CLEAN UP THE MED
29-30-31 May 2009
XIV Edition

Italy, February 2009

Dear friends,

We are pleased to invite you to join the Clean Up the Med 2009 Campaign to once again reinforce our common commitment to safeguard the Mediterranean environment.

2008 campaign has been a great success and we have hit a record of over 500 participating bodies that mobilised more the 150,000 people. The 2009 edition sees the renewed collaboration between Legambiente and the Mediterranean schools and Associations in organising and coordinating the cleaning effort and in exposing the pressing threat of oil marine and coastal pollution due to accidents at sea. [Clean Up the Med is twinned with Clean Up the World and is organised under the auspices of the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan]

Next May we will return to beaches and coast locations to clean them up from litter of any sort which plagues both urban coasts and marine reserves alike. The rubbish that accumulates on the seabed, on beaches and on most coastlines around the Mediterranean is generated by wrong human activities and the main aim of our Campaign is to raise awareness and educate as well as physically remove waste pollution. In the course of this year the particular attention we have devoted to the issue of land based pollution and of marine pollution due to oil spills at sea has resulted in a high interest from institutions to single volunteers. A series of courses have been organised and for 2009 we are planning to organise several practical exercitations for volunteers on coastal clean up in case of oil spills.

NGOs and Civil Protection volunteer teams are invited to join us in organising an activity during one or all the days of the Clean Up the Med dedicated on 29-30-31 of May. The activity can be of different nature and aimed at involving and sensitising citizens.

Information stand: a day dedicated to the dissemination of information materials through a stand located in a popular spot where citizens can learn about the Campaign and sign up to the following day of practical cleaning up.

Beach clean up: a day of mass volunteerism during which citizens of all ages commit themselves to remove as much litter as possible from both popular seaside places and sensitive marine reserves.

Excursions: guided tour can be organised to visit places on the coast with a high natural value, to show the importance of conservation and safeguard of spots crucial for the survival of Mediterranean endemic species.

Oil removal exercitations: under the coordination of the Italian Department of Civil Protection and with the collaboration of interested national Civil Protection structures, practical exercitations on the cleaning up of oil residues from rocks and sandy beaches will be organised in selected locations.

Removing litter requires great care and done in large groups of people is fun as well as an expression of environmentally sound behaviour. To assist your activities in the framework of the Campaign we will timely provide you with information materials in English, French or Arabic (if someone can help us in the Arabic translation it will be great!) to sensitise the general public, Clean Up the Med material to catch the attention of as many people as possible and basic cleaning equipment to ensure that volunteers are able to collect and dispose of the waste. All materials will be sent to the adhering organisations well in advance to allow for appropriate preparation.

Should you wish to confirm your participation to Clean Up the Med 2009 please fill in the form below and send it back not later than the 15st of March 2009 to:
e-mail: cleanupmed@festambiente.it
fax: +39 0564 487740
post: Clean Up the Med –LEGAMBIENTE
Mediterranean Observatory
Loc. Enaoli – 58100 Rispescia – Gr – Italy

Please feel free to contact LEGAMBIENTE on +390564/48771 or +3906/862681 or cleanupmed@festambiente.it for any further information or clarification.

Looking forward to our fruitful collaboration.

Yours sincerely,





Rossella Muroni
General Director
LEGAMBIENTE Angelo Gentili
Internazionale Department
LEGAMBIENTE


APPLICATION FORM
CLEAN UP THE MED
29-30-31 May 2009
Organisation
Reference person:
Telephone contacts:
e-mail:

PLEASE INDICATE AN ADDRESS TO SEND THE MATERIALS TO AND WHERE SOMEONE CAN RECEIVE IT ON WORKING DAYS IN OFFICE HOURS
Name
Address
City Post code Country
Telephone
e-mail
The organisation will set up the following initiative (thick as appropriate):

INFORMATION STAND

Place
Date and time


BEACH CLEAN UP

Place
Date and time

Activities planned:

OTHER

Place
Date and time

Activities planned

To confirm your participation please send the form not later than the 1st March 2009 to:
e-mail: cleanupmed@festambiente.it ; fax: + 39 0564 487740
post: Clean Up the Med – Legambiente Mediterranean Observatory – 58100 Rispescia – Gr - Italy