Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Cooperation between IPY and the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association – HELMEPA, in order to brief the Greek public on the importance of the Polar Regions and the Effects of Global Warming.  (IPY - HELMEPA)

Outline
The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association is a non governmental, non profit-making Organization founded in 1982 by the Greek shipping community in order to eliminate ship-generated pollution. Since the early 90’s HELMEPA foresaw the need to motivate and educate the wider public on the protection of the marine environment and therefore commenced public awareness campaigns as well as the environmental educational program “HELMEPA Junior”. This program offers each year the unique opportunity to over 4.000 children aged 5-13 years old, throughout Greece to get informed and take action for the protection of the environment. In 2006 INTERMEPA – the International Marine Environment Protection Association- was founded, consisting of countries such as Australia, Cyprus Turkey, Ukraine, the Philippines and North America that have formed similar associations-MEPAs- united under the common idea that marine pollution knows no man-made frontiers! To this end HELMEPA has expanded it’s field of interest to greater environmental issues such as global warming. In cooperation with IPY, HELMEPA wishes to reach the Greek public by: 1. Participating in the Educator’s Program and incorporating children’s Polar Activities in the HELMEPA Junior Action Plan and Website 2. Informing its members both children and adults about the forthcoming Polar Days and motivating them to participate to the on line events – by translating the announcements and circulating them in Greek. 3. Translating IPY brochures into Greek that will also include information on the effects of global warming and will bear the logos of both Organizations and circulating them electronically to both children and adult members as well as posting them on the HELMEPA and HELMEPA Junior websites. 4. Renewing HELMEPA’s two Permanent Environmental Exhibitions, open to the Greek public, and incorporating data and photos related to IPY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Unfortunately the lack of significant environmental education consists a big draw back for the Greek Educational system, the same applies for the environmental awareness of the greater public. Through this project HELMEPA aims to reach both a children and an adult target group informing them about the importance of the polar regions and how their degradation will affect the non-polar regions of our planet.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
HELMEPA hosts the headquarters of INTERMEPA- the International Marine Environment Protection association- involving countries such as Australia, Cyprus Turkey, Ukraine, the Philippines and North America in common environmental activities.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Throughout Greece.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


It will operate as a component of the HELMEPA environmental awareness sector activities.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized within HELMEPA and all the work will be undertaken by the HELMEPA staff members. Translations, text composition and brochure designing will be done in house and sent to IPY for approval. The contacts with children and educators will be made by HELMEPA Junior whilst the contacts with adult members – seafarers, shipping companies ,local authorities and the press will be made through the HELMEPA Secretariat.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The initials ideas are: 1. To inform children and Educators of HELMEPA about the IPY activities and connect them to the IPY Teachers discussion Group. 2. To inform children and adult members about the forthcoming on line Polar Day events. 3. To circulate information material related to the IPY and post it on our Websites

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
All projects will be undertaken by the HELMEPA staff members. If any printouts are made their expenses will be covered by HELMEPA’s budget or by sponsorship of HELMEPA members.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We would like to focus on the effects of global warming in non-polar regions and in particular the Mediterranean basin. Our campaign will include simple advice towards the Greek public on ways to reduce their CO2 footprint as well as ways to conserve water and protect the environment.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Environmental Awareness Coordinator Christina Kaloudi
HELMEPA – Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association
Pergamou 5, Nea Smyrni,
Athens
171 21
Greece

Tel: + 30 210 9343088
Mobile: no
Fax: +30 210 9353847
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation