27 February 2009

Update on the Activities of the International Network for Environmental Compliance Training Professionals

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to update you on the activities of INECE's International Network for Environmental Compliance Training Professionals, a practitioner knowledge community that shares information and best practices, supports trainer education and exchanges, and promotes the importance of effective environmental compliance training.

Staying informed about new developments and improving competence is challenging for any actor, governmental or non-governmental, involved in environmental compliance and enforcement. Responding to this challenge in an effective and efficient way requires cooperative action by training professionals who specialize in environmental compliance and enforcement. The International Network for Environmental Compliance Training Professionals was established to help meet this challenge by promoting – on a global scale and through a joint effort - an improved capacity and level of competency among environmental compliance training professionals.

As part of its mission, the compliance training professionals network is developing an Environmental Compliance Training Resource Library -- an online clearinghouse for compliance training courses on themes common to most practitioners -- training program development, case development, inspections, principles and theories, and topical course materials. Access the Library online at http://inece.org/trainersnetwork/ or by clicking the screenshot below.

Resource Library Screenshot

Contributing to the Library

One of the strengths of the Trainers Network is its ability to leverage the experience of the group to the benefit of all INECE participants. We envision that the library will be a compilation of compliance training materials and encourage you to provide links to additional resources for inclusion, to comment on successful courses you have attended or facilitated in the past, and to indicate the types of courses that your agency is interested in accessing. You also may send course files via CD-ROM to the INECE Secretariat at the address below for uploading to the web and inclusion in the library. If a resource is not available in a digital format, you may provide a description of the course and ordering instructions.

Please submit this Resource Template for each training tool you submit. We request that abstracts of the materials be submitted in English, but are pleased to accept relevant training materials in any language.

Joining the Network

If you wish to participate in the compliance training professionals community by helping shape the Network's goals and activities, sharing training resources, or communicating with other training professionals, please contact the INECE Secretariat at inece@inece.org.

The Network focuses on governmental training professionals and centers in all countries and regions responsible for the delivery of training programs for environmental inspectors, attorneys, administrators and other enforcement and compliance personnel. International organizations and NGOs who play a role in this process are also welcome to join the Network and share their expertise on this particular subject.

Partnering with the Network

The International Network for Environmental Compliance Training Professionals is a partnership among INECE, the National Environmental Training Institute of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Training Academy of the Inspectorate of the Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Development, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. We are actively seeking other partners and participants who are interested in acting in an advisory capacity to guide the development of the Network. Please email inece@inece.org to express your interest and explore opportunities for collaboration.

We look forward to working with you to advance this important initiative.

Best regards,

Durwood Zaelke
Director, INECE Secretariat
Environmental compliance and enforcement are the foundation of the
rule of law, good governance, and sustainable development.
http://www.inece.org

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