Jane da Mosto represented WahV at the AIVP annual conference on the theme “Linking Ports and Citizens: A shared vision for the Future“. During her keynote talk “A civil society’s perspective on the future of port cities” the need for broader inclusion at these events was highlighted along with the benefits of dialogue for exchanging knowledge and discovering better port development opportunities.
Evidence of the lack of transparency at the institutional level was illustrated, via the three networks that WahV is part of: Facciamo Respirare il Mediterraneo, coordinated by Cittadini per l’Aria, concerning port impacts on residents, all around Italy; NABU coordinated group of NGOs in Germany, Italy, Malta, Greece and Spain working on a Mediterranean Emissions Control Area for all shipping; Global Cruise Activists Network that unites communities calling for a more responsible (and responsive) cruise industry as regards clean air and water, fair and just wages and working conditions as well as protection of wildlife and the climate.
Venice has shown indisputably that a city cannot adapt to the ships but rather it’s the ships – and the port – that must fit their context. Some WahV activities related to community engagement and ecosystem restoration were illustrated, not only in this keynote but also as an example of dissent in the Venice Port Authority’s presentation about the cruise sector.
Here it is an excerpt from Jane’s speech:
“…over 90% of global warming has already been absorbed by the ocean – the part of the environment most impacted by your activities and most critical for humans and all other life forms. This vast room contains some of the biggest stakeholders in the wellbeing of millions of citizens on every continent. Use your power responsibly to make changes that will benefit all of us, including the long term viability of your industry…The issues must not be thought of as purely European or specific to places known for their cultural heritage. As highlighted in the AIVP event description – we all need to think about global and local together….Your duty of care demands that you implement real solutions right now. It’s urgent. We know it’s complicated, we know it’s difficult but we also know nothing could be worse than just carrying on and witnessing the devastating consequences we’re already seeing…. The limits of possibility can only be defined collectively. You cannot succeed alone.”
Here you can listen to the whole keynote talk: