INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on the subject
ORGANIC DISTRICTS
(Eco-Regions / Bio-Districts)
& to celebrate
EU ORGANIC DAY & WORLD TOURISM DAY 2023
on Tuesday 26.9.2023. starting at 11 a.m
in the premises of the „Centar održivog razvoja“
Međimurje Polytechnic, ul. bana Josipa Jelačića 22f, Čakovec
Organizers: Center of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Tourist Board of Međimurje County
The conference is supported by:
Ministry of Agriculture, Međimurje County, Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, IFOAM International, University „Sjever“, Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb, Međimurje Polytechnic, Leader Network of Croatia, LAG Međimurski doli i bregi, LAG Mura-Drava, Institution „Međimurska priroda“
The European Commission has defined an ORGANIC DISTRICT (Eco-Regions / Bio-Districts) as a geographical area where farmers, the public, tourist entities, associations and public authorities conclude an agreement on the sustainable management of local resources, based on ecological principles and practices. The goal is to maximize the economic and social potential of the territory. Each “Bio district” includes lifestyle, diet, human relationships and natural resource management.
The Global Alliance for Organic District is a global trans disciplinary network and collaborative community launched in 2020 in Italy by IN.N.E.R. – International Network of Eco Regions, ALGOA – Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture, OFSP – Organic Food System Programme, IFOAM-Organics International, IFOAM-Organics Asia, IFOAM-Organics Europe, Baltic Foundation of Lithuania, Regeneration International, the League of Organic Agriculture Municipalities and Cities in the Philippines (LOAMC-PH). Today it operates in more and more countries on different continents.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
10:30 GATHERING AND REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS
11:00 INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS and OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE
- Assoc. Ph.D. Igor Klopotan, dean of Međimurje Polytechnic
- Ph.D. Dijana Posavec, director of the Center of Dr. Rudolf Steiner
- Rudi Grula, director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County
- Mladen Jakopović, president of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture
- Ministry of Agriculture, representative
- Matija Posavec, Prefect of Međimurje County
11:30 PRESENTATION – LECTURE ORGANIC DISTRICTS (Eco-Regions / Bio-Districts)
- Salvatore Basile (Italy) – director of IN.N.E.R. – International Network of Eco Regions
– co-chairman of GAOD – Global Alliance Organic Districts
Presentation on the topic: European History of Bio-Districts, Current scenario & Future possibilities
- Emilio Buonomo (Italy) – president of IN.N.E.R International Network of Eco Regions,
– director of Cilento Bio-District
Presentation on the topic: The Italian experience of Cilento Bio-District, awarded by the EU Commission as Best Bio-District 2022
- prof. Ph.D. Cesare Zanasi (Italy)- professor at University of Bologna
on-line – member of the scientific committee of the IN.N.E.R.
Presentation on the topic: Monitoring of Bio-Districts, research & findings
13:00 – 13:20 COFFEE BREAK
- Jostein Hertwig (Sweden) – coordinator of the UN Organic Food System Program (OFSP)
on-line for Sweden,
– Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Organic Districts,
– president of BERAS International Foundation,
– member of the management board of IN.N.E.R International Network of Eco Regions for Northern European tourism
Presentation on the topic: Journey of Stockholm Bio District, Södertälje school meal program Diet for a green planet
- Sundeep Kamath (India, Philippines, China) – Kauswagan Municipality Councilor (Philippines),
– International advisor BFDI Biodynamic
Federation Demeter International
Presentation on the topic: Asian History of Organic Districts, Current scenario & Future possibilities
14:00 SIGNING OF THE LETTER OF INTENT on launching the ORGANIC DISTRICT project
(Eco-Region / Bio-District) for the area of Međimurje County