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co-funded by the European Commission DG Environment

(PowerPoint Presentation) The kick-off meeting took place at the National Center for Environment and Sustainable Development Kifisia, Athens March 4th and 5th Project Sweet Water Partner meeting 4th /5th March, 2002 Location: National Center for the Environment and Sustainable development Villa Kazouli, Kifisia, Greece Minutes Participants: Ms. Yvonne Katsambi Milos Educational Women's Collaboration for Activities in Tourism (Coordinating institute) Ms Gladwin Kyritsi Milos Educational Women's Collaboration for Activities in Tourism Ms. Mariza Fakli Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT S.A.) Dr. Sofoklis Sotiriou Ellinogermaniki Agogi, Athens Mr. Ioannis Stravrakis Ellinogermaniki Agogi, Athens Mr. Rene de Vries Nederlandse Christelijke Radio Vereniging (NCRV), Hilversum NL Dr. Michalis Modinos National Centre for the Environment & Sustainable Development, Athens Ms. Maria Behler Studio JOB, Munich Monday, March 4th Ms. Katsambi, in her capacity as director of the coordinating institute, MEWCAT, opened the meeting by welcoming all participating partner institutes. Ms. Katsambi acquainted the partners with MEWCAT's activities since it's outset in 1991 up to the present going on with an initial summary of the Project Sweet Water, its field of action, specific aims, objectives and intended target groups. Ms. Katsambi clarified the point that the original concept for Sweet Water as a series, in story-tale form, had been modified in order to accommodate technical and budget requirements, and therefore the aim of the project was to now produce spots for slotting into broadcast time as TV channels see fit (e.g. during advertisements). Additionally the partners were informed of the Commission's request for broadcasting of the Sweet Water spots on a Europe wide scale, not restricting transmission solely to the partner countries. Dr. Michalis Modinos, environmentalist and President of the National Centre for the Environment & Sustainable Development, Athens, was next to summarize current standards of the environment protection , with respect to water problems, also outlining the EU's policy for management of water resources, explaining how Europe intends to have a central, common policy for all countries. Mr. Modinos pointed out that certain obvious differences were to be found between different regions of Europe with respect to water problems, this was to be the basis for a discussion on how best to reach 'common ground' in order to find themes for inclusion in the Sweet Water story. It was clear that all European countries are interdependent on water resources whilst also being at risk from pollution crossing borders through shared inland waterways and rivers. Also he emphasized the present low pricing of water and stressed the need for a price raise. Partners agreed the main aim of the Sweet Water project will be to convey the preciousness of water through the use of TV info spots using the medium of animation and possibly combining this with real film footage. Ms. Maria Behler, from the animation studio JOB, Munich presented the partners with a brief history of the studio and its achievements over 50 years of producing animation for television, covering a wide range of topics including commercial and educational themes. Ms. Behler, a recognized artist, showed examples of previous work and partners discussed possible format for Sweet Water e.g. cartoon, real film or combination of both. Ms. Behler summarised her idea for the Sweet Water character, thinking initially of children as main target group and their identity with cartoon characters. An emotional bond between viewer and cartoon character shall be created and thus cause an improved awareness towards protection and conservation of the environment. Mr. Rene de Vries, representing the partner institute NCRV, Holland, in his role as program maker and infotainment expert presented examples of his work and that of the NCRV television channel, including film work on environmental issues. Mr. de Vries pointed out that common themes for all partner countries must be sought, he also talked of NCRV's activities on the Internet and felt these dissemination channels would be appropriate for the project Sweet Water. The point of high quality was discussed, Mr. de Vries felt that the end product should be of satisfactory quality for broadcasting on Dutch television and agreed to supply Sweet Water with real film footage held by NCRV. Mr. de Vries agreed to seek information on water problems in Holland attempting to come to some common themes for the Sweet Water slots in all European countries. Dr. Sofoklis Sotiriou, speaking for Ellinogermaniki Agogi, educational partner, provided the partners with a background to the school's activities and in particular their EU project involvement including examples of work on the E-Hermes and YouRA projects having emphasis on environmental issues. Dr. Sotiriou indicated the importance of getting school children's reaction to the sweet water figure and felt Ellinogermaniki would be successful in collecting this feedback for evaluation purposes. Also a discussion continued on the infotainment theme with regard to the Internet and possible expansion of Sweet Water's outcomes to multimedia formats and the Internet. Ms. Mariza Fakli, head of the EU programme department of Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation ERT SA, presented the partners with samples of TV spots, concerning conservation and protection of the environment, broadcast by ERT in Greece. These spots were considered successful in Greece, raising public awareness for the need to protect endangered species in the seas surrounding Greece. Ms. Fakli confirmed ERT's commitment to broadcast Sweet Water's slots in between scheduled programming and agreed where possible to supply the project's development with information and film material where possible. Also Greek National TV would be pleased to use Sweet Water material on its internet site. Implementation of the workplan On completion of partner presentations, Ms. Katsambi continued to outline the project in detail, following the Work Package description included in the original application to the European Commission. An explanation was given to partners concerning a time delay in the outset of the project, due to delayed contracting procedures and information about the project's successful selection. It is felt that this delay will be 'caught up' during the length of the project and is not considered to be an obstacle. The calendar of work was discussed (as per timetable in original application) Ms. Katsambi once again reiterated that the initial delay would not effect the smooth implementation of work packages, partners were asked to follow deadlines as closely as possible. One problem in the implementation of the workplan occurred through the project's commencement date 1/1/002. The evaluation procedure for the SW figure and story , planned for the 6th and 7th month of the project, cannot be implemented in the class room, as pupils are at this time in holiday. Dr. Sotiriou pointed out, that an evaluation can be carried out in the frame of a summer camp. The Production of the Sweet Water cartoons was once again discussed with emphasis on the character development, the theme selection, audio, sounds and comical circumstances. In order to apply the cartoons in many countries and to extend broadcasting possibilities, the figure will not be speaking and background text/voice in the languages of participating countries will be facilitated. Mr. de Vries suggested broadcasting short spots in the beginning creating initial interest of the viewer with continuation at a later point, and in this way keeping the viewer's attention over a longer period of time. Dissemination through website production and advertising through brochure material was decided, also web transmission of the Sweet Water stories in parallel to the broadcasting periods. Evaluation aspects were discussed, Ellinogermaniki agreed in order to keep with the project timetable, to evaluate the archetype Sweet Water character during summer camp, getting primary school children's reaction to the cartoon character. Ms Fakli and Mr. de Vries suggested the use of the broadcasters' web sites for evaluation purposes, through a voting scheme visitors to the site view the Sweet Water character/story and make their choice accordingly. Administrative and financial issues Finally Ms. Katsambi outlined administration matters including reporting and communication procedures between partners and the coordinating institute the need to draw up contracts between partners and coordinator Budget questions and production costs All partners agreed to maintain frequent contact through e-mail and telephone communications and a future meeting was planned for September 2002. Moving on to the financial aspects of the project a presentation was given by Ms.Katsambi , who explained to the partners how they should deal with their budget and how this budget can be broken down (staff costs, travels, technology etc.) She explained, that there would be one financial report at the end of the project with the presentation of all records of expenditure. Tuesday, March 5th Workshop on cartoon figure development Discussion points: the figure must be attractive for the different target countries, considering different national perceptions of certain animals/symbols during the figure development following attributes must be considered existing animal/fantasy figure connection to certain species under threat (bio indicators, rare bird species) existing comic figures character attributes (hero/strong/funny/clever/fast/clumsy/sensible/powerful etc) connected sounds special capabilities of the figure (fliying, running fast, walking on water, does miracles) The following deadlines were agreed upon Deadlines Input for content development from partners 05/04/02 All partners submit their ideas on the content and proposals for the figure and/or Facts on environment/water issues and/or Educational aims within environmental education Draft story-line and figure outlay from producer 15/05/02 Studio JOB presents outlay of cartoon main figure and draft story-line Evaluation results and comments from partners 15/06/02 Partners return their comments to producer and/or Partners return results of evaluations of youngsters' reactions Final storyboard presentation from producer 31/08/02 The final storyboard will be presented from the producer Partner meeting to be determined Beginning