December 13, 2007

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

and

“Aarhus” Public Environmental Information Centers

Nana Janashia

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Agenda 21 and the Information Society

CENN - Caucasus Environmental NGO Network - is a non-governmental, regional organization established in 1998

CENN works in the South Caucasus region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia).

Our Mission:

CENN’s mission is to foster modern and sustainable development values and practices through bridging society and environment.

We strive to build strong and responsible civil society, good governance and accountable business to safeguard our environment and improve people’s life.

CENN mission

• Work with communities and business to develop practical solutions to existing challenges

• Be innovative and pro-active to respond to global environmental challenges

• Provide open and effective multi-stakeholder networking

• Be the strongest regional organization in the Caucasus region

CENN vision

CENN competence

Communication and environment

Civil society development and institutional strengthening

Environmental research and policy

Resources management

Compliance management

CENN history

2007

- CENN established: Center for Journalists reporting on environment Bakuriani Hotel Association

- CENN signed Memorandum of Partnership with organizations acting in the fields of sustainable development and environment in the South Caucasus countries

- CENN initiated: Green School Campaign Green Office Campaign

2006

- CENN established Bakuriani Tourist Information Center (TIC) Qvemo Kartli Public Information Center (PIC) Ajarian Youth Environmental Network (AYEN)

- CENN organized the first Caucasus Independent Documentary Film Festival “Footprints”

- CENN facilitates Kura-Araks NGO Forum

- CENN merged with the ACTA Consultants Georgia Ltd.

- Environmental Training Center (TIC)

2005- CENN established:

Caucasus Youth Environmental Network (CYEN) Public EIA Library

2004- CENN established

Energy Services Consumers Association (ESCA) in Tbilisi, Georgia Bakuriani Public Environmental Information Center (PEIC)

2003- First regional magazine “Caucasus Environment” issued

- CENN established Bolnisi Public Environmental Information Center (PEIC)

2002 - CENN started large scale regional activities in the Caucasus region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia)

2000 - CENN was officially registered in Georgia

1998- CENN created Caucasus electronic network

- CENN started operation, Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Caucasus environmental NGOs

CENN ongoing activities

• Regional Networking – since 1998: Development of Environmental Cooperation and Networking in the South Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan)

• Open Environmental Civic Initiative for Sustainable Development of Georgia, 2007-2008

• Environmental Media Campaign and Awareness Raising in Georgia, 2007

• Independent Forest Monitoring, Georgia, 2007

• Energy Efficiency Campaign at Schools of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, Georgia, 2007

• Elimination of acute risks of Obsolete Pesticides in Georgia, 2007

• Strengthening Transboundary Cooperation and Community Involvement for Sustainable Water Resources Management, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, 2007

• Aarhus Center's Environmental Initiative at Schools, Aarhus Centre Georgia, 2007

• Organization of the First Caucasus Independent Documentary Film Festival “Footprints”, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, 2006-2007

CENN ongoing activities

• Public Awareness Raising and Promotion of Public Involvement in the Black Sea Management Process in the Ajara region, Georgia, 2006-2007

• Environmental Communication Campaign – Conservation for Sustainable Development in the Caucasus Ecoregion, 2006-2007

• Georgian Rural Energy Project, Georgia, 2006-2008

• Development of Local Capacities and Public Awareness Campaign for better Energy Governance, Georgia, 2005-2006

• Caucasus Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), since 2005

• Strengthening of Environmental Assessment (EIA/SEA) System in the South Caucasus Countries, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, 2005-2007

• Green Cafés

• Green Office Campaign - Waste Separation / Recycling Campaign

• Green Bag campaign

E-Networking

• 21 Century - century of information and FAST communication

• Information - a basis for the civil society and democracy building, and development

• Regional cooperation - a way of identification and solution of common regional problems in the Caucasus

• E-networking - modern and effective means of communication to promote sustainable development values and practice in the Caucasus region

Rationale

Overall goal of E-networking:

• promotion of principles and practice of sustainable development and good governance in the South Caucasus region

Concrete objectives of E-networking:

• to maintain open and easily accessible environmental information space and promote modern communication technologies for information exchange and better environmental governance

• to provide access to objective and timely information and advance the right of individuals and civil society organizations to associate, advocate and communicate their views with the society members and governments that are fundamental principles for democracy and good governance

• to raise awareness and build capacity of key-decision makers and civil society organization members

• to strengthen transboundary and intersectoral cooperation in the South Caucasus region

Objectives of E-Networking

Activities and results of E-networking

• Operates since 1998

• The most extensive network in the region with about 14,000 subscribes

• 8 mailing lists:

1. Azerbaijan - cenn_az@cenn.org 664

2. Armenia - cenn_am@cenn.org 688

3. Georgia - cenn_ge@cenn.org 2,102

4. Former Soviet Union countries - cenn_fsu@cenn.org 335

5. Russian Federation - cenn_ru@cenn.org 159

6. Abroad - cenn@cenn.org 7,283

7. English Bulletin - cenn_be@cenn.org 2,877

8. Russian Bulletin - cenn_br@cenn.org 265

• Target lists: Media and politicians

• Daily news / announcements

• Weekly bilingual digests

• Monthly bulletins “Caucasus Environmental News” in English and Russian languages

• News portal

• Regularly used by NGOs, as well as governmental organizations, scientists, educational institutions, journalists and individuals

Some technical issues

• Moderated, uncensored network

• User friendly network - organization/person willing to disseminate news via CENN e-network just needs to send the information to info@cenn.org

• Individual approach - diversity of mailing lists gives possibility to subscribe user according to his/her needs considering preferable language and type of news

• Digests - existence of English and Russian bulletin lists gives possibility to our subscribers to receive only monthly overview of news in desirable language

• Existence of various lists gives possibility to directly reach target audience

• Easy online subscription / unsubsription system

Main sources of information

• CENN information officers in Georgia, Armenian and Azerbaijan

• Leading news agencies (e.g. CNN, BBC, EIN News, Planet Ark, US EPA, E-civicus, "Science for Environment Policy" a service from the European Commission, GHN, Imedi, Rustavi2, Prime News, ArmInfo, ANS Press, ARKA, AzerTag, ECHO, Day, APA, etc.)

• Main national newspapers

• Tracking of web pages and contact with relevant ministries: Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economy, etc.

• Parliaments

• Constant contact with Georgian, Armenian and Azeri NGOs and organizations active in the field of environment

• Various experts / commentary

• Universities

Information technologies

• System works for 24/7

• 2 DNS servers: Windows DNS and BIND (Windows version) that ensure work of 2 zones: cenn.org and cenn.ge

• 2 web servers: IIS (Internet Information Server) and Apache (Windows version)

• Several web pages are posted on the servers: http://www.cenn.ge , http://digest.cenn.ge , http://bulletin.cenn.ge , http://water.cenn.ge , http://bakuriani.cenn.ge, etc.

• 2 mail servers: one for office and another for mailing lists

• Mailing lists are built on MySQL base

• Systematic back up of mailing lists

• On-line interface for subscription/unsubscription

• Internet connection is ensured by 2 telecommunication channels: SHDSL and ADSL

• The safety of network is ensured by Microsoft technologies and Cisco Router

Working as a network organization

• CENN has 5 offices in the South Caucasus region

• Partnership system – non-governmental, private and public sector, international organizations

Our partners in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

Partners in Armenia

• Armenia Forest NGO• EPAC – "Environmental Public Advocacy Center" NGO• ESU – Environmental Survival NGO• Green Lane, Agricultural Support NGO• Khazer – Ecological and Cultural NGO• Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE)• Ecolur• American University of Armenia (AUA) – Birds of Armenia Project• SunChild• FRWC – Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural

Assets in the Republic of Armenia• ATP – Armenia Tree Project

Partners in Azerbaijan• Ecological Society “Ruzgar”• Ecosphere – Social Ecological Center• Azerbaijan Ornithological Society• CENN Azerbaijan / Social-Ecological Agency “SANYA”

Partners in Georgia

• Adjarian Youth Environmental Network (AYEN) • Association for Protection of Landowners Rights

(APLR)• Bakuriani Tourist Information Center (TIC) • Biological Farming Association “ELKANA” • BCG Research • Black Sea Eco-Academy • Caucasus Youth Environmental Network (CYEN) • Energy Services Consumers Association (ESCA) • Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA)• GIS-Lab • Green Alternative • Green Wave • Liberty Institute • Kvemo Kartli Public Information Center (PIC) • Samtskhe-Javakheti Public Information Center (PIC) • WWF Caucasus Programme Office

Our partners in private and public sectors

Business

• Geocell • Goodwill Hypermarket• Heidelberg Cement• Ksani Glass factory• Paper recycling factory• Populi Supermarket network• TAV Georgia – International Tbilisi Airport, International Batumi Airport• Telasi

• United Energy Distribution Company – (UEDC)

Governmental agencies

• Georgian National Energy Regulatory Commission – GNERC • Ministry of Environment Protection and Nature Resources • Tbilisi Municipality • Tbilisi Water

New Initiative of CENN and the Aarhus Center

Open Environmental Information Initiative for Constructive Public Dialog

Pre-conditions:

• Existence of urgent environmental problems requiring joint intersectoral activities;

• Lack of awareness and understanding of sustainable development and environmental sustainability issues among key decision makers and civil society members;

• Lack of transparency in environmental decision-making and scarcity of reliable and easily accessible environmental information;

• Lack of public participation in the environmental decision-making process.

Partners:

• CENN together with CENN offices (PEICs) and local partners in the regions

• Aarhus Center together with Public Environmental Information Centers (PEICs) supported by OSCE in the regions

Activities planned:

• CENN e-networking (Daily announcements, weekly digests, monthly bulletins)

• Thematic information campaigns and thematic reportages in electronic media, Radio and Public TV

•Ongoing and planned reforms

•Public participation in environmental decision-making (permitting, licensing, EIA/SEA, audit, etc.)

•Sustainable lifestyle tips:

• Sustainable waste management

• Green Office campaign

• Green School campaign

• Sustainable water use

• Energy efficiency

• Sustainable transport

• Environmental Media Service Center

• Work with the local communities

Potential of CENN

• Human resources and relevant professional expertise

• E-networking - transboundary communication tool

• Modern IT

• E-Database:

• E-library

• GIS data

• E-Legislation

• Useful links

• Regional and international connections and positive image

CENN Offices

Thank you!

To become our member, contact us at info@cenn.org

Subscription is free of charge

If you want your information to be disseminated all over the word

and be read by 14,000 subscribers, contact us!