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Auslandsaufenthalt beim Umweltministerium von Ontario

Dr. Ursula Maier, MOE's visiting executive from Germany

Dr. Ursula Maier travelled thousands of kilometres to work in MOE’s IEPD.  It was an opportunity of a lifetime: to spend 11 weeks comparing environmental management in Ontario with that of her home state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany.

Ontario has a long history with Ursula’s home state. In 1990, a Declaration of Partnership was forged under the Honourable David Peterson and Baden-Württemberg under Prime Minister Lothar Spaeth for the mutual benefit of joint activities in various fields.

That’s where Ursula comes in. Ursula is an executive of the Ministry of Environment in Baden-Württemberg with long-term experience in water and air pollution issues. As a participant of the Leadership Academy’s Executive Development program, she came to Ontario to learn more about our approach to environmental management and the Ministry as well as the OPS and how the Ontario Public Service works. She definitely learned a lot, and in turn, MOE has benefited greatly from her insight.

Getting an insight into MOE

While with IEPD, Ursula met with their various branches and task forces, sharing information especially on the approvals process, air pollution prevention and water policies.

Getting an insight into the OPS

Ursula also had an opportunity to meet with and learn about other parts of the OPS in action, including:

  • The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario
  • Division of Intergovernmental Issues (CAB)
  • Division of Citizenship & Immigration (MCI)
  • Aboriginal Awareness Session (MOE)
  • Centre for Leadership and Learning (MGS)

Learnings

The first thing that Ursula noticed while working in the various offices was the culture: open-minded, tolerant and culturally diverse.

She also found many unique features in Ontario that she will be taking back with her i.e. Environmental Bill of Rights, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, and Statement of Environmental Values.

Teachings

In many ways, Germany and Europe have advanced environmental philosophies that Ontario could learn from:

  • Although subsidiarity is a European principle, environmental policy is a European domain as pollution does not stop at regional or national borders.
  • A long term vision that is the basis for the precautionary principle and preventive action. 
  • The understanding that equity between European states means burden sharing.

Further cooperation potential is seen in: 

Sharing information regarding:

  • Environmental best practices
  • Development of environmental programs and policies
  • Environmental technologies

Current issues, specifically:

  • Climate change, cap and trade, renewable energies, energy efficiency
  • Sustainable water use
  • Waste management initiative

Ursula's visit with MOE ends on April 16/10.  We wish her all the best and look forward to hearing from her.

Learn more

Verwaltung arbeitet mit Wissen, sie verarbeitet Wissen. Wissen ist der Rohstoff der Verwaltungstätigkeit. Diese Ressource gilt es effektiv und effizient einzusetzen, indem Wissen in - zulässiger Weise - (mit)geteilt, zugänglich gemacht und erhalten wird und dadurch optimal genutzt und weiterentwickelt werden kann. Der Erfolg von Wissensmanagement in der Verwaltung ist davon abhängig, dass die Mitarbeiter und Behörden bereit sind, ihr Wissen zur Verfügung stellen und auszutauschen.


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