US-AEP�s Clean Technology and Environmental Management program recently entered into a partnership with two of the Philippines� leading extension organizations: the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI) and the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the Philippines� Department of Science and Technology. These organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with US-AEP, effective April 1998, which aims to (1) strengthen the technical capabilities and institutional capacity of these extension organizations, and (2) establish linkages with similar organizations across Asia and in the United States.

US-AEP/CTEM will help PCAPI reach beyond its seven current chapters to disseminate information on clean technology equipment, experience, and practice. And through the partnership with ITDI, US-AEP/CTEM will assist in enhancing the ITDI�s Environmental Technology Assessment Systems (ETAS) by identifying foreign technologies that can be adapted to local conditions.

The first activity under this MOU is a group study tour of U.S. extension organizations, scheduled for June 6-19, 1998. Designed by USAEP�s Environmental Exchange Program, the tour will introduce Asian participants to the many functions of U.S. extension organizations, such as information dissemination, collaborative network building, and community outreach.

US-AEP/Philippines Technology Representative Alma Madrazo gave a presentation on �Environment and Energy Management� at the first in a series of seminars held by the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development and Environmental Technologies (PCSDET). The event, which was held at De La Salle University April 27-30, drew attendees from both academia and the private sector.

The local US-AEP office also assisted in securing speakers for a seminar on "Alternative Water Treatment Recovery Systems," sponsored by the Water Environment Association of the Philippines (WEAP). With help from the National Association of State Development Agencies and the Institute of International Education (both of which are US-AEP partners), three representatives of U.S. water and wastewater treatment companies were identified to present alternative treatment technologies. The seminar, which attracted more than 50 participants, is part of the continuing program WEAP and US-AEP have organized to improve the professional competence of Filipino water and wastewater treatment professionals.

In late April, US-AEP�s Environmental Exchange Program brought ten Asian representatives to the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) 1998 Spring Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. The participants hailed from organizations in four countries: India (EXNORA International, Thane Belapur Industrial Association, and Indian Institute of Technology); Thailand (Ministry of Industry, Environment Institute, National Economic and Social Development Board, and Zeneca Agro Asiatic Limited); South Korea (Taedok Institute of Technology, SK Corporation); and Taiwan (National Center for Cleaner Production). During the April 28-May 1 conference, the attendees met with U.S. and Asian counterparts to work toward establishing national pollution prevention (P2) roundtables in their own countries. From May 4-6, the group met with P2 stakeholders in the Chicago area�including federal, state, and local government; industry; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and universities�to deepen their understanding of U.S. P2 programs and provide models of successful P2 cooperation. The Environmental Exchange Program is managed by the Institute of International Education.

EarthLink, a bi-monthly newsletter produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency�s INFOTERRA/USA, provides news on international environmental activities, publications, and more. To subscribe, contact INFOTERRA by phone: 202-260-5917; fax: 202-260-3923; e-mail: library-infoterra@epamail.epa.gov; or via the web: http://www.epa.gov/INFOTERRA/index.htm.
 

The national Environmental Export Finance Conference, scheduled for June 25, 1998, in St. Paul, Minnesota, is designed to promote resources available to U.S. environmental firms who want to increase their exports. Co-sponsored by the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and the Minnesota Trade Office, the conference will feature speakers from US-AEP, the Inter-American Development Bank, Norwest Bank, and several successful environmental exporters. In addition, representatives from EXIM Bank will review working capital guarantees, legal issues, and environmental programs. On Friday, June 26, attendees will have the opportunity to meet individually with speakers to discuss specific issues. For more information, contact Kirsten Brooks at the Minnesota Trade Office: 612-297-4283 or 800-657-3858.