Introduction to Biodiversity

YouPEC welcome YouPEC team - YouPEC YouPEC is organised by volunteers and for volunteers. An introduction by the YouPEC team

Biodiversity conservation in Antwerp Rik Röttger - Deputé Province of Antwerp The Province of Antwerp has several biodiversity related actions. Education, conservation, ecological restoration, they support them all for a better biodiversity conservation. Rik Röttger will present this biodiversity policy of the Province of Antwerp.

2010 the moment of opportunity. Jurgen Tack - executive director INBO 2010 is the moment of opportunity when it comes to biodiversity. Most of the European habitat types and species have an unfavourable status of conservation and 2010 is an important milestone for a better biodiversity conservation. The new EU strategy, the end of the countdown 2010 deadline, the 10th conference of the parties of the convention on biological diversity (CBD) in oktober. All of them can be a moment to deliver a better biodiversity policy. It is clear that biodiversity needs a 2010 momentum and 2010 needs biodiversity.

Welcome speach by the city of Geel Griet Verhesen - City of Geel The city of Geel wants to welcome us and will present some of their efforts to strengthen youth organisations and other organisations who work on biodievsrity issues.

What is biodiversity and how do we measure it? Jurgen Tack executive director INBO Biodiversity is among us all. We are biodiversity and biodiversity is life. But what is biodiversity, where does it come from? Measuring this diversity is an important issue if we want to know which species are threatened. With this lecture you will get a clear overview of the theme of this conference.

The Countdown 2010 target and beyond Alison Coleman Countdown 2010 Countdown 2010 is a network of active partners working together towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target. Each partner commits to specific efforts to tackle the causes of biodiversity loss. The Countdown 2010 Secretariat – hosted by the IUCN Regional Office for Pan-Europe – facilitates and encourages action, promotes the importance of the 2010 Biodiversity Target and assesses progress towards 2010. Alison Coleman will give an overview of the history and daily work of the organisation. She will also give an outlook on what comes after 2010.

What makes up a good habitat, about ecological resources, biotopes and different definitions of habitat Wouter Vanreusel Natuurpunt Habitat is more than plant species composition alone. Every species requires a different set of ecological resources to complete it’s life-cycle. These should be present in the right quantities and configuration before a biotope becomes a suitable habitat. In this presentation, we illustrate these principles for a range of species.

The importance of ecological interactions Tom Moens Ghent University Ecological interactions are the relations between species that live together in a community. This is an important concept to be aware of. Most of the time a species needs all these relations to be able to complete its life cycle. If some of the links are not there the species simply can not live there. These connections are part of biodiversity as well. Tom Moens will explain the importance of these interactions and its relevance for biodiversity conservation.

Economics and value of biodiversity

The economics and value of biodiversity. Joachim Spangenberg - Sustainable Europe Research Institute Biodiversity has a lot of values. It provides us with ecosystem services, has an intrinsic value or an emotional one. The valuation of the sevices it provide for humans is being calculated nowdays. Joachim gives an overview on the different values and gives a critical evaluation of this evolution.

Recreation and nature conservation, a synergetic combination? Ignace Schops IUCN, EU biodiversity ambassador Recreation has a direct negative impact on nature conservation. Altough in the longterm it can build social responsibility and create a basis for more nature protection. It can even fund future nature conservation initiatives.

Ecosystem services Patrick Meire University of Antwerp The importance of ecosystem services is widely known. It has a use and non-use value. Nowdays its value is being calculated. Prof. Patrick Meire is a specialist in this field and will explain the way ecosystems work and which benefits we have from good and resilient ecosystems.

Which value can the Common Agicultural Policy offer? Jos Gysels Natuurpunt The Common Agriculture Policy is the most expensive policy of the EU. It takes in account more than 40% of the EU budget. Most of this money is being given just as support to farmers (piliar 1). The 2nd pilar funds are aimed at supporting rural communities to develop and diversify. The importance of this 2nd pilar is that it can deliver on biodiversity issues. The evolution of the CAP and its potential for nature conservation will be presented in this session.

Biodiversity provisioning people Geert Lejeune WWF The link with biodiversity and it's value to provision people in their dailiy needs can be very short. In Africa biodiversity people are very dependend on this. Geert will explain some of the relations of biodiversity with the indigenous people. A short overview of some conservation and educational processes gives you more insight in the necessary actions that must be taken.

The policy in Europe

The European biodiversity policy Stefan Leiner - European Commission Most of the environmental and biodiversity legislation has been worked out by Europe.The habitat, bird and water directives are very important in this as they are the cornerstones of European biodiversity policy. Stefan Leiner will present an overview of this policy and show us what is being discussed now concerning the post 2010 policy.

The Natura 2000 network Stefan Leiner European Commission The Natura 2000 Network is a Europe-wide network of Nature conservation areas set up to ensure the survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats. It is not restricted to nature reserves but based on a much broader principle of conservation and sustainable use, where people and wildlife can live together. It already covers close to 18 percent of the European terrestrial territory. It combines all the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) of the Birds Directive and the Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) of the Habitats Directive. Full implementation of these Directives, ensuring a proper management of the sites and an important improvement of the level of conservation status of the species and habitats, is more than ever necessary as they are one of the most important tools to achieve the EU biodiversity targets.

The European biodiversity law, a powerful tool to make conservation work? Friedrich Wulf Friends of The Earth Europe already has some good directives on biodiversity and environmental issues. The most important are the Birds directive and the Habitats Directive. Which are the other important directives and how does it come that even with the existing policy the Countdown 2010 target was not met. Jonathan will explain what needs to be changed to make the directives work even better.

Biodiversity policy, a scene with different actors Iris Lauwaert and Jan Verheecke Advisor of the minister and secretary of the environment and nature council When you want to work on biodiversity issues several other stakeholders are involved in the decision proces. On each level different other sector's must give their opinion on it. Otherwise different stakeholders can deliver on biodiversity conservation. Who are the people that you must negotiate with and does it help to talk with them.

Biodiversity and climate change

Tackling climate change together with biodiversity conservation Lieve Van Camp - European Commission DG Climate Change There is a clear link between biodiversity conservation and climate change. How are these two linked and what synergetic policies can bedeveloped in order to tackle these two problems at the same time.

Biodiversity it's role in the mitigation/adaptation of climate change Maarten Hens INBO An investment in nature and biodiversity is an investment to mitigate climate change. Lots of different ecosystems can sequester carbon. The sea, forests, swamps alll of them are a huge sink for carbon. When fighting climate change, biodiversity also has an important service to deliver when it comes to the adaptation to climate change. Coral reefs, dunes, riparian forests, mangroves and many other ecosystems can protect us from some of the negative effects of climate change.

The impact of climate change, interactions, fragmentation and invasive species on biodiversity Luc De Meester Universty of Leuven What effects on terrestrial ecosystems do global and climate change have on biodiversity. Effects as fragmentation, interactions and invasive species can not be underestimated.What can we take in account these effects in our conservation actions.

Climate change in the marine environment, is Nemo going to die? Jan Seys Flanders institute of the sea The effects of climate change in the marine environment are sometimes underestimated, altough there are already mayor changes going on. What is already happening and which mayor changes are already behind us.

What can we suspect from climate change in the future? Philippe Marbaix university of Louvain La Neuve Climate change is one of the important drivers of a declining biodiversity. What can we suspect from the future? Will the effects of climate change be modest, apocalyptic? By taking into account the effects of climate change in the future when can better predict the problems we face. In this session you will explore the different scenario's of the IPCC and the latest research on climate change.

From countdown 2010 to fastforward 2020

The 2020 target, what must be done Ronan Uhel - European Environment Agency The European Environment Agency (EEA) is the EU body dedicated to providing sound and independent information on the environment. It advises the commission on biodiversity issues. Thanks to several indicators thay can manage to give an overview on the status of biodiversity Europe wide. Altough biodiversity indicators have no good news for us since we failed the 2010 deadline we have some exapmles of good practices. These good examples, together with the latest science will be integrated in the new 2020 target and several of its subtargets. Ronan Uhel will present us the different keypoints that can help us to go towards an era of rich biodiversity and good working ecosystems.

The transition to a green economy, what's in it for biodiverity Peter Tom Jones University of Leuven Different steps must be taken if we want to go towards a sustainable and biodiversity rich world. This session will focus on the proces of this transition. What must be done to convince the people to engage themselves for biodiversity conservation? By creating a perspective for this transition and lots of examples you will be able to see the bigger picture on biodiversity conservation in the short and long term.

Cities taking action for biodiversity Dirk Vandenbussche Province of Antwerp Cities have a mayor role to play in stopping the biodiversity loss. Working together with cities to engage them to take action for biodiversity can have huge benefits. How and with which projects can you contact your local mayor to deliver on environmental issues.

Capacity building I

Youth in Action Inge Stuer Jint (Belgian Agency for Youth in Action) Youth in Action is the main funder of the YouPEC. The Youth in Action program funds and supports European projects for young people aged between 13-30 years old: youth exchanges, voluntary service, democracy projects, youth initiatives and training and networking projects. The program aims to develop a sense of personal responsibility initiative, concern for others, civic participation and active involvement among young people at local, national and European level. This workshop will show you the insides to the Youth in Action Program and will give you tips on how to apply to this fund.

Policy and lobbying on the European level Bart Staes MEP (European Free Alliance) In this workshop, Bart Staes will explain how European law-making works and how NGO's and Citizens can influence the European decisionmakers towards another Europe and a better world.

Fundraising Sarah Vandenbroucke Fundraising Officer of BBL In this workshop she will elaborate the best ways to involve donors (individuals) and sponsors (enterprises) in your own organization and projects. And the best ways to keep them involved afterwards!

Action planning Jonas Hulsen | Mathias Bienstman Greenpeace-campaigner (sustainable agriculture and GMO's | Project assistant for Netwerk Vlaanderen Direct action is one of the ways to influence companies, policy makers and society, but also research reports, internet, the organization of debates and manifestations, and negotiation have proved to be very efficient action tools. In this workshop Jonas and Mathias will show the different types of actions they were involved in, on the street, behind their computers, in the media...After this, they will give a practical case to smaller groups, which will receive the task to develop an action or campaign.

Management of youth organisations Thomas De Maeseneer Ex-president of JNM In this workshop, Thomas will expose four of the main issues where a growing and specialized youth organization working with volunteers is dealing with: local groups versus national coordination, youth movement versus environmental/conservational organization, employees versus volunteers and promotional aspects. He'll discuss the importance of each concept, how JNM has been dealing with these on the first sight opposite concepts and the feasibility of each. Input of the participants is desired.

Capacity building II

Media and press Francesca Gater | Marlijn Dingshoff Communications Officer at Friends of the Earth Europe | Press Officer at Milieudefensie Having good media coverage of an action, campaign or project is of great importance to make sure your message reaches as many people as possible. In this workshop you will learn how you can make use of the media to spread YouPEC's message in your home countries. In the first part of the workshop, you will be introduced to media work, how to plan, and different tools to use, with an open floor for all your questions. The biggest part of the workshop will be dedicated to trying out working with journalists yourself. In smaller groups we will practice talking to journalists to prepare you for how to spread the messages of YouPEC in your home countries.

Organising power, people and change Susi Scherbarth Climate and Energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe Susi will give us an introduction to "Leadership, Organizing and Action: Leading Change", which is an online curriculum designed to support leaders of civic associations, community groups, and social movements learn how to organize people that can mobilize power to make change. This international course is initiated by Marshall Ganz, an American trainer and organizer for political campaigns, unions and nonprofit groups. He is credited with devising the successful grassroots organizing model and training for Barack Obama’s winning 2008 presidential campaign "Yes you can". So it is all about organizing, mobilizing and developing leadership - but leadership seen in a positive and constructive way and not presented in the stereotypical sense of the word, stripped of hierarchy, authority and power over people. Susi will talk about leadership that prepares people to accept responsibility for enabling others to achieve a shared purpose. With her practical experiences of the course and the outcomes from the open space session of the YouPEC, Susi will look together with you how it can be applied to one or two concrete action or campaigning ideas from the days before. The first steps for effective mobilisation.

Strategies and tactics around campaign management Luka Tomac Zelena Akcija (Friends of the Earth Croatia) "That sounds like a great idea for a project, but I don't have a clue where and how to start." Does this question sound familiar to you? During this workshop Luka will tell how NGO's set up and strategize projects and campaigns of different topics. He will illustrate this by giving examples, strategies and difficulties of projects and campaigns he was involved in. Special focus will go to a recent campaign in Zagreb where he was very active in: "Pravo Na Grad" (Right To the City): the protest against the building of a car park to accommodate 400 vehicles, along with luxury flats and a shopping centre, planned by a Croatian corporate group right in a pedestrian zone in the very centre of Zagreb.

Building networks on the European level Sophie Manson Young Friends of the Earth Europe This workshop will be a space to explore what it is that makes a strong and sustainable network, and how and why it is that we want to build networks and organise ourselves for the campaigning and project work we are do as young people in Europe. We'll give more information about Young Friends of the Earth Europe and what we have been doing recently to campaign and mobilise young people on climate justice, plus learning from other examples and experiences that you all have to share. Finally, we'll use the workshop to discuss and talk about how we can build links and use our networks to continue sharing ideas and working on projects, actions and campaigns on biodiversity after YouPEC and in the lead up to the next big UN biodiversity negotiations in Nagoya (Japan) and the fast-forward 2020 target!

YouPEC 2011 Job Van den Assem JMA (Young Friends of the Earth Netherlands) YouPEC in Belgium is the third one in the last 4 years. Previously, YouPEC has taken place in Germany and in the Netherlands, on the topics Energy & Climate and Sustainable Consumption. YouPEC has been a important part of network development of European environmental youth. Through the declaration youth get a voice, through capacity building we learn how to act, and through open space we inspire ourselves what to act upon. Great stuff! Therefore it would be important to have another YouPEC in 2011. During this workshop we look at the practical organisation of an international meeting and what it all involves. We also look how your country could engage in organising a YouPEC in 2011 and what support you can get from the previous organisers!

Open Space

During the YouPEC 2010 Open Space the participants will have to develop doable and realistic projects related to Biodiversity Conservation. Open Space Technology is a self-organising process where participants get to construct the agenda and schedule during the meeting itself. Open Space Technology enables groups of any size to address complex, important issues and achieve meaningful results quickly. The facilitator will greet the people and briefly re-state the theme of their gathering. Then someone will invite all participants to identify any issue or opportunity related to the theme. Participants willing to raise a topic will come to the centre of the circle, write it on a sheet of paper and announce it to the group before choosing a time and a place for discussion and posting it on a wall. After the first day of discussion and development of ideas for projects through the open space process the participants will have time to join similar initiatives together and to come up with a more specific idea for their projects. Some really good, ambitious ideas and projects have come out from previous YouPEC conferences.

Open Space

During the YouPEC 2010 Open Space the participants will have to develop doable and realistic projects related to Biodiversity Conservation. Open Space Technology is a self-organising process where participants get to construct the agenda and schedule during the meeting itself. Open Space Technology enables groups of any size to address complex, important issues and achieve meaningful results quickly. The facilitator will greet the people and briefly re-state the theme of their gathering. Then someone will invite all participants to identify any issue or opportunity related to the theme. Participants willing to raise a topic will come to the centre of the circle, write it on a sheet of paper and announce it to the group before choosing a time and a place for discussion and posting it on a wall. After the first day of discussion and development of ideas for projects through the open space process the participants will have time to join similar initiatives together and to come up with a more specific idea for their projects. Some really good, ambitious ideas and projects have come out from previous YouPEC conferences.

Excursion to 'Olens Gebroekt'. The excursions takes us to 'Olens Gebroekt', a marsh area closeby. It is one of the few remnants of a large swamp that was reclaimed for agriculture use in the 1950-70-ties. Trough straightening and deepening of the river 'Kleine Nete', changing water regimes, and dissapearance of original agricultural practices the area was treathened by dessication and reforestation. In 1993 the Flemish governement founded a nature reserve in the area: land was bought and habitats restored. Today, the reserve is a small but diverse marsh area in which alder (Alnus glutinosa) forests alter with meadows and river dunes. During a walk in this interesting landcape you will be able to see habitat restoration and species conservation in practice.