North Adriatic Alternative Forum

Osjecki zeleni

Dusica Radojcic from Zelena Istra environmental NGO reports for Alert that in international conference will be held in Portoroz, Sloveni, on June 5-6, 2006. The conference, Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Adriatic is organized by the Slovenian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Urban Planning, in cooperation with UNEP/MAP INFO/RAC.

The Zveza Ekoloskih Gibanj from Slovenia (Union of Environmental Movements), Zelena Istra from Croatia, and Legambiente FVG from Italy, decided to answer the conference with a gathering titled North Adriatic Alternative Forum, to be held on June 5, the International Day of Environmental Protection.

Based on the activities initiated and implemented by organizations involved in the Adriatic Greenet network (established with the very idea to promote solution of mutual problems existing in the Northern Adriatic) and in view of the new huge energy infrastructural projects presented by some multinationals (Endesa-Gas Natural) which have cause great turmoil and concernt all over the area of Northern Adriatic, ZEG, Zelena Istra and Legambiente decided to use the forum and discuss the same issues related to sustainable development of the Adriatic, but from �below�.

"It is out intent to use this first meeting to gather and connect various actors, organizations, institutions, coalitions, etc., to exchange information on the eco-system of the Northern Adriatic, on critical points and policies, its potentials, projects and strategies that try to decide the future of the area, as well as potential dangers they present to the environment and traditional activities�, state the three organizations.

The organizers strongly believe in the creation of a Euro-region from �below�, cooperation in determination of use of environmental resources and the possibility for harmonization of strategies in various regions and coasts of the Adriatic. They also believe that this is the decisive moment in which the future of this zone in the framework of the future Europe will be decided: is it really necessary to turn the Northern Adriatic exclusively an area for import and distribution of oil and energy, or do we still have some other possibilities?

The organizers intend to start a process at the Forum that will not serve just as support platform for their protests, but primarily as quality proposal of sustainable activities and stimulation of the institutions to overcome the state borders, regional boundaries and particular interests and start working to create a common future.

During the two days of the International Alternative Forum of the Northern Adriatic, the Why should the Adriatic be declared sensitive maritime area, in accordance with Marpol convention? workshop. At the workshop, the participants will discuss the Northern Adriatic, the eco-system that needs to be protected, its endangered social-economic and cultural resources, and the strategy of economic development of coastal areas developed by the countries in the region, as well as EU strategies that cover that area.

All persons and organizations interested to participate in the Forum and for future cooperation, should contact the organizers: Zveza Ekoloskih Gibanj (SLO), Zelena Istra (CRO) or Legambiente FVG (I).