Berlaymont Brussels - Green

•  Brussels, Biodiversity 2010

In order to be able to protect biodiversity, you first need to know about it. Scientific knowledge is therefore crucial to the formulation of efficient policies and management plans. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) is the Museum’s associated scientific institute, where they are conducting many studies of Belgian biodiversity. A few of our scientists tell us here about their work…
http://www.biodiv2010.be

• Between the 23/11/09 until 29/11/09 it was the “European Week of Waste”.

Once again the staff of the Hotel Silken Berlaymont were very involved during it. They provided all the guest with the information required. But above all, a complete summarazation of the actions made by the hotel were done. Each department were controlled and informed, like this each member of the staff knows exactly what they can do to better sort waste, and to promote recycling.

• The day without car in Brussels was on Sunday 21 of  September 2009, the staff were advised a well in advance in order to encourage everybody to use public transport.

• Global New Deal call for a new fairness and a new respect for the planet was signed at the GPF 2009 world conference.

A call for a ‘Global New Deal’ was launched in Brussels by a unique coalition of progressive politicians, trade unions and NGOs from over forty countries.
 
The launch of the call took place at the Global Progressive Forum, a huge gathering of over 2,000 politicians, trades unionists, NGOs, representatives of progressive international organizations and grassroots activists in the European Parliament, and timed to coincide with the end of the G20.
 
The declaration states “Together it is possible to change the face of globalization”
 
“Over recent decades, progressive forces have been warning about the accumulation of risks and injustices for people and the planet. Now, the fundamental and systemic failures of the current economic system are undeniable: the time has come to restate our values, our vision and our proposals for a new direction, transforming our societies, improving the lives of our and future generations.”
 
“Millions live in poverty without access to decent work, housing or basic medical care while others indulge shocking greed.”
 
The Global Progressive Forum calls for a Global New Deal including:
 
- The biggest coordinated fiscal stimulus in modern history to stop unemployment and poverty
- Financial market regulation, including an end to tax avoidance by the elite by abolishing tax havens
- Supporting the transition to a renewable and energy efficient economy
- Promoting fair trade
- Pushing decent work up the global agenda
- A more equitable sharing of revenue between capital and labour
- Ensuring women’s rights
- Massive new resources to secure development in the world’s poorest countries