GRID-Arendal was established in 1989 by the Norwegian Government as a non-profit foundation to support the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The centre was officially opened on 22 August 1989 by Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland. During that time the world was undergoing profound changes. It was the year that the Berlin Wall fell, a turning point from cold war to a new world order of dialogue and cooperation between nations. It was also the beginning of the technological revolution, and the dawn of the internet, dramatically changing how we communicate.
It was a deliberate decision that GRID-Arendal focused its support to UNEP on finding new ways to communicate and share knowledge, and worked with Eastern Europe and the Arctic where significant changes were taking place. Subsequently as GRID-Arendal spread its wings, it stepped in to support another global change of the world’s map: assisting developing coastal and island States to extend their continental shelf territories, within the context of the UN Law of the Sea.
Today the world is facing an economic crisis, and is faced with challenges and a need to change the way it operates. UNEP has called for a “Green New Deal”, an initiative to take this opportunity to rebuild our economies based on responsible use of our environment. The 20th year anniversary celebration of GRID-Arendal highlights this initiative.
The aim of this seminar is to address the question How can GRID-Arendal contribute to UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative through its established competences and focal working areas – Polar & Cryosphere, Marine Environment and Communication & Capacity building? It will explore opportunities for GRID-Arendal to go for the Green New Deal and work with its partners in and around Arendal and Aust-Agder to demonstrate the importance of linking local initiatives to the global agenda to bring real and lasting change.
Registration is now closed. If you missed the deadline please contact Luana Karvel or Karen Folgen.