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The strategy for the networking and other activities in SedNet is described below. You can also download it as a document, entitled “SedNet Strategy Paper”.
The SedNet strategy will be revised whenever deemed necessary by the SedNet Steer Group.
SedNet today
We are a network for professionals
SedNet brings together experts from science, administration and industry. SedNet interacts with the various networks in Europe that operate at the national or international level or that focus on specific fields (such as science, policy making, sediment management, industry, education).
Our mission
To be a European network aimed at incorporating sediment issues and knowledge into European strategies to support the achievement of a good environmental status and to develop new tools for sediment management.
Our focus
On all sediment quality and quantity issues on a river basin scale, ranging from freshwater to estuarine and marine sediments.
Our aims
The aims of SedNet are:
- To contribute to the further development of a holistic understanding of sediments and their management;
- To be a multidisciplinary platform for communication of sediment management and the needs for future action;
- To be main contact / information point for the European Commission (EC) on sediment related questions.
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Organization
Network structure
SedNet is structured in order to enhance communication on sediment issues. For that reason it is essential that SedNet exchanges information with other networks and organizations.
To date SedNet is formed by individual and institutional members, supported by a Steer Group and a Secretariat, as presented in Figure 1.
Fig. 1. The SedNet network structure with some examples of strategic alliances and partnerships
Steer Group
The Steer Group (SG) is formed out of delegates of the SedNet founding organisations. The SG decides on new SG-members. The ambition is to have a SG representing all fields of sediment professionals.
For SG meetings, coordinators or other contact persons of specific (joint) activities can be invited as guests. The SG tasks/responsibilities are consultation, guide and approval on issues related to the SedNet network:
- Defining the objectives of SedNet;
- Further development of the network;
- Defining and/or approval of the specific working program at the beginning of each year (including the “Detailed secretariat work plan” see under header ‘Secretariat’);
- Decision and guidance on major activities;
- Public relations and promotion (Dissemination plan);
- Authorization of products, such as: Strategy Paper, Dissemination Plan, Advise Papers, Statement and/or Position Papers, Written Responses to questions sent to the network;
- Guidance of the secretariat.
Furthermore, the SG is responsible for extension of the network/SG with additional sponsoring organisations.
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Secretariat
The SedNet secretariat is run by:
Mrs. Marjan Euser TNO Built Environment and Geosciences
Laan van Westenenk 501
P.O. Box 342
NL-7300 AH Apeldoorn
The Netherlands
E-mail:
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Tel: tel. +31 55 5493927
The generic tasks of the secretariat are:
- Update and maintenance of website, based on input by all;
- Preparation of a three-monthly E-newsletter, based on input by all;
- Organisation of Steer Group (SG) meetings (where appropriate, hosted by Home-base);
- Coordination of dissemination of SG approved SedNet products (existing and new);
- Assistance to maintenance and extension of the network;
- Assistance to preparation of joint research/project proposals (EC and other possibilities);
- Coordination of SG approved advice on sediment management issues and/or SG approved response to related (e.g. EC) questions;
- Yearly preparation of ‘detailed secretariat work plan’.*
* This ‘detailed secretariat work plan’ describes the generic tasks and the specific tasks for a specific year, and it gives an estimation of their costs. These yearly detailed secretarial plans will have to be approved by the SG.
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Daily management team
A daily management team is responsible for the following tasks, and reports to the SG:
- Making ad-hoc management decisions with regards to communication with other networks, the EC etc.;
- Preparing SG meetings;
- Checking status of actions agreed on in the SG meetings;
- Controlling the finances.
The daily management team is appointed by the SG.
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Home base
The SedNet home base is located at the Venice Port Authority in Venice. The home base may be used for SG and is intended to host important SedNet meetings.
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Cooperation with others
The idea behind the cooperation is to join forces and capabilities in order to assist each other in achieving common goals/objectives. However, this will only work if there is no conflicting mission, vision and ambition. Under that condition, cooperation on a ‘case-by-case’ basis will also be considered.
Cooperation with sediment related networks or organisations
Below a brief description of is given of the cooperating networks and organisations.
CEDA
The Central Dredging Association, CEDA, is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, professional society. It provides a forum for all those involved in activities related to dredging and who live or work in Europe, Africa or the Middle-East. CEDA encompasses a wide range of disciplines and activities and does not represent the interests of any particular industry sector. CEDA is a member of the World Organisation of Dredging Associations, WODA .
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DGE
The Dutch-German Exchange, DGE, was started as an informal bilateral platform for exchanging knowledge, information and experiences in the field of sediment management. Since its start in 1999, several meetings were organized, in which subjects such as legislation, risk assessment and sediment treatment were discussed. The results of these discussions have been put down in thematic reports. The DGE has thus achieved an increased understanding of management of dredged material both on policy level (national) and practical (project) level. In the course of 2005, DGE was extended to DGE+ with the introduction of a few new countries (UK, France) in the platform. DGE+ wants to collaborate with SedNet and would like to make her thematic reports available to others via the SedNet website.
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ESPO
The mission of the European Sea Ports Organisation, ESPO, is to influence public policy in the EU to achieve a safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable European port sector, operating as a key element of a transport industry where free and undistorted market conditions prevail, as far as practicable.
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LOICZ
Land-Ocean Interaction in the Coastal Zone, LOICZ, seeks to inform the scientific community, policymakers, managers and stakeholders on the relevance of global environmental change in the coastal zone. The LOICZ Project Office is based at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in the Netherlands. LOICZ is a core project of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP). The International Council for Science (ICSU) is the scientific sponsor of the four international global environmental change programmes IGBP, IHDP, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and DIVERSITAS (An international programme of biodiversity science). The LOICZ Project has run for more than 13 years (1992-2005) and is scheduled to run until 2012. The new Science Plan and Implementation Strategy for LOICZ has been ratified by IGBP and IHDP and is available through the LOICZ website.
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PIANC
The International Navigation Association, PIANC, is a worldwide non-political and non-profit making technical and scientific organization of private individuals, corporations and national governments. The term 'Navigation' was adopted because PIANC's object is to promote the maintenance and operation of both inland and maritime navigation by fostering progress in the planning, design, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of inland and maritime waterways and ports and of coastal areas for general use in industrialized and industrializing countries. Facilities for fisheries, sport and recreational navigation are included in PIANC's activities. PIANC was founded in 1885 and is the oldest international association concerned with these technical aspects of navigation. It has made - and continues to make - a vital contribution to technical development in this field.
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River Basin Commissions
The catchment areas of several important European rivers fall within the territories of more than one country. International Commissions were established by the countries along these rivers and by the European Commission to jointly ensure the sustainable and equitable use of waters and freshwater resources in the transboundary river basins. To date SedNet already co-operates with the International Commissions for the Protection of the Rhine, of the Elbe, of the Danube, and of the Oder.
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SETAC
The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, SETAC, is a nonprofit, worldwide professional society comprised of individuals and institutions engaged in: 1) the study, analysis, and solution of environmental problems; 2) the management and regulation of natural resources; 3) environmental education, 4) research and development. SETAC's mission is to support the development of principles and practices for protection, enhancement and management of sustainable environmental quality and ecosystem integrity. SETAC promotes the advancement and application of scientific research related to contaminants and other stressors in the environment, education in the environmental sciences, and the use of science in environmental policy and decision-making.
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UNESCO ISI
The International Sediment Initiative (ISI) has been launched by UNESCO as a major activity of the current Sixth Phase (2002–2006) of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). ISI is expected to add a new dimension to ongoing efforts aiming at sustainable sediment management, in the context of sustainable water resources development at global scale. With direct access to stakeholders represented in the IHP National Committees and the Intergovernmental Council, ISI should be viewed as a vehicle to advance sediment management at the global scale.
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Euraqua
Euraqua is an European network of Freshwater Research Organisations. The aim of this network is to contribute to the development of European freshwater science and its dissemination on a European scale. Thus it has a significant input on the development of the scientific basis of European water management. The EurAqua Partner institutions are leading, generally governmental, freshwater research institutions in the Member States of the European Union plus Norway and Switzerland.
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Cooperation with sediment related EC projects
An up-to-date overview of sediment related EC projects can be found here.
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