National Programmes
International Programmes
Communication and Events
Background Information
Green Cross Sweden is one of the 30 national organisations of Green Cross International and was founded in 1994 by the late Jan Danielson and EU Parliamentarian Ms. Maj-Britt Theorin. Jan Danielson, also known in Sweden as "Ekosofen" was amongst other things a popular eco-journalist and host for the STV2 television program "Mitt i Naturen" (In the Midst of Nature). Green Cross Sweden was originally founded with the main focus to support the creation of an Environmental Task Force and the utilization of military and civil resources for environmental protection and in cases of environmental catastrophes.
Green Cross Sweden receives organisational funding from the Folke Bernadotte Academy of the Swedish government.
The President of Green Cross Sweden is Tonia Moya. The organisation works within the Green Cross International programmes for the implementation of projects that promote peace, security and sustainable development, see below.
JOIN GREEN CROSS SWEDEN AND BECOME A MEMBER
The annual membership fees for Green Cross Sweden are as follows:
|
Title |
SEK per year |
|
Membership |
250 :- |
|
Students, Unemployed and Retired |
200 :- |
|
Families and Groups |
400 :- |
|
NGOs and Small Companies |
500 :- |
|
Companies (>10 employees) |
10,000 :- |
|
GCS Youth Campaign for 2010 special |
50 :- |
For more information please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
EARTH CHARTER
The Earth Charter is a declaration of guidelines with fundamental values and principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful society. Green Cross Sweden is working on many levels from grassroots to business, within Sweden and the international community to launch the charter.
GCS President Tonia Moya is elected Chair for the Green Cross International Earth Charter Steering Committee, which works in conjunction with the association of the International Earth Charter. GC Sweden is the national affiliate for the Earth Charter Initiative.
Earth Charter Declaration (pdf)
GREEN CROSS SWEDEN YOUTH
Green Cross Sweden Youth was founded in 2009 with the aim to empower younger generations with awareness on environment, sustainable development and security. Today’s environmental impacts are more and more relevant for the younger generations who will inherit the responsibility for the future of humanity and the planet.
Join Green Cross Sweden Youth and become a Member The annual membership fee for Green Cross Sweden Youth is 50 SEK. For more information please contact GC Sweden: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text13740 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
National Programmes
EARTH CHARTER
Earth Charter and Local Communities
GC Sweden has strengthened efforts for information dissemination on the Earth Charter. The aim is not only for local Swedish municipalities to endorse it but to utilize the charter as a tool for action and implementation to strengthen already existing environmental guidelines.
Together with partners, such as communication company Rewir AB, Green Cross works within the business community of Sweden to develop internal educational programs based on the guidelines of the Earth Charter. If you represent a company within the business sector which aspires to utilize the Earth Charter as a strategic implementation tool for sustainable development or wish to develop an internal education - please contact GC Sweden.
ETHICAL ECONOMY
A global market economy affects our common security. In the 21st century, economic growth is inevitably dependent on sustainable development and interlinked with ethical values and environmental standards. Green Cross aims to promote a new vision for leadership and economic development. Green Cross Sweden works closely with visionary leaders from all walks of life, such as Chief Oren Lyons of Onondaga Nation, Council of Chiefs Haudenosaunee, Iroquois Confederacy. Oren Lyons, also a Professor at Buffalo State University at New York, has made a significant impression within Scandinavian business circles, organisations, networks and together with decision-makers to elevate perspective on leadership and environmental responsibility.
WiLD, Wisdom, Leadership and Dialog
• Wisdom (knowledge that stands the test of time)
• Leadership (based on values for life responsibility), and
• Dialog (to acknowledge different perspectives and diversity).
Green Cross Sweden works in synergy with the Nature Academy Learning Lab to cultivate a deeper understanding and a sense of responsibility for the coming future generations. Nature Academy is the first company in Sweden to endorse the Earth Charter. Göran Gennvi, CEO of Nature Academy Learning Lab, is a member of the Green Cross Sweden Board.
WATER
Preservation of the world's water systems and the handling of water conflicts is one of the main priorities of Green Cross International (see GCI Water program).
The World's Water
Green Cross Sweden offers "The World's Water" as an educational program targeted to the high school students, as well a training course for teachers. Inspired by GCI's international program "Water for Peace", the course with the original title "The Source of Conflict", was developed in cooperation with Linköping University in 1998 by Jacob Ström and today has been further developed by project coordinators Marcus Wendin and Pär Andersson.
The Worlds Water educational program for youth utilizes the method of role-playing games, where students assume the different entities that are related to current water conflict regions of the world. This method broadens a young person’s awareness of international water conflicts and resource consumption, as well as provides insight and tools for conflict mitigation related to the difficulties of water management and water equity. The program thus reflects on today’s reality that the countries within the international community must learn to cooperate over cultural and geographical boarders.
The World’s Water program emphasizes that within conflict lies the potential for cooperation towards common goals and a long term “win-win” benefit. This method teaches the empowerment of accepting and understanding of the other side of a conflict and to see the other point of view of other’s needs.
The program has a successful history in many Swedish high schools, such as in Göteborg, Linköping, Malmö and Stockholm. The course aspires to give students a lasting impression of the use of water as a means for cooperation and conflict prevention. The GCS World's Water educational program is made possible by a grant from the Folke Bernadotte Academy of Sweden.
The program is under renewal being updated to the current situations of different water conflicts within the world, as well as under adaptation to convert the program for international use. The idea is to link up schools in different parts of the world, that have different views and references to water resources for interaction.
In 2010 the World Water educational game is under development and being tested in full acceleration with students from the Global High School (“Det globala gymnasiet") in Göteborg. The result is a fun and instructive game which brings forth to increase awareness of today’s water consumption and conflicts within the world, as well as the know-how on how to do something about it!
Global Campaign for the Right to Water
Access to water is not a privilege, it's a right! Today one third of the world's population is suffering from a lack of adequate drinking water and/or sanitation. International organizations, governments, local authorities, financial institutions, private corporations and all members of society should take responsibility for redressing this situation and ensuring the right to water for all. This will not happen unless a relevant legal framework is established. Therefore Green Cross International and its partners appeal for the adoption of a Framework Convention on the Right to Water. Green Cross Sweden supports the campaign through information dissemination as well as contributed with a translation of all campaign and convention related materials into Swedish.
Sign the Right to Water treaty now.
PEACE, SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Peace, security and sustainable development are fundamental within all walks of human activity, be it within the economy, civil society or governmental. GC Sweden works over organisational boarders with a variety of NGOs in Sweden and internationally to promote a deeper understanding of the foundations of peace and global security as basis for sustainable development.
GC Sweden works to promote the message of peace together with and the empowerment of conflict mitigation as related to resource consumption. See the educational youth program the World’s Water; and Green Cross in cooperation with the Green Belt Movement for the Peace and Reconciliation Project in Rift Valley, Kenya.
Green Cross Sweden is a member of the United Nations Association of Sweden (FN-förbundet), the Swedish Peace Council (Sveriges Fredsråd); and Coalition for Peace in the Middle East (Koalition för Fred i Mellanöstern).
ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADE
With a global increase of natural and man-made disasters, the idea to utilize military and civil resources for environmental protection is today a realistic model for the organization of environmental clean-up and emergency response. In 1990s GC Sweden began to lobby for the creation of the Environmental Brigade, both in Sweden and within the international community.
This innovative model was first elaborated on in 1991 when former GC Sweden President and EU parliamentarian Maj-Britt Theorin led the UN study report "Green Helmets for the Environment". In 1997 Maj-Britt Theorin’s submitted the "Draft Report on the Environment, Security and Foreign Policy" (Strategies for Using Military Resources for Environmental Purposes) to the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. This report, which encompassed the need for a broader view over environmental security, as well as the creation of environmental task forces, was adopted in 1998, as an official recommendation by the European Union Member States. GC Sweden has held many conferences in Sweden targeting the issue of Environmental Security, including in cooperative efforts with the Municipality of Kristianstad. Other initiatives include cooperation with Green Cross Bolivia and the Bolivian Army. Another source of inspiration is the Green Belt Movement which had previously established an Environmental Army, an initiative within the Kenyan Military.
GCS works today in cooperation with Major John-Olov Fridh, of the former 15 th Infantry Regiment of Borås, Sweden continuing to lobby for the establishing of the such environmental task forces.
For more information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
MBT EU Report (pdf)
CLIMATE
Green Cross Sweden Climate Initiatives
Green Cross International, in cooperation with Global Green USA , works on several fronts to stem global climate change - from policy and advocacy to green affordable housing. Making the changes necessary for sustainable development requires global opinion and increased cooperation. The issue of global warming and climate changes is a result of all human activity, an indicator of cause and effect. As we are approaching the tipping tips within biological and man-made systems climate change is today one of humanity’s greatest challenges. “Climate” involves not only the issues of Energy, Lifestyle and Ethics, but is highly one of Security.
The Climate Film Festival in cooperation with Green Cross
The second international Climate Film Festival will take place October 6 - 9, 2010 in the countryside of Torsby, Sweden. This media event is unique and one of the first climate film festivals in Scandinavia and Europe. The 2010 festival theme is the great importance of the preservation of the Earth’s forests in relation to the development of planetary global warming. The festival offers the public the opportunity to view documentary films from all over the world, as well as a four day program with a series of seminars and events related to the impacts of climate change.
Would you like to take part? The Climate Film Festival is calling for contributions from the international film community. If you work within the film industry and wish to submit a film send your entry to:
Global Kunskap
Box 105
SE-658 23
Torsby, Sweden
Entries are to be not more than 50 minutes in length. Film language: Scandinavian and/or English. Include all contact information (company’s name, address, telephone, contact person) along with a short synopsis of your entry.
For more info contact Global Kunskap: Tel +46 560 141 45
Green Cross Sweden is a partner of the Climate Film Festival which is launched by the organisation Global Kunskap (Global Knowledge) and Sebra Films. The festival is made possible in cooperation with the European Union Commission, the Center for Climate Safety, the University of Karlstad, the Municipality of Torsby, Sweden, and the County Administration of Värmland, Sweden. Sebra Film has more than 40 years’ experience of filming around the world, with one of the most well known film and TV series about the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s research and explorations.
Green Cross Sweden supports the Global Kunskap and Sebra Films production of the three part TV documentary educational series “The Green Planet”.
Green Cross Sweden Climate initiatives include:
“Seminar on Climate and Environment in Greenland and the Arctic”, 19-23 April 2008, in Narsaq, Greenland - Green Cross Sweden in cooperation with Earth Charter and Agenda 21 - Narsaq, Nature and Peoples of the North, and WWF Norway. The purpose of the conference was to examine the environmental policies in Greenland in regards to the impact of climate change in the region.
Green Cross Film documentation of the ice melt down in Greenland was initiated by Green Cross Sweden and a short film has been produced, in cooperation with Eyefeed AB and Plantagon, and in conjunction with the Greenland Earth Charter conference. Footage has been shot from the southern tip of Greenland, in April 2008. Leaving by helicopter from Narsarsuaq images of the Arctic melt down where captured, as well as filmed interviews of internationally renowned environmental experts. A short film from the footage has been produced, The Plantagon Message. Here you will see coastal areas of glacial ice beds in southern Greenland that have for thousands of years, in the month of April, remained frozen as solid ice. Now in the last 5 years, during the spring, these frozen Artic areas have become open waters.
Green Cross climate workshop series - “Journey to a Climate Friendly Lifestyle”: Workshops were held to empower the public and individuals in their daily lives 2008 in Stockholm for the purpose of promoting climate friendly choices for a green lifestyle. The Green Cross workshops provided a forum for dialog and inspiration, with guest speakers including energy experts and meteorologists. Funding was made possible by a grant from Naturvårdsverket (Sweden’s environmental protection agency).
The Green Cross Film Premier of Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The 11th Hour” was held in Stockholm, in partnership with Sandrew Metronome Distribution and Warner Bros January 14th 2008. The evening manifested a full house at Stockholm’s Cinema Grand with specially invited guests, including decision-makers from the Swedish government, business as well as celebrities.
THE JAN DANIELSON MEMORIAL FUND
A memorial fund has been established in memory of Jan Danielson, the environmental journalist who founded Green Cross Sweden, to support youth related projects aimed at sustainability development. The applicant must be a student at a high school, college or university. The fund awards annually 5,000 SEK for support to fieldwork or educational projects related to peace and environmental initiatives.
The application should be submitted in the form of a project description (max. 1 page) together with a personal presentation and CV and sent by May 31, 2010 to:
Jan Danielson Memorial Fund
Green Cross Sweden
Södra Larmgatan 6
S-411 16 Göteborg, Sweden
Green Cross Sweden welcomes your donations for the Jan Danielson Memorial Fund.
Contributions can be sent to the Green Cross Sweden postgiro: 10 90 45 – 5, please specify “Jan Danielson Memorial Fund”.
Jan Danielson envisioned practical solutions for creating a sustainable world. His charismatic spirit lives on through the Green Cross.
International Programmes
TREE PLANTING IN TIBET
Green Cross Sweden works in cooperation with the Swedish Tibetan School Cultural Society (STSKF) to promote environmental education activities at the 108 schools built by STSKF in Tibet, from primary grades schools up to high school. Inspired by the work of the Green Belt Movement and Professor Wangari Maathai, the Green Cross offers the public the opportunity to sponsor the planting of “Peace Trees” within the 108 school grounds in Tibet.
The cost is @ 25 kr (SEK) per tree, with a minimum of 4 trees. The tree sponsor receives a certificate from Green Cross. Tree planting is not only an initiative that promotes environmental care and education, but also sponsoring of Peace Trees makes an ideal gift.
Plant a Tree in Tibet:
(Specify “peace tree” Tibet)
Green Cross Sweden Postgiro: 10 90 45 – 5
For more info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Green Cross in cooperation with Green Belt Movement
A Peace Initiative for Dialog and Reconciliation and Peace-building in the Rift Valley, Kenya
Green Cross Sweden works with the Green Belt Movement (GBM) in Rift Valley, Kenya within a joint peace initiative aimed at conflict mitigation and environmental restoration. GBM is founded by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai who brings great inspiration to our world with her holistic philosophy to unite the work for peace, environment and equity with the self empowerment of local communities to lead their own processes for sustainability development.
The cooperation between Green Cross and Green Belt Movement began in 2005 with the work of Professor Wangari Maathai and GCS President Tonia Moya for the Earth Charter.
The joint project started in the Maai Mahiu Rift Valley Province, where long term conflicts have been inflamed between the pastoral communities and the agricultural communities. Through bringing the local communities together for environmental education, dialog and conflict mitigation, tree planting groups have been formed for environmental restoration.
The workshops and tree planting unite these local communities from the different tribal ethnic backgrounds in a common purpose and self empowerment, with special focus on strengthening the role of the local women. Since the project began over 300,000 trees have been planted.
Due to political turmoil and the post-election violence that erupted in 2008 an estimated half a million Kenyans became internally displaced. As a result the joint project came to a halt. After the months following calm was restored in the region and the project in Rift Valley resumed however transformed into a hands on peace initiative by Professor Maathai.
The object thus became a peace initiative to establish peace building councils for dialogue and reconciliation, including youth activities. Professor Maathai has taken a number of steps to promote reconciliation amongst the local communities through tree planting as well as creating a youth football team. With global climate change, a major challenge for this region is drought and the access to water.
The GCS Project Coordinator is Tonia Moya. This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Folke Bernadotte Academy of Sweden.
Green Belt Movement Project (pdf)
Green Belt Movement Founder Wangari Maathai was the keynote speaker for Green Cross Sweden’s Annual Meeting held 2 April of 2009 in cooperation with Green Cross partner Rewir AB. The professor spoke on humanity need to understand the relationship between the economic development in the world, resource consumption and sustainable development. She stresses raising awareness on climate change, as well as how to inspire others to change in their daily lives. “We live on a planet that has naturally its’ limitations. Conflict always starts when we fight over resources. Peace comes with equity and sharing the resources. The planet will adapt as it always has adapted. (The problem is us, Homosapiens). Wangari Maathai stresses that the solution lies in the three “R”s, to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.”
EARTH CHARTER GREENLAND
“Seminar on Climate and Environment in Greenland and the Arctic” was held 19-23 April 2008 in Narsaq, Greenland. The climate seminar was arranged by Earth Charter and Agenda 21, Narsaq in cooperation with Green Cross Sweden, Nature and Peoples of the North, WWF Denmark and focused on environmental policies in Greenland and the impact that climate change have in the region. Among the speakers were Brendan Mackey, Henrietta Rasmussen and Tonia Moya. In conjunction with the conference Green Cross Sweden and in cooperation with Plantagon produced a documentary film shot from the southern tip of Greenland.
Communication
Green Cross Sweden Youth Events - Treevening
With the aim of information dissemination on peace, security and sustainability for young people. Green Cross Sweden Youth group arranges the benefit Treevening on March 24, 2010 at Sticky Fingers, Göteborg. All proceeds go for the Peace and Reconciliation Project. Amongst the artists are: Jose Gonzales, Jaqee, Räfven and Hellsongs. Project funding: Folke Bernadotte Academy.
Event Flyer (pdf)
TOP
