Government of the Azores and European Blue Flag Association reinforce cooperation
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stated in Ponta Delgada the Regional Government's intention to reinforce the "excellent" cooperation between the European Blue Flag Association (ABAE) in the promotion and implementation of awareness raising and educational activities for sustainable development, such as the Eco-Schools project; the latter involves over 70 schools across the Region.
Speaking at the end of a meeting the President of ABAE, José Archer, Luís Neto Viveiros pointed out the Government aims to revitalise the programmes already implemented in the Azores through a cooperation protocol with the Regional Directorate for the Environment, optimise synergies and to promote new partnerships and initiatives.
The European Blue Flag Association is a non-governmental and profit-organisation whose action is focused on the education for sustainable development as well as on the management and recognition of good environmental practices.
ABAE is a member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It comprises various international entities that jointly promote awareness-raising and educational activities for sustainable development in over 60 countries.
Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Young Reports for the Environment, ECOXXI (it only exists in Portugal - there are two distinguished Azorean municipalities) and Green Key programmes are some of the initiatives developed by ABAE to promote environmental education and sustainable development.
All these programs feature awards intended to distinguish good environmental practices, except for the Young Reporters for the Environment; which is a contest.
The programs are coordinated and represented in the Azores by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Environment, through the Regional Directorate for the Environment, which holds a seat at the respective national commissions. The implementation and promotion of these initiatives is supported by the Regional Network of "Ecotecas" (environmental awareness-raising centres) and Island Natural Parks.
The Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs, which is under the jurisdiction of the Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology, is responsible for the regional coordination of the Blue Flag programme.