CENN Daily Digest – July 15, 2004

CENN – Daily Digest July 15, 2004
Table of Contents:
1. In Search of Black Sea Oil
2. Information regarding the IMF / World Bank Annual Meetings
3. CIP Improved School Project Contract Awarded
4. ArcGIS Extensions Workshop – Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst for
Environmental Applications in Seattle, WA Sept. 1 – 2, 2004
5. Various Openings at NACRES
6. ATP 10th Anniversary Celebrated with a Concert at Garni Temple
7. Armenia sees growth in tourism
8. Armenia gets 23m dollars from World Bank to improve water supplies
1. In Search of Black Sea Oil
Source: The Georgian Messenger, July 15, 2004
The Company Anadarco continues the search for oil in Georgian territorial
waters in the Black Sea. According to the Company, the new exploratory
program is expected to last for three years and is targeted at estimating
oil reserves in the sea.
At a presentation conducted on July 12, 2004 the company authorities stated
that according to their estimates, there should be significant reserves of
oil and gas in Georgian territorial waters, particularly in the Adjara zone,
although they were not yet ready to give precise figures.
According to an agreement with the Georgian government, the company has
rights to conduct exploration works in Georgian territorial waters in
Abkhazia and Adjara. However, so far no works has been carried out in
Abkhazian territory.
Anadarco, which is a daughter company of Anadarco Petroleum Corporation, has
been active in Georgia since June 2000, and is working in partnership with
the Georgian state enterprise Saknavtobi.
Until now, Anadarco was carrying out two dimension explorations in the area.
Now it plans to carry out three-dimensional explorations, which will give
more precise information. The explorations are being conducted in the open
sea forty km northwest of Batumi.
Anadarco’s findings will be eagerly awaited by other companies operating in
the Black Sea. Georgian territorial waters are divided into ten blocks:
Anadarco is active in the 2a, 2b and 3 blocks, while other companies, such
as Ioris, Veli, Runko, Fronters Ninotsminda are operating in different
blocks.
Analysts believe it possible that Anadarco will complete its exploration
works within three years and then start drilling. Anadarco is currently
looking for a partner, as drilling is very expensive: one well is estimated
to cost USD 50-60 million.
As for the Georgian share of the venture, the figures have not been revealed
yet but it is believed that Georgia’s share in the profits would initially
be slim, but would increase as work enters a more advanced stage.
Meanwhile, Saknavtobi – the state organization responsible for over seeing
the administration of oil exploration – is still searching for a General
Director. Out of the 82 applications in the open competition, twelve have
been short listed. the name of the new General Director will be publicly
announced on July 20, 2004.
2. Information regarding the IMF / World Bank Annual Meetings
Dear Civil Society Colleagues:
This is to update you on relevant information related to the accreditation
process and civil society dialogues during the upcoming Annual Meetings of
the IMF and the World Bank that will take place in Washington, DC on October
4-5, 2004. You can also find this information at the World Bank’s website
for CSOs at:
ACCREDITATION
You can now apply online for accreditation to attend the 2004 Annual
Meetings and related events. To do so, please go to:
Once you submit your
request for accreditation, you will receive an instant email reply
confirming the receipt of your request, and advising you how to check on the
status of your application while it is being processed. As you might know,
all requests for visitors, including civil society, are subject to
clearance. Your request will be cleared by the Executive Director of the
country from which your request originates.
If you are unable to submit this request on-line, please fax your written
request, on your institution’s letterhead paper, to the Special Guests and
Visitors Office at: (1-202) 522-7408. Your request should include your full
name, title, complete mailing address and telephone/facsimile numbers, and
an e-mail address if possible.
We strongly encourage you to apply for accreditation as soon as possible.
Many of you will need a visa to enter the United States and that could take
a long time to obtain. Please initiate the visa process as soon as possible.
If the US authorities in your country request a confirmation letter or fax
in order to get your visa, please contact:
Special Guests and Visitors Office, World Bank
Telephone: (1-202) 458-0264
Facsimile: (1-202) 522-7408
After you’ve completed the online registration and have received the email
receipt they will be able to issue such letter/fax for you.
The deadline for accreditation is September 3, 2004. NO REQUESTS WILL BE
ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DEADLINE.
NGO/PRESS
Please note that as of this year, the NGO/PRESS badge will be discontinued.
We will provide the accredited CSOs with a meeting space close to the press
room in the IMF building for meetings with journalists, CSO press
conferences etc. The room will be equipped with work stations and a live
feed from the press conference room. We will also distribute in that room
all communiqués and other press releases as soon as they become public and
available to journalists. Also, a number of seats in the press conference
room will be reserved for CSOs, who will be accommodated on a first-come,
first-serve basis. We will do our best to facilitate your contacts with the
press covering the Annual Meetings.
POLICY DIALOGUE SESSIONS FOR CSOs
In an effort to address the major development challenges and in response to
requests coming from civil society, a number of Policy Dialogue Sessions for
interested CSO representatives will be organized before and during the 2004
Annual Meetings, between Wednesday, September 29 and Wednesday, October 6.
We welcome any suggestions and ideas of topics of these discussions. You can
submit your comments to: [email protected] for World Bank or:
[email protected] for IMF meetings. Details of these dialogues will be made
available at: closer to the date.
We’re looking forward to seeing many of you in Washington !
World Bank and IMF Civil Society Teams
_______________________________
Civil Society Team
The World Bank
Phone: (1-202) 473-1840
3. CIP Improved School Project Contract Awarded
Press Release
Source: The Georgian Messenger, July 14, 2004
BP, as the operator of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline and
South Caucasus (SCP) gas pipeline projects, is pleased to announce the
launch of the USD 2.4 mln CIP — Improved School Project in Georgia (ISP).
Improved School Project is an extension of the Community Investment Program
(CIP), implementation of which started a year ago, in March 2003. The aim of
CIP is to deliver tangible benefits to the communities along the pipeline
route by promoting sustainable social and economic development, focusing on
the projects relating to infrastructure repair/rehabilitation, agricultural
improvements, sustainable income generation through micro credit and
community capacity building. CIP has focused on the villages within the 2 km
corridor on either side of the pipeline.
Based on the consultations with various NGOs, government, local communities,
and with the aim to spread the CIP benefits to the towns along the pipeline
route, BP and its partners in the BTC and SCP projects have decided to
implement the CIP — Improved School Project in the towns along the pipeline
in addition to the current CIP activities.
The aim of the CIP -ISP is to promote sustainable socio-economic development
of urban areas along the pipeline route by preparing adolescent to
participate more effectively in Georgia’s future social and economic growth.
CIP — Improved School Project provides an opportunity to invest in both
physical infrastructure rehabilitation and capacity building for teachers,
administrators, partners and students of secondary schools, thus also
supporting the Government of Georgia’s Education System Realignment and
Strengthening Program.
Key outputs of the CIP -ISP project will include:
Infrastructure rehabilitation in over 50 secondary schools in the towns of
Gardabani, Marneuli, Rustavi, Tetristkaro, Bakuriani and Akhaltsikhe,
benefiting over 28,000 students and 2,000 teachers;
Over 275 teachers and administrators will be trained in specialized teaching
or management techniques;
Parents, teachers, administrators and students will be prepared for the
national wide move to the Schools Board model of school management.
As a pilot project, which if successfully, may be replicated in other towns
in the future, one school in Tsalka, Bakuriani and Akhaltsikhe will be
selected for installation of a computer lab powered by solar panels. This
will enable students in those schools to improve the skills that will better
prepare them to find employment in the future.
The CIP-ISP is being carried out by the two lead CIP implementing NGOs –
Care International and Mercy Corps, in cooperation with Technical Assistance
in Georgia as a local partner.
CIP-ISP is yet another example of how expansion related to the
implementation of the two major oil and gas pipeline projects in the
region – BTC and SCP – has resulted in significant investment by the BTC and
SCP partner groups to benefit the countries through which these projects
pass.
The CIP-ISP demonstrates strong commitment of the BTC and SCP projects to
being good neighbors, and will deliver real and tangible benefits to the
towns along the SCP and BTC Pipeline route.
4. ArcGIS Extensions Workshop – Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst
for Environmental Applications in Seattle, WA Sept. 1 – 2, 2004
ArcGIS Extensions Workshop – Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst for
Environmental Applications
Course ID: GIS-404
September 1 – 2, 2004, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (2 Days)
Allied Business Systems, Main Computer Lab
10604 N.E. 38th Place, Suite 118
Kirkland, Washington
(15 minutes east of downtown Seattle)
Instructors: Shawn Blaesing-Thompson, M.S.; and Jeffrey Berry
This 2-day hands on course builds upon GIS-403 and will cover the
environmental applications of Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions of
ESRI’s ArcGIS software. Each participant will have their own computer
workstation to create, edit, display and analyze real world environmental
data during numerous hands on exercises. Participants will be led through
exercises that simulate environmental issues (i.e., suitability, distance,
hydrologic, and surface modeling). The course topics will be covered while
working on the exercises.
Course Topics
Introduction to Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst Extensions
Modeling Surface and
Subsurface Features
Converting Features to Rasters
Draping 2D Data on 3D
Surfaces
Creating Continuous Surfaces from Point Features
Calculating Surface Area
and Volume from a TIN
Deriving Contours, Slope, View-sheds, Aspect, and Hill
Shade from Surfaces
Hands-on Exercises Using
Extensions:
Performing Map Algebra on Rasters
– Terrain Analysis
Carrying out Discrete Cell-by-Cell Analysis
– Watershed Pollution
Modeling
Performing Grid Classification and Display
– Flood Mapping
Building Surface Models (TIN)
– Site Suitability Analysis
Each day the course begins at 8:30 A.M. and ends at 5:00 P.M.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Convert features into raster files
Create continuous surfaces from point features
Perform spatial analysis on surface features
Conduct map algebra operations on rasters
Perform discrete cell-by-cell analysis
Classify Grids and Displays
Build 2D and 3D surface models
Intended Audience: This hands on course is intended for environmental
scientist, engineers, and graphics professionals involved with the
collection, interpretation, and presentation of spatially related data.
About the Instructors:
Jeffrey Berry has been using GIS on a variety of projects across the country
for more than 10 years. He is a certified GIS instructor and frequently
teaches GIS workshops. Mr. Berry currently serves as Senior GIS Analyst with
Erlandsen & Associates. Shawn Blaesing-Thompson is currently serving as a
cartographer and GIS trainer for Washington Department of
Transportation. She has been teaching GIS workshops to WSDOT staff
throughout Washington.
Prerequisites: Previous ArcView 8 or ArcGIS 9 experience and/or completion
of GIS-403 or equivalent is recommended.
Registration: $495/$395* Discount applies to government; Native American
Tribes; nonprofits; students; teachers; and NEBC, NAEP, and NWAEP members.
Credit: 1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Register Online
Directions
Download Registration and Information Packet (includes hotel info,
directions, and registration form for printing)
To request further information, call us at (206) 762-1976 or send us email.
Erick McWayne
Northwest Environmental Training Center
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit program of the Northwest Environmental Education
Council
4742 – 42nd Avenue SW, PMB 322
Seattle, WA 98116
Phone 206-762-1976
Fax 206-762-1979
5. Various Openings at NACRES
Noah’s Ark Center for the Recovery of Endangered Species (
<; ) a non-governmental and non-profit organization was founded in 1989 to research and safeguard biodiversity, especially endangered species in Georgia and the South Caucasus and to promote public awareness in the field of environmental protection. NACRES announces vacancies for the following positions: POSITION 1: Community mobilization and public relations coordinator POSITION 2: GIS specialist POSITION 3: Assistant to the Executive Director POSITION 4: Logistician Applications described below should be submitted in English only and should be sent either by fax or e-mail to: Mr. Kakha Artsivadze, Executive Director, NACRES Fax: 53-71-24 E-mail: [email protected] mailto:[email protected] NB: When sending application by e-mail, please do not forget to write in Subject line: Application for [and indicate which position you are applying for]; Otherwise your application might not reach the relevant staff within NACRES. Each applicant is eligible to apply for one position only, however selection panel might suggest a prospective applicant other position should the panel consider applicant's qualification more relevant to other vacancy. PLEASE NOTE: 1. Hand delivered applications will not be accepted !! 2. To keep the selection process fare NACRES staff will not respond to any inquiry phone calls, e-mail or fax messages!! All necessary information on NACRES can be found at NACRES website: DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 17:00, FRIDAY, 23 JULY 2004; LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED 1. COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR Duties and Responsibilities: Relationships with NGO sector, local communities and other stakeholders in the regions of Georgia Close coordination with NACRES partner NGOs in the regions of Georgia and also in Armenia and Azerbaijan Coordination of public awareness activities and trainings (does not mean facilitation of trainings in other fields rather then community mobilization and public relations) Relationships with local, central and international mass media Preparation of different publications including texts for NACRES website upgrades and annual reports Qualifications and key competencies: Excellent competency of spoken and written Georgian, English and Russian Good knowledge of environmental issues At least one year of working experience in public relations and community mobilization Excellent communications and team working skills Good computing (basically MS Office and internet) skills Good project management skills and job delegation abilities Proposed initial salary: GEL 630 (net) per month. NB: Please note that this is one of the key positions at NACRES and the proposed salary will at least double (may even gradually triple) during 9-12 months after employment if the selected person excellently performs requested abilities and successfully accomplishes tasks set by the organization. A successful applicant will receive extensive training in specific fields (e.g. biodiversity conservation) if needed and s/he will be required to pass through an initial three-month in-depth evaluation period. Important Notice: Interviews with prospective applicants will be in Georgian, English and Russian Interested candidates must submit application consisting of the following documents only: filled attached Personal History Form (in Adobe Acrobat format) a letter of motivation in English, not exceeding one A4 format page printed in Times New Roman, Font Size 12, Spacing 1 at least one letter of recommendation indicating work experience in the field 2. GIS SPECIALIST Duties and Responsibilities: Analysis of aerial photos and satellite images Development of GIS databases Development of different thematic maps Other relevant tasks in the GIS sphere Qualifications and key competencies: Minimum 1 year working experience in related field Excellent computer skills: ArcGIS 8.x (strongly desirable) or other ESRI software; Good English Academic Background (desirable but nor essential): natural sciences (biology, geology, geography or any environmental science) Proposed salary: GEL 630 (net) per month with potential growth after six months. A successful applicant will be required to pass through an initial three-month probationary period. Important Notice: Interviews with prospective applicants will be in English Interested candidates must submit application consisting of the following documents only: filled attached Personal History Form (in Adobe Acrobat format) at least one letter of recommendation indicating work experience in the field 3. ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Duties and Responsibilities: Support the Executive Director in ongoing activities including projects management Translation of current documentation from English into Georgian and vice versa Management of correspondence Maintenance of administrative and personnel filing systems Preparation of reports for donors and the Executive Director Perform of occasional office needs assessments for purchasing goods Qualifications and key competencies: Good knowledge of spoken and written Georgian, English and Russian is desired Desired (but not essential) background: natural sciences (biology, geology, geography or any environmental science) or at least two years of work experience in an environmental organization Good computing skills Proposed salary: GEL 439 (net) per month with potential growth after six months. A successful applicant will be required to pass through an initial three-month probationary period. Important Notice: Interviews with prospective applicants will be in English and Russian Interested candidates must submit application consisting of the following documents only: - filled attached Personal History Form (in Adobe Acrobat format) - - at least one letter of recommendation indicating work experience in the related field 4. LOGISTICIAN Duties and Responsibilities: - Assistance in procurement - Maintaining of the organization's vehicles in good working conditions - Assistance NACRES staff in travel throughout Georgia and the South Caucasus countries - Coordination of travel and accommodation of foreign visitors - Assistance in organization and management of fieldworks throughout the country - Management and inventory of property of the organization - Requirements: - Basic English (Desirable) - Good computer skills-MS Office (Required) - Driving license and owning of a vehicle (Required; NB: maintenance of personal vehicle and fuel to be supplied by the organization) - Experience in similar job (Desirable) Proposed salary: GEL 439 (net) per month with potential growth after six months. A successful applicant will be required to pass through an initial three-month probationary period. Important Notice: Interviews with prospective applicants will be mainly in Georgian, but some basic communication will also be in English Interested candidates must submit application consisting of two documents only: - filled attached Personal History Form (in Adobe Acrobat format) - at least one letter of recommendation indicating work experience in the related field 6. ATP 10th Anniversary Celebrated with a Concert at Garni Temple July 13, 2004 PRESS RELEASE Armenia Tree Project 65 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-926-8733 Email: [email protected] Web: Armenia Tree Project's 10th Anniversary Celebrated with a Concert at Garni Temple in Armenia YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow, combined sources)-Beneath a full moon over an ancient temple, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia filled Garni with music on July 2. Maestro Aram Gharabekyan waved his orchestra into motion at 10pm, with "Dance of Rosy Girls," from Aram Khachaturian's ballet "Gayane," just as the moon made its way into view over the 1st century BC temple. Yellow lighting filled the inside of the temple, while purple, blue, and green lights successively highlighted its columns. It is the first time such a spectacle has been held in the gorge, one of Armenia's most popular tourist destinations. Seating was provided for 600, but about 100 others stood for the two-hour performance. The audience was a mix of dignitaries, citizens, and diasporan Armenians who received special invitations to the event. "It is the most extraordinary concert I have ever seen," said Heghine Zurabyan, 45, who lives in Garni. "I dream that my children will have many opportunities to hear such concerts." The orchestra was accompanied by soprano Gayane Grigoryan and soprano Nune Badalyan, who received a standing ovation for her performance of the last aria of the opera "Anush." Gharabekyan praised the work of the Tree Project, which over the past decade has planted 531,000 trees in 500 locations throughout Armenia. "The orchestra is honored to have a role in the protection and revitalization of our environment through music," Gharabekyan was quoted as saying. "Let's place our hands together across Armenia and across the world so that we can replant, replenish, and rebuild a new vision for the future." "It was just a breathtaking, stunning scene to listen to this music in front of this amazing temple," said Glenn Surabian, of Boston, who is in Armenia to work on a USAID-sponsored program. "These beautiful trees were lit up. I think it was just a wonderful celebration for the Tree Project." The orchestra produced a similar event last year in Shushi, at the College of Applied Arts and Sciences that was destroyed. The concert aimed to promote awareness of the college's reconstruction, just as the Garni concert publicized the Tree Project's reforesting efforts throughout Armenia. "One of the objectives of the orchestra has always been to play a part, not only in the cultural life of our society, but to make a meaningful contribution to the causes that impact our lives as citizens," read a statement by the orchestra about the performance. "Therefore, this evening's concert is not incidental, but a commitment whose roots can be traced to Shushi. Let's all ensure that we build a new society - one which places importance on ecology and the environment and one which our children will be proud to inherit," the statement concluded. Orchestra director Armen Arabyan said the Garni concert was a logistical challenge. He also said they spent about $20,000 to organize the concert and that the orchestra hopes to produce such events annually. The performance was filmed and will be produced as a DVD and recorded for release on CD. The ATP is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1994 during Armenia's darkest and coldest years with the vision of safeguarding Armenia's future by protecting its environment. Funded by contributions from Diasporan Armenians, the ATP has planted and rejuvenated 531,000 trees at more than 400 sites ranging from Gyumri to Goris. 7. Armenia sees growth in tourism Source: ArmenPress, July 13, 2004 Arthur Zakarian, the head of the trade and economic development ministry department for tourism, stated that the geography of foreign tourists visiting Armenia is expanding and visitors from EU countries are set to exceed those coming form ex-Soviet republics. According to him, this is the indication that Armenia is becoming gradually a tourist attraction for Europeans. "Armenian tourists industry sees annual growth and potentially has all prospects for becoming one of the largest sector of the Armenian economy," he said. He said the number of foreign travelers visiting Armenia raised by 12 percent to approximately 33,000 in the first quarter of this year. 8. Armenia gets 23m dollars from World Bank to improve water supplies Source: Arminfo, July 9, 2004 Armvodokanal [Armenian water canal] and the World Bank have signed a credit programme to the tune of 23m dollars for 40 years to restore Armenia's system of water supplies, the head of the Armenian State Committee for Water Resources, Andranik Andreasyan, told reporters at a press conference. The programme aims to choose a new operator in the system of water supplies. The French company [Water Utility] Saur was chosen as a new operator in a tender. The State Committee for Water Resources is planning to submit the package of the credit programme during the autumn session of the Armenian National Assembly. Moreover, two programmes of the German KfW bank to the tune of 94m euros are being prepared for the Armenian water supplies company Nor Akunk that operates in Armavir Region. For the implementation of the first programme, which envisages restoration work in Armavir Region, the German government will allocate a 14m-euro credit. The second programme, designed for restoration work in the country's Lori and Shirak Regions, will be carried out stage-by-stage. The overall funding of the programme is 80m euros, and 25m euros will be channelled into the implementation of the first stage. Mr. Andreasyan said that due to the need for massive work in these areas, the government of Germany has decided to allocate one third of the 25 euros (about 8m dollars) as a grant.' The security problem in all operating reservoirs will be resolved with the World Bank's new credit programme amounting to 7.5m dollars, the head of the Armenian State Committee for Water Resources, Andranik Andreasyan, told reporters at the press conference today. The programme will be a continuation of the already implemented World Bank programme to maintain security in strategic reservoirs, he said. Andreasyan also said that a programme of developing irrigation systems is being prepared at the moment. He said that for the time being, 54 leading organizations are operating in the country's irrigation system, whereas only one big company Dzhirar is engaged in water supplies. New tariffs have been established for services in the irrigation system at present, Mr. Andreasyan said. Thus, one cubic metre of irrigation water in Yerevan is 90 drams and 100 drams outside the capital. The difference in tariffs is explained by the fact that 45 pumping stations, which consume great amounts of energy, are operating in rural areas. CENN INFO Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46 Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47 E-mail: [email protected] URL: