Launching of the NODE at the European Parliament!

The NODE will be officially launched on 16th November 2016 at the European Parliament in Brussels, within the conference Jobs, Development, Social Inclusion and Climate Change Migration in the Mediterranean: The transformative power of the Forestry and Environmental sector.

The conference is timely, as it will address how, in a period of economic, social and political changes in the EU-Mediterranean landscape, the forestry and environmental sector can be an opportunity and a tool of employment, knowledge, social inclusion and dialogue between peoples.

The NODE –Node for Opportunities, Development and Environment– and its multidisciplinary approach and services can play an important role and provide support to local authorities, international institutions, society and the private sector. This is why several partners will present on how mixing policy advisory capacities with market opportunities, scientific research and capacity-building trainings in the forestry and environmental sector can be an effective tool to promote and achieve also social inclusion, human empowerment, and cultural dialogue.

This conference is also the final event of the MENFRI project, which has worked to promote innovative Mediterranean forest management and conservation through forest use by sharing knowledge between the northern and southern Mediterranean. This approach could lead to potential creation of jobs, sustainable development and social progress.

The CREAF researcher and MENFRI’s Project Manager and NODE’s Scientific Coordinator, Dr. Enrique Doblas says that “MENFRI managed to achieve many results but we observed that a more innovative approach was needed, including not only technical and research capacities, but also elements of economic growth, business facilitation, social and cultural dialogue and sustainable development. We needed a more flexible and multidisciplinary approach to help us combine people and services to deliver customized solutions: We needed the NODE”.

The conference will combine diverse perspectives to highlight opportunities and approaches for a new role of the forestry and environmental sector, with contributions from high-levelspeakers, including representatives of the Union for the Mediterranean and the International Organisation for Migration, Mr. Santiago Fisas and Mr. Francesc Gambús, Members of the European Parliament, and several other experts.

You can  reister to the event here. If you have any question, don't hesitate to contact Elise Regairaz: elise.regairaz@alienoreu.com