GLOBE ESTONIA FINDS PARTNERS IN ST.PETERSBURG

UNCLAS TALLINN 000164 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES COPENHAGEN FOR EST OFFICE MOSCOW FOR EST COUNSELLOR SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KGLB POG EN SUBJECT: GLOBE ESTONIA FINDS PARTNERS IN ST.PETERSBURG REF: A) 05 TALLINN 00691 B) 06 TALLINN 00791 ¶1. (U) Summary. In February, the Estonian GLOBE Coordinator, along with six Estonian GLOBE teachers, attended "GLOBE days in St. Petersburg." The three-day event was the direct result of GLOBE Estonia's efforts to assist St. Petersburg schools in becoming official GLOBE member schools. It concluded with a plan for concrete next steps forward - including pairing Estonian and Russian schools and hosting a seminar in Estonia for Russian teachers interested in the GLOBE program. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Over the years, GLOBE Estonia has systematically worked to find new partners in neighboring countries. For example, in 2005 GLOBE Estonia invited a delegation from St. Petersburg School No. 393 to participate in GLOBE Estonia's "Northern Landscape" project. (REF A) The following year, thanks to a grant from the ESTH Regional Office in Copenhagen, the same school sent representatives to GLOBE Estonia's 10th anniversary event. (REF B) The Kirov region schools' interest in becoming GLOBE schools, and the resulting "GLOBE Days in St. Petersburg," are direct results of such outreach efforts by GLOBE Estonia. (Note. GLOBE Estonia focused its efforts on Kirov region because of a pre-existing cooperation agreement between Estonia and the Kirov region of St. Petersburg. End Note.) GLOBE Estonia will develop an informal cooperation agreement with schools in St. Petersburg's Kirov region. ¶3. (U) During the three-day "GLOBE days in St. Petersburg" event, an Estonian GLOBE delegation comprised of six teachers and Estonian GLOBE Coordinator Ulle Kikas (along with Embassy Tallinn Economic Specialist, Embassy Copenhagen Regional ESTH Office Environment Specialist, and Consulate General St. Petersburg Polecon Assistant) visited two St. Petersburg high schools. The delegation also met with head masters and teachers from five schools that have been actively involved in ecological projects. During a roundtable, Estonian GLOBE coordinator Ulle Kikas, along with the Estonian GLOBE teachers, made presentations on GLOBE protocols and shared stories about their successes and challenges. The roundtable concluded with a joint resolution that each participating Russian school would be paired with a partner GLOBE school in Estonia to determine areas of mutual interest, likely including air and water projects. In addition, a teachers' seminar will be organized in Estonia this spring for Russian teachers interested in the GLOBE program. To become a certified GLOBE school, at least one certified GLOBE teacher must be on the staff. The Regional ESTH Office in Copenhagen will partly sponsor the seminar in Estonia. ¶4. (U) Comment. GLOBE Estonia has continuously demonstrated its ability to combine science and environment with multiculturalism. This is increasingly evident not only in regards to the integration of ethnic Russians in Estonia, but also with cross-border grassroots cooperation. Although St. Petersburg schools must still overcome challenges before becoming official GLOBE schools - both due to lack of budget and support: the Russian Ministry of Education is located in Moscow and the Russian GLOBE coordinator is located in Rostov - lots of cross-border good will, enthusiasm, and determination resulted from the St. Petersburg event. Encouragingly, the head of the St. Petersburg education authority expressed his enthusiasm for future cooperation with Estonian schools. Post greatly appreciates the travel funds provided by the Regional ESTH Office in Copenhagen. End Comment. GOLDSTEIN