Speakers
Opening Words
Mark Krawczynski
is an Enviromental architect, Construction Manager, Pianist and Composer. His rotary assignment is Club Committee Chair for Environmental Sustainability, and he is a Founding Director of Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), Paul Harris Fellow and TRF Major Donor.
Mark has lived most of his life in Australia (45 years) and he moved (back) to Poland in 2004. He is working at present on green energy buildings and green, renewable power.
Mark stated that he is very enthusiastic to work with The Network and will be bringing a group of enthusiastic Rotarians from Poland to work for our common cause. The members gave Mark a warm welcome.
Urmas Kaarlep
is the District Governor 2022-2023 in D1420, Member of Tallinn Rotary Club, Rotarian for 26 years. Longest professional history (21 years) is with PwC as an audit partner. At present executive and team coach, trainer and lecturer in Estonian Business School and Chairman of Auditor´s Activities Oversight Board.
Jennifer E. Jones
is a Canadian communications executive. She is president of Rotary International for 2022–23, the first woman to be selected in the 117-year history of the organization.
Jones had previously served as Rotary International vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator and district governor. She said one of her goals as Rotary International president is to have double-digit growth in the number of female Rotarians and Rotarians under the age of 40.
Jones also said she is extremely proud of the work Rotary has done in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing $29.7 million to help local clubs respond.
Jones is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland.
RIP Jones recorded this greeting to the BASRAN webinar at Reykjavik Rotary Action Summit mid September 2022.
Leif Schulman
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, Director General, Finnish Environment Institute, since January 2021.
Research Director, Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF; www.laji.fi), until end of 2022.
Photo: Kai Widell
Moderator of the Webinar
Lotta Ruokanen
Professional Secretary (Pressure, Agri, MSP) at HELCOM. Lotta has a double Master of Science in limnology and environmental engineering. She joined the Finlandia Hall Rotary Club in Helsinki in 2012. She is the Chair of the Baltic Sea Forum (Commiteé) of Rotary District 1420 since 2020.
Keynotes
Volker Harth
Prof. Dr. med. Volker Harth, M.P.H.
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM)
Hamburg/Germany
Professor of Occupational and Maritime Medicine (W3)
Professor of Occupational Medicine (W3), Director of the Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Deputy chairman of the German Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM)
Sari Kauppi
Sari Kauppi, PhD, is environmental ecologist and works at Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), at the Programme for Sustainable Circular Economy as senior research scientist. Her responsibilities and research focus are managing hazardous substances and plastics in circular economy. Kauppi has participated in creating Plastics roadmap for Finland (published in 2018 and updated in 2022) and works in the secretariat of the plastics working group network. Currently she participates in research projects related to plastics used in agriculture and horticulture. Previous projects have studied e.g., consumer preferences for recycled plastics, and harmful additives in waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Marta Ruiz
Marta Ruiz is Associate Professional Secretary of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), working on marine litter, underwater noise and non-indigenous species issues. In relation to marine litter, her work is to provide support on monitoring and assessment issues as well as on the follow up of the implementation of the HELCOM Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter.
Before joining HELCOM in May 2013 as project staff, Marta was in charge of the Technical Secretary of the Spanish Technological Platform for the Protection of the Coast and the Marine Environment (2011-13). She worked as technical advisor on marine pollution issues both in the Spanish Ministry of Public Works (2010-11 & 2006-08) and in the private sector (2008-09).
Both Marta’s MSc and PhD are in the field of marine sciences as well as her postdoctoral stay at the Technical University of Crete (2004-2006).
Showcases
Marja Ritterfeld
As the 2020/21 Rotary District Governor, Marja Ritterfeld made EndPlasticSoup a topic for all 70 clubs in district 1850. During her club visits, she would inform the clubs about worldwide plastic pollution and what Rotarians can do. Many clubs became supporters of EndPlasticSoup, they took action, started projects and created awareness. And they still do.
Furthermore, Ritterfeld informed her governor crew about the “plastic pandemic” and ways to take action. Many governors supported the initiative and now there is an EndPlasticSoup ambassador club in almost every German district. With its own projects and actions, but the same goal: Stop the plastic pollution! Together, the ambassador clubs formed the EndPlasticSoup German Chapter.
A school program was also developed for all German districts. Rotary, Rotaract or Interact clubs can buy the educational tools and donate them to schools. A special program for teachers shows them how to work with the materials and teaches them about the plastic pollution problem.
In her presentation Marja will inform about EndPlasticSoup actions and projects and present the educational toolbox.
Kārlis Bankovičs
Kārlis Bankovičs is a member of the Rotary International youth organization Rotaract from Latvia. Currently serves as President of Rotaract Europe. Has done several cleanup projects in the Baltic Sea.
Gintarė Poviliūnė
Gintarė Poviliūnė - Vice President of Klaipeda's Old Town Rotaract Club (President of the year 2021-2022). My journey in the Rotary community began 5 years ago. During this time, I was a part of many projects, but mostly I am interested in projects that are related to ecology and helping young talents to grow.
Liisa Stjernberg
PDG, D1420, Helsinki City West RC, Member of the Baltic Sea Forum.
The Finnish Rotary and the Governing Body of Suomenlinna are taking part in the monitoring and research work being carried out by the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE on the quantities, types and sources of litter. The Rotary members are committed to counting and classifying all litter from Patterilahti in Suomenlinna, an UNESCO World Heritage Site near Helsinki.
Press release:
https://www.syke.fi/en-US/Current/The_significant_role_of_volunteering_in_(63006)
https://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/
Rafał Tondera
President. Rotary Club of Warsaw Josefow. ARPIC (Asssistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator) Zone
18 (Poland, Lithuania, Southern Sweden and Denmark). Project Management, Conference Host, Translator and Interpreter, Poland.
Fredrik Johansson
Fredrik Johansson, Stockholm-Humlegården RK.
Head of Unit, Främja, a Daily Activity Center, Stockholm. Former military diver. Diving enthusiast. Founder of Rena Mälaren Project, Sweden.