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PRESS RELEASE 25.5.2005 ECO-efficient mass event as an objective WorldSkills 2005 Helsinki Competition takes part as a partner to ECOmass project, which is co-ordinated by TKK Dipoli (Helsinki University of Technology’s Lifelong Learning Institute). The manual for an ECO-efficient mass event is developed and tested in the framework of the project. Environmental issues are being taken into consideration better than earlier when organising the WorldSkills Competition. In the ECOmass project an environmental programme is drawn up for the World Championships in Athletics held in Helsinki in August. The role of the WorldSkills 2005 event is to give the manual a standpoint from a different mass event by collecting reference data from the event’s environmental effects and by participating to develop eco-efficient solutions. The reference data has been utilized in the ECOmass project to develop a CO2 meter, among other things. In addition the sorting guides of the World Championships in Athletics are trained in the WorldSkills Competition. Although the two World Champion Competitions in Helsinki in 2005 differ in many ways, are the central factors that influence the environmental effects in mass events almost the same: traffic, catering, permanent and temporary constructions and other purchases. The aim is to apply the manual in the future in other mass events, and hopefully also in future WorldSkills competitions and other sports competitions. In the WorldSkills 2005 competition, both eco-efficient and cost-effective solutions are pursued. For example, great majority of machine and material purchases are given for use to vocational education institutions after the competition. Also competition visitors are encouraged to use public transport, and the competitors and experts are to receive tickets for local transit for the duration of the event. Environmental issues are taken into consideration also in many skill categories. For example the principles for the arrangements of Landscape Gardening have been domestic aspects and friendliness to the environment. Recovered materials are favoured and in practise all raw materials from timber, soil to plants are reused after the competition, either to teaching use or to landscaping sites. Machines and appliances are mainly borrowed or rented. In mechanical and metal categories the disposal of waste shall be managed in an exemplary manner as well. Ekokem Oy is in charge of problem waste disposal during the event. Sustainable development is discussed at the Global Skills Village as well. On Saturday 28th May an international seminar is held about vocational education’s environmental aspects. “Environmental responsibility should interest everyone. Sustainable development is one of the most important common themes of vocational education. In the seminar, concrete examples are presented to promote environmentally friendly modes.”, says the coordinator of the seminar Ms Susanna Tauriainen from the National Board of Education. Further information:
Role of ECOmass project in WorldSkills 2005 Helsinki:
Kati Lundgren, Project Manager, ECOmass Contact Person, kati.lundgren@skillsfinland.com, +358 50 572 7771 Environmental Aspects in VET Seminar:
Susanna Tauriainen, National Board of Education, susanna.tauriainen@oph.fi ECOmass Project:
Project Manager Salla Koivusalo, TKK Dipoli, salla.koivusalo@hut.fi
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