Members:
Istituto Pangea - Italy

Countdown 2010: people and protected areas for biodiversity conservation
International Seminar

“Countdown 2010: people and protected areas for biodiversity conservation” is an international seminar on the management of biodiversity and protected areas promoted by the European Training Task Force of WCPA, sponsored by the Majella National Park and by the Italian Protected Areas Federation.

The seminar is the first initiative being organized at European level, promoted according to the experiences carried in US by the National Park Service in the 80’s and recently restarted by the Universities of Montana, Idaho, Colorado, with the US Department of Agriculture- Forest Service, in the framework of the IUCN WCPA Protected Areas Programme.

Based in the Majella Park, this first edition of the Seminar will focus on methods and techniques of monitoring, managing and conserving biodiversity in protected areas, analyzing case studies and best practices worldwide. Trainers will be European top specialists in conservation biology, in protected areas management and in themes like communication, education and public awareness, seen as vital tools to contribute to halt the loss of biodiversity in the framework of the Countdown 2010.

The training program -four weeks starting from the end of September 2006- will be developed by the two sponsoring institutions, in cooperation with two IUCN commissions -WCPA Europe (through its Task Force on Training) and Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)- and with the scientific support of Italian Universities. The seminar will stimulate debates and interactive problem solving for issues related to protected areas and biodiversity management, taking advantage of the rich experiences and multiple cultural perspectives of the participants, as well as the unique heritage and resources available in the Majella National Park. Educational tours to several protected areas of the Apennine Mountains will also be scheduled, offering opportunities to interact with experts, park managers and staff, local communities.

“It will be dedicated mainly to managers and staff of worldwide protected areas” Matteo Fusilli, WCPA member and President of the Italian PAs Federation said, “but we believe that the seminar will be useful also for Governmental Agencies, local Authorities, NGOs, Academic and private sectors representatives”. The seminar is offered in the English language, so English speaking proficiency is a requirement for course attendance. “Negotiations to obtain support by the Italian Ministry of Environment and by the Abruzzo Region Regional Government are in progress” Nicola Cimini, Majella Park Director said. “We are working for obtaining scholarships offered by public Institutions and other Italian parks, so to facilitate the participation from developing countries”.

Further information will be released by Istituto Pangea (campus.istpangea@libero.it), IUCN member, which is caring about the organization of the Seminar on behalf of the sponsoring institutions.