green arm profile -2011

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GREEN ARM PROFILE

November, 2011



1 ABOUT THE GREEN ARM

The Green Arm, established in 2008, is a platform for young environmental enthusiasts

and nascent green initiatives in Egypt that promotes networking and harmonizing

activities to address challenges of the urban community and promote green living,

environmental entrepreneurship

and

activism.

It

started

during

a phase

of

emerging

green initiatives in Egypt, predominantly related to cycling and others related to that

flourished in Greater Cairo and other governorates in the recent years.

The initiative is led by a group of young Egyptian environmental and social activists and

experts who share the vision of widespread cultural change. This cultural change

promotes socially responsible green living in communities, which implies improved

environmental health and sustainability in the cities and streets of Egypt. Among our key

strengths is the outreach to youth and understanding of Egypt’s vibrant local conditions

and needs. The focus area for the establishment phase is Sustainable Mobility and

Urban Spaces,

but

the

awareness

raising

activities

are

open

to

all

environmental

topics

and aspects.

The key strength of the Green Arm is the network of young environmentalists and

enthusiasts, while the core group of young experts make sure that ideas are catered

for. This gives it a competitive advantage of creative and dynamic energy, demand‐

driven action, and powerful online networking.

1.1 OUR VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES

GA’s Vision:

A

healthy,

environmentally

just,

pedestrian

friendly

and

fun

urban

environment in all parts of Egypt.

GA’s Mission: Raising of environmental awareness in Egypt and catalyzing activism while

addressing immediate priorities of the urban local environment.

GA’s Values: Guaranteeing social & environmental responsibility, respecting and

listening to nature, maintaining diversity, collaboration and peer‐empowerment,

ensuring sensitivity to local conditions and concerns, integrity and transparency.

GA’s

Objectives:

• Become a reference point for environmental initiatives and a platform for

collaboration and knowledge‐sharing.

• Establish and expand a network of professionals in the field of

environment and sustainability along with promotion of sustainability

activism on the local level. Support young initiatives and activists and



enable them to qualify for incubation or entrepreneurship competitions

elsewhere.

• Promotion of the existing sustainable movements in Egypt such as cycling and recycling to encourage social change.

2 WHY THE GREEN ARM?

We observe and experience many successful youth‐led activities around us but there is

often a need to network and harmonize these activities in order to act constructively

and deliver more synergistic outputs. This harmonization also serves to voice the

common concerns and interests to the policy makers and planners in a professional and

organized well‐researched manner.

The Green Arm was made to become this flexible platform for today`s and future youth

to enhance

their

activities

and

support

their

environmental

and

social

enthusiasm

by

offering guidance, space and possible aide for their interests.

A key driver to promote organized activism is the observed demand on environmental injustice in urban areas that needs to be addressed and tackled constructively with a

good understanding of the country`s profile and challenges. This has led to the creation

of the focus areas of the Green Arm since its establishment. In big cities of Egypt it is

obvious that those who cannot afford detachment (the clean isolated home, the private

car, office, and closed leisure venues) are suffering in their daily life, at home, in their

leisure time, in their daily commute, and in every inevitable breath of pollution. The

same is

affecting

the

most

affluent

areas

as

well,

although

residents

may

resort

to

detaching themselves in various ways. Transportation issues and the friendliness of the

outdoor urban environment is becoming the concern of all.

The Green Arm therefore aims to maintain its awareness‐raising activities covering all

topics of concern to Egypt but to focus on this particular priority area during the growth

phase; Sustainable Mobility and Urban Spaces. 2.1 FILLING A GAP

There are

immediate

environmental

threats

affecting

the

quality

of

life

(air,

water,

and

soil pollution, climate change, urban environments, cultural heritage, marine

environment and coastal zones, formal and informal staircase industries, agriculture,

transportation, tourism, hazardous wastes, biodiversity and protectorates, etc).

Egyptians should be the originators Foreign parties are too often the originators and

financial supporters of environmental projects due to the lack of a local bottom‐up



national agenda to ensure ownership and to meet our real local needs and priorities,

which can only be achieved through networking within the field and among Egyptians.

Policy makers need a competent representative body from the civil society and of the

scientific community with a large outreach and local understanding to consult with in

planning and

decision

making

and

to

voice

the

concerns

and

interests

of

the

civil

society

to them.

The high calibers in the field cannot find a professional space to collectively provide

analysis, advice, and unbiased guidance, e.g. there is a big gap in sustainable think tanks.

Young initiatives are often being wasted due to the lack of guidance and harmonization

of their activities, so their energy is often dissipated and not channeled/harmonized in a

constructive manner.

The Green Arm therefore aims to address these gaps through a model that links the

community with the policy makers and close the distances between stakeholders as

illustrated in the following diagram.



3 MEMBER & VOLUNTEER BASE

The member and volunteer base of the Green Arm consists of three teirs of

professionals/experts, young activists, and environmental enthusiasts respectively, all

mutually supportive in their activities.

4 GREEN ARM PROGRAMS

The Green Arm offers services through its following components:

Active Component:

• Outreach Component: A link to the activists and the communities through its

Outreach activities (campaigns, awareness sessions, workshops, retreats,

publications, and other experimental activities).

Components under establishment:

• Think Tank Component: A link between thinkers and policy‐makers through its

(policy advice, research services, etc).

• Green Ventures Springboard Component: A springboard for green initiatives to

be aware

of

and

qualify

for

incubators

or

entrepreneurship

competitions.

All components are mutually supportive.



5 PAST ACTIVITIES – KNOWLEDGE SHARING & OUTREACH

The outreach activities are present in many different forms, from a massive Friday

morning cycling rally of 500 activists to a workshop in our cozy downtown premises, or a

stage performance in the streets.

Activities take the form of workshops, photo exhibitions, rallies and campaigns,

competitions, field visits, using online social marketing and multimedia, and other

innovative means of encouraging civic engagement and networking. It also draws on

its strong network with the growing cycling groups in Egypt.

The core awareness activity is the Green Salon Series, a lively forum to spread

knowledge about different topics related to the environment in Egypt. It is a specialized

series part of Nahdet El‐Mahrousa’s regular Salons (awareness sessions on

development). This series offers lectures and workshops delivered by local and

international experts

as

well

as

a space

to

share

resources,

ideas,

creations,

opinions

about current issues that are affecting the country.

Past awareness and outreach events are as follows (see Annex‐1 for more information):

Green Salon Presentations and Seminars:

1. Air Pollution in Egypt Explained. 2. A Tried and Proven Successful New Concept for a Waste

Management System for Cairo.

3. The Outcome of the COP15 Negotiations in Copenhagen. 4. Biogas for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Development, part‐1.

5. The Outcome of COP16 Negotiations in Cancun. 6. Egypt Earth Construction Association (EECA) St. Catherine Green Architecture Project and guidebook review.

7. The Streets of Cairo and the Battle of Public Space. Green Salon Movies Screenings:

1. “Garbage Dreams” movie screening and discussion. 2. “The Global Garderner” movie screening and discussion.

Photo Exhibitions and Field Visits:

1. Biodiversity in Egypt ‐ Experiences in Lake Qarun (and a photo exhibition). 2. Biogas for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Development, part‐2 (field visit).

Workshops, Training Programs:

1. One‐week training program, the “Reef Resilience Workshop”. 2. Urban Permaculture Workshop – An Introduction.

3. Biomimicry workshop – An Approach for Sustainability in Egypt.



4. Green Arm meets the Tribes (Workshop for the Tribes in Characters of Egypt

2011 in Aswan).

5. Egypt Green Days Program, Part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), Nov 15‐17, 2011, American University in Cairo New Campus (Co‐organized).

Campaigns, Rallies,

Competitions:

1. Bike Rack Design Competition, 2010. 2. 350 Egypt, 2010, “Smart Move” cycling rally event. 3. 350 Egypt, 2011, “Moving Planet” cycling & pedestrian rally and stage

performances.

Animated Movie Clips Displayed in Tahrir Square:

Furthermore, the Green Arm in partnership with Eco‐Options Egypt (Donya Dessee),

one of Egypt’s renowned environmental website, to assist the Egyptian

Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) in producing awareness animations video clips

for the environmental awareness display screen in Tahrir Square.

GA Retreat of 2011:

The first Green Arm Retreat in 2011 gathered environmental enthusiasts and groups from different governorates to promote collaboration and exchange of experience

and reflect on our past activities.

6 PLANNED ACTIVITIES

6.1 SPREADING A

SUSTAINABLE

LIVELIHOOD

CULTURE

6.1.1 OUTREACH PUBLICATION & MEDIA PROJECTS

The planned Outreach Publication aims at raising awareness of a large percentage of the

of the Egyptians . Each issue of the publication will have a different theme building on

local grassroots knowledge, in an effort to provide the first indigenous environmental publication reaching out to the Egyptian community . This first publication will inform the

community on sustainable mobility options, with a focus on cycling in Egypt and its

history, the current phenomena, and how to support the movement and be involved. It

shall provide material for future media content as well.

The publication will focus on a specific topic in every edition, and includes useful

information and tips about the topic. The objective is to expose Egyptian initiatives to

the public, educate the citizens more on environmental and social aspects in relevance

to the sustainable development theory and provide guidance for concrete and simple

actions that can help installing new healthier and greener habits. It also serves to



disseminate the well‐researched messages from the Think Tank to the community and

to bring back feedback. The publication is planned to be both in Arabic and English.

Through our publication and campaigns, we aim to create a critical mass of youth that

adopt a greener lifestyle in the city and enjoy nature outside of it, aiming to push for the

change of

laws

as

youth

themselves

advocate

for

policy

change

through

their

different

channels of participation.

6.1.2 URBAN UPGRADING PILOT PROJECTS

We are building on our networking, our design competitions, and our expanding

volunteer base to ultimately produce tangible outcome. The Green Arm in cooperation

with partners is in the course of designing and implementing urban upgrading pilot

projects and creative solutions in parts of Cairo to showcase the vision that we have for

our city and to be a hub of much‐needed sustainable open space services for all.

6.1.3 THINK TANK ‐ ADVOCATING FOR LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR A MORE

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD

Green Arm Think Tank is a unique initiative that aims to build a team of qualified and

seasoned experts in various disciplines to serve environmental research. It conducts

research on topics of immediate relevance to the society in an objective and neutral

manner. The Think Tank is also an interface between the society at large and policy

makers as it lobbies for a political and legal regulation to arbitrate environmental

problems that are facing Egyptians in their daily life. It conducts research‐based

awareness

sessions,

exchanges

support

with

outreach

component

of

the

Green

Arm,

and produces position papers for the Green Arm and offers policy advice.

For further information, contact: [email protected]



ANNEX: LIST OF GA ACTIVITIES

CONTENTS

1. The Streets of Cairo and the Battle of Public Space (21/9/2011) ................................ 2 2. EECA St. Catherine Green Architecture Project (20/7/2011) ..................................... 3 3. Biomimicry – An Approach for Sustainability in Egypt (22/6/2011) ......................... 4 4. Permaculture film screening “The Global Garderner” (8/6/2011) .............................. 5 5. Urban Permaculture Workshop (25/5/2011) ............................................................... 6 6. The Outcome of the Cancun Agreements of COP16 (12/1/2011)............................... 7 7.

S6: Film Screening & Discussion of “Garbage Dreams” (15/9/2010) ........................ 8

8. Biogas Digestors for Clean Energy (18/5/2010) ......................................................... 9 9. World Heritage Day –Presentation & Photo Exhibition (18/4/2010)........................ 10 10. The Outcome of the COP 15 Negotiations in Copenhagen (5/12/2009) ............... 12 11. Waste Management (1/7/2009) .............................................................................. 13 12. Air Pollution in Egypt Explained (14/12/2007) ..................................................... 14 13. The Green Arm Annual Retreat (2/4/2011) ........................................................... 15 14. Smart Carnival (October 10

th2010) ....................................................................... 19

15. Green Arm’s Bike Rack Design Competition ....................................................... 20 16. JoinT Anti-Harassment Cycling rally with harrassmap initiative (January 21st,

2011)* ............................................................................................................................... 21 17. Moving Planet Event (23rd of September, 2011) ................................................... 23 18. Newletter Updates – September 2010.................................................................... 24 19. Newsletter Updates – December 2010 ................................................................... 25 20. Newsletter Updates – December 2011 ................................................................... 26



1. THE STREETS OF CAIRO AND THE BATTLE OF PUBLIC SPACE

(21/9/2011)



2. EECA ST. CATHERINE GREEN ARCHITECTURE PROJECT

(20/7/2011)



3. BIOMIMICRY – AN APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN EGYPT

(22/6/2011)



4. PERMACULTURE FILM SCREENING “THE GLOBAL

GARDERNER” (8/6/2011)

Nadet El Mahrousa's Green Arm presents

"The Global Gardener" by Bill Mollison

Wednesday 8 June at 7 p.m. Nahdet El Mahrousa office: 18 Mahmoud Bassiouny St., Downtown Cairo

Find out what permaculture is all about! Bill Mollison is from Australia, and the founder of permaculture with David Holmgren. This short series was

produced for ABC (Aus Broadcasting Corp) to demonstrate the incredible successes of permaculture around the world.

We will view two of these inspiring programs focusing on the general approach and overview: what is permaculture? and urban permaculture.

The viewing will be followed by a short discussion about similar relevancy applications in Egypt, and what we can do now.

Facilitators: Dominique de Bruin (permaculture designer and trainer) and Moustafa Hussein (Green Arm member)

RSVP on facebook



5. URBAN PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP (25/5/2011)



6. THE OUTCOME OF THE CANCUN AGREEMENTS OF COP16

(12/1/2011)



7. S6: FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION OF “GARBAGE DREAMS”

(15/9/2010)



8. BIOGAS DIGESTORS FOR CLEAN ENERGY (18/5/2010)



9. WORLD HERITAGE DAY –PRESENTATION & PHOTO EXHIBITION (18/4/2010)



10. THE OUTCOME OF THE COP 15 NEGOTIATIONS IN

COPENHAGEN (5/12/2009)



11. WASTE MANAGEMENT (1/7/2009)



12. AIR POLLUTION IN EGYPT EXPLAINED (14/12/2007)



13. THE GREEN ARM ANNUAL RETREAT (2/4/2011)



14. SMART CARNIVAL (OCTOBER 10TH

2010)



15. GREEN ARM’S BIKE RACK DESIGN COMPETITION



16. JOINT ANTI‐HARASSMENT CYCLING RALLY WITH

HARRASSMAP INITIATIVE (JANUARY 21ST, 2011)*

*This project was postponed because of the events that took place in January in Egypt.



Transportation is a large contributor to air-pollution. Today, the whole world is shifting

towards more sustainable means of transportation. While in most countries men and women

are equally active in such a movement, in more traditional societies, women are denied the

right to a safe street where they can walk or use their bicycles instead of driving cars.

In Egypt, some women cannot use bicycle in their daily commutes due to widespread

harassment on Cairo streets. Most found themselves confine to the weekly Friday rides when

streets are empty, resorting cycling merely as an urban sport. Even on Fridays they cannot ride

alone, and have to tag along with a group of friends, preferably male. To the surprise of many,

on Fridays 60% of the cyclists are girls from all walks of life, adorning sportswear, urban wear,

veils, helmets and t-shirts saying diverse messages. Also, a few brave women have ventured on

weekdays on their own to cycle to their workplace in spite of harassment.

While regular street harassment is offensive and psychologically disturbing, harassing cyclists

could kill. The cyclists could lose balance if frightened or grabbed, and sometimes causing this

unbalance is even the harasser's intention.

To provide its women members with a safer riding experience, the Cairo Cycler's Club has

partnered with two anti-harassment initiatives.

The first, Harasmap has put in place a system for reporting incidences of sexual harassment viaSMS messaging. By mapping these reports online, the initiative will act as an advocacy,

prevention, and response tool, highlighting the severity and pervasiveness of the problem.

The second, 678 movie, is a documentary-drama shedding light on the issue of sexual

harassment and its root causes.

CCC is planning an awareness raising event with Harassmap & 678 in the near future, to

advocate for safe streets. We hope that this partnership will be fruitful.

Transportation is a large contributor to air-pollution. Today, the whole world is shifting

towards more sustainable means of transportation. While in most countries men and womenare equally active in such a movement, in more traditional societies, women are denied the

right to a safe street where they can walk or use their bicycles instead of driving cars.

In Egypt, some women cannot use bicycle in their daily commutes due to widespread

harassment on Cairo streets. Most found themselves confine to the weekly Friday rides when

streets are empty, resorting cycling merely as an urban sport. Even on Fridays they cannot

ride alone, and have to tag along with a group of friends, preferably male. To the surprise of

many, on Fridays 60% of the cyclists are girls from all walks of life, adorning sportswear,

urban wear, veils, helmets and t-shirts saying diverse messages. Also, a few brave women

have ventured on weekdays on their own to cycle to their workplace in spite of harassment.

While regular street harassment is offensive and psychologically disturbing, harassing cyclistscould kill. The cyclists could lose balance if frightened or grabbed, and sometimes causing this

unbalance is even the harasser's intention.

To provide its women members with a safer riding experience, the Cairo Cycler's Club has

partnered with two anti-harassment initiatives.

The first, Harasmap has put in place a system for reporting incidences of sexual harassment via

SMS messaging. By mapping these reports online, the initiative will act as an advocacy,prevention, and response tool, highlighting the severity and pervasiveness of the problem.

The second, 678 movie, is a documentary-drama shedding light on the issue of sexual harassment

and its root causes.

CCC is planning an awareness raising event with Harassmap & 678 in the near future, to advocate

for safe streets. We hope that this partnership will be fruitful.



17. MOVING PLANET EVENT (23RD OF SEPTEMBER, 2011)

For Moving Planet images and video please go to:

• http://www.350.org/media/moving-planet

• http://www.350.org/en/about/blogs/video-human-nile-moving-cairo-egypt

• http://act.350.org/signup/moving_together

350.org is an international grassroots climate campaign dedicated to science-based solutions

to climate change. “350” stands for 350 parts per million, what scientists consider to be the

safe upper limit.



18. NEWLETTER UPDATES – SEPTEMBER 2010



19. NEWSLETTER UPDATES – DECEMBER 2010



20. NEWSLETTER UPDATES – DECEMBER 2011

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