It was with deep sadness
that we learned of the death early last
week of Bjarne Norup, Denmark's national
focal point representative to EEA's European
environment information and observation
network (Eionet), after a short illness.
Bjarne worked closely with the Agency from
the early days, helping to develop the European
environmental information and observation
network firstly as a network of people then
as an electronic network to facilitate the
provision, access, use and streamlining
of information relevant for Europe's environment.
He was one of the most active and enthusiastic
national focal points who provided a pivotal
role in the development of the national
focal point group as well as the concepts
and tools that underpin the electronic network.
He will be remembered by EEA staff, national
focal points and other members of the network
for his warmth, humour, sincerity, sound
advice, practical scepticism,determination
and vision - a unique set of qualities from
which we all benefited.
The Agency was represented at the funeral
service in Silkeborg church on 7 January
by Gordon McInnes, Bert Jansen and Jan Bliki.
They were accompanied by Hannu Saarenmaa
- former EEA staff, now with the Global
Biodiversity Information Facility - who
worked with Bjarne in the initial development
of the network. Also present at the service
was Ebbe Kvist from the Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency, a close friend and colleague
of Bjarne as Swedish national focal point.
We were all able to give our condolences
to Bjarne's widow Ester and his family as
well as his colleagues from the National
Environmental Research Institute on behalf
of the Agency and the network. Bjarne will
be missed by all.
