Evonymos Ecologic Library

MEDITERRANEAN SOS

Mediterranean SOS was founded in 1990, originally as the information bureau of the Green party, from which it separated later on, becoming independent. Mediterranean SOS comprises 50 'full members' and hundreds of 'supporting members'.
Since the beginning it has played an important role in many different ecological campaigns in Turkey and it cooperates with many other national and international organisations such as Anti Nuclear Mediterranean Association, Chamber of Environment Engineering, SOS mediterranean SOS_Athens, Young Mediteranean Ecologist etc...on several ecological issues.

AIMS :

Information and awareness raising campaigns on specific ecological/environmental key issues for the protection of natural resources.
Organization of meetings and conferences centring on specific and actual ecological issues.
Publication of magazines, books, leaflets promoting environmental education and public awareness.
Cooperation with National and International, Mediterranean and European organizations.

ACTIVITIES AND ACTIONS

Campaign for the protection of the monk seals in the Mediterranean, with the participation of many members and volunteers of the organisation. Particular emphasis was given to awareness raising actions among the local communities interested by this campaign. The action was supported by the preparation and distribution of rich documentation based on scientific data describing the dangers and the menaces which threaten this species in our common sea and proposing short-term as well long term solutions for the improvement of the situation.
Campaign for the protection and valorisation of the wetland at Menderes. The importance of this area for the survival of many endemic and important migratory species (like birds) was diffused among local stakeholders by means of written material and through the organisation of public debates. Possible ways of conciliating the protection of the wetland with the promotion of mild economic activities, such as for example, some forms of nature aware tourism were proposed.
Campaign against the construction of a coal powered plant in Gokova during which the possible impacts of such a project for the region were presented and the research of alternative solutions stimulated.
Organisation of an "Alternative Energy Resources" meeting, as follow-up of the above cited campaigns. The meeting involved the participation of many local, and national NGOs active in this issue. Scientists and experts were invited to express their opinions, on the base of the existing knowledge on this topic. Examples from abroad concerning the use of alternative resources for the production of energy were also analysed as well as their adaptability to the Turkish situation.

International camp for Peace-Friendship-Ecology in Foca with the participation of many people and young activists from all over Europe and the Mediterranean concerned by ecological issues of broad nature. Many crucial environmental, cultural and social themes were approached through presentations, discussions in workshops and plenary meetings. Particular emphasis was given to the identification of the main existing problematics affecting the environment and of difficulties, which impair the situation of young people and disadvantaged categories in Europe and the Mediterranean. Also the promotion of networks of solidarity, intended to permit the exchange of information and the circulation of fresh and innovative ideas was fostered.
Campaign against the use of pesticides directed particularly to such chemicals about their risks and possible impacts, both on human health and on the environment.
Campaign for the protection of Pamukkale, an area of outstanding beauty menaced by intensive and environmental non-respectful tourism activities. Alternative forms of tourism were presented as the only way of long term economical development for the region.
International Meeting "Mediterranean and Tourism" during which participants from many Mediterranean and European countries were called to present the problems related with non viable forms of tourism in their respective countries and to analyse possible ways of challenging the situation. A central part of the meeting was centred on the need of protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, in order to maintain acceptable life quality levels for the inhabitants.

Monthly magazine "Agackakan" which is concerned about ecolgical issues,has started to be published. Since then it represent the organisation with its highly intellectual structure.

Wide-range campaigns ("Peace campaigns") organised throughout the year involving the participation of volunteers and activists from all over Europe and the Mediterranean. Numerous events have been organised, among which figure many artistic and musical happenings, photo exhibitions and other kinds of actions, directed to foster the ideals of tolerance, acceptance of the "different from us", coexistence and brotherhood against fanatic and narrow-minded behaviours.
In the same year it was promoted by Mediterranean SOS Izmir for the first time an "Anti-Nuclear Campaign", an action which has become since then a recurring yearly initiative, being enriched by the new scientific founds, researches, alternative proposals and increased public participation.Anti Nuclear Congress was realised with the participation of 50 NGOs all over Turkey, in Ankara.

Organisation of the first Utopia Meeting, which has become since then a yearly event. A central issue relating with some crucial aspect of human life (i.e. man and environment, social issues, such as poverty, racism, fanatism and democracy, parity/disparity, women situation, cultural questions, such as traditions value and need for their preservation, recognition of the common Mediterranean character in several human life manifestations, necessity of preserving and valorising our historical and archaeological rests as manifestations of our civilization) is chosen each year and debated in a series of sessions organised in an interactive way, so that the main input is coming from the participants. An important part of the Utopia meeting is the simulation game, in which participants are brought to identify the vision they have for the particular theme and successively to recognize the different kinds of resources to be mobilized in order to make the vision real. The Utopia meetings usually count a very large number of participants and are supported by various artistic and musical events, which help bounding the participants and increasing their cooperation.

As an important part of the yearly Anti-Nuclear campaign, several anti-nuclear festivals have been organised in the regions of the country(in Akkuyu/Mersin), which are most interested by the nuclear matter. Public awareness raising in further parts of the country was also promoted through the distribution of information material.

Except for the annual Anti-nuclear campaign and the Utopia meeting, following activities were organised:

Campaign against gold mining in Bergama, stressing particularly on the dangers relating to mining for the environment and also approaching the social effects of such activities. (One of the publications concerning this campaign was "Gold: The Common Prostitute of Humanity by Senih Ozay")
Campaign about Peace in the Aegean sea and need for protecting the monk seals. This campaign has fostered the ideal that the Aegean is a unifying element for different countries and cultures, a fundamental part of their existence and as such, the promotion of the coexistence of the people living on this sea is worthwhile and represent the only way for their long-term subsistence.
The monk seal was selected as an element representing the non-boundary character of the Aegean and one of the common heredity facets of the region. Symbolic, the protection of this menaced species, represented the need for cooperation and mutual actions of Aegean people for the preservation of their identity as such.

The activities promoted through this period of time refer to the above mentioned ones, with particular stress to the Anti-nuclear campaigns, the Utopia meetings, the Mining issues and the campaigns for the promotion of Peace ideals.
Members of Mediterranean SOS/Izmir have increased in this years the frequency of their participation to international meetings, organised by Mediterranean and European organisations, fact, which has very much improved the exchange of information and knowledge on focal themes, permitting to complete the already subsisting materials.
In the year 2000 an Environmental Award was given to Mediterranean SOS/Izmir by the Prof Kriton Curi of the Bogazici University for the efforts in ecological matters.

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