UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion

• The UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect on Conservation & Main activities to meet objectives Titre partie Ecotourism of Riparian & Deltaic Ecosystems was • Innovative research established in 2016 • Engagement and involvement of stakeholders • Headquarters in , , Dept. of Forest & Nat. • Training event for professionals and stakeholders Environment Sciences, International Hellenic University • Awareness events for the general public

Location of Drama, Greece Main objectives Inauguration Ceremony 1st Scientific Meeting • Join forces with national, regional and international To forge this Framework stakeholders • Con-E-Ect is implementing many national and • Elaborate an International Common Strategy Framework international projects for the Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and • Some projects are presented in following slides Deltaic Ecosystems. 1 UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion

• RIPARIAN AREAS are next Con-E-Ect capitalizes on the natural “laboratory” of its to water bodies regionTitre, s partieuch as • DELTAS are landforms at • Evros, , Strymonas and Axios-Aliakomonas Deltas the endpoints of rivers • Riparian areas of and Olympus mountains • Both have high • Many protected by Ramsar Convention or Natura 2000 biodiversity, although Nestos Delta occupying a small area Strymonas Delta • Both OFFER many Evros Delta ecosystem services • Anthropogenic activities Riparian areas of streams and rivers have impacted them for of Greece 1000 of years • Many scientists consider the most degraded ecosystems • Climate change will also Axios-Aliakmonas Delta have negative impacts Rivers end in deltas 2 UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion ERASMUS + Projects

Title: “Innovations in Water Education Programs: Title: “Specialisation process for the Enhancing Water Security and Socio-economic ecoengineering sector in the Med environment. Development in the Eastern Mediterranean under Generation of the necessary feedback between Climate Change” Acronym: WaSec enterprises and universities in a changing climate Main objective environment” Acronym: ECOMED • Brings together & strengthen the cooperation Main objective between companies & universities in Water • Generate material & tools for the specialization Resources Mgt. in Eastern Mediterranean process & enhancement of the Mediterranean Activities soil & water bioengineering sector • Develop new courses in Water Resources Activities WaSec – Assessing Management • Improve existing or develop new design Nestos River • Consider potential climate change impacts routines & protocols for the sector • Use new & adaptive learning & teaching ECOMED -Assessing a • Analyze existing soil & water engineering works landslide in Spain methods • Develop online educational modules Partners – 13 from 6 countries (Univer. & Enterpr.) Partners – 14 from 8 countries (Univer. & Enterpr.) Photo 7 Website – http://wasec.just.edu.jo Website – http://ecomedbio.eu/ 3 UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion Black Sea Programme Projects Title: BSB 963 “Protecting streams for a clean Title: BSB27 “Interdisciplinary Black Sea Basin Black Sea by reducing sediment and litter Network for Joint Sustainable Monitoring of pollution with joint innovative monitoring and Migration of Toxic Compounds in the Environment, control tools and nature-based practices” Improved Assessment of Environmental Status and Acronym: Protect-Streams-4-Sea (PS4S) Harmful Impact Assessment on Human Health and Main objective Prevention of Population Exposure” • Environmental protection & reduction of Acronym: MONITOX pollutants and litter in the Black Sea Main objective • Activities • Enhance regional cross-border cooperation • Establish a joint monitoring program on PS4S – Visiting Arhavi • Improve joint monitoring of environmental River, nonpoint pollutants and litter toxic pollution • Reduction of pollutants and litter through the • Share & exchange better new analysis adoption of best management practices. methodology & information on ecological state Partners – 5 from 5 countries & human health impact of harmful substances. Facebook ProtectStreams4Sea Partners – 5 from 3 countries Photo 7 Twitter ProtectStreams4Sea, @SeaProtect MONITOX – Visiting Website – https://www.monitox.ugal.ro/ the Danube Delta 4 UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion Collaborating with Municipalities Title: Urban Riparian Areas of Drama Title: Avdira Ecotourism Municipality: Drama, GREECE Municipality: Avdira, GREECE A sub-project of the "Drama Urban Agenda" Main objective: Provide a roadmap towards sustainable Main objective: Assessing the current conditions of riparian ecotourism development and mentoring services to assist areas of Drama city’s riparian areas to develop a the Municipality to overcome implementation obstacles management plan to conserve them sustainably, improve the Title: Eski Kapou Project quality of life, attract more tourists and mitigate climate Municipality: , GREECE change impacts Main objective: Record the current in the flora and fauna of the Eski Kapou area, determine the coastal erosion and present mitigation techniques and prepare a manual guide and behavioral code for the future visitors

Development of the online map on the major ecotouristic sites and opportunities for Avdira municipality Measuring water quality and quantity of the urban streams of Drama 5 UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion

Man & Water Master Program New MSc program titled “Man & Water” Student’s skills • Started in October 2018 • Knowledge and tools to work in the • Department of Forests and natural business water sector Environment Sciences • Design, develop and apply solutions • International Hellenic University for water while meeting society’s and • Running for 3 years environment’s needs within the Aim framework of climate change • Address water challenges by an Courses Field visits to streams, rivers, riparian area integrated perspective and the prism • 6 core courses that all student follow and delta and practical field training of human intervention during the first semester • Capitalizes the natural “laboratory” of • Second semester students choose a the surrounding areas with filed visits specialization a) water scarcity or b) and training water surplus. Each specialization has Website – 3 courses http://manwater.teiemt.gr/?page_id=13 Distinguished international speakers: Prof. • Second semester students also take 2 49&lang=en H. Jia Tsinghua University (left), Dr. G. electives out 6 possible Stevens Western Sydney University (right) 6 UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect: Mapping Sustainability for Riparian Areas, Deltas & Humans through the Collaboration of Universities, Stakeholders and Decision-Makers George Zaimes, Valasia Iakovoglou & Dimitrios Emmanouloudis Introduction Riparian & Deltas International Projects National Projects Master’s program Conclusion

Ø Implementing many international and national projects Ø Established partnerships with decision makers, public organizations, NGOs, companies and stakeholders Ø Increased knowledge on the importance of riparian areas & deltas with dissemination activities Ø Promoting riparian area & deltas conservation in Greece, Balkan & Mediterranean Ø Meeting several SDGs (3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17)

• Website: http://unescochair.teiemt.gr/ • Facebook: Unesco Con-Ε-Ect • UNESCO "Con-Ε-Ect“ @UnescoConeect 7