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Citizen contribution
In this worldwide shift, the contribution of each one of us is necessary. Coordinated by the municipality, the Agenda 21 of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is a collective action from all local actors: citizens, associations, authorities, business ventures, etc. Each one of these actors can adopt the principles of Sustainable development. We all have to play a part in the process and it is essential to have a sense on the project from the citizens of the municipality.
Report of the launching of the project Agenda 21 of 16 september 2009 (.pdf) (only in French and Dutch)
Presentation of the Sus-Cit projects in the different cities
Here is the programme of the Forums that will take place from September to November 2009. It is during these different information sessions that the citizens will have the opportunity to take part in the decision-making and action plans for the local Agenda 21.
| Public launch of the Agenda 21 project |
September 2009
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General information
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Forums 21
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- Common natural goods: green spaces, wildlife, water cycle and air quality. |
22.09.2009
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Co-construction of the diagnosis
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| - Live and get around: daily acts, mobility and eco-construction. |
30.09.2009
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| - Community life, living and sustainable economy: responsible purchases, economic tissue, waste, fight against incivility, noise. |
06.10.2009
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| - Equity and social cohesion : health, intergenerational solidarity, territorial solidarity (local et international) |
14.10.2009
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| Agenda 21 for the kids |
October 2009 |
Diagnosis on the kids’ perspective
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Sustainable Development in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
The municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre has decided to reinforce its engagement towards sustainability through the launch of a development project called « local Agenda 21 ». The project’s goal is to ensure a sustainable management of the municipality on an environmental, social and economic level. On that purpose, the municipality is getting a financial and methodological support from the Brussels Capital Region.
The key to a successful local Agenda 21 is depending on:
- the commitment of the elected officials to support Sustainable Development
- the participation of the inhabitants and local actors in the process
- a more transversal management of the issues amongst the administration
What is Sustainable Development?
We can speak of a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland, 1987).
Sustainable Development, declared as a worldwide priority during the Earth Summit in Rio, considers economic development, social life quality and environmental preservation as complementary goals. This concept of Sustainable development is not only centred on ecology and the environment, as its purpose is also to ensure economic and social long-term sustainability.
We have to modify our lifestyles in order to lower the negative impact that these have on our planet and to enable every Earth citizen to have access to the most elementary forms of well-being.
What is an Agenda 21?
This term came out during the Earth Summit in Rio organised in 1992 by the United Nations. The 178 represented States engaged themselves to establish a worldwide action plan for Sustainable Development in the 21st century. This action plan, called "Agenda 21", takes over a number of initiatives to implement at different levels (internationally, nationally and locally) so that Sustainable Development not only an ideal is, but results in concrete actions.
The Aalborg Commitments
A first European Conference on Sustainable Cities was organised in Aalborg (Denmark) in 1994. The representatives of the cities gathered and tried to adopt the Agenda 21 of Rio at the European reality. They sign the "Aalborg Charter", which became the reference document regarding the Agenda 21 in Europe.
10 years later, a second Conference was organised (see photo). It lead to a more pragmatic document, giving guidelines for the introduction of concrete actions in support of Sustainable development: we call them the Aalborg commitments. The municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre signed these commitments in February 2009.
A local Agenda 21
At a local level
Why suggest an action plan in support of Sustainable Development at a local scale? Here are a few reasons why:
Because the district has its own features: geographical location, urban configuration, demographic and socio-economic characteristics. It consists in proposing suitable actions to the specific needs of a community.
Because local authorities are competent for the numerous aspects of our daily life, which we can associate to Sustainable Development: surroundings, local economy, interpersonal solidarity, education and training, leisure, mobility, etc.
And above all, because the local Agenda 21 will be constructed with you, inhabitants of this municipality and the first ones concerned by the projects and actions to be put in place.
It is precisely the contribution of local actors to the process which will generate a successful local Agenda 21.
Agenda Iris 21
Since 2008, through the request for proposal Agenda Iris 21, the Brussels Capital Region gives a financial and methodological support to municipalities, willing to put a local Agenda 21 in place.
This year, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and 11 other municipalities are enjoying this regional aid: Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Etterbeek, Evere, Forest, Jette, Schaerbeek, Saint-Gilles, Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels District.
http://agenda-iris-21.be/
  
With the support of the Brussels Capital Region and Brussels Environment
Logbook
- After having replied to the regional request for proposal Agenda Iris 21 in November 2008, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre has obtained a grant of 50.000€ from the Region Brussels-Capital.
- In February 2009, Mr. Willem Draps, our mayor, signed the Aalborg commitments in the name of the municipality.
- The official launch of the Agenda 21 project within the administration took place in April 2009. Mrs Muriel Frisque is in charge of the coordination of the whole project.
- A first step, which purpose is to establish an inventory of the municipality, is currently carried out in collaboration with the research office Ramboll Management Brussels S.A.
- The Agenda 21 team has already had the opportunity to meet with the inhabitants during the Tramway and Tervuren avenue fair.
- Around mid-September, a public launch of the local Agenda 21 will take place. Then will follow the Forums and Committee 21, where the citizens will be more than welcome. For more information on the dates of the Forums and Committee 21 go to section number 3 “citizen contribution”.
Eco-advices
This section’s purpose is to give a number of practical advices to act in your daily life, which will help you to save and to reduce your impact on the environment.
To get information and share experiences with other people for an eco-friendly lifestyle in Belgium : www.sunbeams.eu
On the website of Brussels Environment, a number of advices are given in terms of housing, diet, purchases, etc. These little gestures are good for the environment, the wallet and of course for your health. To get some advices on the different topics, go to the website of Brussels Environment.
The ecological footprint enables you to estimate the necessary surface of the planet to answer our daily needs. To get more information on your ecological footprint, the footprint of humanity : WWF
To calculate your own ecological footprint
Sustainable consumption is one of the key-topics in terms of sustainability. The Brussels Observatory of Sustainable Consumption (BOSC) gives you a number of advices and answers to possible questions in terms of sustainable diets. The BOSC considers sustainable consumption not only in its environmental dimension but also in its social and economic. For possible questions and to get more information on the BOSC (only available in French and Dutch)
Guide for sustainable diet (.pdf) (in French)
Kids
During the 17th of October 2009 for the kids, a junior version for the Agenda 21 will be developed. Its purpose is to increase the awareness and to involve the kids in the project.
Contact
For any information, you can contact Mrs Muriel Frisque, in charge of the local Agenda 21 by phone 02/773.06.18 or by email on the following address: agenda21@woluwe1150.irisnet.be
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