Recent internet searches have revealed that there are some organisations using The E-TEAM name to promote their activities, and we must now clarify any of these unfounded claims.

The belief that ‘imitation is the highest form of flattery’ may be partially correct, but such ‘imitations’ could also involve serious breeches of intellectual property regulations and international copyright laws.

The concept of Global Eco-Learning and The E-TEAM, developed on six A1 sized wall charts and accompanied by highly-motivational collections of practical ‘grass roots’ resources was presented at various high-level conferences in Europe and elsewhere during the 1990s.

Much interest was generated at, and from, these presentations, with The E-TEAM animal characters - Ellie, Ro, Purr, Roo and OWL - subsequently launched in 1997 at the First Asia Pacific Roundtable for Cleaner Production in Bangkok, Thailand.

This was the first of many well-attended regional meetings focused of promoting and teaching about cleaner and safer production held with the support from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and other partners.

Since 1997, Asia Pacific Roundtable for Safer and Cleaner Production has held 15 comprehensive roundtables within the region and has built up a strong community following among industry, governments, academia, NGOs, and international multi-development organizations urging them to apply creativity and innovation to address and solve global and regional sustainable development challenges.

We are not disputing the quality and directions of others using The ETEAM name, as the world’s students, families and communities certainly deserve quality learning resources.

We invite positive input regarding a resolution to the current situation.