International Conference

Integrated Coastal Zone Management:
From theory to collaborative action towards a sustainable future

November 23-24, 2006
Coral Hotel, Paleo Faliro, Athens, Greece

European and Mediterranean coasts are in critical condition. Unsustainable development models practiced by many countries have led to the degradation of coastal and marine resources. Recent research has shown that unplanned development along the Mediterranean coast has led to the creation of a “cement wall” covering 50% of the coastline which resulted to the destruction of two thirds of European wetlands during the last 100 years (EEA, 2006) whereas 20% of European coasts are facing erosion (EUROSION, 2004) and 80% of Mediterranean coastline will be threatened by erosion during following years (UNEP/MAP, 2006).

Destructive fishing practices, maritime pollution, urban and industrial waste, overexploitation of coastal- marine resources, desertification, climate change and sea level rise present equally important threats for productive coastal ecosystems including agricultural areas, wetlands and marine sea beds.  The further degradation of biodiversity due to forest fires and insufficient management of protected areas inhibit the efforts for the prevention of further reduction of biodiversity until 2010 (6th EU Action Plan for the Environment). 

In this delicate situation new holistic approaches viewing the coast as a mosaic of rivers, river basins, coastal zone and the sea, while taking into account biological, social and economic parameters offer new opportunities. In this context Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) tries to balance developmental needs with the protection of the very resources that support the economy of coastal areas. ICZM can only be achieved through constant collaboration between those who create or implement coastal zone policies, users and the scientific community. Constant informing and awareness, participatory planning and cooperative action, exchange of good practices and networking can contribute in the shaping of the necessary common vision for sustainable coastal zone management and development.

In that context, Mediterranean SOS Network has contributed since 2004 in the creation of a Pan-European Coastal Practitioners Network along with some 21 institutions (local authorities, NGOs and research institutions) form 11 countries. The Coastal Practice Network is co-funded during its first phase (2004-2006) by the Community Initiative INTERREG IIIC and aims to network coastal practitioners in order to bridge the gap between users, managers and researchers as well as to support the interregional exchange of good practices and experience on integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development. 

The International Conference will aim to disseminate the results of Coastal Practice Network and will focus on the following topics:

1. Presentation of results of INTERREG IIIC project Coastal Practice Network
- Beach Management Guide for local authorities
- Database of good practices and projects concerning Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Multilingual site and electronic search-engine
- Voluntary sustainability label Quality Coast for quality tourism destinations

2. Presentation of coastal problems and Good Practices of Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- National and regional participatory planning
- Presentation of the recent study of the European Environmental Agency for the State of Coasts (2006))
- Presentation of important problems of Greek coasts and relevant pending cases of the European Court
- Local pilot implementations based on tourism, protected areas and natural resources, fisheries, ports development and technical infrastructure, built environment and spatial planning, pollution

3. Presentation of institutional initiatives on Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- UNEP/MAP - Draft Protocol on Integrated  Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean,
- European institutional initiatives for ICZM and assessment of the implementation of the EU Recommendation on the effective implementation of ICZM in Europe
- The coastal institutional framework in Greece and the proposal for the Draft Legislation on the “Seashore and Coast”
- Presentation of the Greek National Stocktaking Report in the context of the EU Recommendation on the effective implementation of ICZM in Europe

4. Presentation of the EU institutional framework for the protection of the marine environment
- Thematic strategy for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Marine Directive
- Green Paper on EU Maritime Policy
- EU strategy for the protection of the Mediterranean marine environment

5.  Networking initiatives for the effective implementation of  ICZM in Europe
- ENCORA
- HENCORE
- COPRANET
- GRECONET (Greek Coastal Practice Network)

6. Round table discussion on the role of NGOs and Local Authorities in the promotion of sustainable coastal development. Proposals for the growth of Greek Coastal Practice Network aiming at the cooperation and networking of local authorities, social and environmental organisations, professional unions and other stakeholders for the promotion of sustainability of the Greek coasts and islands.

The Conference will develop synergies with the EU LIFE- Environment project “Collaborative environmental regeneration of city-ports: Elefsina Bay 2020”, where MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network is a key partner.

In parallel to the conference proceedings, a photo exhibition and information posts on the results of successful CLEAN UP THE MED 2006 campaign in Greece will be presented. In the lobby there will be also a dedicated space for Conference Posters (size A1) and promo material from networks and institutions.

The conference posters must fall into the broad thematic “ICZM: Bridging the gap between science and policy”

During the proceedings there will be parallel interpretation in English and Greek.

The Conference will be hosted in Coral Hotel (www.coralhotel.gr)

PARTICIPATION FORM

PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FORM PER PARTICIPANT.

NAME:

INSTITUTION:

ADDRESS:

TEL:

Fax:

Email:

[  ] I am interested in attending the Conference.

[  ] I am interested to submit a Conference Poster (size A1) entitled:

[  ] I intend to submit a manuscript (without presentation) entitled:

Please send the complete form for the attention of Michalis Theodoropoulos in the following email address: michalis@medsos.gr or by fax at (0030)210-8224481 until the 10th of November 2006.

The participants will receive the final programme in printed form at the beginning of November.

www.coastalpractice.net

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st, Athens 10440
Tel/Fax: 0030 210 8224481
Email: medsos@medsos.gr
Web-site: www.medsos.gr 

Project part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund)
within the INTERREG IIIC Programme

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