Walking through the presenters' exhibitions, one comes away feeling that the conference have definitely succeed in igniting its visitors' curiosity about science.

Although the word on the street in Cairo was to turn off the lights from 8 to 9 pm on March 28 this year, a few knew it was in celebration of Earth Hour, and although some have heard the term "ehteebas harare" (Arabic for global warming) before, a few understood the gravity of the concept and what turning off the lights had to do with it.

 

 

 

 

A Green Drinks networking meeting is held in Copenhagen always on the second Tuesday in each month. I have met many interesting and useful contacts though turning up at whichever bar has been chosen and chatting with the people present. There is probably a Green Drinks in your city so check it out. www.greendrinks.org Jasper Steinhausen a Danish Advocate co-founded Green Drinks after he returned to Denmark from Canada where the first Green Drinks event took place. Well done Jasper.

 

Katrine Vejby and Nina Jensen, also Danish Climate Advocates, are co-founders of the world's first carbon neutral festival to be held in Copenhagen from 4 - 6 September. CO2PENHAGEN offers a host of alternative energy entertainment. www.co2penhagen.com It promises to be a marvellous event and they are working on exporting the idea to the Olympics in London.

 

Jakob Gaard Nielsen, another Danish Advocate, is President of the Danish chapter of Energy Crossroads. www.energycrossroads.org There is a chapter in the US, in China, in Singapore, Sweden and in India. Energy Crossroads in partnership with British Council are hosting a Youth Summit from 10-12 March 2009 in Copenhagen. See www.our-opportunity.com for the full programme. Deadline for registration was 15 February.

 

Rasmus Vincentz visited Cairo recently and made contact with the British Council office there. He has been invited back and will give a lecture in the historical Alexandria Library. He is very excited. Watch this space.

 

Many of the Danish Advocates took part in the first Cradle to Cradle event in Copenhagen on 29 September last. Steen Gade MP and Chairman of the Government Environment Committee opened the event and Michael Braungart entertained us with his lively rendition of his view of the perfect world where everything is given back to either the biosphere or the techno sphere. Fascinating. www.vuggetilvugge.dk

 

Our Partner Globe International has offered a platform to our Advocates to present their Challenges at their International Commission on Climate Change and Energy Security being held at the Danish Parliament from 24 - 25 October 2009. This is a very important opportunity for Advocates all over Europe to get their voices heard by 200 international legislators. www.globeinternational.org

 

COme2gether takes place from 9 - 15 August at Krogerup Højskole just outside Copenhagen. The Danish Think Tank CONCITO has joined forces with Krogerup Højskole, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Climate and Energy to deliver a Climate Change Course for youth who wish to make a difference.

 

World Climate Community Copenhagen gets off to a great start at a reception hosted by Environment Mayor Klaus Bondom on 25 February 2009 in the centre of Copenhagen. British Council is a proud partner of this exciting initiative. Watch this space.

British Council will also have a presence at the famous Roskilde Festival taking place from 2 - 5 July 2009. www.roskilde-festival.dk