Report (Part 6): Sustainable Development Convention 2002

Green Network

Time: 31 October 2002, 14:45-15:30 Location: Salle A Chair: Peter Sissons Presenters/ Participants: Miguel Araujo, Director of Corporate Strategy, Partnerships and Communication, World Conservation Union (IUCN) Reporter: Julie Archer (ICVolunteers) Languages: English Key words: Sustainable development, knowledge, IUCN, conservation, wildlife, Green Web, environment

In this session, Mr. Miguel Araujo, the Director of Corporate Strategy, Partnerships and Communication for the World Conservation Union (IUCN), talked about his organization and introduced its new on-line knowledge management system designed to encourage governance, empowerment and participation around the world for the preservation and conservation of wildlife, land, plants and natural resources.

Mr. Araujo opened his presentation by describing the IUCN, which was founded 53 years ago and is the largest conservation and science-based organization in the world with headquarters in Gland, Switzerland and 62 offices around the world. He described the IUCN as a "network of networks" - a union of partners, including 106 governments, 74 states, 788 NGOs, UN agencies, private sector organizations, civil society organizations and various conventions, parties and secretariats. The IUCN has observer status at the United Nations and provides a scientific base and neutral forum for dialogue and action. It publishes the annual Red List on threatened species and is recognized as the leading authority on the world's protected areas.

The IUCN promotes knowledge, governance and empowerment as strategies for global conservation, meaning that it has experts and enormous data banks on all conservation-related issues, it provides guidance for law and policy on biodiversity, and it is a convenor of stakeholders. The organization was extremely active at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg earlier in the year, bringing a total of 20,000 participants to its various events. Most recently, the IUCN has begun developing the Green Web, a comprehensive web-based source for scientific data, project descriptions and information on participating in the preservation of global biodiversity.

Surprising Issues
Moderator Peter Sisson suggested that the IUCN came rather late to its involvement in sustainable development. Mr. Araujo explained that in fact the IUCN had always been involved in promoting sustainable development but traditionally kept a low profile. The organization plans to focus much more on communicating its goals and activities, and the Green Web initiative is part of that focus.

Interesting Questions
One delegate asked whether the IUCN promoted sustainable development or total preservation. Mr. Araujo responded that both were necessary because areas under extreme threat require total preservation but that the sustainable use of natural resources was often necessary for the survival of local people. He said that if the needs of a local community are not considered in conservation decisions on the natural environment then conservation is not sustainable. Mr. Araujo said that it is necessary to work with communities to find a balance between the needs of people and the needs of the environment.

Conclusions
Mr. Araujo emphasized in closing that the IUCN looks for neutral ground by providing a scientific basis and encouraging dialogue to work out differences. He said that differing parties may be more willing to exchange views and work together when presented with the scientific facts.