GRUNDTVIG / TECCN PARTNERSHIP IMATHIA CULTURAL TERRITORIAL NETWORK VENICE MEETING JUNE 2010 The Environmental Education Centre of Naoussa and the experience towards the creation of Imathia Territorial Cultural Network

Educational tourism, having as target group young people, can be a key to turn a school trip into an opportunity to become conscious of environmental issues. Within the frame of TECCN project, the Environmental Education Centre (EEC) of Naoussa, as the responsible local partner for Greece, will experience the reinforcement of the educational programs already created, such as a. the paths of the industrial heritage, b. the promotion of local mills, and c. the revitalization of the myths of the past. These programs can be adapted also for adults. We will also experience the enlargement of the local territorial cultural and environmental site to the area of the four rivers: Axios, Aliakmon, Loudias and Gallikos and especially their wetlands from Naoussa and Veroia to the Delta in the western coasts of Thermaikos Gulf. This effort can take the special task characteristics of “cultural channels”.

The Environmental Education Centre of Naoussa and the experience towards the creation of Imathia Territorial Cultural Network We will experience new educational programs dealing with the issues: A. Heritage and local identity B. Cultural and natural environment as a capital resource of local development C. Coastal areas and wetlands of Imathia as territory of production and industry In the frame of the above projects we can elaborate following special issues The relation with the sea & water ways The existence of special professions The knowledge of particular techniques The emergence of particular building methods and typologies The implementation of special materials for construction The impact of the industrialization to the local societies and the creation of particular social relationships Social changes through the industrial labor movement and the increasing woman labor The transfer of machinery, building materials, building techniques and technicians The changes of the image of the cities through new landmarks The “modernization” of the mentalities through the relation with other cultures Industrial heritage as cultural heritage and Industrial Archaeology as a new scientific discipline The importance of the conservation and the valorization of the industrial heritage as a tool for the strengthening of local identity The role of special research studies The role of the realization of special restoration projects The role of specialists for the implementation of new educational programs

The Environmental Education Centre of Naoussa and the experience towards the creation of Imathia Territorial Cultural Network The targets of the projects will be: To recognize the importance of the conservation of the remains of industry in the urban environment and the remains of waterworks and water management in the agricultural territory To know the industrial buildings being already reused – to become sensible regarding the industrial cultural heritage. To acknowledge the need of the conservation and reuse of historic industrial buildings To recognize the remains and special characteristics of the technical works regarding the management of waterways

The Environmental Education Centre of Naoussa and the experience towards the creation of Imathia Territorial Cultural Network We expect from GRUNDTVIG/TECCN partnership a fruitful cooperation with other European national bodies and associations, which can work towards the acknowledgment of the National and Iinternational cultural networks as a fundamental tool for enhancing cultural management and also the recognition of the Cultural- industrial tourism and environmental tourism as “new age” weapons towards “green” development. Our Center would provide valuable help with its experience and accessible e- material and, with its proposals.Our two national school networks give us the opportunity to promote our area all over Greece, to promote an image of another Imathia, non-focused on the problems of unemployment and single-crop land, but as a place of unique beauty and memorable culture and environmental elements.

The Environmental Education Centre of Naoussa and the experience towards the creation of Imathia Territorial Cultural Network The EEC is a public body and wishes to contribute to the development of the area. The Meeting of the TECCN project last January in Naoussa has initiated the interest of the truly innovative members of the local authorities and created hopes of urging them together with local entrepreneurs to exploit our resources in a sustainable way. We have already cooperated and found support from the Municipality of Naoussa, the Municipality of Veroia, the Prefecture of Imathia, the Axios Delta Management Authority, the Antigonidon and Echedoros Municipality. We hope that our involvement in TECCN partnership will contribute to the further development of the entire region of Imathia.