Nordic/Baltic Regional Office for Environment, Science, Technology & Health Regional Environmental Office (REO) U.S. Embassy Copenhagen Denmark

Nordic/Baltic Regional Office for Environment, Science, Technology & Health Internationalt samarbejde omkring miljøforhold og undervisning REO - Copenhagen Silke Alsen Odense Katedralskolen September 26, 2005

The REO Established in 1998 Funded by U.S. Department of State Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (EST&H) Issues Staff: 1 diplomat & 1 program assistant One of 12 regional EST&H Hubs worldwide

REO Region Denmark Estonia Finland Iceland Latvia Lithuania Norway Poland NW Russia Sweden Northern Germany

Why the REO? Issues are transboundary, global Coordinate U.S. EST&H activity regionally Build U.S. EST&H capacity in region Report back on EST&H from the region

The Enhanced Partnership Initiative for Northern Europe (ePINE) 2003 initiative to replace Northern Europe Initiative (NEI) Continue to build on success with Baltic States Extend Baltic States model of cooperation to neighboring countries (Ukraine, Belarus) Parallels EU’s “Northern Dimension”

ePINE Pillars Cooperative Security: defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, trafficking in persons, etc. Vibrant Economies*: business, trade, investment promotion Healthy* Societies: environment*, good governance, transparency*, social inclusion * REO involvement

REO Regional Role Information resource for regional U.S. missions (web site, newsletter, research) Help identify regional issues where U.S. might play facilitating role Provide (limited) funding for programs Facilitate communication with USG agencies Assist in implementing programs and organizing meetings and conferences Provide U.S. experts/expertise (speaker programs)

REO Issue Areas Environment Invasive Species Climate change Biodiversity Sustainable development Pollutants Energy Alternative energy Energy efficiency Science & Technology Bilateral S&T agreements Science cooperation Science fellowships Health HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis Avian Flue Telemedicine

REO Funding Sources Operating budget from Dept. of State Grants from Bureau of Oceans, Environment & Science (US Dept. of State) US Public Affairs Sections and programs

Earlier REO Activities Expand Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER) Fund The Access Initiative (TAI) in Baltics & Poland Strengthen U.S. Science &Technology ties with Baltic Sea States, e.g. Denmark – continuing Scientist exchanges / Organize speaker tours Strengthen GLOBE program – continuing

Current REO Activities Bring speakers (e.g. Integrated Coastal Zone management - ICZM) Assist Nordic/Baltic Network on Invasive Species (NOBANIS) Support regional efforts on oil spill and maritime safety Outreach to Greenland Promote GLOBE program / GLOBE Europe

Greenland Agreement – Cooperation August 2004: Signature – USA, GL, DK Embassy-wide effort: Econ/Pol, Tourism, Environment, Science, Education REO: Support Greenlandic environm. cooperation Assist on integrating Greenland in the GLOBE community – now and in the future ! FWS/NPS met with Greenlandic environmental authorities on Arctic Nature Park Management GL Environmental officer on study tour through US Telemedicine – speakers and seminars,....

REO & GLOBE / GLOBE Europe Focus: Nordic / Baltic Region Speak up for GLOBE on its specific regional needs Agreement: US – Denmark.. and Greenlandic position? Involvement of Russian communities (Estonia) Intermediary - when needed (Latvia) German ASA program: Baltic States + third world students´ exchange ( Recent fund for GLOBE Europe Support networking, contacts

GLOBE in the Baltic Sea Region Estonia: (46 schools) GLOBE Games, attract new GLOBE schools, GLOBE Sciece Days, GLOBE Alumnis, Russian Communities Latvia: (12) GLOBE learning expedition, small scale activities – work more effectively, attracting new schools Lithuania: (20) Train-the-Trainer Workshop, attracting new schools, scientists integration, GLOBE summer camp Germany: (250) Change of HQ to Kiel, Teachers Trainings, annual meetings, GIS,.. Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland

Objectives: Denmark / Greenland Keyword: Internationalization of Danish education Update Greenland status in current agreement Cooperation with local scientists (e.g. GIS efforts, International Polar Year - Arctic) Support schools´ exchange with GLOBE in the whole region Connection: European Environmental Agency

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REO Contact Information Lori Peterson Dando, Counselor Silke Alsen, Program Assistant Nanna Nyholm, Program Assistant (1.1.06) U.S. Embassy Copenhagen Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24 DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark Telephone: [45] Fax: [45]