AGREEMENTS, CONVENTIONS, TREATIES & PROGRAMMES |
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME - BLUE FLAG |
DESCRIPTION & FOCUS AREA |
Blue Flag is a voluntary international environmental programme which award excellence in beach management. It is coordinated internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) based currently in Copenhagen and is supported by UNEO and the World Tourism Organisation (WTO). Blue Flag is active in 27 countries, mostly European countries, with South Africa being the first country outside of Europe to gain this status. The only other aspiring African country at this stage is Morocco although a number of the Eastern African coastal and island states have expressed an interest in the programme. Seven Caribbean countries are also taking part in pilot Blue Flag programmes. The programme focuses on giving internationally recognised annual awards to local authorities managing tourism beaches according to a strict set of international criteria focusing mainly on environmental management, water quality, services and amenities and environmental education. |
STATUS |
DEAT is in a contract with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) as the national NGO implementer of Bluer Flag South Africa. We provide financial and specialist support to Blue Flag South Africa and also chair the National Blue Flag Executive Committee and is represented on the National Jury. We are also on the International Blue Flag Working Group for Blue Flag outside Europe. We provide ongoing input and strategic guidance to the development of Blue Flag with a specific focus on African countries. Blue Flag is currently in its second official year in South Africa and applications for the next season for participating beaches closes at the end of July 2003, with the national Jury convening on 6 August. The recommendations from the national Jury will then be tabled at the International jury meeting in September whereupon the next Blue Flag season is due to commence on 1 November 2003
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FOCAL POINT AT MCM AND FOREIGN COUNTRY |
Ms Kobie Brand
082 784 6986
and Mr Finn Bolding-Thomson
Blue Flag International Copenhagen, Denmark |
IMPLICATIONS & BENEFITS FOR SOUTH AFRICA |
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