Public Programme before the Conference
Vision, Values and Action - International Youth Future Forum in the lead-up to the World Conference on Eduction for Sustainable Development
From January 23rd to January 25th 2009, 160 young people from all over the world gathered in Bad Honnef at the International Youth Future Forum themed "Vision, Values and Action". They met with exciting speakers, e.g. recipients of the Right Livelihood Award, to an intensive dialogue, a creative programme and discussions about the Earth Charter issues ethics, justice, peace and participation. The objective of the Forum was to identify concrete future actions and to express impressive appeals from the perspective of the young generations which will be presented to the participants of the World Conference.
Organizers: Federal Agency for Civic Education (BpB), Earth Charter Youth Initiative, Catholic Social Institute (KSI), Ecumenical One World Initiative (ÖIEW), World Future Council (WFC)
Date and Venue: 23.01. - 25.01.2009, KSI Bad Honnef, Selhofer Straße 11, 53604 Bad Honnef, Germany
Arte Sustenibile - Art, Design and Sustainability
The exhibition made sustainability a first-hand experience. Themes were the protection of natural resources, energy efficiency, the reduction of greenhouse gases, encouragement towards tolerance and humanitarian aid, reduction of social discrimination and the observation of human rights. Arte Sustenibile presented practical examples of art and design from more than 60 artists from all over the world: I.E. Solar Art, wind games, art in context with public transportation, art made from or with renewable resources, recycling art, art against war. Very popular were the human powered kinetic art objects and vehicles. Solar architecture and solar-flying without noise and exhaust gases were given attention, too.
Most fascinating was a world record car: The Swiss Paccar II makes incredible 5385 km with only a one-litre petrol equivalent. Included in the exhibition were designers, architects, video artists, photographers, painters, and sculptors. In part, different groups of persons contributed, even from the margins of society. There were wind plays made by young prisoners and works from artists who have been involved with homeless people were displayed.
Date and Venue: 06.03.-05.04.2009, Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4, 53113 Bonn
Organizers: Association for Arts, Health and Education, patronage: German Commission for UNESCO
More information
Global Learning, weltwärts and beyond - International NGO Conference working towards the UN 2009 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development
The NGO Conference took place in Bonn from Friday 27th to Sunday 30th of March 2009. Civil Society members from all over the world evaluated achievements and challenges five years after the beginning of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Special attention was given to the linkage of Global Learning and Education for Sustainable Development. As a practical approach the participants discussed the possibilities of development volunteer services, especially the new German development volunteer service "weltwärts", and its contribution to Global Learning.
Organizers: VENRO and the CONCORD Development Education Forum
Date and Venue: 27.03. - 30.03.2009, Gustav-Stresemann-Institut e.V., Langer Grabenweg 68, 53175 Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany
For more information about the programme and possibilities to participate please contact: Jana Rosenboom, VENRO, phone: 0049 228 946 77 17, j.rosenboom[@]venro.org
Renewable Energies in Rhineland-Palatinate
A guided tour to various sites in the Westerwald
In view of global change there is an increasing government support driving renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization in Germany in order to reach the European agreement of producing 20 % of the nation’s energy from renewable fuels by 2020. As a consequence, the production is increasing, for instance in the Westerwald, a low mountain range in the North of Rhineland-Palatinate. The guided tour gave an insight into the various kinds of energy plants making use of naturally regenerative resources such as water, biomass, and wind.
The Destinations:
1. The hydroelectric power plant of KEVAG - Koblenzer Elektrizitätswerk und Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft, Nauroth
KEVAG is a communal company supplying electricity in the North of Rhineland-Palatinate. In regard to renewable energies it produces electricity from wind power and it also has a hydroelectric power plant which was the destination of the tour. “KEVAG goes school” is a project to develop a critical reflection and greater awareness of the younger generation regarding their energy consumption.
2. MANN Naturenergie GmbH, Langenbach
MANN Naturenergie is famous for its production of several natural products as for example topsoil and humus. Additionally, the company trades biomass products like wood briquettes and vegetable oils and is very successful in generating electricity in a biomass plant with special equipment for condensing the smoke. MANN and its sub company Westerwälder Holzpellets are also engaged in the international wood pellets market.
3. Fuhrländer AG, Siegerland Airport, Liebenscheid
Fuhrländer AG is one of the few independent, non-group global manufacturers. As a pioneer in the use of wind power in the interior, they initiated a development around 20 years ago which can now be found all over the world. A wide turbine range up to 2.5 MW provides the right wind energy turbines for every location worldwide.
Organizers: Ministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Jugend und Kultur,
Mittlere Bleiche 61, 55116 Mainz, Germany
Dr. Annegret Schwarz, Email: annegret.schwarz@mbwjk.rlp.de
Date and Venue: 30.03.2009, 2.00 – 8.00 pm
The bus will wait in Bonn at the corner of Hofgarten and Adenauerallee. The bus is generously sponsored by Westerwald Touristik, Montabaur.
For information about the programme and possibilities to participate please contact Jens Feith, Email: feith@gmx.net
Forest forum
The forest forum aided to demonstrate the importance of forest to Education for Sustainable Development. There was a "green classroom" which was surrounded by trees, logs served as benches. It was located at the Münsterplatz in the centre of Bonn. We invited pupils from Primary Schools and Kindergarden-Children to the "forest forum". In a forest-like atmosphere four classes or groups each day learnt facts about forests, sustainable utilisation of wood and the sustainable developement. Due to the public location other people were able to watch this event and had the chance to get some informations about Education for Sustainable Development.
Organizers: German Association for the Protection of Forests and Woodlands
Date and Venue: 30.03 - 06.04.2009, 8.00 am to 7.00 pm, Münsterplatz, 53115 Bonn inner city, Germany
