Rivers are responsible for up to 80% of marine pollution globally. This matter is important to all EU basins and particularly effects Mediterranean countries. Last month, BlueMission Med, together with Mission Ocean projects and local authorities gathered in Rome to discuss river system management solutions.
On 21 May, BlueMissionMed, Prep4Blue, Rotary Distretto 2080, and National Research Council of Italy (CNR) hosted the ‘Sustainable Rivers: Bridging Local and European Initiatives’ event. In total, there were over 140 attendees, representing important actors in this field. They included local and regional authorities, representatives of national ministries, NGOs, researchers and educators. At the event, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about Mission Ocean objectives and to participate in discussions on sustainable river management.
The event kicked off with a keynote speech by European Commission representative Claudia Pecoraro. Mrs. Pecoraro outlined the importance of Mission Ocean, opportunities for the community and inspired the audience to become a part of the Mission.
The event highlighted the importance of involving citizens and local communities in order to achieve Mission Ocean objectives. Students of Liceo Scientifico Nomentano (RM) and Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico Midossi (Civita Castellana) presented the results of their monitoring activity performed during the course of the past year.
Mission Ocean projects A-AAGORA, DALIA, INSPIRE, along with EU-funded Thames21 presented their case studies as examples in biodiversity protection and river restoration. The outcome of discussions and interactive sessions highlighted the necessity to work systematically, creating communication channels to eliminate a knowledge gap and make everyone active on the issues of water protection and reduction of plastic pollution.
Find out about the event and its outcomes in more detail here.