Category: March 2022

Welcome to the new SDG Watch Europe Coordinator!

By  SDG Watch Europe

Since March 1st, Jeffrey Moxom has joined SDG Watch Europe as the new Coordinator. Based at the European Environmental Bureau, Jeffrey will coordinate SDG Watch Europe activities around the REAL_DEAL project, a new pan-European Horizon 2020 project focused on reframing citizens’ participation in the context of the European Green Deal and green and just transition. He will provide strategic support to the Steering Group and follow policy developments on SDG implementation, focusing on the European Green Deal. 

Before joining the EEB, Jeff worked as a Research Coordinator in the international cooperative movement, focusing on international cooperative development and the SDGs. Jeffrey studied Politics at the University of Leicester and holds an MA in Environment, Development and Policy from the University of Sussex. He is based in Brussels and can be reached at Jeffrey.moxom@eeb.org   

Year 2022 – year of youth!

By LAPAS

This year is the “European Youth Year”. Because what the youth has to say about the future has become central, the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS) and its collaborators, supported by ambassadors of the European Commission in Latvia, have been conducting local face-to-face discussions called “ESi NĀKOTNE” since January.  

The discussions occur in 20 places in Latvia where young people are invited to envision a futuristic Europe and the role they want to fulfil in it. The goal is to involve as many diverse groups of people and Latvian citizens as possible. 

The three sustainability dimensions are covered in the discussions: environment, economy and society. The participants identify problems at local and Europe levels and look for their solutions. Some preliminary outcome reflections include the importance of responsible local governments and governmental policies, especially for lowering the amount of waste; the relevance to adjust and create apprenticeships and workplaces for the youth; the realisation of international projects and collaborations on democratic topics with the youth.  

LAPAS will open a RŪPnīca, the Development Initiative Factory, for 20 young people at the end of March. RŪPnīca will, in the next half a year, in collaboration with the youth from Iceland, experts from the industry and decision-makers,  define the changes and development initiatives we need. 

LAPAS’ youth work will continue the whole year; everyone is welcome to participate!

#SDG17 #GlobalGoals #EuropeanYearOfYouth #TheFutureIsYours #ActiveCitizensFund #EEAgrants #TaxJustice

Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss – Developing a Roadmap for Engagement

By Coalition 2030

 

On March 22, over 100 people from environmental NGOs and community groups around Ireland joined a zoom call to learn, share, and prepare for the upcoming Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity. Coalition 2030 members: the Irish Environmental Network and Cultivate successfully designed and led the gathering with the Coalition coordinator. 

At the first part of the event, Padraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust and author of  Whittled Away – Ireland’s Vanishing Nature‘ gave a brief overview of biodiversity in Ireland and the challenges it is facing in the country. Then, Art O’Leary, Secretary-General, Electoral Commission of the Citizens’ Assembly, spoke about the process and practical details of the upcoming Assembly. Lastly, Oisín Coghlan from Friends of the Earth, involved in previous Citizens’ Assemblies, shared his experience of participating and gave insights on what to expect. You can watch the first session here.

In the second part, attendees explored biodiversity topics through lenses such as well-being, the law and local authorities. This process has only just begun, with hybrid events, FAQ documents, and a communications campaign to ensure as many people in Ireland as possible share their views on biodiversity during the public consultation period. You can follow the activity on Twitter #CABioLoss @CitizAssembly @IrishEnvNet @cultivate_ie @Coalition2030IR