Global Action Plan International or GAP International is a network of

NGOs A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

that specialises in sustainable behaviour change and is best known for its projects revolving around ESD. GAP International's mission is to empower people to live and work increasingly sustainably, at school, at home and at work. There are programmes designed for households and communities, schools and youth, and workplaces.

History

Global Action Plan was first established in 1989 on the initiative of David Gershon (

USA The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

) and Bessie Schadee (

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

). Together they worked to produce the first draft EcoTeam workbooks in 1989. The ''Household EcoTeam Programme'' is an action programme designed to improve pro-environmental behavior in the household. GAP was quickly joined by other countries, with Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK being among the first. The programme has continued to develop to this day. In April 1995, Marilyn Mehlmann became the General Secretary of GAP International, a position she holds to this day. In 2011, Mehlmann was awarded the Rachel Carson Prize for her long-term efforts to involve individuals, companies and NGOs in acting

sustainably Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and have varied in the literature and over time. The concept of sustainability can be used to guide decisions at the global, national, and individual levels (e.g. sustainable livi ...

. In January 2016, GAP International announced its partnership with the 17Goals Network.

Structure

GAP International is an international network of organizations. Members are either organizations or personal members. An up-to-date list of members can be found on the website of Global Action Plan International. GAP International is registered as a

charitable organization A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, Religion, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definitio ...

and is based in

Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

. GAP International also has consultative status with the

United Nations Economic and Social Council The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

ECOSOC The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

References

External links

GAP International website

GAP International web campus
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513125520/https://www.card.coop/gap , date=2016-05-13 Environmental organizations established in 1989