THE MEDCOAST INSTITUTE 95:
The MED-CAMPUS Certificate Program on
Coastal Zone Management
28 August - 14 September 1995, Ankara - Marmaris - Capadocia, T U R K E Y
Network MEDCOAST & MEDCOAST Secretariat
Middle East Technical University
06531 Ankara, Turkey.
Tel : 90 312 210 54 29/30/35
Fax : 90 312 210 14 12
E-mail : medcoast@metu.edu.tr
THE MEDITERRANEAN CHALLENGE
Great numbers of coastal and sea areas of the world are beset by many serious problems, resulting from the rapid development of many improper use patterns and insufficient levels of protection. Integrated coastal and sea management, which aims to achieve sustainable uses of coastal and sea resources and their protection, has been on the world's environmental agenda most notably over the last two decades.
The Mediterranean basin, including the Black Sea, is among the major seas where rational management of coastal and sea resources, incorporating high levels of protection and regeneration in certain cases, is very strongly needed. The continually increasing level of demand for the limited and stressed resources provides a formidable challenge to bordering countries for rational and sustainable land, water, and resource management and development. Moreover, critical management and conservation issues such as the control of water pollution due to ever increasing agricultural, industrial and urban developments in coastal areas, management of international oil transport, or protection of endangered species, require international collaboration. This need was realized right after the Stockholm Conference, and the Mediterranean was chosen for the first implementation of the newly established Regional Seas Program of UNEP. The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) for the protection of the Mediterranean coastal and sea environment became operational with the Barcelona Convention in 1975. Following the wake of the Rio Summit, various efforts have been put forward to change the MAP's perspective from "protection" to "sustainable development" of the Mediterranean coastal and sea areas, and thus to integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). For the Black Sea, international collaboration has recently been started through the GEF project with a more up to date perspective, including an ICZM component.
Parallel to these international efforts, various Mediterranean and Black Sea countries have already started, or are about to start their integrated coastal zone management programs. Therefore, there is a great need for expertise in governmental agencies involved in these programs.
In response to this need, MEDCOAST Institute 94 (22 August - 14 September, Ankara - Bodrum) was the first international effort, to train professionals from the Mediterranean and Black Sea countries on ICZM specific to the regional setting. 25 young men and women, representing 16 countries, enroled in the Institute. MEDCOAST Institute 94 was rated as a great success by both the participants and the international faculty.
MEDCOAST INSTITUTE
MEDCOAST Institute offers intensive training in various aspects of coastal zone management. The curriculum is specially designed to address issues and problems which are particular to or significant for the Mediterranean and the Black sea. In this regional emphasis, MEDCOAST Institute differs from the other few integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) training programs which are available for international participation.
The program of MEDCOAST Institute 95 consists of three parts:
Some of the emphasized topics are:
MARMARIS - FETHIYE COAST
Marmaris is the most important destination for international tourism on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey. The breathtaking natural beauty of the Marmaris Bay, with wooded sloping shores and pocket beaches, and basically pristine surrounding areas, attracts thousands of Turkish and international holiday makers every summer.
The coast from Marmaris to Fethiye, located further south, is one of the most important routes for sailing vacations, locally called "mavi yolculuk" (which translates as "blue voyage"). This highly attractive coast offers a great variety of coast types, including steep slopes covered by pine forests, coves and bays, small islands, sand beaches, lagoons, coastal lakes, sand spits and inlets, wetlands, and alluvial plains. The coast has a number of areas of ecological significance, including nesting beaches of loggerhead turtles. It is also among the most important areas of cultural importance, being the geographical transition of two ancient civilizations; Karia and Likia.
Tourism of all types, is the most important economical activity along the coast, most of it bearing "specially protected area" designation, and being managed by a national agency. The fertile plains have traditionally been used for agriculture (main crops being cotton, citrus, vegetables). Agriculture is still an important activity. Dalyan is the most productive fishery along the whole of the Turkish Aegean coast. Forest areas, various historical and cultural sites, marinas, an international airport, a naval base, a small scale mining facility, sea transportation infrastructure, a paper factory, a state owned and operated big agricultural establishment, are among other coastal activities which are important for ICZM.
During the field study trip, different coast types and various coastal activity sites will be visited. Interviews and discussions with developers, local governors and mayors, officials of the central government's field offices, NGO representatives, and local people will be arranged.
The Institute's faculty will comprise, but will not be limited to, internationally well known experts from the following universities, institutes and organizations, which presently engage in the Network MEDCOAST:
Experts from the Mediterranean Action Plan and the GEF Black Sea Environmental Program will be invited as guest speakers for introducing these important regional cooperation efforts. Other guest speakers from state agencies, universities and non-governmental organizations will be invited to participate in selected sessions.
LANGUAGE
The language of instruction in all activities of MEDCOAST Institute 95 is English.
ACADEMIC DEGREE AWARDED
MEDCOAST Institute will award a MED-CAMPUS DIPLOMA in Integrated Coastal Zone Management to participants who successfully complete all three phases of the program.
The top priority target group for MEDCOAST Institute include:
The next priorities will be given in decreasing order to program managers in:
The participants are required to have a basic university degree (Bachelor of Science, Engineering, Art, or Law) in a relevant field, an experience of at least 5 years. The age range is anticipated as 27 to 40.
MEDCOAST Institute 95 is limited to 25 - 30 participants from the Mediterranean and Black Sea countries. Our experience with MEDCOAST Institute 94 indicates that there will be a high level competition in the selection of the applicants.
The applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, which will choose the most eligible participants. A successful candidate who can not be accepted this year due to program limitation, will be given priority in the selection process for the 1996 Institute, if an application is received to that effect.
FEES, FINANCIAL AID & ACCOMMODATION
The fee for participation at MEDCOAST Institute 95 is US $ 1,700.
The fee covers all costs of the training program including meals, accommodation, the field trip, transfers by couch (Ankara - Marmaris, Fethiye-Capadocia, and Capadocia - Ankara), course materials, etc. Medical insurance is not included. Accommodation will be in double occupancy rooms, at the modern student hostel, METU Campus in Ankara, in cabins during the boat trip, and at "Kaya Hotel - Club Mediterranée" (3 stars) in Capadocia. Participants should bring some funds for personal expenses.
A number of partial or full scholarships are available to succesful applicants from Mediterranean Non-Community (MNC) countries through the MED-CAMPUS Programme of the European Community. A few partial scholarships will be granted to applicants from the other Mediterranean countries through MEDCOAST Secretariat.
3 levels of financial support are available:
The potential participants from the Mediterranean countries who request financial support, should apply to MEDCOAST Secretariat.
Efforts are being put forwardfor securing financial support to participants from the Black Sea countries (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine). Applicants fron these countries, requesting financial support may also apply to MEDCOAST Secretariat.
SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS
Network MEDCOAST activities, including MEDCOAST Institute 95, are financially sponsored 50 % by the MED-CAMPUS Program of the European Community. The remaining 50 % is covered by the following participating institutes:
The following organizations have supported the MEDCOAST activities:
MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1956, Middle East Technical University is a regional state university, having the objective of educating and training Turkish and foreign students in scientific, technical and professional fields of study. Today, it occupies a highly attractive campus, and has about 20 000 students.
Middle East Technical University has been the leading institute in Turkey in the fields of coastal engineering since early 1960's, and in oceanography since mid 1970's. The interest in coastal zone management within the coastal engineering division, both in research and teaching, dates back to about 10 years. Through the support of the MED-CAMPUS program, an international, interdisciplinary graduate curriculum in the field of integrated coastal zone management is being developed. The graduate program, to be conducted by an interdiciplinary and international faculty completely in the English language, will be available to the international student body, with particular chances for students from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea countries.