Coast Day is a unique event in the Mediterranean. It aims to raise awareness of policy makers and the public of the value of the coast, as well as of applying an integrated approach to planning and management of the coastal zone.
Coast Day is a celebration of life on the coast. It is a day dedicated to the protection of natural coastal environment and its interaction with human culture and socio-economic activities. This day is dedicated to celebration of the beauty of the coasts: the coast as a home to half of the world's population and as a vacation destination to most of the tourists; the coast as a source of inspiration, creation and as an important stake for the well-known "coastal life style". Finally, Coast Day is dedicated to the vision of the future coasts we want. The intention is that Coast Day spreads into other countries and that lives on in the years to come.
MAP and PAP/RAC are applauding national governments of Slovenia and France for their efforts undertaken in the process of ICZM Protocol ratification. On the occasion of this year's "Coast Day", MAP and PAP/RAC are inviting the rest of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention), to follow the examples of Slovenia and France and to urgently ratify this important legal document.
NEWS
2009-10-12Turkey hosts 2009 central celebration of the Coast Day
MAP and PAP/RAC jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Municipality of Datca-Mugla, Mugla University and Underwater Research Society, Turkey, are organising the third annual celebration of the Coast Day in the Mediterranean. The central event will take place in Datca-Mugla (Culture Centre of the Municipality), Turkey, on 24 October 2009.
The event will include organisation of a technical panel for the experts and a series of awareness-raising activities for the general public. The panel, entitled "ICZM Protocol: for a better future of our coasts" aims to promote the ratification and implementation of the Mediterranean ICZM Protocol, as well as to present the achievements of Mediterranean countries in managing their coasts.
The ICZM Protocol panel includes different oral and poster presentations regarding the ICZM Protocol structure, objectives and implementation options; and the latest achievements and future activities relevant to Protocol ratification and implementation.
The second part of the celebration, which will be organised for the general public, will include a colloquy and other awareness-raising activities carried out for the Coast Day in Turkey, namely: coast and underwater cleaning; photo contest and painting contest; presentation of the "green and blue card system" of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (the card is used to control wastes of the ships and yachts electronically in Turkey); a public concert and alike.
In addition, it is expected that the representatives of Mediterranean countries present their organisations' documents, photos, posters and their Coast Day promotional materials. Since several academy members and representatives of governmental organisations from Turkey will attend the event, this might be a good opportunity to meet and search for a further co-operation.
It is envisaged that the event will be attended by the representatives of the Contracting Parties, as well as by a number of experts, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations, academy members, famous writers and TV programmers from Turkey.
Working agenda
2009-10-102009 Coast Day in Sardinia
As every year, on October 24, an interesting "Coast Day" celebration will be organised in Sardinia. The main event will take place in Cagliari and last throughout Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 of October. Besides the high-level representatives of the Regional and Local Authorities, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and port authorities, university and research centre representatives, numerous NGOs and other associations dealing with coastal issues will participate to this celebration.
On this occasion, several ICZM initiatives will be presented and discussed, namely: the future CAMP Sardinia; comparing local level ICZM experience in Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Sardinia; ICZM Strategies for MPAs, etc. The official programme will be complemented with a cultural programme and coastal sports competition including the sailing regatta and a Round Race Sardinia. Also, a special programme is being prepared for children.
More information on Coast Day in Sardinia
