ENO GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON FOREST FOR FUTURE

SEPTEMBER 13 – 17, 2011

JOENSUU, FINLAND

1. INTRODUCTION:

The ENO Conference was organized by the ENO Programme Association based in the city of Joensuu, Finland. The venue was in an Arena/an open-air sports or entertainment building (A playing field where sports events take place - an Arena) see the picture below. The five day’s Conference took part from 13^th – 17^th September, 2011

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                   Venue for ENO Global conference in Joensuu, Finland

 BACKGROUND OF ENO

Climate change, biodiversity The Environment Online – ENO is a global virtual school network for sustainable development. Environmental themes are studied throughout the school year and campaigns arranged simultaneously around the world. Many different themes have been studied in the ENO Programme since 2000.  ENO current themes are;

• Ecological footprint, forests and water.

·         Do Your Part - Climate Change

·         We Only Have One Planet - Ecological Footprint

·         Biodiversity for Life – Biodiversity

• The Green Treasure: Forests

·         Every Drop Counts - Water, etc.

        ENO Programme organizers team posing for a picture

The organizers of the ENO programme coordinated maintained and organised a global conference called Act Now – Forests for Future which took place from13-17 September 2011 in the city of Joensuu, Finland.

Objectives of the Conference

·         To establish a new discussion forum on natural resources ranging from the availability of raw materials and their economic use, to environmental aspects.

·         To enable students to learn problem-centered approaches with both online and offline activities related to environmental education.

·         To empower students to become ambassadors for the environment of their respective local communities and regions using themes of forests, climate change, ecological footprint and different cultural themes.

 Participants

The conference gathered about 3000 students and teachers from nearly 100 countries. The foreign teachers and students came from ENO and ASPNET schools and partner organizations. However, the expected total number of participants was 7,000 altogether.

Expected Result and Benefits

It was expected that, after the conference, participants will;                       

·         Improve practical participation in environmental education for ENO and ASP-net Schools,

·         Have a perfect and sustainable tree planting habit for the protection of forests in the local communities for future generations,

·         Gain strong capacity and experience from other countries of promoting ASP-net activities in their educational institutions,

·         Increase number of ASP-net partners and friends for speeding up flow of information and experience among ASP-net schools in support of forestation policy.

Proceedings

 Participants from all over the world displayed forest products i.e. wooden items, such as clothing, fruits, Posters, books, journals, cards newsletters and texts linked  with information on activities of forests in their countries were also displayed in the arena. Madam Jesca from Iringa region in Tanzania, displayed several items made from trees i.e. Makonde carvings, clothes made from bark of trees, coconut shells bangles, necklaces, etc. The items were very attractive and many people bought them. Participants moved around the exhibition tents to share ideas/discussions on how the items are extracted or produced and their uses. 

                                                                                                               
National coordinator for ASPnet in Tanzania Mrs. Modester Mwinula at ENO Global Conference in Finland listening to explanations from exhibitors