E-Bulletin — March 24, 2006 Edition

Contents

1.

Calls For Delegates
 
  1. Energy SST Working Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation
 

2.

Calls For Participation
 
  1. RCEN and Environment Canada Conference Call
 

3.

Resources
 
  1. New Website for World Urban Forum Youth Related Events
 
       
 

4.

Events
 
  1. International Conference on Desertification, Hunger and Poverty
  2. Joint International GMOpposition Day
  3. Commission on Sustainable Development's 14th Session
 

5.

Employment
 
  1. Director, Sierra Club of Canada Québec Chapter
  2. Environment Program Coordinator, Laidlaw Foundation
       
     

 

 

1.

Calls For Delegates
 
i.
Energy SST Working Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation
  The Government of Canada has asked the RCEN to select one (1) ENGO representative to participate in a Working Group within the Energy Sector Sustainability Table (ESST) of the SST initiative. Travel, accommodation and meals will be covered as per Treasury Board Guidelines. The ENGO representative should be willing to participate in RCEN and EC teleconference calls, at least 4 annual meetings and provide a report to the RCEN for each meeting. The participant will be reimbursed to a maximum of $1500 for a full day meeting (including meeting and prep time). The deadline to apply is Friday, March 31, 2006.

The selected ENGO representative must have the following qualifications: A strong understanding of energy use and energy efficiency; Experience in multi-stakeholder fora; Ability to work constructively in a multi-stakeholder setting; Ability to travel (three to four meetings in 12 months) and; Knowledge of the SST process. To apply or obtain more information, visit the RCEN website or contact Suzanne Boileau, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 30.

 
 

2.

Calls For Participation
 
i.
RCEN and Environment Canada Conference Call

 

 RCEN members are invited to take part in a teleconference with Environment Canada (EC) regarding the Weather Service. This topic was suggested at the last EC & ENGO teleconference. Specifically, one issue that was raised during the last teleconference was the accuracy of weather reports (the benefit of local vs. national weather networks) on the Weather Service. More information can be found on the Weather Service Office website or the Meteorological Service of Canada website for a list of specific environmental issues and topics. A presentation will be given by EC on its role in providing Canadians with the weather services they need to protect their health and safety as well as to enhance their socio-economic activities.

To participate in the teleconference, contact Suzanne Boileau before April 7, 2006. Necessary information will be sent out as it becomes available. Please indicate your preferred language for the call. If a considerable amount of Francophones wish to participate, an additional call in French will be organized. For more information, contact Suzanne Boileau at (613)728-9810 ext. 30.

 
 

3.

Resources
 
i.
New Website for World Urban Forum Youth Related Events

 

 A new website for youth participation to the World Urban Forum is now available. The website provides youth with background information on the WUF, including the World Youth Forum taking place the weekend before the WUF, as well as the World Urban Café, an international series of community engagement events combining performance with dialogue. From the website, youth can also subscribe to the official World Urban Forum newsletter and download the WUF registration application form.

For more information, visit the new WUF Website for Youth.

 

 
       
       
       
 
 

4.

Events
 
i.
International Conference on Desertification, Hunger and Poverty

 

 2006 is the International Year for Deserts and Desertification. Within the framework of the International Year for Deserts and Desertification, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in partnership with the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Graduate Institute of Development Studies (IUED) of Geneva is organizing and international conference on desertification, hunger and poverty, from April 11-12, 2006 in Geneva. International organizations, diplomatic missions, academic institutes and non-governmental organizations working on issues of environment, development and humanitarian aid, researchers from North and South and students are invited to the conference. The deadline for registration is March 31, 2006.

The draft programme of the conference is available on the United Nations website.
For information and registration, contact Mme Sylviane Werren, IUED, tel: +41 22 906 59 86.

 
 
ii.
Joint International GMOpposition Day

 

 A worldwide event will take place on April 8, 2006, with the twofold aim of informing people and demonstrating the front of concerned organizations against GMOs, both open-air plants and food. The event will also provide a worldwide opportunity to promote Peasant Seeds. Additional information will be distributed over several Information Sites, and possibly linked through Internet video connections. Media releases will be issued through the International Program by the end of March; until then, the project will develop according to a given Agenda.

For more information or to participate to one of the planned Special Events, visit the GMOpposition Day website.
 
 
iii.
Commission on Sustainable Development's 14th Session

 

 The RCEN ENGO members are invited to participate in a consultation meeting with federal government officials in preparation for the Commission on Sustainable Development's Fourteenth Session. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Department of Foreign Affairs, 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. To confirm your participation to the meeting, contact Chris Plunkett of the Environment and Energy Division, and copy Sarah Heiberg. For questions, or if you cannot attend the meeting but would like to participate by teleconference, please also contact Mr.Plunkett at (613) 996-0740.

The CSD-14 will be held in New York from May 1–12, 2006. In preparation, the UN Secretary General has prepared three reports, which are posted on the CSD website, along with more information on CSD-14.

 
 

5.

Employment
 
i.
Director, Sierra Club of Canada Québec Chapter

 

 The Sierra Club of Canada Québec Chapter is seeking a Director to serve as the principal permanent staff person responsible for supporting the overall operations, growth and development of the Chapter. The Director is responsible for the successful implementation and management of policy, programs and finances and works with members, staff and volunteers on advocacy, media relations, campaign planning, program development, fundraising and supervision of staff and contractors. The position is full-time and based in Montréal, Québec. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 31, 2006.

For more information, visit the Sierra Club of Canada website.
 
 
ii.
Environment Program Coordinator, Laidlaw Foundation

 

 The Laidlaw Foundation is conducting a search to fill a vacant contract (3-4 day a week) position as Environmental Program Coordinator for its Environmental Contaminants and Child Health Program in Toronto. The program goals are to improve the health and well-being of children by minimizing the generation, use or release of substances harmful to their health and to actively engage people and communities in this pursuit. The Program outcomes are to obtrain a policy shift at the regulatory level and behavioural change at the individual/household/neighbourhood level. Experience, knowledge and evidence of civic engagement in the program area of contaminants and their impacts on child health, are required. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2006.

For more information visit the Laidlaw Foundation website.
 
       
     

TOP

 

This publication includes information updates on network-related news and activities of national importance. We encourage you to make your own important contributions to this bulletin. Submissions should be written in English and French, be issue-specific, include contact information, and have a body content less than 50 words in length. Send your feedback and submissions to: bulletin@cen-rce.org.

For more information about the activities and issues of the Canadian Environmental Network’s (CEN) national caucuses, visit the CEN Web site. If you represent a CEN member group and would like to join a national caucus, please contact Manon Crôteau (manon@cen-rce.org). Organizational membership can be initiated or renewed by contacting your provincial or territorial affiliate network.