1.

Calls For Delegates

1. ENGO Participation to the Forest Sector Sustainability Table Water Working Group
2. ENGO Participation to the 12th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to the Convention on Biological Diversity

2.

ACTION ALERTS

1. Support Environmental Defence’s Toxic Nation Campaign
2. Impacts of Nanotechnology on the Environment and Society  

3.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. RCEN 30th Anniversairy Conference on Environment and Health
2. One Sky International Youth Internships   

4.

RESOURCES

1. The Seed Map: Exploring the State of Global Agro-Biodiversity
2. Best Practice for Creating or Improving Environmental Protection Agencies Worldwide  

5.

CALLS FOR INPUT / COMMENTS / NOMINATIONS / PARTICIPATION

1. Call for Nominations: RCEN Water, Fisheries and Oceans Caucus Steering Committee
2. Call for Comments: 1st Draft Report from the National Pollutant Release Inventory Multi-stakeholder Work Group 2006-2008   

6.

Events

1. Education and Training Workshop on Children’s Health and the Environment
2. Second Keepers of the Water Gathering: Keeping the Peace   

7.

Employment

1. Summer Student/Junior Event Administrator, RCEN
2. Campaign Directors / Campaign Managers / Communications Coordinators, Project Porchlight   

1.

Calls For Delegates

i.

ENGO Participation to the Forest Sector Sustainability Table Water Working Group

The RCEN is seeking one (1) ENGO Representative to participate in the Forest Sector Sustainability Table Water Working Group. Initial planning for the Water Working Group has forecasted three meetings by the end of 2007, with the first meeting likely in mid-late June. Environment Canada will reimburse eligible travel and accommodation costs associated with the representative’s attendance at Water Working Group meetings in accordance with Treasury Board guidelines. In addition, the selected ENGO representative will be entitled to receive $1500.00 for the costs associated with preparing for and attending a full day Water Working Group meeting. The term length for the selected ENGO is yet to be confirmed. If you are interested in participating, visit the RCEN website.
For more information, contact Sarah Heiberg, National Caucus Coordinator, telephone: (613) 728-9810 ext. 224.

ii.

ENGO Participation to the 12th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to the Convention on Biological Diversity

The RCEN is seeking one (1) ENGO representative to be part of the Canadian Delegation at the 12 th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-12) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held in Paris, France,on July 2-6, 2007. Information about SBSTTA-12 including the provisional agenda and official documents can be found on the CBD Secretariat website. Environment Canada will reimburse, consistent with Treasury Board Guidelines, the travel and accommodation expenses for the selected representative but will not cover any costs for the time spent at or preparing for the meeting. If you are interested in participating, visit the RCEN website.
For more information, contact Sarah Heiberg, National Caucus Coordinator, telephone: (613) 728-9810 ext. 224.

2.

Action Alerts

i.

Support Environmental Defence’s Toxic Nation Campaign

ENGOs are invited to support Environmental Defence’s Toxic Nation campaign, which claims that Canadians young and old are polluted with a toxic mix of harmful chemicals.
ENGOs are encouraged to support the campaign by asking the federal government to strengthen Canada’s law that regulates toxic chemicals. To sign the Toxic Nation petition, visit Environmental Defence’s website. For all the latest news on toxic chemicals and health, sign up for Environmental Defence’s monthly Toxic Nation E-news.

ii.

Impacts of Nanotechnology on the Environment and Society

The Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group) is currently working on issues surrounding nanotechnology technologies which operate at the sub-microscopic level, where substances behave differently than at larger scales. According to ETC Group and other concerned ENGOs, nanotechnology is being developed by large corporations in the food, agriculture and pharmaceutical sectors with little public scrutiny or regulation. They claim that nanotechnology and the related field of synthetic biology pose unprecedented social, environmental and bio-weapons threats. Industry backers are currently proposing "self-regulation" of nanotechnology development, and a coalition of groups is voicing their opposition to the proposal. For more details, visit the ETC Group website.

3.

Announcements

i.

RCEN 30th Anniversairy Conference on Environment and Health

The RCEN 2007 Annual Conference on the Environment & Annual General Meeting will take place on November 1-4, 2007 in Ottawa. The specific theme of this year’s conference will be Environment and Health. As well, the RCEN will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with an overview of the RCEN’s contribution to the protection of the environment over the past thirty years, while looking ahead to future challenges and successes.
More detailed information on the Conference, including the agenda and exact location, will be available on the RCEN website at the end of May in English and French. For further information, please contact Claire Sales, Office and Events Administrator, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 221.

ii.

One Sky International Youth Internships

One Sky is currently offering five internship positions in Mali, Peru, Cameroon and Sierra Leone for 2007 and 2008. Interns are trained in many aspects of being an effective environmental advocate, including personal leadership and should expect to spend a very full year after which they will have gained solid, employable skills. Interns can expect long hours, challenging environments, lots of job satisfaction, growth in self-awareness and friendships that will last a lifetime. Accommodation could be challenging and financial compensation is minimal. One Sky is a stimulating but demanding place to work. The deadline to apply is May 6, 2007.
For detailed job descriptions and application information, visit the One Sky website.

4.

Resources

i.

The Seed Map: Exploring the State of Global Agro-Biodiversity

USC Canada, ETC Group and IDRC have created a resource for educators across the globe, The Seed Map. The Map is a teaching and advocacy tool designed to show the state of global agro-biodiversity today and can be used by anyone – teachers, gardeners, policy makers, and more. The map identifies key threats to the world’s seed and biodiversity systems, and highlights regions where peoples’ movements are fighting to protect biodiversity. The Seed Map includes a an easy to understand, full-size world map as well as access to an interactive website, and a CD of that website for ease of reference. The Seed Map and materials are free, however payment for postage is required. The map is available in English, French and Spanish.
For more information, visit the USC Canada website, send an e-mail, or call: 1-800-565-6827 ext.228.

ii.

Best Practice for Creating or Improving Environmental Protection Agencies Worldwide

A new handbook on creating or improving EEAs and EPAs worldwide, the Handbook of Environmental Protection and Enforcement: Principles and Practice, is now available. The handbook offers a comprehensive assessment of the principles and best practices of Environmental Enforcement Authorities (EEAs) or Environmental Protection Agencies throughout the world, with a focus on Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, east and south-east Asia and various other transition and developing countries. The book is aimed at anyone involved in environmental policy, enforcement and regulation and compliance in government, business and industry, environmental NGOs and lawyers and consultancies.
For more information about the Handbook, visit the Earthscan website.

5.

Calls for Input / Comments / Nominations / Participation

i.

Call for Nominations: RCEN Water, Fisheries and Oceans Caucus Steering Committee

The RCEN is currently conducting a Call for nominations for membership on the Water Caucus Steering Committee. This is an excellent opportunity for RCEN members to be part of Caucus decision-making and the planning of activities! This call is open to all RCEN members who belong to, or are willing to join, the Water Caucus. Current Steering Committee members are eligible to re-apply. The nomination deadline is Friday, May 4, 2007.
For more information, visit the RCEN Call for Nominations webpage or contact Leela Ramachandran, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 223.

ii.

Call for Comments: 1st Draft Report from the National Pollutant Release Inventory Multi-stakeholder Work Group 2006-2008

The 1st Draft Report from the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Multi-stakeholder Work Group (WG) 2006-2008 is now available on the NPRI website. Environment Canada is currently soliciting feedback from the broader stakeholder community on this report. Please send your comments by May 20, 2007 to the NPRI 2006-2008 Multi-Stakeholder Work Group on Substances via fax: (819) 994-3266 or e-mail: nprimodif@ec.gc.ca.
For more information or to contact the RCEN delegates on the NPRI 2006-2008 Multi-Stakeholder Work Group, visit the RCEN website.

6.

Events

i.

Education and Training Workshop on Children’s Health and the Environment

The Canadian Institute of Child Health is currently organising a one-day education and training workshop on children’s health and the environment on May 15, 2007 in Ottawa. The workshop will focus on increasing understanding and awareness about the influence of environmental factors on the health, development and well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There is no cost to attend the workshop or to submit a poster presentation abstract, and lunch will be provided. Each participant will be asked to share information learned within three months of the workshop. For details on how to register for the workshop or to submit a poster presentation abstract, visit the CICH website or contact Regina De La Campa, tel.: (613) 230-8838 ext. 229.

ii.

Second Keepers of the Water Gathering: Keeping the Peace

The West Moberly First Nations will be hosting the second Keepers of the Water Gathering: Keeping the Peace on September 27-29, 2007 in Fort St. John (B.C.), which will weave up-to-date issues and facts on Peace River watershed.  Participants from First Nations and every level of Canadian government, area industries, science, academia, stewardship councils, environmental organizations, alternative energy fields, special interest groups, and local communities will join in building a foundation for a unified watershed strategy.
To find out more on the Gathering, including keynote speakers and guest participants profiles, visit the Keepers of the Water website.

7.

Employment

i.

Summer Student/Junior Event Administrator, RCEN

The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) is seeking a Summer Student to act as Junior Event Administrator for the RCEN’s 30th Anniversary Conference on the Environment. Reporting to the Associate Executive Director, the Junior Event Administrator will collaborate with the Senior Events Administrator in coordinating the development of a research paper and organizing the logistics of the RCEN’s 30th Anniversary Conference. The position is based in Ottawa, and the term of the contract will be for 12 weeks. Please specify in your resume and/or cover letter if you are fluently bilingual. Priority will be given to individuals of a visible minority and/or Aboriginal descent. The deadline to apply is May 7, 2007.
To read the detailed job offer, visit the RCEN website.

ii.

Campaign Directors / Campaign Managers / Communications Coordinators, Project Porchlight

Project Porchlight/One Change is seeking Campaign Directors, Campaign Managers and Communications Coordinators for its provincial campaigns in both Alberta and Ontario. Project Porchlight is an initiative administered by One Change, a not-for-profit organization based in Ottawa. The goal of Project Porchlight is to bring together community groups, business, and government to deliver one free compact fluorescent light bulb to every household in Canada. The organisation is building teams in Calgary and in Ottawa and is seeking individuals with excellent communication and organisational skills, and a record of working with a range of groups in a small, dynamic not-for-profit organisation. These positions will be responsible for leading the campaigns and building the Provincial team.
For details, visit the One Change website.