1. Nordic/Baltic Regional Officefor Environment, Science, Technology & Health Regional Environmental Office (REO) U.S. Embassy Copenhagen Denmark

2. Nordic/Baltic Regional Officefor Environment, Science, Technology & Health Internationalt samarbejde omkring miljøforhold og undervisning REO - Copenhagen Silke Alsen Odense Katedralskolen September 26, 2005

3. The REO • Established in 1998 • Funded by U.S. Department of State • Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (EST&H) Issues • Staff: 1 diplomat & 1 program assistant • One of 12 regional EST&H Hubs worldwide

4. REO Region • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • Iceland • Latvia • Lithuania • Norway • Poland • NW Russia • Sweden • Northern Germany

5. Why the REO? • Issues are transboundary, global • Coordinate U.S. EST&H activity regionally • Build U.S. EST&H capacity in region • Report back on EST&H from the region

6. The Enhanced Partnership Initiative for Northern Europe (ePINE) • 2003 initiative to replace Northern Europe Initiative (NEI) • Continue to build on success with Baltic States • Extend Baltic States model of cooperation to neighboring countries (Ukraine, Belarus) • Parallels EU’s “Northern Dimension”

7. ePINE Pillars • Cooperative Security: defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, trafficking in persons, etc. • Vibrant Economies*: business, trade, investment promotion • Healthy* Societies: environment*, good governance, transparency*, social inclusion * REO involvement

8. REO Regional Role • Information resource for regional U.S. missions (web site, newsletter, research) • Help identify regional issues where U.S. might play facilitating role • Provide (limited) funding for programs • Facilitate communication with USG agencies • Assist in implementing programs and organizing meetings and conferences • Provide U.S. experts/expertise (speaker programs)

9. Environment Invasive Species Climate change Biodiversity Sustainable development Pollutants Energy Alternative energy Energy efficiency Science & Technology Bilateral S&T agreements Science cooperation Science fellowships Health HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis Avian Flue Telemedicine REO Issue Areas

10. REO Funding Sources • Operating budget from Dept. of State • Grants from Bureau of Oceans, Environment & Science (US Dept. of State) • US Public Affairs Sections and programs

11. Earlier REO Activities • Expand Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER) • Fund The Access Initiative (TAI) in Baltics & Poland • Strengthen U.S. Science &Technology ties with Baltic Sea States, e.g. Denmark – continuing • Scientist exchanges / Organize speaker tours • Strengthen GLOBE program – continuing

12. Current REO Activities • Bring speakers (e.g. Integrated Coastal Zone management - ICZM) • Assist Nordic/Baltic Network on Invasive Species (NOBANIS) • Support regional efforts on oil spill and maritime safety • Outreach to Greenland • Promote GLOBE program / GLOBE Europe

13. Greenland Agreement – Cooperation • August 2004: Signature – USA, GL, DK • Embassy-wide effort: Econ/Pol, Tourism, Environment, Science, Education • REO: Support Greenlandic environm. cooperation • Assist on integrating Greenland in the GLOBE community – now and in the future ! • FWS/NPS met with Greenlandic environmental authorities on Arctic Nature Park Management • GL Environmental officer on study tour through US • Telemedicine – speakers and seminars, ....

14. REO & GLOBE / GLOBE Europe • Focus: Nordic / Baltic Region • Speak up for GLOBE on its specific regional needs • Agreement: US – Denmark.. and Greenlandic position? • Involvement of Russian communities (Estonia) • Intermediary - when needed (Latvia) • German ASA program: Baltic States + third world students´ exchange (www.asa-programm.de) • Recent fund for GLOBE Europe • Support networking, contacts

15. GLOBE in the Baltic Sea Region • Estonia: (46 schools) • GLOBE Games, attract new GLOBE schools, GLOBE Sciece Days, GLOBE Alumnis, Russian Communities • Latvia: (12) • GLOBE learning expedition, small scale activities – work more effectively, attracting new schools • Lithuania: (20) • Train-the-Trainer Workshop, attracting new schools, scientists integration, GLOBE summer camp • Germany: (250) • Change of HQ to Kiel, Teachers Trainings, annual meetings, GIS, .. • Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland

16. Objectives: Denmark / Greenland • Keyword: Internationalization of Danish education • Update Greenland status in current agreement • Cooperation with local scientists (e.g. GIS efforts, International Polar Year - Arctic) • Support schools´ exchange with GLOBE in the whole region • Connection: European Environmental Agency

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18. REO Contact Information Lori Peterson Dando, Counselor Silke Alsen, Program Assistant Nanna Nyholm, Program Assistant (1.1.06) U.S. Embassy Copenhagen Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24 DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark Telephone: [45] 3341 7294 Fax: [45] 35 42 70 94 reo@usembassy.dk