1. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference Welcome to the: First BeNCoRe Conference State of the Art and Future of Belgian Coastal Research -BeNCoRe and its relation to the Green Paper on a future European Maritime Policy-

2. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe Why: Fragmentation of the coastal communities and coastal research Limited communication between coastal science, practice and policy Lack of multidisciplinary approaches

3. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe: 2003: Establishment of BeNCoRe (“Memorandum of Understanding”) 2006: BeNCoRe becomes part of ENCORA (=European Network for Coastal Research- FP6 Coordination Action)

4. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe part of European Network For Coastal Research: 13 European National Networks (+recently Russia, Ukraine, Morocco, Algeria and Tunis partners) 10 Thematic Networks

5. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe Organisation Structure: Coordinator BeNCoRe Bureau-scientific/policy representatives from both regions Coordination (2) Marine Scientists (4) Policymakers (2) BeNCoRe secretariat (info@bencore.be) 10 Network Ambassadors as key-contact persons

6. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe partners: At the moment 60 institutes or ‘research units’ partner

7. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe what: Search/consult Belgian-European partners for information exchange Mobility of researchers (BeNCoRe travel grant procedure for young professionals) 750 euro (short term visits) 2000 euro (long-term visits, >2 weeks) NEW DEADLINE END OF APRIL 2007 Contribute to thematic networks (State of the Art Report) Coastal Wikipedia under development Outreach, dissemination through BeNCoRe website and BeNCoRe webnews

8. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference BeNCoRe possible future activities: Stages and education Share infrastructures To take a position as a ‘Belgian Network’ in European matters …

9. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference 97 registered participants 42 institutes represented 27 Flemish 8 Walloon 5 Federal 2 International Overview, State of the Art and future of ten coastal and marine thematic issues by Network Ambassadors – 4 sessions Link with Green Paper on Maritime Policy (consultation paper by EU, possible outcomes communicated through ENCORA to Green Paper)

10. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference Green Paper on a Future Maritime Policy for the European Union: Strategic Objectives for 2005-2009 the Commission pinpointed “the particular need for an all-embracing maritime policy aimed at developing a thriving maritime Economy” So far, policies on maritime transport, industry, coastal regions, offshore energy, fisheries, marine environment, socio-economic developed separately Green Paper on a future EU Maritime Policy all-embracing EU Maritime Policy that treats the oceans and seas in a holistic way - consultation period: 06/2006-06/2007

11. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference Green Paper on a Future Maritime Policy for the European Union: Retaining Europe’s Leadership in Sustainable Maritime Development economic importance and stakeholder involvment~session 2 Thematic Marine Strategy: environmental sustainability~session 3 Maximising Quality of life in Coastal regions healthy marine environment ~session 3 interrelationships between maritime and land-based activities~session 4 Providing the tools to manage our Relations with the Oceans EU network for marine data~session 1 spatial planning systems~session 4 Governance Reclaiming Europe’s Maritime Heritage and Reaffirming Europe’s Maritime Identity The Way Forward – The Consultation Process

12. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference

13. Leuven 26 April, 2007First BeNCoRe Conference Discussion, meeting platform, enjoy and have fun Thank you