an environmental protection festival and awareness campaign held annually throughout the month of June in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. This year, in its 4th edition, the campaign is implemented by hundreds of NGOs, institutions and activists working together to promote government action and public awareness of environmental issues and related health linkages. The media is encouraged to showcase the ongoing environmental activities of organizations and government departments. Last year over 130 events were organized by more than 100 organizations. Events will cover a wide range of activities – tree planting, concerts, seminars, round tables, distribution of informational materials to parliamentary representatives and to the public, neighborhood clean-ups, drawing competitions, media articles and press briefings, WED national radio lecture and activities involving kindergarten children and IDP communities and promoting World Environment Day.

For more information, please contact:
Ms.Pida Ripley
Women Aid International-Caucasus
17 Khvichia Street
Tbilisi
Georgia
Tel: +995 32 37 92 70 or +995 99 233 086
Fax: +995 32 37 92 70
E-mail: waigeo@access.sanet.ge

Tbilisi
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the association Green Way is launching a project called "Earth Festival". The project will include a Forum on Environment Day, the establishment of a "Green Fund", the launch of a Small Grant Competition, as well as various charitable actions. The main aim of the project is to raise awareness of environmental issues in Georgia. The Forum will involve environmental NGO representatives, legislative and executive bodies, business sector, donors and diplomatic corps working in Georgia. During the Forum the invitees will be given the opportunity to present and popularize their activities and achievements, to emphasize the problems that they are facing and to illustrate possible strategies to solve them.

GERMANY

Singen
Tour de Twiel - enjoy the landscape on a walk at the Mountain "Hohentwiel" just beside the town Singen near Lake Constance (most of the Hohentwiel is a natur reservation zone) - enjoy the wine grown at the hillside of Hohentwiel - enjoy a lot of cultural activities - music, land art, theatre. This the effort of the organization Modellprojekt Konstanz GmbH and the city council of Singen to commemorate WED on 5 June 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets per person available for 14 EUR (in presale, special prices for groups available).

For more information, please contact:
tourist-information of Singen
Tel. ++49 7731 85 262.
Website: www.tour-de-twiel.de

GREECE

Athens
As part of the celebrations for World Environment Day, the St Catherine's British Embassy School, and MEDASSET held slide shows and talks at the school, based on the political barriers to sea turtle conservation in a world of global citizenship, and the need for conflict resolution skills.350 students, aged 7 - 17 enjoyed images of sea turtles ranging from the exotically beautiful, to sometimes of disturbing inflicted injuries. The effects of uncontrolled coastal development on creatures of the sea and shoreline were also highlighted. The students learned that the large and growing list of endangered species around the world is a problem that must be faced now, otherwise as adults they could be facing an environmentally depleted planet in their lifetime.

Zakynthos
To celebrate World Environment Day 2005, the Department of Ecology and Environment and the Technological Education Institute of the Ionian Islands, together with the Municipality of Zakynthos, are organizing a city open-day, under the slogan Nature is You. Cars will not be allowed within the city's limits, while public transport will be for free. A number of activities, including a bicycle tour, street events, concerts, bands and theatre plays are scheduled for the day.

ICELAND

Reykjavik
On 5 June, Landvernd, Icelandic Environment Association, will award the Blue Flag to Nauthólsvík beach in Reykjavik. On this occasion, Global Action Plan (GAP) for the Earth, one of Landvernd’s international programmes, has planned a bicycle parade from Reykjavík harbor to Nauthólsvík beach, under the slogan "A Bicycle-Friendly City”. Everyone is invited to participate starting 1:50pm. At the end of the parade, the Blue Flag will be awarded to representatives of the City.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Bryndís Thórisdóttir
Global Action Plan
Landvernd- Icelandic Environment Association
Reykjavik
Iceland
E-mail: vistvernd@landvernd.is

ITALY

Forli
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Municipality of Forlì, in collaboration with the "Agro-Environmental Observatory of Cesena" and with local environmental associations, is planning the following activities: A “Sensory Nature Walk” through perfumed and bloomed plants, addressed to children and to everybody who wishes to play like a child. The participants will receive a "sensory card" and a "desire card" that they will hang in the “friend tree”; A photographic exhibition entitled "Secular Trees of Romagna", showing images of the most monumental trees of the surroundings; Guided visits of the historical center and botanical garden. The celebration will coincide with "Forli 5th Ecological Sunday".

For more information, please contact:
Municipality of Forlì – Municipal Environment Council
Piazza Saffi n°8
Forlì
Italy
Tel: 0039 0543-7124354
Fax: 0039 0543-712406
E-mail: sandra.morelli@cofo.it
Website: www.comune.forli.fo.it

Milan
Ambiente in Club, an environmental association, will be officially instituted on 5 June 2005, to coincide with WED. A seminar on environment will be held to promote the association. In addition, a two-day gathering on 4-5 June is being organized in a natural and historical reserve: Parco Adda Nord, in the province of Milan. The Adda Park hosts the Eco-Museum Adda di Leonardo and is a nice place where to spend a day in the open air. Various other activities will take place, including guided visits to the park, shows for children and families and a visit to the Eco-Museum. In addition, flowers will be planted, to mark the link with the Flower Power Day in San Francisco.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Daniele Baronio
Ambiente in Club
Via Nuova Circonvallazione, 69
Rimini
Italy
Tel: (39 0541) 793200
Fax: (39 0541) 795252
E-mail: info@ambienteinclub.org
Website: www.ambientein club.org

Rome
To commemorate WED, Annarella Youth Community Association is planning to organise, in collaboration with the municipality of Rome and with the support of some Italian recycling firms and environmental associations, the following activities: · Bycycle parade; · Awareness campaign; · Environmental associations network; · Seminars; · Art using recycled materials; · Youth-led activities; · Use sustainable modes of transport.

Sorrento
To celebrate WED, the municipality of Sorrento is planning several activities, including: - A clean-up of Sorrento beaches, on 27 May, in collaboration with the Environmental City Department, Legaambiente, and Verdi Ambiente e Società, T. Tasso school students and the company Penisola Verde; A workshop, entitled “Protect the rights of the sea”, on 28 May, featuring Marco Fiorentino, Mayor of Sorrento, Antonino Pane, head of the Environmental Department, Rosario Fiorentino, head of the Education Department, and many other guests; A clean-up of Sorrento coastline and sea depths on 29 May, with the support of the association "Amare mare", the company Penisola Verde and the Environment Department of Sorrento; A chess competition for disabled persons on 5 June, organized by the association Stabia Scacchi; A sport event, entitled “Sport and nature in Sorrento", on 5 June; Release of the hand out " Safety in Sorrento roads " on 5 June.

Verbania
To celebrate WED, the Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation has organized Verbania 2005- an international congress entitled A Peaceful Environment for Your Health.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Isthar D. Adler
Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation
Via Zara 37
28813 Albagnano di Verbania
Italy
Tel: (39-0323) 569 608
Fax: (39-0323) 569608
E-mail: lgwpf@libero.it
Website: www.worldpeacecongress.net

NETHERLANDS

St Maarten
In cooperation with Enviro I, the umbrella organisation of environmental foundations of St Maarten, Ocean Care Foundation organized a beach clean-up and a shoreline clean-up at Great Bay (Philipsburg). Educational activities for children were also organized, to raise awareness of different environmental issues. Ocean Care also organized a reef clean-up at Little Bay.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Eliane Polack
Ocean Care Foundation
30, Beethoven Road
Cay Hill
St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Tel: +599 5237390
E-mail: oceancare@caribserve.net

Utrecht
On the occasion of the World Environment Day, the Somali Center for Development Research, in collaboration with African Sky, is organizing a seminar about the current acute environmental problems in Somalia. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Somalia had since 1980s been receiving countless shipments of illegal nuclear and toxic waste dumped along the coastline. The Tsunami disaster has certainly exacerbated Somalia's environmental problems in general and the impact of hazardous waste in particular. The reality is that very little is known about the exact magnitude of this multidimensional tragedy and its effects in terms of environmental degradation, human health and livelihoods' erosion. To this end, the findings of literature research carried out by Somali professionals will be discussed. The meeting will take place at the Meeting Centre Hoog Brabant, in the area of Central Station of Utrecht, Brabant Radboudkwartier 23 3511 CC Utrecht.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Bashir M Hussein
Somali Center for Development Research
Kasteeldrift 17
Nieuwegein
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 6 4308 2608
E-mail: shakiib@hotmail.com
Or Stella Ismael
(African Sky)
Tel. +31 6 1087 8983

NORTHERN IRELAND

Bangor
To celebrate World Environment Day, the Northern Ireland Tree Campaign, a Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland initiative, funded by Environment and Heritage Service, is descending on Scrub Country Park, Newtownards, to hold an "Environmental Adventure". Starting in the main car park in Scrabo Country Park, adventurers will follow a simple map around Killynether Wood, a mixture of beautiful beech and hazel trees, stopping along the way to take part in fun activities to learn about the natural world. Each activity has been carefully designed to be both fun and educational. The activities should take about an hour to complete and are suitable for all ages especially families. Participants can join the “adventure” at any time from 11am until 3pm.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Eleanor Ballard
The Northern Ireland Tree Campaign, Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland
Clandeboye Estate
Bangor
Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 9185 2817
E-mail: e.ballard@btcv.org.uk
Website: www.nitc.org.uk

IRELAND

Lorraine
On the occasion of WED, the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is organizing Fisheries Awareness Week in the Shannon catchments. Activities will include open days, environmental awareness talks, angling demonstrations and competitions,

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Lorraine O'Donnell
Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
Ashbourne Business Park, Dock Road
Lorraine
Ireland
Tel: 00 353 87 9285892
Fax: 00 353 61 300308
E-mail: lodonnell@shrfb.com
Website: www.shannon-fishery-board.ie

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Chisinau
On the occasion of World Environment Day (WED), the youth environmental NGO SalvaEco, in collaboration with another NGO, Viitorul Verde (Green Future), will organize an awareness campaign entitled "Take Care of Your Waste at Home". This activity will take place at the national level, and articles will be published in magazines and newspapers. Media coverage will also include radio, TV and Internet. In addition, SalvaEco volunteers will distribute plastic bags with flyers in public places to enhance environmental awareness and action.

For more information, please contact:
Rodica Negura
SalvaEco
11, Iazului Str. of.13
Chisinau
Republic of Moldova
Tel: (373-2) 584 020 / 079439425
Fax: (373-2) 584 020
E-mail:salvaeco@salvaeco.org
Website:http://www.salvaeco.org

ROMANIA

Arad
To celebrate WED, Arad and Tulane Universities organized "Urban Environmental Forum Speakers", including workshops, trainings and tours of sewer plants and landfills. Experts from various fields (i.e., government, NGOs, university, private companies and citizens) came together to discuss urban environmental issues. The Conference was attended by people coming from 6 countries. The theme of the Conference was developed to coincide with WED's urban focus.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. John Sutherlin
Arad University and Tulane University
Romania
Tel: 337.981.4345
E-mail: jsuthe9831@aol.com

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Remus Serban
Danubian Hope Oficiul Postal 1
Casuta Postala T54, Galati
Cod postal: 800710
Galati
Romania
Tel: 0746994477
E-mail: remuserban@yahoo.com

RUSSIA

Nazran
To celebrate WED, International Medical Corps - Russia organized clean-up campaigns (rubbish and waste removal, renovation of communal places, cleaning of river beds and springs, tree planting, trees pesticide treatment) that were conducted on 6 June in 4 settlements in Ingushetia and 2 villages in Chechnya. Ten local ambulatories were provided with waste-bins, with slogans inviting people to take care of the environment. All volunteers could attend a "green concert", during which children of the IMC Youth Centers (from spontaneous settlements "Iman" and "Metalshop") could show their creative skills and initiative. To foster healthy life-style skills and attract children interest in environment issues, poster/drawing competitions were organized among 20 spontaneous settlements in Ingushetia and 4 villages in Chechnya.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Zurab Koberidzde
International Medical Corps - Russia
23, Osen-92 Street
Nazran
Russia
Tel: (+7) 8732 221952
Fax: (+7) 8732 221952
E-mail: zkoberidze@imcworldwide.org
Website: www.mcworldwide.org

SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

Belgrade
Waste and recycling are huge problems in cities and the NGO Young Researchers of Serbia (YRS) decided to dedicate this year's World Environment Day celebrations to this issue. Infrastructure for primary waste separation, collection and recycling still doesn’t exist in the capital of Serbia and Montenegro - Belgrade. Motivated by this fact, YRS are continuing their activities in raising public awareness on the need for reducing and recycling waste. During 2004, YRS had a permanent campaign consisting of several actions related to recycling promotion, and often linked with celebrations of important environmental dates. One of the basic concepts of sustainable development is ensuring a future for today's youth. This is why it was decided to include school children in this year's activities. During the month of May, pupils of a Belgrade primary school carried out a survey among their peers on the usage of packaging materials made of recyclables / non-recyclables. Several weeks prior to WED they also started collecting recyclables.
On 3 June WED celebrations will include numerous activities in front of the school, starting at noon: -Presentation of the survey’s results, a short film directed by a YRS member especially for this purpose (ECO-address) and photos taken by schoolchildren. -Selection of the best slogans on How to refuse a plastic bag in a shop? -Workshops with schoolchildren on recycling. -Transport of the collected recyclables (by Belgrade’s public utility company) Around 300 children aged 11-14 will participate in the workshops. Belgrade’s city authorities, the UN resident representative and National Geographic Junior magazine will also join in the celebration.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Jelena Beronja
Young Researchers of Serbia
Bulevar umetnosti 27
Belgrade
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381.11.311.13.14
Fax: +381.11.311.66.53
E-mail:office@mis.org.yu
Website:http://www.mis.org.yu

SPAIN

Alcalá de Henares (Madrid)
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Association of Environmental Sciences will launch a digital magazine called Legatus, featuring various articles on Sustainable Development.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Perero Van Hove
Asociación de Ciencias Ambientales
Ctra N-II Madrid-Barceona, Km33
Alcalá de Henares (Madrid)
Spain
E-mail:aca@ciencias-ambientales.org
Website:http://www.legatusdigital.net

Santander
To celebrate World Environment Day, the Department of Environment (“Consejería”) organized the “Cantabria – Green Cities” Forum. The goal was to think about urban environment and to come to conclusions to improve it. This forum took place on three different dates, May 31, June 1 and 2, and covered following topics:

1. Urban Sustainability, Climatic Change, Local Strategies on Sustainable Urban Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Environment;

Valencia
On the occasion of WED, the Scouting Group "VALLDIGNA" (Valencia-Spain) is organizing activities, together with the Clean-Up- the-Mediterranean action, including: talks in two Primary School; cleaning of the Sea Shore in the beach, and an ecological walk through the sand dunes, explaining the importance of Sustainable Developlent and the preservation of such an important ecosystems. This activity will be opened to all scholars in the town, in small groups.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva
UNEP flags were displayed on Geneva’s Pont du Mont-Blanc throughout the week leading up to WED, from 30 May-5 June 2005.
The main celebrations took place day on Friday 3 June 2005, at the International Environment House. The day began with a roundtable on the World Environment Day theme, attended by more than 100 people from Geneva’s international and environmental community. The roundtable examined success stories and lessons learned from the movement to green Europe’s cities. The event was moderated by Amb. Beat Nobs of the Swiss Agency for the Environment Forests and Landscape. The welcome and introductory remarks were made by Frits Schlingemann, and by Abdalla Abbas of UN-HABITAT. Panel presentations were made by the following: Pascal Peduzzi, UNEP/DEWA/GRID-Geneva, Jukka Uosukainen, Member of the City Planning Committee, Espoo, Finland, Mario Levental, Geneva Cantonal Service for the protection against noise and non-ionising radiation, Kate Theobold, Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Northumbria University, UK, and Bettina Kaltenhauser, Decentralized Cooperation Programme, UNITAR
Immediately after the roundtable, the Swiss authorities hosted a reception in the Annex to the International Environment House, a new building that has been recently been inaugurated and houses environmental NGOs. Speeches were made by Frits Schlingemann, UNEP, Amb. Beat Nobs, SAEFL, Manuel Tornare, Mayor, City of Geneva, and Carlo Lamprecht, State Counsellor, Canton of Geneva.
Guests at the reception were able to view several exhibitions prepared for the occasion. A series of satellite image posters illustrating environmental problems encountered in selected cities around the world had prepared by GRID centres. The winners of a Europe-wide painting competition for children were also on show.
A full day’s events was organized for children from four international schools in Geneva, including briefings and preparation for a role–play on sustainable environmental management of a hypothetical developing country city.
A special issue of the newsletter “Environment House News” was devoted to this year’s WED theme and was launched at WED.
World Environment Day also provided the forum for the launch of the update of the GEN’s flagship publication the “Green Geneva Guide” 2005 edition, which is a practical guide to Geneva-based global organizations working on the environment and sustainable development.
And last but not least, the WED message will be stressed at a large-scale event targeting the general public will take place over the weekend of 11-12 June, organized jointly with the City and Canton of Geneva, in the form of a sustainable development fair. This will be the fourth consecutive year that this event takes place, and is expected to draw some 20,000 inhabitants from Geneva and surroundings. In addition, the WED message will be disseminated at a roundtable also organized jointly with the City and Canton of Geneva with the photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand on 10 June 2005.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Kristin Ebbesen
Liaison Assistant
UNEP-Regional Office for Europe
11-13, chemin des Anémones
CH-1219 Châtelaine-Genève
Tel: +41 22 917 8279
Fax. +41 22 797 3420
Email: Kristin.Ebbesen@unep.ch

Lausanne
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Athena Foundation presented the 2005 Canton de Vaud Earth Champions Awards. The event took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, and honoured those who have made significant contributions to environmental sustainability in the Canton.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Fiona Mathews
Founder and Chief Executive
Athena Foundation
42nd Floor, MLC Centre
19 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Tel: (612) 9334 8555
Fax: (612) 9334-8585
E-mail:fmathews@bigpond.com
Website:www.athenafoundation.com, www.earthchampions.com

Zurich
On the occasion of WED, the city of Zurich is organizing a series of activities that will take place on 3 and 4 June. Participants can experience and learn more about 20 environment and health topics, including: air pollution, noise protection, renewable energy, city animals, city safari, city cleaning etc.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Vera Baré
City of Zurich - Environment and Health Protection
Walchestrasse 31
CH-8035 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel: +41 44 216 43 70
E-mail:vera.bare@gud.stzh.ch
Website: http://www.umwelttage.ch <>

TURKEY

Ankara
To celebrate WED, the Scouting and Guiding Federation of Turkey is organizing various initiatives, which will take place in about 20 provinces throughout the country. Several exhibitions are planned under different themes, including Green cities, Freshwater, Clean up the world and Black Sea Action Guide. In addition, photo competitions on Green Cities will be held in parks. Guides and scouts are encouraged to discuss with local authorities ways to cooperate for greener cities.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. U. Savas Baran
The Scouting and Guiding Federation of Turkey (GSGM)
Emek is Hani A-Blok Ulus
Ankara
Turkey
Tel: 90 3112 467 74 86
Fax: 90 312 467 75 87
E-mail:tif@izcilikfederasyonu.org
Website:www.tif.org.tr

Istanbul
To celebrate World Environment Day, the Foundation for Protection and Promotion of the Environmental and Cultural Heritage (CEKUL), organized a series of activities, including: a meeting with people of Istanbul in Cihangir Park, aimed at strenghtening environmental consciousness through the "Responsibility Oath for Earth"; and an exhibition of publications on nature and the environment. Social responsiblities and duties were highlighted during the activities. CEKUL organized also a poster exhibition on environmental issues, in Erbaa-Tokat, Anatolia. A "Cleaning March" was carried out after the exhibition. In addition, the children of Taskopru-Kastamonu gathered in Cumhuriyet Square, carrying hand placards. They visited historical places, such as residences, parks and baths, and had a picnic in Elmali Garden.
The 10th "Environment Festival" took also place, with the support of the Ministry of Education. The Festival ended with a music concert by Conservatoire of Samsun Municipality. Other activities included: a ceramic exhibition on Nature, by Pinar Dinç and Aysegul Sasmaz, in Mudanya-Bursa; and a declaration about the "World Environment Week, by the Association of Historical Towns and Regions, which aims to protect world's natural and cultural heritage.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Cigdem Yildiz
CEKUL / Foundation for Protection and Promotion of the Environmental and Cultural Heritage
Ekrem Tur Sok. No:8 Beyoglu
Istanbul
Turkey
Tel: 00 90 212 251 5444
Fax: 00 90 212 249 6464
E-mail: cigdem.yildiz@cekulvakfi.org.tr
Website: http://www.cekulvakfi.org.tr

UNEP's Regional Office for Europe (ROE)

On the occasion of World Environment Day, UNEP's Regional Office for Europe (ROE) is organizing on 3 June a roundtable of Green Cities officials from Geneva and two or three nearby Swiss, French or German cities, followed by a reception hosted with the Swiss. The aim is to illustrate the theme of the day through a series of satellite images of Geneva and other cities around the globe representing "yesterday and today" features and the need to pursue Green Cities strategies more energetically. This project is being undertaken by ROE, through its Geneva Environment Network (GEN) project, and GRID/Geneva. The illustration may take the shape of a series of images to hang on the walls or be produced as a brochure.

ROE is also considering using a selection of the paintings produced by children for the 14th International Painting Competition, either as posters or to be hung on walls.

The following week, ROE/GEN will be involved in what has now become an annual event organised by the Town of Geneva called "Journées de développement durable" (Sustainable Development Day) - a three-day fair aiming at raising the public's awareness on sound environmental practices.

As customary, ROE will ensure that the UNEP flag is hoisted on the Mont Blanc bridge for a one-week period during WED.

For more information, please contact:
Kristin Ebbesen, Liaison Assistant
UNEP-Regional Office for Europe
11-13, chemin des Anémones
CH-1219 Châtelaine-Genève
Tel: +41 22 917 8279
Fax. +41 22 797 3420

UNITED KINGDOM

Basingstoke
Chineham Conservation Group is holding a Woodlands Conservation Work Party to celebrate World Environment Day in Long Copse, Chineham, Basingstoke. Meet at 10am at Mattock Way, Chineham.

Coventry
World Environment Day will see the launch of the Urban Wildlife Network. Main aims are to:

• Promote and increase understanding of the importance and benefits of nature in towns and cities;
• Advance education and awareness and promote public involvement in wildlife and nature conservation in urban areas;
• Encourage, advise and support members of the community, voluntary, private and public sectors involved in conserving, restoring and creating natural and semi-natural habitats and biodiversity in towns and cities;
• Promote a strategic vision of urban living built on sustainable natural systems and enhanced connections between people and nature.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Michelle Bennett
Senior Urban Ranger (Parks)
Urban Wildlife Network, UK
West Orchard House
28-34 Corporation Street
Coventry CV1 1GF
United Kingdom
Tel: (44 024) 7683 2720
E-mail: michelle.Bennett@coventry.gov.uk

Darlington
To celebrate World Environment Day, Darlington Borough Council is organizing a minibus journey to discover wetland sites within Darlington. The tour will depart from Town Hall, on Sunday 5 June at 2.30 pm. The excursion is free of charge, but booking is essential.

Dorking Surrey
To celebrate World Environment Day, the Dorking Decongestion Forum is organizing a number of events that will take place during the WED weekend. Events will include a non- Single Occupant Vehicle Day, with the participation of 20,000 people; a Cycle Fun Day, with 15,000 people taking part; and a Black Tie Gala Dinner.

Dorset
As part of the Corporate & Social Responsibility agenda, Barclays Bank in the UK has a network of champions across over 40 sites, covering more than 3000 people. On WED, posters and displays will be on show as people come into work, to raise environmental awareness among Barclays staff.

Kilmarnock
East Ayrshire Countryside Ranger Service is offering 'Creatures From The Deep' to mark World Environment Day. Join us as we delve into the depths of our pond to discover the weird and wonderful creatures that live there. Booking essential

Knowsley Council
The Knowsley Council, in partnership with the National Wildflower Centre and with Merseytravel, will be celebrating World Environment Day with a “Green Fayre” at Court Hey Park and at the National Wildflower Centre, Roby Road, Huyton. This annual free event takes place on 5 June from 11am to 5pm. Attractions include a craft fayre, a farmers market, a brass band, circus skills and arts workshops. The Environment Agency will be in attendance, encouraging people to play their part in helping the planet, by signing up to personal pledges such as using energy saving light-bulbs, saving water, making fewer car journeys and starting to compost. The event is part of the Merseytravel Green Transport Festival, Knowsley Festivals 05 and Knowsley Pride.

London
London Sustainability Weeks (LSW) is a the largest project to date of London 21 Sustainability Network - www.london21.org. This two-week programme celebrates local action for sustainability in Greater London, to coincide with World Environment Day on 5 June. Events are organised by local organisations and London-wide networks: there are 9 supporting partner organisations, who work on issues such as food-growing, recycling, city farms, energy and social inclusion. LSW was first run on a small scale in 2003 (with about 50 events in one week). In 2004, London 21 received financial support for this work and expanded the event from one to two weeks. The partnership of organisations supported over 350 local events across the city. The core idea is that it can be hard for small projects to get publicity and media coverage on their own due to limited resources and staff time. By working together we are able to provide a stronger story for the press and the public.

London
To celebrate WED, the Southbank International School is holding a "World Summit on Green Cities" with the students in years 8, 9, 10 and 11 - a total of 150 students. The student body is made up of young people from around the world. All students have been assigned a member nation of the UN to represent (not their own country) - the Summit will thus have a total of 48 country delegations from around the world. The Summit will open with a speech given by the school "Secretary General" and the President of the World Summit on Green Cities - chairpersons chosen by the Model United Nations group in year 11. The students will be debating two resolutions: one related to urban growth and the other related to environmental degradation in cities of the world. Each delegation will be giving an opening speech setting out the country's views and perspectives on urban issues. Students will have researched their assigned country and be able to provide specific information relevant to their country. At the end of the conference each delegation will give a closing speech, summing up their positions on the Resolutions debated. The Summit will take place on Monday, 13 June, at International House in London. The aim of the World Summit is that all delegates will go away with new awareness and inspiration for resolving the problems urban areas face today.

Manchester
To commemorate WED, the Mersey Basin Campaign is organizing a series of open days across the Northwest of England to allow people to visit interesting places/events that are not normally open to the public. Host organizations are being invited to open all or part of their premises on the weekend of 4-5 June for all or part of one or two days. The open days will provide a unique opportunity for people to see good environmental practice, have a fun day out and be inspired to consider the impact of their everyday lives on the environment.

Manchester
To celebrate World Environment Day, United Futures (United Utilities and Groundwork) is arranging five employee volunteering events, which will take place on Groundwork sites. Activities, which will include pond-dipping, planting beds, footpath clearance and vegetation maintenance, are designed to get employees out on site improving their local environment. Up to 120 United Utilities employees from across all businesses will be involved and aim to make it a day to remember! As well as this, a family fun day is being organised with a strong environmental theme and will be held at one of the environmental education centres, and within the surrounding nature reserve.

Manchester
The community is invited to celebrate World Environment Day at the Manchester Museum, to find out what local organizations are doing to improve the environment in the city and the surrounding area. There will be lots of opportunities to talk to experts about the work that they do and to find out how to get involved and help make a difference.

Macclesfield
Working in partnership with Macclesfield Borough Council, Bollin Valley Rangers, Onyx, Tesco & McDonalds AstraZeneca is holding a clean-up day to mark World Environment Day. The clean-up will take place along the Middlewood Way from Tesco to AstraZeneca on 11 June 2005. Waste collected will be segretaed where possible and recycled.

Merseyside
The Birkenhead Land Registry has adopted a local scout group and they are working with them to create a useable garden and wetland area. The scouts have an area of land behind their scout hut which the Registry hopes to improve in order to attract wildlife with the wetland area and bird and bat boxes. The work will culminate in an event on 5 June where the staff will help the scouts with planting, tidying the area, constructing the wetland area and then having a barbecue. Its a way for all to work together to improve the environment.

Port Talbot
To celebrate WED on 12 June, the Margam Country Park organized a fun-packed day, where families and people of all ages learned about their local environment. There were guest speakers, nature walks and children activities, all set within the castle and beautiful grounds of Margam Country Park.

Preston
Lancashire County Council Environment Directorate is celebrating World Environment Day in a very unique way. On 2 June 2005 they will open the Vertical Composting Unit pilot plant at Tom Benson Way, Preston, which processes putrescible kitchen waste. On 3 June 2005 a 18 hectare land reclamation scheme in Fleetwood, Wyre will be opened, which has transformed a former redundant power station site into the leisure and recreational facility known as Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park.

Scotland
To mark WED 2005 CSV Action 4 Sustainability along with CSV's Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme in the Highland are holding a joint project launch event on Friday 3rd June in Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium. The projects will be working jointly with schools in the Highland Council region and older volunteers in the community to generate practical, intergenerational projects which aid the sustainability of the community. These can be related to biodiversity, sustainable transport initiatives, renewable energy/energy efficiency, waste and resource use. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is said to be the fastest growing city in the UK, so requires sustainable development, and the Scottish Highlands are renowned for containing of a substantial part of the UK's precious biodiversity.

Swadlincote
To mark World Environment Day 2005, the National Forest Company produced a colourful and informative poster to illustrate how trees can help offset the effects of the greenhouse gas emissions that are exacerbating climate change. In particular it shows graphically The National Forest's contribution to the UK's obligations to reduce atmospheric carbon. Six million trees have been planted throughout the 200 square miles of The National Forest over the last ten years. Carbon is taken out of the atmosphere and stored by trees and shrubs as they photosynthesise, creating a 'carbon sink'.
In the period 2008 - 2012 The National Forest area will be absorbing carbon at the rate of 43 million kilograms a year. This is equivalent to: 14% of the region's share of greenhouse gas reductions outlined in the Kyoto agreement and 0.05% of the nation's contribution. ? The amount of carbon emitted in the exhaust of 11,000 average family cars in a year. The net annual carbon emissions of 1000 British households. The amount of carbon contained in 400,000 sacks of coal. The new Chair of the National Forest Company, Dinah Nichols, was formerly Director General Environment at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). She was the senior official at the Kyoto and subsequent climate change negotiations, and the official head of the UK delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
Dinah Nichols said: "The UK is in the forefront of action to combat climate change. It was the first country in the world to produce a comprehensive climate change programme and I am proud that The National Forest is making its own significant contribution to the tough goals which the UK has set itself. "The National Forest is a most exciting exemplar of sustainable development, demonstrating what is scientifically proven to be possible in mitigating climate change. At the same time it brings environmental benefits, enhances the landscape, promotes the use of renewable resources, boosts the rural economy and opens up access to the countryside for many thousands of people - all in one place. Most importantly, it gives local communities, businesses and visitors the opportunity to be directly and positively involved in improving their own environment."
The poster explains the benefits of growing trees in locking up carbon, and also the advantages of wood as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Wooden items (furniture, floorboards etc) continue to lock up carbon for the life of the product. Interested individuals and representatives of schools, universities and other educational institutions are welcome to contact the National Forest Company for a free copy of the poster 'Locking up our carbon in The National Forest'. Call 01283 551211 or e-mail enquiries@nationalforest.org

Telford
In combination with their own environmental raising awareness campaign held every June, Epson Telford will hold its third competition to celebrate World Environment Day with local primary schools in the Telford area. This year they will ask primary school pupils in the Telford area to enter a poster, which depicts their vision for a green city of the future - in line with the WED theme this year Green cities - Plan for the Planet!. Epson Telford will donatr prizes to a total value of £1000 shared between the three winners.