Brussels, 10/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - "Our Future, Our Choice - Another Way of Life" is the theme of the Green Week 2002 that opens on 15 April in Brussels (Charlemagne building and Centre Borschette), at the initiative of the Directorate General for the Environment at the European Commission. The event combines conferences and exhibitions to bring the Union's environment policy and activities to the knowledge of European citizens. By presenting the priority fields of action and strengthened dialogue and cooperation with the main parties concerned throughout the Union - environmental NGOs, experts, political decision-makers, school children and students - the Green Week aims to illustrate the added value that can be given to concerted action at Community level, stresses the European Commission.
This year's programme is geared to four themes: 1) health and children and the environment; 2) sustainable methods of production and consumer demand; 3) the World Summit on sustainable development: global reflection on sustainable development; 4) Natura 2000: a project that becomes a reality. On the menu there are: many discussion workshops, the projection of films and the simulation of a Council of Environment Ministers organised by the young, in the presence of an Environment Minister. During the closing ceremony, on 19 April, the twelve young prize-winners (between 6 and 22 years of age) of the competitions organised in the context of the Green Week will be awarded prizes by Margot Wallström, Environment Commissioner, to reward their vision of the future for the environment. The European Mobility Week will be launched on this occasion. (For further information: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/enviroment/greenweek).