UBC LOCAL AGENDA 21 ACTION PROGRAM

UBC Visions for Sustainability 
The UBC has been very actively preparing its Local Agenda 21 Action Program for the coming three years (2000-2002). The Local Agenda 21 Working Group prepared a proposal, which the Board adopted in its meeting in Tartu, 28 June. The Board also thanked the working group by establishing it formally(!), as the group has so far operated mainly on the initiative of active people from many member cities and been facilitated by the UBC commissions on environment, and health and social affairs. 
The Working Group will continue its work submitted directly to the UBC Board and utilising the services of the Commission on Environment Secretariat. The Board will propose the Action Program to the General Conference in Stockholm, 24-25 September, and the General Conference is strongly expected to endorse the program. 
The basic commitment of our organisation, as expressed in the program proposal, is that the Union of the Baltic Cities, as a major

network of cities in the Baltic Sea Region, recognises its responsibility for making our future a sustainable one. The UBC has the potential and the will to contribute to sustainable development for the good of the citizens of its member cities and for the common future of our cities, countries, the Baltic Sea Region, Europe and the Planet Earth. 
The implementation of the program is estimated to last for three years. For example the following visions are to guide the work: 
The cities in the Baltic Sea Region will, using Local Agenda 21 as a central tool, through a process of balanced economic, social and environmental development strive towards sustainability and democracy, and the Baltic Sea Region as a whole will develop towards a more sustainable future. All UBC members will have started their own Local Agenda 21 processes by the latest during 2000-2002, and the commitments of the Turku Statement will be implemented.
UBC and its members will play an 

important part in the advancement of sustainability in Europe and contribute to a balanced development of the whole continent by facilitating co-operation between cities in the EU and in those countries of the BSR, which are not EU members. 
The co-operation between all stakeholders in the Baltic Sea Region for sustainable development will be strengthened, and Baltic 21 will be successfully implemented. The UBC will make a strong contribution to the implementation process. 
The internal work of the UBC will become more sustainable and all UBC activities will be organised according to the internal sustainability recommendations. Naturally, the implementation is far from an easy task. The strong efforts of all of us are needed. The Local Agenda 21 Working Group will provide a good tool for the implementation. The group is open to all interested, and the intention is that it should continue being a channel for strong crosssectoral participation.

LOCAL AGENDA 21 ROUNDTABLES

On the occasions of the Project SAIL workshops, roundtables have been organised where local experts can exchange experiences with the project partners. On the occasion of the workshop in Tartu, 22 April, such a roundtable was organised in the City Hall. 
The roundtable recognised Tartu as a leading city in Local Agenda 21 work in Estonia and it was strongly underlined that Tartu's work is to be used as a best practise case. This work has been based on comprehensive involvement of the whole municipal administration, citizens, and other stakeholders and interest groups. According to the roundtable, this should be one of the central things in the Local Agenda 21 work in all municipalities. 
The roundtable also discussed the needs of Estonian cities with regards to support for Local Agenda 21 work. According to the Estonian participants, there is a constant need to develop and offer environmental education for all citizen groups. Local involvement

is the best precondition for successful Local Agenda 21 work. Plans on paper may be bought from foreign consultants, but real results are reached only when the local community is committed to the work. 
Furthermore, the roundtable brought up that accessibility to environmental information should be facilitated both locally and globally. Best practise cases should be translated, and the possibilities to use the internet 

should be increased in Estonia. Information materials made for public use should contain concrete information about what people really can do for the environment in their everyday lives.