79th UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries - Resource Efficiency: Circular Economy and Waste Management (SC79)

Duration: 18 November - 11 December

Motivation

The use of limited natural resources has increased significantly around the globe during the last decades – and so has waste generation. This kind of resource consumption, as well as the production, management, treatment and disposal of waste, contribute to the degradation of land and water resources and endanger human health as well as the functionality of ecosystems. Moreover, the careless handling of limited resources is restricting economic growth in its present form as well as sustainable development. This course aims to demonstrate ways for achieving resource efficiency as well as more sustainable forms of production and consumption.
The concept of a circular economy addresses the importance of enhancing resource use efficiency, thereby drastically reducing the introduction of new raw materials and minimising the disposal of non­-usable residue. This can be achieved, for example, by creating products and systems that enable longer lifespans and optimal use, by reusing and recycling. Waste produced by one resource sector can become raw material for another resource sector. Many UN member states view the circular economy concept as a mechanism to support the Agenda 2030 with its 17 integrated and indivisible Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, this course looks also into how a transition to sustainability along with the imperative restructuring can be achieved, on the basis of a social contract for innovation.
Embedded in the concepts of green economy and circular economy, cleaner production through conserving resources, reuse and recycling is geared towards the reduction of pollution and waste production per unit output. At the same time, competitiveness and productivity increase. In this manner, the course approaches a goal crucial for sustainable development: to uncouple economic and social development from increasing resource consumption and progressive environmental degradation.
Waste, which we cannot avoid, should be considered as a resource and should be used with as few adverse effects as possible. In this course, waste management encompasses management of all processes and resources for proper handling of waste materials: from facilities to transport, dump and treat waste to related health codes and environmental regulations. The course covers strategic approaches as well as specific mechanical and biological treatment steps to recover recyclables as well as waste-to-energy technologies.

This interdisciplinary short course provides a solid background knowledge combined with workshops, participatory teaching methods and on-site inspections. The participants receive an overview of the social, economic and technical aspects of a circular economy and sustainable waste management.

Objectives

After completion of the course, the participants will be better able to consider “waste” as a raw material and contribute actively to the development or advancement of sustainable resource management in their home countries. The entire production process and life cycle of products are taken into account to reduce consumption of raw material, reuse and recycle (3Rs).

This interdisciplinary training offers solid background knowledge combined with workshops, participatory teaching methods and site visits. Participants receive an overview of the social, economic and technical aspects of a circular economy and sustainable waste management. The course will cover technical-scientific knowledge but also policies and institutional frameworks as well as awareness raising and professional education.
Participants also develop an action plan for a challenge in their field of work, applying the course contents and taking into consideration inspiration received from facilitators and fellows during the course. This plan shall be implemented autonomously upon return and thus facilitate the transfer of the newly acquired knowledge into the day-to-day activities.

Represented countries of origin in the course:

Albania	Bhutan	Cambodia	Cuba	Egypt	India
Jamaica	Jordan	Laos	Mongolia	Mozambique	Nepal
Nigeria (x2)		Philippines	Sri Lanka (x2)	Tanzania

Mr Mousa Abdul Kareem Mousa Abu Saleh

Country of origin: Jordan
Workfield: Local administration
Position while attending the course: Site Engineer at Greater Amman Municipality, Directorate of Environment
and Solid Waste Management, Amman
Academic background: Water and Environmental Engineering (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities: 
Management and implementation of environmental projects and
preparation of studies

Ms Ojoma Julie Amama

Country of origin: Nigeria
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: PhD Senior Scientific Officer at National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Garki II, Abuja FCT
Academic background: Applied Chemistry (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Waste control division, department of Inspection and Enforcement,
Maintain and developed a contact list of recyclers and collectors and
ensure their involvement in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Programme and In charge of E-waste recycling

Ms Olamide Idowu Ayeni

Country of origin: Nigeria
Workfield: fed./nat. comp.
Position while attending the course: Chief Design Strategist at Pearl Recycling Lagos
Academic background: Computer Engineering (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Advocacy and Consultation on Environmental Practices, Environmental Policy Creation and evaluation, Negotiation and Collaboration Skills for impact scale-up, Local Content Evaluation and Design for solving local environmental problems, Training and Engagement of undeserved local communities

Ms Camila Arango Perez

Country of origin: Cuba
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Specialist in Control, Regulation and Safety at Office of Regulation and Environmental Safety La Habana
Academic background: Chemical Engineering (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Waste and chemicals control; carry out environmental licenses for projects in the country and submitting declarations to the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Also I carry out projects related with International Conventions and I work in environmental impacts assessment

Mr Batbaatar Batkhuu

Country of origin: Mongolia
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Officer of the Department of Green Development Policy and Planning at Department of Green Development Policy and Planning Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ulaanbaatar
Academic background: Public Policy and Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:  Officer in charge of green financing, management of green economy related projects, collaboration between the Ministry and international development
organizations and also responsible for development of policy and regulations
in the field of reduction of environmental pollution including waste

Mr Dawa Chogyel

Country of origin: Bhutan
Workfield: fed./nat. administration
Position while attending the course: Environment Analyst at Department of Industry, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Thimphu
Academic background: Environmental Engineering (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities: 
I am Heading the Environment Unit of the Department of Industry, Ministry of
Economic Affairs. Carry out environmental assessment of Industrial Project proposals
and issue Environmental Clearance as per Environmental laws, and conduct
monitoring and inspection of industries for environmental compliance

Ms Holta Copani

Country of origin: Albania
Workfield: fed./nat. admin
Position while attending the course: Project specialist at National Agency of Protected Areas, Tirana
Academic background: Environmental Science and Technology (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities: 
Monitoring the implementation of projects in cooperation with RAPAs, Amending and controlling the progress and final projects reports, Organize, coordinate and facilitate the implementation of internal procedures on designing the priorities, evaluation of relevant project proposals

Mr Nimesh Dhakal

Country of origin: Nepal
Workfield: local admin.
Position while attending the course: Project Coordinator at Output Based Aid for Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices
Project Environment Section, Lalitpur Metropolitan City
Academic background: Environmental Science (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:  Assist the project focal person in various activity involved in project: Lead the overall activities of the project, Coordination with focal person for daily implementation of the project, Coordination and communication with Project Focal Person, Local organizations

Mr Prasad Pramod Gangane

Country of origin: India
Workfield: Fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Associate Counsellor at Confederation of Indian Industry Hyderabad
Academic background: Engineering (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Sustainability expert responsible for the implementation of resource efficiency projects in Indian Industry, Carry out resource efficiency audits/assessments, environment audits, energy audits, GHG inventorization studies, Life Cycle Assessment studies in industry

Ms Uthpala Sankalpani Gangoda Gamachchige

Country of origin: Sri Lanka
Workfield: Fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Consultant at National Cleaner Production Centre Nugegoda
Academic background: Business Administration (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:  Conceptualize and designed projects for potential funding (Including technical, operation aspects; co-financing; partnerships; co-benefits etc.), Provide technical inputs for policy development and project implementation on SCP, Low carbon, Climate resilient, Resource Efficient and circular economy

Mr Lakshitha Chathuranga Paranagamage                                              

Country of origin: Sri Lanka
Workfield: Fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Assistant Manager at Janathakshan Gte Ltd. Colombo
Academic background: Green Technology (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities:  Management support for the Municipal waste recycling program which is aiming to reduce the use of plastic usage of the western coast of Sri Lanka, Overall management support for the waste management team of the organization, Coordinate and implement multiple project portfolios and budgets

Mr Phonesavanh Latmany

Country of origin: Laos
Workfield: fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Program Officer - Cities and Climate Change at Global Green Growth Institute - Lao Country Program Vientiane Capital
Academic background: Environmental Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:  Leading program work on Green Cities portfolio including solid waste and wastewater management, green mobility and providing technical support
on climate change (MRV, NDC and climate finance), engaging with key stakeholders including private sector and in development of new project

Mr Pedro Horacio Massinga Junior

Country of origin: Mozambique
Workfield: fed./nat. univ.
Position while attending the course: Director R&D Centre at Zambeze University Main Campus Matacuane, Beira, Sofala
Academic background: Chemistry (Ph.D.)
Responsibilities:  Conduct and Coordinate research programs, Projects and post-graduate courses, Programs, Assist and support development of research plans and budgets, Monitor and evaluate R&D projects, ensuring there are
completed on time and within budget

Ms Johnil Anna-Kay Morgan

Country of origin: Jamaica
Workfield: local admin.
Position while attending the course: Environmental Management Systems Officer at National Environment and Planning Agency Kingston
Academic background: Environmental Biology (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: 
To promote the adoption of pollution prevention measures in the private and public sector particularly through the promotion of environmental management
programmes and stewardship practices, Facilitate the implementation of conventions governing Hazardous wastes and other wastes in Jamaica

Ms Crisensia Gerald Mwasanga

Country of origin: Tanzania
Workfield: reg. NGO
Position while attending the course: Chemical Engineer at The Cleaner Production Center of Tanzania Dar Es Salaam
Academic background: Project Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities: I have been employed as a chemical engineer with responsibilities in undertaking the environmental impact assessments (EIA) and environmental audits (EA) ,Conducting Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) assessments and Technical report writing

Ms Dalia Ahmed Amin Mohammed Ahmed Nagati

Country of origin: Egypt
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: National Programme Coordinator at National Solid Waste Management Programme Affiliated to the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, Cairo
Academic background: Political Science - English Section (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Mainly overseeing the implementation of the programme activities on the national and governorates level as per the agreements and contracts signed between the government, our development partners and implementing partners as well as advising on best methods to enhance the implementation

Mr Raphaelo James Descaya Villavicencio

Country of origin: Philippines
Workfield: fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Program Manager at For Love of Mother Earth, Inc. a.k.a. Mother Earth Foundation Quezon City
Academic background: Sociology (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Overall coordination and project management to ensure proper implementation of Mother Earth Foundation’s (MEF's) Community-based Ecological Solid Waste Management Programs in the country, as well as coordinate other activities that will advance MEF’s National Zero Waste

Ms Chansreynuch Yim

Country of origin: Cambodia
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Technical Officer at Ministry of Environment, General Directorate of Environmental Protection
Academic background: Environmental Science (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: I work for SWMD in the office of the landfill and waste incinerator management, The tasks in the office including data management of disposal waste, permitting solid waste license to private sectors monitoring and evaluating the proposed construction project of the landfill and incinerator