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What We Do
The RCEN keeps members up to date with important
developments by :
- maintaining a national data base of ENGOs
and partners working in the environmental field
- establishing links between Canadian ENGOs
and others working on environmental issues around
the world
- selecting
delegates who will participate in working
groups, official Canadian delegations and consultations
at home and abroad
- coordinating the Annual Conference on the
Environment, an assembly of people from across
the country working on environmental issues
- sharing information among ENGOs through discussion
documents and a weekly
electronic bulletin distributed to all RCEN
members
- providing research, logistics and promotional
activities to support the work of the caucuses
The RCEN or one of the Regional
Affiliates can help organizations to develop
links, create new alliances, and foster the support
needed to sustain their members' efforts in pursuit
of their vision for a more sustainable and healthier
environment.
Working With Others
 The
consulting, support and networking services, originally
developed for Environment Canada, are now being
used by other ministries and government organizations.
The growing list includes: Canadian International
Development Agency, Natural Resources Canada,
Human Resources Development Canada, Foreign Affairs
and International Trade, Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency, Canadian Council of Ministers
of the Environment, International Development
Research Centre, Health Canada , and Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation. The RCEN's egalitarian
working practices have also engendered partnerships
with unions, private business, and universities.
Caucuses — From Health to Toxics
 The
RCEN coordinates the work of national
caucuses made up of participants drawn from
its affiliated member groups. These caucuses address
essential environmental issues such as atmosphere
and energy, biological diversity, biotechnology,
environmental planning and assessment, environmental
economics, environmental education, agriculture,
forests, health, mining, toxics and water.
Furthermore, RCEN's youth caucus has partnered
with other Canadian youth organizations in setting
up the Youth Environmental Network. In addition,
the RCEN Forum on the World Summit on Sustainable
Development organized ENGO activities in the weeks
leading up to, during, and following the Summit
in Johannesburg.
The RCEN also encourages Canadian ENGOs to form
close bonds with ENGOs in the South by supporting
mutual cooperation and partnerships. RCEN's member
groups participate with Southern partners in promoting
practical approaches to environmental health and
sustainable ways of life.
Working groups are often formed to support the participation
of RCEN members in specific public consultations which focus on
critical issues. Examples include: the development of "best
practices" in environment; the establishment of legislative
reforms; the development of the Harmonization Accord; and bringing
representatives to official Canadian delegations for international
meetings such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Getting Connected
 If
you represent a RCEN member group and would like to join a national
caucus, please contact either bulletin@cen-rce.org,
or the caucus coordinator(s) of the caucus(es)
you are interested in joining.
Environmental groups wishing to join the RCEN can do so by applying
to the regional network in their province
or territory.
Organizations or partners interested in our publications, our
services, or who wish to get more information about how to fill
a position on a committee or delegation should contact the RCEN's
national office directly. |
The
RCEN is an independent, non-partisan organization.
It does not take positions on environmental issues.
Rather, the RCEN actively encourages and supports
those who take part in public consultation processes,
participate in working groups, or who are delegates
to national and international conferences. More
and more federal government departments favour
the RCEN's 
When
it was established in 1977, the RCEN's objective
was to support and strengthen the participation
of environmental non-government organizations
(ENGOs) in their consultations with Environment
Canada. Since then, the RCEN has strived to broaden
its scope. Today it provides coordination, communication,
research and networking services to more than
700 Canadian environmental groups affiliated through
one of RCEN's eleven regional networks.
