International Conference of Lake Constance

A network has been in operation since 1999 on the basis of the "Lake Constance Agenda 21“, with the aim of consolidating and strengthening local activities in support of a sustainable development. To this end, a seminar programme was carried out from 2002 to 2004, which focused on the topic "Sensible Use of Space”. Additional activities from 2003 were aimed at attracting children and young people to participate in the Agenda process. This resulted in the publication of a children’s book with the title "Naturraum Bodensee" (Lake Constance as an area of unspoilt nature) for use at kindergarten level. On November 14, 2003 the first Lake Constance Youth Summit was held in Friedrichshafen, at which the young people made an appeal to politics in the form of a declaration.Die Erarbeitung eines Situationsberichts samt generellen Handlungsempfehlungen zur Problematik Feinstaub – PM₁₀ wurde beschlossen, ferner die Erarbeitung eines Berichts „Rationelle Energieumwandlung und sparsame Energienutzung“. Die von der Arbeitsgruppe „Landwirtschaft und Umwelt“ konzipierte erfolgreiche Ausstellung mit dem Titel „Gemeinsam für Boden und See – Bleib am Ball!“ soll auch 2006 fortgeführt werden.

At the 24th Conference of Heads of Government in Lindau on December 8, 2003, where Bavaria held the Chair, the topics addressed included, among other things, the growing use of land. A brochure was presented on land use management with accomplished examples from the region, and is to be used as a handout to encourage municipalities to take similar action. In the air hygiene sector a model information system was developed which uses the internet to inform the public on the prevailing situation in the event of air pollution. The heads of government passed a decision to set up a new project group “Climate Protection and Energy” to promote climate protection in the International Conference of Lake Constance (IBK).

The 25^th Conference of Heads of Government was held on December 3, 2004 in Appenzell. It again called for speedy improvements in international rail connections of the Lake Constance region (HGV-high-speed train), both on the German and on the Swiss side. In order to examine the proposal for a UNESCO “World Cultural Landscape of Lake Constance” certification, the University of St. Gallen was commissioned to carry out a survey on the possible economic impact. The Conference approved the printing of a guide on the Lake Constance Path. A report on “Climate Protection at Lake Constance – Balance and Perspectives; Recommendations on Future Activities of the IBK“ was presented and a decision was passed to hold an international Municipal Climate Protection Congress in June 2005, in Friedrichshafen.

Within the framework of the Lake Constance Agenda a Youth Film Competition was held in 2004. Co-financing was approved by the Heads of Government for setting up an organising/advisory agency for young people, supporting cross-border applications for vocational training or practical training positions. Based on the Vorarlberg project “Unternehmen V“ (Enterprise Vorarlberg – a tool for communes and regions) a common platform for sustainable development was set up under the name “Unternehmen 21“ (Enterprise 21) for municipal model projects in the entire region of Lake Constance. The second Youth Summit was held in Bregenz on November 18, 2005.

The 26^th Conference of Heads of Government held on December 2, 2005 in Constance welcomed the decision in favour of Lake Constance hosting the International Garden Festival (IGA) in 2017. The application of altogether 19 towns and municipalities from the region was supported by the IBK.

The Conference decided not to follow up the UNESCO World Cultural Landscape issue. The project group set up for this purpose was commissioned to examine the required further development of the Lake Constance overall concept with regard to new challenges.

Concerning the fine dust issue (PM₁₀) a decision was adopted to prepare a situation report including general recommendations on action to be taken, and also a report on the “Rational conversion of energy and sparing use of energy”. The successful exhibition conceived by the “Farming and Environment“ Working Group under the title “Gemeinsam für Boden und See – Bleib am Ball!“ (a joint effort for land and lake – keep the ball rolling!) is to continue in 2006 as well.

You will find more information under http://www.bodenseekonferenz.org (Website in geman language)