Every four years it holds a global – the world’s largest and most important – conservation event.
The 2012 congress was held earlier this month in South Korea, bringing together more than 8,000 delegates to discuss and pass resolutions to address our earth’s most critical environment and development issues.
The theme was Nature+, a simple slogan that encapsulates the fundamental importance of nature and its inherent link to every aspect of our lives. Environment Africa’s CEO, Charlene Hewat, is Chairperson of the IUCN Zimbabwe National Committee.
She said that key areas of attention for Southern Africa at the congress were wildlife conservation with special focus on Rhino Conservation and threatened species, biodiversity and ecosystems, and conservation and community issues around climate, food, water, and development.
Effective conservation cannot be accomplished by conservationists alone and a motion submitted by Environment Africa with support from several other IUCN members advocated for PPCPs – Private, Public, Community Partnerships. This concept was developed by Environment Africa some years ago.
Hewat has worked in conservation and community development for over 20 years and firmly believes that in order to achieve long term sustainability it is vital to fully incorporate communities into all aspects of conservation and development. – www.environmentafrica.org; www.iucn.org
Post published in: Environment