European Virtual Seminar University of Lüneburg Germany Students: Sabina Schüffner Tanja Eggerichs Karola Fendl Marian Muytjens Ole Hildebrandt

European Virtual Seminar  Copernicus  General framework  Example

European Virtual Seminar General Information  Different European universities  Internet based Seminar  International and multidisciplinary teamwork  Case studies dealing with sustainability and the EU

European Virtual Seminar Partaking Universities blackboard.ou.nl/evs

European Virtual Seminar Aims  International and multidisciplinary dialogue  Using modern information and communication technologies  Dealing with sustainability and EU  Overcoming distances in space and differences in language

European Virtual Seminar Procedure  Choosing favorite topics  Getting familiar with the blackboard (bb)  Student groups are formed  Introduction phase  Working on the report

European Virtual Seminar Student group  Size: 4-6 students  Coached by: Tutor facilitate the work process Expert answers questions to the content of the case study Institutional Coordinator technical help, sometimes face-to-face meetings

European Virtual Seminar Introduction Phase Two phases:  First phase: general knowledge, expectations and experiences in EU-reports  Second phase: Learning objectives, experiences in teamwork

European Virtual Seminar Introduction Phase These two main phases divided up into: 1. Input phase 2. Discussion phase 3. Consensus phase

European Virtual Seminar Work process Deadlines for:  Learning records  Research proposal <= <=<=

European Virtual Seminar The Blackboard Different communication tools :  Group discussion board  File exchange board  Collaboration: e.g. chat room  facilities

European Virtual Seminar Problems and challenges  Communication problems result from using the medium internet  A lack of commitment  Misunderstandings  Teamwork  Technical problems

European Virtual Seminar Case studies  Agriculture  Biodiversity  Spatial  Water

European Virtual Seminar Example The cultural landscape of Dehesa

European Virtual Seminar Sustainable Development EcologicalEconomical Social- cultural Political- institutional Global dimension Time dimension

European Virtual Seminar Spatial Planning  methods of the public sector to influence the future distribution of activities in a defined space  as instrument to reach Sustainable Development  development in each area  serve public benefit  consideration process

European Virtual Seminar Abstract of European spatial planning  1984: Torremolinas Charter  1991: report “Europe 2000“  1991: Committee on Spatial Development  1994: Leipzig Council  European Spatial Development perspective (ESDP)  European Spatial Planning Observatory Network (ESPON)

European Virtual Seminar Dehesa as a cultural landscape  Broad definition  European Union

European Virtual Seminar Description  Location  Characteristics  Functions:  Ecological  Economical  Social

European Virtual Seminar Changes  Traditional resource management  Modernization  Intensification  Abandonment

European Virtual Seminar Sustainability EcologicalEconomical Social- cultural Political- institutional Global dimension Time dimension

European Virtual Seminar The Dehesa is no sustainable cultural landscape yet. EU spatial policy has had productive and contra productive influences on the sustainability of the Dehesa.

European Virtual Seminar EU policy effecting the sustainability of the Dehesa  funds for financial support  several initiatives and programmes

European Virtual Seminar The funds the Dehesa benefits from are:  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)  European Social Fund (ESF)  European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)

European Virtual Seminar For Spain this means a total assistance of: EUR billion

European Virtual Seminar Further Dehesa benefits from:  Objective 1 Structural Funds (per capita GDP is less than 75% of the Union average)

European Virtual Seminar The Objective 1 Structural Funds of the EU provides Dehesa an assistance of: EUR billion

European Virtual Seminar Further Dehesa benefits from:  INTERREG III Initiative (cross boarder program: Spain – Portugal)  the Urban II Program (cross boarder program: South-West Europe)

European Virtual Seminar The area is receiving an assistance of: EUR 818 million

European Virtual Seminar Further Dehesa benefits from:  various Cohesion Funds  the Bird- and Habitat directive  parts of the area fall under Natura 2000

European Virtual Seminar The priorities of the EU policies for Dehesa are:  competitiveness and productivity  transport and energy networks  agricultural and rural development  environment and water resources  education and professional training  local and urban development  knowledge society

European Virtual Seminar Why is there still too less progress in creating a sustainable landscape?

European Virtual Seminar Problems in EU policy towards sustainability  Fragmented initiatives  Unbalanced priorities

European Virtual Seminar Examples  Some agricultural Subsidies depend on quantity not on quality  Eucalyptus plantations offer large crops but exploit the soil and suppress the bird activities  Modernization and mechanization provide the competitiveness but often destroy certain species´ habitats and hence threaten the biodiversity

European Virtual Seminar Conclusion  Focus on all six dimensions equally  Avoid negative development in any dimension  Harmonize different EU policies  Appoint nature-protected and developed areas