At the opening of the GreenPort conference in Naples, ESPO announced the installation of an annual Award. The award aims to promote innovative projects of European port authorities that develop co-operative synergies with cities, improve the quality and accessibility of port areas and generally promote a positive image of the port as a place to live and work.
“Embracing co-habitation and dialogue with cities and local communities often seems a distraction from the commercial rationale of port management,” said ESPO Chairman Victor Schoenmakers. “We are however convinced that the economic function of ports can only be sustained in the longer run if the societal function is taken seriously. The current crisis may intensify tensions in this respect. This makes it all the more important that port authorities now invest in sustainable relations with their surrounding communities.”
Better Dialogue
Applications for the ESPO Award will be evaluated by an international jury of experts chaired by John B. Richardson (photo), former Head of the European Commission’s Maritime Policy Task Force and currently Special Advisor to FIPRA International. “The general public and policy makers alike often ignore the fundamental contributions ports make to the economy and society. The result is that ports often stand alone, without allies, when they run into opposition to their development,” said Mr. Richardson “The ESPO Award fits perfectly with the objective to establish better dialogue between ports and cities which the European Commission identified as a priority area in both its maritime and ports policies.”
Participation
European port authorities interested to apply for the ESPO 2009 Award are invited to submit a documented application by 15 June 2009. The winner of the Award will be announced during a ceremony which will be held at the Town Hall of Brussels on 4 November 2009.
Details on participation and selection criteria as well as application forms can be downloaded from the https://www.espo.be/pages/events.aspx?EventID=86431[ESPO website].
