Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop on Solid Waste Management and its related health problems. 4 Sep 7 Sep 2003, Aqaba, Jordan.

Transcription

1 Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop on Solid Waste Management and its related health problems 4 Sep 7 Sep 2003, Aqaba, Jordan Organized by: Asia-Pacific Coalition for the Environment (ACE) Center for Environmental Diplomacy (CED) United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) West Bank Environmental Clean Up Project (WECUP) Water and Environmental Development Organization (WEDO) Aide Memoire Background to the Workshop The Jordan River West Bank region, where Palestine, Jordan and Israel meet, hosts several hundred unsanitary dumps sites for solid waste, which have led to public health risks and contamination of rivers and groundwater. While unstable political conditions have prevented governments from addressing this issue, NGOs such as the West Bank Environmental Clean Up Project Israel (WECUP Israel), WEDO, the Water and Environmental Development Organization representing the Center for Environmental Diplomacy Palestine (CED Palestine), and the Asia-Pacific Coalition for the Environment (ACE), have joined forces to implement the West Bank Environmental Clean Up Project (WECUP), which aims to offer Palestinians, Israelis, and Jordanians, a viable approach to solve environmental issues of mutual interest by proposing a Trilateral Environmental Peace Plan (TEPP). The goal of TEPP is to provide a framework within which efforts can be launched to address the above-mentioned problems through projects dealing with capacity-building, wastewater facilities, integrated solid waste management, and self-sustaining environmental peace education programs. As a first step to making an actual improvement in the shared environment, and as an important part of realizing the TEPP vision, ACE and WECUP have requested the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) to collaborate with them on the conduct of a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on solid waste management related issues, which would also serve as 1

2 a catalyst for promoting TEPP among the participants. The proposed Bethlehem SWM site will be used as a point of reference and case study for the workshop. Further background information on the Bethlehem SWM site is given in Annex 1. Workshop Theme, Date, and Location The 4-day Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, to be held from 4 Sep to 7 Sep, 2003, in Aqaba, Jordan will focus on the theme of Solid Waste Management and its related health problems. Workshop Participants The participants are: (i) Fifteen government officials (central and municipal) and politicians from Palestine, Jordan, and Israel (5 from each country), (ii) Six NGO staff members from the WECUP-Israel, CED Palestine (WEDO), and ACE (two from each organization), and (iii) 2 academics from Al-Balqa Applied University. Workshop Goal and Objectives The goal of the workshop is two-fold: 1) to train participants to become trainers / experts on issues related to solid waste management by raising the level of technical and analytical proficiency in SWM by encouraging collective action through the promotion of the TEPP, and 2) to improve all elements of the plans for the Bethlehem SWM site by applying the contents of the course to this specific case. The methodologies and approaches to establishing the Bethlehem site can then serve as a model for future site initiatives. In order to achieve this goal, the following objectives have been identified: To increase knowledge and understanding of the current status of inadequate solid waste management and its related health risks within the Jordan River West Bank region as well as the objectives of the TEPP; To identify, learn, and acquire skills, tools, and approaches to resolve the problem of inadequate solid waste management; To apply these skills, tools, and approaches to the point-of-reference proposed Bethlehem SWM site; To provide an institutional mechanism for the exchange of information, ideas, and opinions among representatives (government officials and politicians) from the three countries to collectively tackle the issue of solid waste; To build and strengthen partnerships among participants to foster collaboration and to 2

3 facilitate the implementation of the TEPP. By the end of the course, the participants would have (i) gained insight into the current environmental and health problems caused by inadequate solid waste management, (ii) discussed and prioritized strategies and approaches to resolve the problems, and (iii) created partnerships and identified joint follow-up activities to be implemented under the TEPP. Language The course will be conducted in English. Participants should be proficient in both written and spoken English. Workshop Session Topics and Daily Schedule The Workshop will consist of sessions dealing with the topics identified below: Objectives of the TEPP Solid waste management practices in the Asia Pacific region Current status of solid waste management in the Jordan River West Bank region (presentation by participants) Overview of components required in an integrated solid waste management system Public health risks and groundwater contamination resulting from inefficient solid waste management Waste management/ recycling legislation, waste composition analysis, and waste reduction measures Selection and maintenance of waste collection, transfer and transport equipment Sanitary landfill design, planning, and technology Control of leachate, houseflies and rodents, odor, and methane gas at sanitary landfills Prevention of open air burning and facilitating closure of random dump sites Recycling possibilities and options Incineration options and facilities for medical waste Separation of hazardous waste Formulation of an integrated solid waste management plan/strategy Details of the proposed Bethlehem SWM site, including application of the above items and subjects to the Bethlehem site in particular. The workshop will be a participatory and output-oriented course, with group exercises, discussions, and presentations included. The lectures will draw upon case studies (best practices and lessons learned) to render the sessions more practical and to facilitate exchange of 3

4 information and ideas. Towards the end, participants will be required to collectively formulate an integrated solid waste management plan/strategy based on what they have learned and discussed and in line with the TEPP. Also, at least one representative from the respective Governments/institutions of Palestine, Jordan and Israel will be requested to prepare a paper in advance, outlining the (i) current state of solid waste management and related health issues in the Jordan River West Bank region (ii) causes of mismanaged waste, and (iii) proposed strategies/actions. This information will be used as material and baseline information for the group activities and discussions. The workshop will be held for 4 days (3 nights, 4 days) between 4 Sep 7 Sep The daily schedule for the workshop is as follows: 4 September 2003 Time Activity / Topic Facilitator/ Lecturer Morning Move to Aqaba 12:00 13:30 Lunch 13:30 14:30 Opening Session Representatives from Governments of Palestine, Jordan, and Israel, WECUP Israel and CED Palestine (WEDO), ACE, UNCRD 14:30-15:45 Overview: Current Trends and Best Mr. Kazunobu Onogawa, Practices in Solid Waste Management UNCRD 15:45 16:15 Break 16:15 17:30 Overview of WECUP and the TEPP WECUP Israel, CED Palestine (WEDO), and ACE 4

5 5 September 2003 Time Activity / Topic Facilitator/ Lecturer 9:30 10:45 Group Discussion: An analysis of current solid waste management issues in the Jordan River West Bank region 10:45 11:00 Break 11:00 12:15 Local environmental issues (with a focus on solid waste management) 12:15 13:30 Lunch 13:30 15:00 Institutional, financial, and legislative frameworks for solid waste management: Cases 15:00 15:15 Break 15:15 16:30 Waste minimization, separation, collection and transfer methods and technology: Case in Jordan 16:30 18:00 Sanitary landfill design, technology, planning, and leachate control: Cases in Japan 18:00 19:00 Dinner Dr. Alfred Abed Rabbo & Dr. Naser Rayyan (Palestine) Messrs. Danny Shternberg & Tal Shohat (Israel) Mr. Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD Dr. Mohammed Matouq, Al-balqa Applied University Mr. Hiroshi Nishihara, ACE 19:30 21:30 Evening Session: Group Discussion and Reflection on Day 2 sessions Participants 6 September 2003 Time Activity / Topic Facilitator/ Lecturer 9:30 11:00 Recycling options and possibilities Cases in Japan Mr. Hiroshi Nishihara, ACE 11:00 11:15 Break 11:15 12:00 Separation and disposal of hazardous and Dr. Mohammed Matouq, medical waste (incineration options): Cases Al-balqa Applied University 12:00 13:30 Lunch 13:30 15:00 Public health hazards and environmental pollution caused by mismanaged waste: Cases and Strategies (Lecture + Group Discussion) 15:00 15:15 Break 15:15 17:00 Group Activity: Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan considering the actual case in Bethlehem, Palestine Dr. Anwar Jeris, Environmental Centre at Mutah University, Jordan WECUP Israel, CED Palestine (WEDO), ACE, and UNCRD 5

6 7 September 2003 Time Activity / Topic Facilitator/ Lecturer 9:30 11:30 Group Activity and Presentation: WECUP Israel, CED Regional cooperation with Palestine, Palestine (WEDO), ACE, Israel and Jordan and UNCRD 11:30 11:45 Break 11:15 12:00 Closing Session: Reflections, Follow-up actions, and Closing Remarks 12:00 13:30 Lunch 13:30 Return to home Representatives from Governments and Academics of Palestine, Jordan, and Israel, WECUP Israel and WECUP Palestine (WEDO), ACE, UNCRD Government Support The members and partner organizations of the Center for Environmental Diplomacy, including CED Palestine, WEDO, WECUP Israel and Dr. Matouq of Al-Balqa Applied University, have each discussed with the relevant Ministers and high level officers in their respective governments as well as the three core stakeholder countries, including Dr. Yousef Abu Safieh, Minister, Environmental Quality Authority, State of Palestine, regarding the contents of this workshop. All have given their approval and stated support of the Trilateral Environmental Peace Process (TEPP) and its desired outcomes, and fully support the objectives of this workshop conference. International Recognition The members of Asia-pacific Coalition for Environment and Center for Environmental Diplomacy have discussed with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Supreme Prosecutors Office and all stated support for TEPP and the ToT workshop. Financial Support Training for Trainers workshop held in Aqaba is financially supported by AEON Foundation, Japan. 6

7 Annex 1: Bethlehem Solid Waste Site project The municipalities in the Bethlehem District recently decided: 1) on the set-up of a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Council and the institutionalization of an inter-municipal SWM Corporation for the District, and: 2) that the Bethlehem District must have its own sanitary disposal site in order to integrate all constituent elements of SWM into one integrated system. In doing so, they rejected proposals to combine all Bethlehem District disposal activities with the Hebron Districts due to political, financial, logistical and practical considerations relevant for the District in general and the sustainability of viable future SWM services in particular. This decision reflected an approach emphasizing systems analysis and making it an essential element in the strategy of the Bethlehem Solid Waste project ( the Project ). The Project strategy is based on the hypotheses that, by restructuring existing municipal SWM systems towards a combined system in the Bethlehem District, it is possible to secure higher performance levels with relatively fewer human, material and financial inputs, and at lower costs then would be required if each municipality was to establish and operate its own site and/or continue on their own. Subsequently, it is capacity development rather than capacity building that will characterize this Project. For such a combined system, however, it is still conceivable that each municipality would maintain an operational unit under the to-be established inter-municipal SWM Corporation which, as a comprehensive unit, is to extend its coverage in SWM services beyond exiting municipal boundaries to adjacent areas and village councils, eventually leading to the offering of SWM services over Bethlehem District as a whole. In light of time and financial constraints, the Project partners have opted to concentrate their efforts on those aspects of the SWM system for which sufficient funding is present and / or can be transferred to in order to materialize its objectives set-out in the Inception Report. Accordingly, they have chosen to employ an intermediary stage focusing on searching for solutions and ways to speed-up the decision making process. Funding for the construction of the landfill site will therefore not be integral part of this intermediary step involving the search for solutions and decision-making that is part of the overall Project. This approach enables the partners to proceed at a realistic pace vis-à-vis the effect of the limited available funds on the ability to realize the Project objectives. To realize the Project objectives, it is necessary that relevant institutions and personnel become directly involved and actively participate in the work program. Therefore, the core Project partners will not be exclusively responsible for all actions and documentation, but rather, they will leverage the participation of relevant counterparts and stakeholders identified over the course 7

8 of the Project as well. To create Project ownership, an active participation in the discussions, elaboration of documents, and implementation of activities is of paramount importance and prerequisite for the success of the chosen approach. Conditions that may hinder the foreseen implementation of project activities refer foremost to a psychological or even political resistance to change, favoring past concepts and solutions over rational decision making meeting the challenges of the future and aspirations of the people. As part of this Project s goal to be of wide-ranging impact, the Project stakeholders not only include the specific personnel at the various municipalities, but also the various target groups who will enjoy, and pay for, the services provided by the site. To this end, in order to raise awareness levels and change prevailing attitudes on the environment in general and solid waste in particular, it is essential that the different stakeholders roles and responsibilities within the framework of the integrated SWM system be taken into account. Accordingly, the Project strategy is based on one whereby community participation and environmental education receive high priority. Target groups for these participation and education activities include households, the business community (agricultural, industrial, and commercial), schools, and social clubs. 8

9 Annex 2: Roles and responsibilities of institutions involved West Bank Environmental Clean Up Project Israel (CED / WECUP Israel) The role of WECUP Israel involves, inter alia, negotiations with the Israeli government, gathering participants from Israel and acting as regional coordinator with partner NGOs. Also it serves as overall coordinator of the workshop. WECUP Israel has firm relations with the Israeli Government. The representative from WECUP Israel is Mr. Jeffrey Behr. Center for Environmental Diplomacy, Palestine (CED Palestine), / Water and Environment Development Organization (WEDO) CED Palestine / WEDO serves as the Palestine office and partner of WECUP Israel. This branch in Bethlehem is in the process of establishing CED Palestine, in partnership with WECUP and WEDO. CED Palestine will collaborate on the WECUP / TEPP program with the Palestine Government, NGOs, and coordinate with participants from Palestine. WEDO is the WECUP NGO partner registered in Palestine, which supports CED Palestine activity by utilizing its network. Asia-pacific Coalition for Environment (ACE) ACE conducts the total project management of this workshop. When required, ACE will dispatch experts in waste management to provide the Japanese experience regarding technology and policy perspective for the workshop. ACE members are also involved in directing an environmental consulting firm, the president of which is considered one of the most experienced environmental engineers in Japan. Al-Balqa Applied University Al-Balqa Applied University is located in Jordan. Its role is to provide academic knowledge and experience to the participants as well as providing logistical coordination, such as transportation and accommodation for the workshop The person in charge of this workshop is Dr. Mohammed Matouq. He has deep and extensive academic experience in relation to Environmental Studies. United Nations Centre for Regional Development Since its establishment in 1971, the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) has served as a training and research centre on regional development, human security, and environmental management issues. The Centre targets its programmes towards socially and environmentally sustainable development, and provides advisory services, facilitates the exchange of information, experience, and teaching, and fosters collaboration and cooperation among national and international organizations through its training and research activities. The major role of UNCRD is to lead this workshop as well as to impart academic knowledge and share practical experience with the participants. 9