With the financial support of the Hellenic Bank, sponsor of the programme, a manual with the title Biodiversity was prepared. The new manual enriches the existing manuals on Water - Energy - Litter and represents the Cyprus Eco-Schools’ contribution to the International Year of Biodiversity that is celebrated this year by the United Nations. The manual was compiled by Mrs Chrysanthy Katzi - Beltran of the Pedagogical Institute and the edition was supervised by CYMEPA. The European countries that participate in the Eco-schools programme have requested an English translation of the manual in order to incorporate the subject in their topics. The Pedagogical Institute's Teachers Training Seminars for Eco-Schools, organised this year in Larnaca and Paphos have included the new subject in their teaching topics.
In a second initiative, the Hellenic Bank sponsors the Eco-Schools Christmas event titled "Recycled Christmas Ornaments”. Eco-Schools that are involved in recycling and litter will mainly participate in the event which is scheduled from the 3 – 6 December 2001.
The 2nd of October has been designated as the International Day "? Walk to School". CYMEPA invited the parents on that day to walk together with their Children to school. CYMEPA organized for the second year this international event in Cyprus. An appeal to parents to escort their children to school on foot was launched through the mass media. A number of problems that do not allow walking to school were put in evidence such as the blocking of pavements by cars or planted trees, stray dogs and heavy schoolbags.

   
In the beginning of December the National Eco-Schools committee in Finland awarded 18 Eco-Schools. At the moment there are 61 awarded schools in Finland. The official awarding ceremony will be in May and all schools which have been awarded since this December will be invited to attend.
Sanna Koskinen, the chairman of the National committee, thinks that Eco-Schools’ projects are better every year. Participants have come up with several new innovations on how to dynamize pupils. For example in Ristikallio school pupils have weekly Eco-Schools responsibilities. The pupils wear a green sign on their sleeve to show that they take care of the waste and litter during that week. Among the Eco-Schools projects there were also several good examples on making the local environment cleaner and more interesting. In one school pupils planned their schoolyard according to their own wishes. One preschool with children under 6 years old has cleaned up a nearby forest and made it a nice hiking and playing area.

   
The Municipality of Bourgas and “Eco-schools” organized the 4th Conference about “Education for Sustainable Development” in Bulgaria. From November 29 to 30, 147 participants from 14 municipalities attended the conference, and 68 reports and communications were presented. There were four thematic trends in this conference: the preservation of the environment and the tasks education; the prevention of risks at school; education and socialization of children with special needs; and the school and the national values and traditions.
On the first day, the Minister of Education informed that the proposal of the participants of last year’s conference was accepted in Strasbourg: 2003 will be the European Year of Education. One of the resolution points from this conference was to award the schools that achieve savings of water and energy and reduction of waste. The Municipalities, which are responsible for schools’ accounts, will give computers and Internet access to these schools, to enable them to participate in the two projects “Environmental performance indicators” and “School linking”.

   
“International Co-operation and Participation in Europe” was the topic of the first Eco-Schools three-days meeting on the federal level in Germany in Lüneburg (Lower-Saxony). The aim of the conference was to strengthen the European dimension of Eco-Schools, to exchange experiences of international co-operation between schools (e.g. in the context of COMENIUS or ENSI) and to initiate international contacts between schools. The partnership-region for the conference this year was Scandinavia. More than 100 Eco-Schools teachers and students from all over Germany and several representatives from Scandinavian countries followed DGU invitation to attend the conference, organised in co-operation with the University of Lüneburg and the Ministry of Education of Lower-Saxony.
In the opening session, Jürgen Schlegel from the head office for environmental protection from Deutsche Telekom AG, pointed out that international co-operation is a common task for people involved in environmental education on the one hand and business-companies on the other hand. Prof. Dr. Ute Stoltenber from the University of Lüneburg added that working together could be a benefit for NGO´s, companies, Eco-Schools and municipalities. Within the framework of the conference Sérgio Santos, the European Eco-Schools Co-ordinator, presented the concept of the new Eco-Schools linking system. Mr Santos considered the conference a success and a good example for regional/national and international exchanges of experiences within the Eco-Schools network.
Next year DGU will organise a follow-up conference, with “Iberian Peninsula” as a possible partner-region.

   
On November 14th, the local educational authorities of Leganés (Madrid) in collaboration with ADEAC (FEE-Spain) organised a meeting among the members (pupils and teachers) of the Environmental Committees of six Eco-Schools in Valsaín (Segovia), where the Environmental Education National Centre is located. The idea of this meeting was to achieve some specific objectives for the Programme: to have contact with rural environments, being protagonist of the activities carried out; to promote the mutual knowledge and socialising among pupils; to visit an environmental interpretation and education centre; and to share the good experiences carried out in each school centre in order to promote the network.
The age of the pupils ranged between 9 and 17 years old and the activities were adapted to all of them. First the students played an acquaintance game, followed by a walk along an ecological path in the surroundings, and the presentation of a colour slides film about the seasons. Afterwards, they shared the experiences and good practices of each school centre with the others. Several pupils explained what they had done up to this moment and what they were planning to do for the rest of the year. Everyone felt that the meeting was inspiring and encouraging.

   
The Eco-Schools National Green Flag Award Ceremony was held in Ankara on the 5th of November with a crowd of 550 people including senior officials from the Ministries of Education and Environment, media, school teachers, pupils and parents. 11 Eco-Schools were awarded Green Flags. This was the first national ceremony for Green Flag Awards; in previous years, ceremonies were held regionally.

   
On the 5th of November, 162 Eco-Schools from 76 different municipalities were awarded the Green Flag in Portugal. The yearly awarding ceremony took place at the site of the Expo 98 in Lisbon. 600 students and teachers were present, in addition to representatives from the municipalities and officials from Public Ministries and Institutes in the areas of Education and Environment.

   
From October 1st to 10th, the Municipality of Bourgas together with the Eco-Schools and the Green Bourgas Foundation organised and held the traditional "Ecology Days". A considerable part of the programme concerned the activities of the Eco-Schools. Most were related to water as a resource and the importance of its conservation.
A conference "European integration and environment" was organised where a whole day session was dedicated to preservation and the sustainable use of water. A project "Partners for preserving and sustainable using of waters " was presented. Another project " Educational program for saving waters by arts " was developed. The idea is to organize a drawing competition and the best drawings to illustrate a brochure for water saving.

   
The Eco-Schools National Coordinators Meeting took place in Grado, northern Italy, on the 4th-6th October 2001. Representatives from 21 countries participated in this event around three productive working days. There were presentations: Environmental Performance Indicators project by Mr Yann Guérin (Bureau Veritas), and environmental education projects in eastern Africa, by Dr Dorcas Otieno (KOEE - Kenya Organization for Environmental Education). The meeting also comprised workshops and open discussions on themes such as strengthening the Eco-Schools programme as a whole, the production of new support materials, the development of the Environmental Performance Indicators and the Linking/Itinerary project. Also discussed was the organisation of an international seminar in 2002 on FEE in general, its approach and programmes, and the Eco-Schools programme in particular, as a model for Education for Sustainability and Local Agenda 21.
The event, co-organised by the Eco-Schools Coordination and the Italian Eco-Schools Programme (FEE Italy), counted on sponsorship from the Municipality of Grado, Ecowall Italia and Promhotel. In addition to the working sessions, there were excursions to the roman ruins of the Aquilea Basilica and to a natural oasis - Isola della Cona, as well as a piano recital in the theatre. The social gatherings are always an important part of the meetings, since they allow the exchange of ideas and experiences between the national coordinators within an informal setting.

   
In their efforts of promoting Eco-Schools at national level Romania has developed a contest, called “Managing Waste, We Save the Forest and Our Health”, in partnership with “Terra Magazin” revue. As this contest consisted mainly in recycling paper waste, this was a real opportunity for schools to involve the local community in their efforts and to raise some funds for their future actions. The winners of this contest will be awarded at the Third National Eco-Schools Seminar, which takes place on 5-6 October in Bucharest.

   
With the dawning of a new millennium, Germany has begun the search for the school of the future. The Federal German Government and the Ldnder (States) have launched a joint commission for educational planning and the fostering of research, known as _Programme 21_, which focuses on education for sustainable development. More than 160 schools, drawn from almost all of the federal states, will participate in the programme, which is co-ordinated by the environmental education working group at the Freie University Berlin. According to the project leader, Prof. Gerhard de Haan, the aim of the programme is _to provide children and young people with the competence to form and shape a sustainable life and economy in the 21st Century._ The programme is based on _Agenda 21_ - which was established at the 1992 Environmental Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Supported by 178 countries, the Agenda's concept of _Sustainable Development_ stands for a combination of economical stability, social justice and the need to maintain the natural household's ability to function ecologically.
The Summer School will take place from July 29 to August 4, 2001 and delegates from eight countries will attend: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, England, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia.

   
For further information please have a look on these websites: www.blk21.de  - www.blossin.de

   
On the 16^th July, the Portuguese Eco-Schools Committee met to choose the winning posters of the National Eco-Code Competition. This new initiative aims to stimulate the interest and curiosity of young people in the environment, namely through the definition of a conduct code, or statement of intent. The three selected school posters will receive awards given by sponsors of the Portuguese Programme. The best poster will be published and distributed to all Eco-Schools at the National level. At the meeting both the National and European Coordinators of the Eco-Schools Programme (Ms Margarida Gomes and Mr Sérgio Santos, respectively) were present, as well as other members of the Portuguese Eco-Schools Committee such as representatives of the Ministries of Education and Environment, Institute of Educational Innovation and Institute for the Promotion of the Environment.

You Magazine has published on July 15, 2001 an article about Eco-Schools in the United Kingdom entitled How I learned to save the Planet. It had a great impact on the public, and since it was published the United Kingdom coordination has been inundated with enquiries.
«Try to imagine a world with no litter, in which everything - from worn spectacles and shoes to plastic bottles, newspapers, cans and rags - was found a new home or given a new lease of life. Where nobody needed nagging to turn off the lights when they left the room. And where everyone took such pride in their surroundings that graffiti was just a faded memory. Dream on, I hear you say. But if the Eco-Schools project continues to inspire and influence schoolchildren at its present pace then maybe in 20 years' time we really could be living in 'eco-topia'.»

   
In Sweden, the Green Flag (“Grön Flagg” is the name for the Eco-Schools programme in this country) is considered one of the formal indicators for sustainable development. In the report from the Ministry of the Environment, the number of schools awarded with the Eco-Schools Green Flag is identified along with EMAS and ISO 14001 certifications as indicators of trends towards a more sustainable society. Beyond the usual requirements for achieving the Green Flag award, Swedish Eco-Schools are able to apply for the distinction “Environmental School of Honour”, which signifies that the school has integrated the environment in all their subjects. See the full report on the following official website (pp 30-31): http://www.scb.se/eng/omscb/eu/e%5Feu9.asp

   
FEEE, the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe, decided at its General Assembly in Copenhagen on 13/14 June to change its name from FEEE to FEE and open its membership to countries outside of Europe. Henceforward it will be known as the Foundation for Environmental Education – FEE. This significant change in scope occurs on the 20th Anniversary of FEEE as an organisation.
This important step for FEE comes at a time when its membership in Europe extends to 26 countries. The application from WESSA, Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, was approved by the General Assembly in Copenhagen and demonstrates growing interest in FEE activities in different parts of the world. FEE has been engaged in similar developmental work in the Caribbean and South-East Asia in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and expects similar networks to develop in those regions.
The new South African member has conducted a feasibility study and is currently piloting Blue Flag Beaches. It is expected that a new FEE network will develop rapidly among southern African countries where the FEE programmes such as Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment and Learning About Forests can also be established.
   
To find out more, click on www.fee-international.org

   
Three new countries will be represented by the Eco-Schools programme, as pilot projects are being developed in the Netherlands, Iceland and South Africa. Following the General Assembly of FEEE, on 15-16 June, FEEE-Netherlands, Landvernd (National Association for the Protection of the Icelandic Environment) and WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) became the newest of the environmental organisations responsible for the development of the Eco-Schools programme, now active in 24 countries. For the first time, the FEEE and Eco-Schools network extend beyond Europe, as the Foundation celebrates its 20th Anniversary.
This new dimension to the programme offers very interesting potential for the exchange of ideas, good practise and eventually pupil-teacher groups between countries.

   
Forty six schools from twenty counties will be awarded the prestigious Green Flag by An Taisce. The flags will be presented to the schools by the Minister for Education and Science, Dr. Michael Woods, T.D. This will bring the total number of Green Flags awarded in Ireland to 97, doubling the number of successful schools since the programme began four years ago. This reflects the growth in the number of Irish schools joining the Green Schools campaign. Over 850 schools are now taking part, making it the fastest growing environmental project in Europe.
   
   

   
A 50% reduction in waste has been achieved by schools in An Taisces’ Green-Schools project, it has been announced. Students involved in the programme are also more likely to translate their concern for the environment into positive behaviour. Green-Schools students drop less litter, are more involved in local environmental projects, conserve water and energy more and are more likely to think about the environment when making a purchase. These are the results coming from the two research projects undertaken by An Taisce into the effects of their Green Schools programme. Students cited Litter as their top concern with lack of an environmentally friendly culture within Ireland’ as their second highest concern.
   
Green-Schools Waste Monitoring Survey
Over 11,000 pupils, teachers and caretakers nation-wide participated in An Taisce? Green-Schools Waste Monitoring Project. Run over a five week period between February and March, all schools at various stages of the programme weighed their waste destined for landfill.
Preliminary results from the study show that schools can significantly reduce their waste through participation in this European-wide programme. Almost a 50% reduction in waste from the schools was noted. A very big thank you to all the schools involved who so enthusiastically responded to the challenge.
   
Green Schools Social Survey
Over 600 students took part in the survey designed to measure the social impact of the Green Schools programme. Primary school students from 5th and 6th classes in both Green-Schools and non-Green-Schools responded to questions designed to assess their knowledge and awareness of environmental issues and their leadership traits and behaviour with respect to the environment.
   
END OF PRESS RELEASE

   
The national seminar for ES co-teachers was held on 11-13 May in Ankara at the Training Site of Bank Agriculture who sponsored us for accommodation and it was closed with a visit to Anatolian Civilizations Museum. It was held in four sessions daily. The first day's morning sessions were for school presentations, and afternoon ones for group and a committee works. The topic for the first group work was teachers' manual and the implementation of seven steps in schools studied by all groups, and the second one on the main themes; programming waste, water, energy in schools discussed by different groups and a committee of seven worked to draft these three themes in an action plan.
On the second day, we had three speakers; A professor of Physics on 'Clean Energy', an old candidate mayor on a successful project run in Ankara 10 years ago about 'Waste Recycling', and the co-ordinator for National Agenda 21' from the Ministry of Environment.

   
The third "Education for Sustainable Development" conference was held in Bourgas, 26-27 April, and was organised by the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement (FEEE Member for Bulgaria), Eco-Schools programme and the Municipality of Bourgas.
The conference focused on the environment, cultural and historical tradition and heritage, and the interrelations between these thematic lines in the context of sustainable development. In addition to representatives of Bulgarian Eco-Schools and other delegates from interested schools, the event counted on the participation of representatives from the Regional Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education, and environmental non-governmental organisations with which schools can cooperate in the future; in all, 110 participants.
On the second day, participants could visit several Eco-Schools to observe practical environmental activities.
All the participants announced the year 2002 as a Year for Education in Bulgaria, focusing on contributing to the solving of the main education and environment-related difficulties in the country. This message, and proceedings of the Conference, were sent to the different Ministries and authorities.

   
Leaning About Forests (LeAF), the newest of the programmes of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe, has launched its own website, with information on the programme, online support resources, contacts and useful links, among other utilities.
The URL (web address) for the site is: www.learning-about-forests.org
LeAF is an environmental education programme for schools with a focus on forests and their value as a focus. Inspired by Scandinavian forest education programmes existing for decades, LeAF seeks to develop such programmes in other European countries and form an interactive and dynamic network for the dissemination of information, exchange of ideas and school groups, etc.
   
For more information on LeAF, contacts of the European Coordination and a link to the website, follow this link.

   
The "Eco-Schools Itinerary", a project whose objective is to put eco-schools in touch with each other around the world, is in the final stages of development and will soon be launched and made available to almost 6000 schools taking part in the programme, from Portugal to Turkey. This latest project allows schools, using the internet, to submit information on the school itself, environmental interests and activities in the context of Eco-Schools, photos and links to useful sites. However, it also includes areas where schools can provide information on their local/regional cultural, natural and built heritage, thus providing an Itinerary where schools can "visit" each other virtually, and understand some of the characteristics of other schools within their regional contexts. The project can also be used to identify schools with similar projects or interests, for creating "links" between schools in different countries, where correspondence can take place and eventually exchange programmes can be arranged. This new project counts on the technical partnership with Netpeople, and will be the basis of future online developments aimed at enhancing the networking potential and reality between schools around Europe and the world.

   
An Eco-Schools board game was developed by Arch Piero Blanchini, Programme Manager for Italy, as a tool for teaching about environmental issues and the Eco-Schools process in a fun and interesting way to children. This resource is an ideal way to engage young people, together with teachers and/or parents, to discuss specific environmental issues and learn about participatory environmental management. The game can potentially also be an excellent language resource, and the Coordination is interested in seeking Sponsors to work with the Italian team in developing an International version of this game.