General introduction to the AWARE process Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session WELCOME SESSION General introduction to the AWARE process and citizens’ mandate Carlo Sessa - ISIS

Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session WHY WE ARE HERE ? We are here to participate in a pilot experiment supported by the European Commission 7° Research Framework Programme for: - Doing “sustainability” research together - Doing this for a specific issue: sustainable management of coastal waters in Europe - Showing how this can help to enhance the connectivity between research, policy making and the citizens for a better management of coastal waters. The main interest for the European Commission is to improve the impact of research on policy, the everyday quality of life of citizens and sustainability across Europe

MAIN CONTEXT: EU Sustainable Development committment Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session MAIN CONTEXT: EU Sustainable Development committment Sustainable Development: To meet the needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations Persistance of unsustainable trends Main challenge: change consumption and production patterns non-integrated approaches to policy-making

Sustainable Development: from research to implementation Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session Sustainable Development: from research to implementation “Sustainable development cannot be imposed from the above. It will not take root unless people across the country are actively engaged” DEFRA (UK)

Sustainable Management of Coastal Waters Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session Sustainable Management of Coastal Waters Pressures: Which are the main environmental problems and their causes? WHAT RESEARCH TELL US? Coastal waters ecosystems: What are about? How they work? What they provide to us? Impact: Which consequences for our and future generations?

Sustainable Management of Coastal Waters Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session Sustainable Management of Coastal Waters Pressures: Which are the main environmental problems and their causes? WHAT IS POLICY DOING? Coastal waters ecosystems: What are about? How they work? What they provide to us? Impact: Which consequences for our and future generations?

Sustainable Management of Coastal Waters Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session Sustainable Management of Coastal Waters Pressures: Which are the main environmental problems and their causes? WHAT RESEARCH AND POLICY (MAY) DELIVER TO US? Coastal waters ecosystems: What are about? How they work? What they provide to us? Impact: Which consequences for our and future generations?

The AWARE process: First step Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session The AWARE process: First step AWARE is now engaging you in a “sustainability doing” experiment focusing on coastal water ecosystems in three specific areas of Europe (Southern North Sea, Gulf of Riga, Sacca di Goro). In this first workshop you will be provided with and discuss: - scientific information on water ecosystem problems, critical trends and cause-and- effect relationships in each area (FIRST DAY). - policy information on who takes the important decisions at EU, national and local level and how decision making is related to the scientific knowledge of the coastal water systems (SECOND DAY).

The AWARE process: Second step Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session The AWARE process: Second step In September or October 2010 you will meet stakeholders and policy makers of your own case study area, in a local workshop, followed by a public conference. In this local participatory process you will have the opportunity to discuss the options: - to make (or keep) your own area sustainable - to improve the dialogue between scientists, policy makers and citizens Your “mandate” here is to act as citizens group making an assessment of the local situation and providing recommendations to the local community (policy makers, stakeholders, citizens) on how to improve/mantain the coastal environment, based on your own understanding and appreciation of thescientific evidence provided by AWARE.

The AWARE process – Third step Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session The AWARE process – Third step In April and June 2011 you will meet again all together two times in Brussels: - in a second plenary workshop on 22-23 April 2011 - to discuss and compare your experiences in the local case study areas and deliberate your assessment of the options to improve the linkage between research, policy making and the public. - at a final AWARE European conference at the end of May or early June 2011, to present your deliberations to European level water policy makers and stakeholders.

The AWARE process First citizens panel worshop at European level Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session The AWARE process First citizens panel worshop at European level 22-23-24 April 2010 Local citizens and stakeholders participatory process (Gulf of Riga case study) Local citizens and stakeholders participatory process (North Sea case study) Local citizens and stakeholders participatory process (Po delta case study) Second citizens panel workshop at European level April 2011 EU Conference on linking research to policy in the water sector June 2011

The AWARE objectives To foster sustainable water ecosystems management Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session The AWARE objectives To foster sustainable water ecosystems management To enhance connectivity between research, policy making and the public - To link research to policy development regarding sustainable water ecosystems management → AWARE position is that there is a potential for better connectivity between actors and that there is a need to improve it at short term. In the end, the concrete result expected is: the AWARE citizens panel assessment = the advice and position of the group to be presented at the EU conference of linking research and policy in the water sector.

Paris 22/04/2010, Welcome Session The AWARE “mandate” To provide your own assessment and recommendations to key European decision makers on why and how to link research, policy making and public participation for a better management of coastal environments in Europe.