Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2008

Main topics: New Baltic 21 Lighthouse Projects adopted and funded by transnational cooperation programme; Baltic 21’s input to the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy; Spotlight on Baltic 21 partners in North West Russia. 

This issue opens with a foreword by Mr Magnus Rystedt, Managing Director of the Nordic Environment Finance Cooperation, reflecting on potential for cross-border environmental cooperation in our region. The issue focuses on the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Baltic 21 marked with a seminar on sub-regional cooperation in the BSR and launch of the Baltic 21 exhibition. The story on Baltic 21 achievements so far includes reference to the milestone report prepared for the Heads of Governments and recognized by those during the last Baltic Sea States Summit. An overview of the Lighthouse projects completed to date provides a thorough picture of the Baltic 21 project work. The story on the ad-hoc working groups - a new working approach of Baltic 21 - shows specific topics of interest for the immediate future, as well as our way to respond pro-actively to our partners' ideas. A story on sustainable rural development presents our views on this particular issue in more details, providing basis for further reflection on adequate responds to the needs of changing rural population.              

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2007

This issue opens with a foreword by Mr Risto Veivo, Head of Baltic 21 Secretariat, reflecting on the craft of implementation and Baltic 21's efforts to demonstrate sustainability through concrete actions. Focusing mainly on the health of our land and sea, and on sustainable agriculture, this issue features stories about WWF's P-STOP project on halting eutrophication, the 21 cross-sectoral actions brought to the table by Baltic 21 during the CBSS High-level meeting of Environment and Agriculture, Keep Sweden Tidy's agricultural scrap campaign, Baltic University Programme's new Lighthouse Project on Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Agriculture, and much more. In addition, this issue presents news from the Baltic 21 Agriculture Sector, Coalition Clean Baltic, the Lighthouse Projects Agora and A.S.A.P., and information about the launch of Baltic 21's four new ad hoc Working Groups strategic project development.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2006

This issue opens with a foreword written by Ms. Anne-Cerise Nilsson of Sweden, the new Chair of Baltic 21 SOG. In her foreword she highlights some of the Swedish Chairmanship priorities, including the practical implementation of a Baltic Sea Eco-region concept and the four strategy guidelines of Baltic 21. The issue also covers the upcoming ministerial meeting for Ministers of environment and agriculture in April 2007 as well as Baltic 21’s input to the new Baltic Sea Region INTERREG programme covering the time period of 2007 to 2013. Baltic 21 Industry Sector has submitted an article that stress the lessons learned during implementation of its 26 project funded by Nutek in 2001 to 2005. An interesting article on the EU Maritime Policy Green paper reviews its bearing on sustainable development. The Baltic Port Organization shares its views on sustainable transport developments in the Baltic Sea Region. Furthermore, in the BUSTRIP article you can read about lessons learnt during a recent Peer review assessment on BUSTRIP cities’ transport plans and policies.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2006

This issue opens with a foreword written by the outgoing Baltic 21 Head of Secretariat, Mr. Marek Maciejowski, who reflects on some of the present-day achievements in and challenges to the Baltic 21 process. In light of this issue’s special focus, there are four articles that address selected issues concerning sustainable forestry in the Baltic Sea region. The Baltic 21 Education Sector’s views on Education for Sustainable Development within an international context are also presented. As usual, we provide news about developments in Baltic 21 Lighthouse Projects and about Baltic 21 meetings, including the adoption of the Baltic 21 Triennial Report 2003-2005 and four new Lighthouse Project themes for the future. Finally, this issue also features a number of articles about the latest activities of our Baltic Sea partners, including WWF, HELCOM, the network on the Aalborg Commitments, and Marine Stewardship Council, among others.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2005

This issue opens with a foreword by the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers about setting up an ambitious agenda to meet the demands of sustainable development now and in the future. There are six articles discussing in-depth policy issues that are relevant to the
sustainable Baltic Sea cities, towns and spatial planning, including the EU'sstrategy for Territorial Cooperation. As usual, we also provide news about progressin the Baltic 21 process and views from Baltic 21 Sectors and Joint Actions.These articles include, but are not limited
to information about the outcome of the recently held Baltic 21 Research Symposium,SOG 23 and the 12th Lead Party and Responsible Actor meeting. Additionally, thelatest developments in Baltic 21's Lighthouse Project initiative receives coverage.Included in this issue are also a variety
of articles on the activities of a broad range of actors in the Baltic Sea Region,which illustrate sustainable development in action. These articles offer summarizedinformation about the work and opinions of the Northern Dimension Partnershipin Health and Social Well-being, as well
as the Nordic/Baltic Regional Environmental Office located at the U.S. Embassyin Copenhagen, Denmark. Finally, information is provided on upcoming events thatare relevant to sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2005

This issue which opens with an article where the EU Commissioner for Energy addresses the entrance into force of the Kyoto protocol. There are five articles discussing in-depth selected policy issues of relevance to sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. The UN ECE efforts aimed at promoting education for sustainable development are also presented. As usual, we provide news and views from Baltic 21 Sectors and Joint Actions. These include information on the outcome of the recently held meeting of the Baltic 21 Lead Parties, during which the implementation of the new Baltic 21 Strategy Guidelines was discussed. Included in this issue are also a variety of articles on projects in the Baltic Sea Region, which describe sustainable development in action. They give summarised information about some INTERREG III B sponsored projects. Finally, information is provided on recent publications and new online resources relevant to sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2004

This issue which opens with an article by the former Foreign Minister of Denmark, currently the Chairman of the Baltic Development Forum; briefly outlines the outcome of the most recent meeting of the Baltic 21 Senior Officials Group; discusses why regional sustainability matters and presents NGOs’ views regarding Baltic 21 and sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. This issue also features several comprehensive articles on existing sustainable development initiatives in the Baltic Sea Region and in Europe and new policies that will affect regional sustainability in the future, as well as discusses the effect of the EU enlargement on regional sustainable development initiatives. Further on, it describes selected Baltic 21activities that promote sustainable development in the Education, Forestry and Tourism sectors. Finally, information is provided on recent publications and new online resources relevant to the Baltic Sea Region and sustainability .

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2004

Main topics: recently developed Baltic 21 new policy and strategy as well as sustainable development success stories in the Baltic Sea Region.

This issue which opens with an article by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, presents Baltic 21 process to develop its new policy and strategy, which has culminated with the development of a proposed new Baltic 21 mandate for approval by the Baltic Sea Region Prime Ministers at their 5th Baltic Sea States Summit in Estonia. Furthermore, there is an article on sustainable development initiatives at the United Nations. The newsletter also gives insights on how learning for sustainable development is spreading across Europe and the world. Some articles describe the Baltic Sea environment and coastal protection issues. The newsletter features sustainable development success stories and activities implemented by various actors in the Baltic Sea Region, including Baltic 21 sectors. There is also an assortment of news features and views from the Baltic 21 network, along with information on recent conferences, publications and new online resources, including the launch of the new Baltic 21 website.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2003

Main topics : Baltic 21 and the Baltic Sea Region at the forefront of the move towards sustainable development.

This issue covers the Baltic 21 participation in and contribution to five recent Ministerial Meetings and other regional events. There is an article on HELCOM comments on its role in the Baltic Sea area today and in the future. Included are also articles on the Baltic 21 Senior Officials Group meeting in Turku, the launch of the second periodic Baltic 21 report and new information material produced by Baltic 21. There are two articles by IFIs that address new initiatives aimed to finance sustainable development in the region. There is also an excerpt concerning sustainable development and international cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region from the Estonian President's address delivered at the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly, and Finland's article on the evaluation of the national work for sustainable development. The newsletter features also activities fostering sustainable development in the BSR, organised by various actors in several sectors.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2003

Main topics : Baltic 21 as a part of European sustainable development and environmental activities, especially considering that the enlargement of the European Union will bring major transformations and new impetus for the Baltic Sea Region and the Baltic 21 process.

This issue presents a new European Union policy and environmental partnerships for cooperation with neighbouring countries, which will be a key contribution to the upcoming 5th Pan-European Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe". Included are also articles which present the forthcoming EU Northern Dimension Action Plan, as well as a meeting in Athens with the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership officials where similarities and differences between the Baltic Sea Region and the Mediterranean Region were discussed along with possible future co-operation. There are also several articles addressing the issue of financing Baltic 21 and other sustainable development initiatives in the BSR. Finally, the newsletter includes news features and insights on Baltic 21 activities and the agriculture, education, industry and forest sectors, as well as on activities fostering sustainable development on the local level.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2002

This issue focuses on the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Baltic 21 performance at this very important global conference. It also features articles describing contributions to the Johannesburg Summit made by the Helsinki Commission, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. Included are also articles that share the experience gained by Baltic 21 network members during the Sustainable Development Study Tour in USA, and information on Finland's efforts to achieve sustainable development. Finally, the newsletter includes news features and insights on Baltic 21 activities and sectors.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2002

Main topics : a broad spectrum of activities for sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region in the context of the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This issue presents the sustainable development highlights of the Baltic Sea Region. Here one finds the Message from the 4the Baltic Sea States Summit to the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development and the highlights from the 4th Baltic Sea States Summit in St. Petersburg. Further more news features and a variety of insights on Baltic 21 activities are presented, with a special focus on education. Several articles present our experience with the implementation of national sustainable development programs.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 2/2000

Main topics : Sustainable agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region. Articles on the work of the Baltic 21 Agriculture Sector, as well as on the work of the HELCOM PITF Working Group on Agriculture, and on other projects and networks.

In this issue one also finds articles on the new Baltic 21 Education Sector, the Senior Officials Group meeting in April, the kick-off meeting of the Baltic 21 Industry Sector, the work within Baltic 21 Joint Actions 1 and 5, the first Baltic 21 Biennial Report, the Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum (BLA21F) and the BLA21F Round Table at the Hannover Conference 2000, the Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC), and the BPO Conference on Sustainable Transport of the Baltic Sea Region.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/2000

Main topics : Sustainable energy development in the Baltic Sea Region. Articles on the work of the Baltic 21 Energy Sector, including the work done within the framework of the initiatives of the Energy Ministers of the region.

In this issue one also finds articles on a sustainable Nordic region; on the implementation of Baltic 21 Joint Action 4 (on city co-operation); on the work of the Baltic 21 Industry Sector (including EU contacts); and on Baltic Ports organisation (BPO) and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), two new members of the Baltic 21 Network.

Baltic 21 Newsletter 1/1999

The first issue presents a general background to Baltic 21, summarized what had been achieved that far, sector by sector, and looked ahead to what could be expected in the future in terms of continuous implementation of the Baltic 21 Action Programme.