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Ramsar handbooks for the wise use of wetlands2nd edition, 2004

Handbook 6

Wetland CEPA

The Conventions Programme on communication,

education and public awareness (CEPA) 2003-2008

This 2nd edition of the Ramsar handbooks replaces the seriespublished in January 2000.It includes relevant guidance adopted by several meetings of the

Conference of the Parties, in particular COP7 (1999) and COP8 (2002), aswell as selected background documents presented at these COPs.

This second edition of the Ramsar handbooks series, like the first, hasbeen made possible through a generous contribution from theGovernment of Spain, this time through the General Directorate forBiodiversity, Ministry of Environment.


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Acknowledgements

To secure the continuation of the Ramsar CEPA programme, a new draft

resolution and programme of work was adopted at the 8th meeting of theConference of the Parties (COP8, November 2002) to replace the firstCEPA programme (Resolution VII.9), which covered the period 1999-2002.The Ramsar Secretariat invited a number of CEPA experts to take part inan e-mail discussion from November 2001 to March 2002 to draft this newResolution and a subgroup of these experts subsequently contributed tothe final drafting process in June 2002.

The Secretariat is very grateful to the members of this e-mail group, listedbelow, and to the sub-group (marked * in the list) for their significant rolein the drafting process: Muhtari Aminu-Kano, Nigerian ConservationFoundation, Nigeria; Salvatore Arico, UNESCO s Man and the BiosphereProgramme; Ernesto Eduardo Briones, Fundacin EcoCiencia, Ex-CEPANGO Focal Point, Ecuador; Andrs Bhm, Ramsar AdministrativeAuthority, CEPA Goverment Focal Point, Hungary; Susana Calvo, RamsarAdministrative Authority, CEPA Government Focal Point, Spain;JorgeCappato*, Fundacin PROTEGER, CEPA NGO Focal Point, Argentina;JaneClaricoates*, Consultant, United Kingdom; Wendy Goldstein*, IUCNsCommission on Education and Communication; Alexander Heydendael,CBD Secretariat; Doug Hulyer *, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, CEPA NGOFocal Point, United Kingdom; Sidharth Kaul*, Ramsar Administrative

Authority, Ex-Ramsar CEPA Government Focal Point, India; Paul Mafabi,Ramsar Administrative Authority, Uganda; Ms Birgit Mair-Markart,Naturschutzbund sterreich, CEPA NGO Focal Point, Austria; TaejMundkur, Wetlands International; Nadra Nathai-Gyan, RamsarAdministrative Authority, CEPA Government Focal Point, Trinidad andTobago; Arthur Nogueira, CBD Secretariat; Bill Phillips*, Consultant,Australia; Chris Prietto*, The Wetlands Centre, CEPA NGO Focal Point,Australia; Fernando Ramos*, Amigos de la Tierra, CEPA NGO Focal Point,Spain; Samson Samasoni, SPREP/GEF International Waters Programme,Samoa; Emmanuel Severre, Ramsar Administrative Authority, CEPAGovernment Focal Point, Tanzania; Miriam Zacharia*, Ramsar

Administrative Authority, Tanzania; Chaman Trisal*, WetlandsInternational, Ramsar CEPA NGO Focal Point, India; Lew Young, WWFHong Kong.

Note. This Handbook is based on Resolution VIII.31 and its Annex, but alsobrings together additional information relevant to this issue. The viewsexpressed in this additional information do not necessarily reflect theviews of the Ramsar Secretariat or the Contracting Parties, and suchmaterials have not been endorsed by the Conference of the ContractingParties.

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All decisions of the Ramsar COPs are available from the ConventionsWeb site at http://www.ramsar.org/index_key_docs.htm#res. Background

documents referred to in these handbooks are available athttp://www.ramsar.org/cop7_docs_index.htm and

http://www.ramsar.org/cop8_docs_index_e.htm.

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Foreword

The role of CEPA (communication, education and public awareness) inwetland conservation and wise use is not new to the Convention. Theneed for wetland CEPA was first recognized in the wise use guidelinesadopted at COP4 in 1990, and the first CEPA Resolution, VI.19, Educationand public awareness, was adopted at COP6 in 1996. Resolution VII.9, TheConventions Outreach Programme 1999-2002: Actions to promotecommunication, education and public awareness to supportimplementation of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), wasadopted at COP7 fully recognizing CEPA as a central element inimplementing the Convention, and its annexed guidelines assisted Partiesin developing a strategic approach to wetland CEPA during the triennium.

Implementation of Resolution VII.9, as evidenced in the National Reportsto COP8, indicated that although only three Contracting Parties (Australia,Germany, and Hungary) had submitted their National CEPA Action Plans tothe Ramsar Secretariat, there were many other Parties currently workingtowards that goal and the Reports included many other references toimplementation activities.

Using this available information, an ad hoc group of CEPA experts,convened in November 2001 by the Ramsar Secretariat, assisted in thedrafting of the new CEPA Resolution VIII.31, which was adopted at COP8.The broad range of CEPA experts in the group included CEPA Government

and NGO Focal Points, representatives from Ramsar InternationalOrganization Partners (IOPs) and other NGOs, and representatives fromthe CBD and UNESCOs Man and the Biosphere programme. Followingtheir deliberations, a subgroup met in Gland, Switzerland, for the finaldrafting process in June 2002.

This new CEPA Resolution represents a major step forward in identifyingwetland CEPA as a cross-cutting issue within the Convention, and this hasbeen formally recognized by the Standing Committee at its 29th meeting inFebruary 2003.

Although the CEPA Resolution calls for the development of a WorkingGroup on CEPA within the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) toundertake a comprehensive programme of work, as set out in Annex II ofthe guidelines, the lack of funding has so far precluded this. As analternative, a CEPA Specialist Group has been set up within the WetlandsInternational Specialist Group system that will work to deliver the CEPAobjectives of both the Ramsar Convention and Wetlands International.

Through the comprehensive work programme recommended by the CEPAResolution, the stage is now set for wetland CEPA to assume a more

broadly recognized and significant role in ensuring the wise use ofwetlands within the Ramsar Convention.

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Programme on communication, education andpublic

awareness (CEPA) 2003-2008 of the Convention

on Wetlands(Ramsar, Iran, 1971)(adopted as the Annex to Resolution VIII.31 by the 8th Conference of

the Contracting Parties, Valencia, Spain, 2002)

Background

1. At the 7th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP7)in San Jse, Costa Rica in 1999, Resolution VII.9 adopted the firstprogramme of actions for promoting communication, education and

public awareness (CEPA see Appendix 1 for explanation of theseterms) under the Convention. This programme was in direct responseto the first Strategic Plan of the Convention, and in particular GeneralObjective 3.

2. The adopted CEPA programme was for the period 1999-2002, andaccordingly a review process was undertaken to further improve andelaborate the programme for adoption at COP8 in Valencia, Spain, inNovember 2002. National Reports submitted in advance of COP8were used to inform this review process, and there was consultationwith experts in the field, Ramsar International Organization Partners

(IOPs), and national CEPA Government and Non-government FocalPoints.

3. This CEPA Programme, as presented below, is intended to operate fora six-year period in conjunction with the second Strategic Plan of theConvention adopted at COP8, namely for the period 2003-2008.

Major achievements under the first CEPA programme

4. There is considerable evidence from the National Reports and other

sources of a rising interest and increasing commitment to wetlandCEPA within the Convention:

a) although only three Contracting Parties (Australia, Germany, andHungary) have submitted their National CEPA Action Plans to theRamsar Bureau, there are many other Parties currently workingtowards that goal. Twenty-four Parties have established CEPATask Forces, for some countries an essential first step indeveloping an Action Plan, but many other countries havereported that implementation of the CEPA Programme is alreadyan integral part of their National Ramsar Committees work

programme;

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b) there is evidence of a great deal of relevant and effectivewetland CEPA activity at local, national, regional andinternational levels;

c) there is already administrative and other support within theRamsar Bureau dedicated to CEPA: i) since April 2001 adedicated area on the Conventions Web site has been providingCEPA resource materials as well as basic information about theCEPA Programme; and ii) CEPA e-mail lists in English, French andSpanish were launched in May 2001 to encourage the exchangeof wetland CEPA information, with membership including all CEPAFocal Points as well as many other interested parties;

d) with the identification of at least 480 wetland education centreslocated in 68 countries, 260 of them linked to Ramsar sites,

there is a tremendous opportunity to develop an effective centrenetwork through the Wetland Link International initiative beingdelivered by The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (UK) and, in thefuture, to develop wetland centres at Ramsar sites as keylocations for promoting CEPA; and

e) there is an evolving approach within the Convention to wetlandmanagement planning that includes community participationand education, and much evidence of a rapidly growingknowledge of participatory techniques within the Convention.

Investing in CEPA - Opportunities and benefits

5. The following are some of the opportunities and benefits that mayarise from investing in CEPA:

a) wetland issues can increasingly become part of the business ofother sectors and not just that of the environment, therebymainstreaming the conservation and wise use of wetlands intosociety and government;

b) communities use resources sustainably as a result ofengagement and agreement to collaborative plans, therebyreducing conflict;

c) communities agree to invest in restoration and long-termstewardship of wetlands; and

d) there is a public constituency that speaks for and helps set theagenda for wetland conservation and wise use.

6. There is an emerging CEPA Work Programme for the Convention onBiological Diversity, and discussions are underway on a workprogramme on education, awareness and participation for the United

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informed decision-making and public constituency. CEPAmobilises actions directed at achieving the wise use of wetlands.CEPA should form a central part of implementing the RamsarConvention by each Contracting Party.

General and Operational Objectives

9. The CEPA Programme has three General Objectives and under each anumber ofOperational Objectives.

10. General Objective 1 - To gain acceptance of the value andeffectiveness of wetland-related communication, educationand public awareness (CEPA) processes at all levelsthroughout the Convention.

Operational Objective 1.1 - Integrate CEPA processes into all levels ofpolicy development, planning and implementation of the Convention.

Operational Objective 1.2 - Demonstrate that CEPA processes areeffective in achieving Ramsars wetland wise use objectives at theglobal, national and local levels.

11. General Objective 2 - To provide support and tools for theeffective national and local implementation of wetland-related communication, education and public awareness

(CEPA) activities.

Operational Objective 2.1 - Provide national leadership, networks andcohesive frameworks to support and catalyse CEPA for the wise useof wetlands.

Operational Objective 2.2 - Transfer, exchange and share CEPAinformation and expertise that promotes and results in the wise useof wetlands.

Operational Objective 2.3 - Improve the individual and collective

capacity and opportunities of people to participate in and contributeto using wetlands wisely, through the recognition of the values ofwetland resources.

12. General Objective 3 - To mainstream the wise use ofwetlands within society and enable people to act.

Operational Objective 3.1 - Foster sustained national campaigns,programmes and projects to raise community awareness of theimportant ecosystem services provided by wetlands as well as theirsocial, economic and cultural values.

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Actions to pursue the Vision and Objectives

13. The Actions in this Programme are addressed to the followingresponsible bodies of the Convention:

CPs: The Contracting Parties to the Convention, in particular theAdministrative Authority in each country and theRamsar/Wetlands National Committees (or equivalentbodies) that should be in place in each Party

CEPA: The Conventions Communication, Education and PublicAwareness National Focal Points

STRP: The Scientific and Technical Review Panel, its CEPAWorking Group and its network of National Focal Points

Bureau: The Ramsar Bureau (the Conventions secretariat)

14. The Programme also identifies actions involving collaboratingpartners of the Convention:

IOPs: International Organization Partners, at present BirdLifeInternational, IUCN The World Conservation Union,Wetlands International, and the World Wide Fund forNature (WWF)

OCs: Other collaborators, including those with which Ramsarhas agreements in place, in particular UNESCO Man andthe Biosphere Programme (MAB); Eurosite (the network of

European natural heritage management bodies); TheNature Conservancy (TNC), Society of Wetland Scientists(SWS), Center for International Earth Science InformationNetwork, Columbia University, USA (CIESIN), TheInternational Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), andDucks Unlimited (Canada, Mexico and USA)

15. Those responsible for implementing, or who are urged to assist inimplementing, each Action in the Programme are indicated inbrackets {..}; for example: {CPs, STRP, Bureau}.

General Objective 1: To gain acceptance of the value andeffectiveness of wetland-relatedcommunication, education and publicawareness (CEPA) processes at all levelsthroughout the Convention.

Operational Objective 1.1 Integrate CEPA processes into all levels ofpolicy development, planning and implementationof the Convention.

Actions:

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1.1.1 Ensure that by the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the ContractingParties, CEPA is integrated into all Convention work programmes,including joint work plans with other conventions and organizations,and is also considered in the development of all further Ramsar

guidance for Parties. {COP, Bureau, STRP, IOPs}1.1.2 Integrate wetland CEPA into all relevant regional (where applicable),

national, catchment and local wetland and other appropriatesectoral policies, strategies, plans and programmes, such as thosefor biodiversity conservation, water management, fisheries, povertyreduction, etc. {CPs, CEPA}

1.1.3 Establish an STRP Expert Working Group on CEPA to undertake aprogramme of work as set out in Annex II of Resolution VIII.31. {STRP,Bureau, IOPs, OCs}

Start BoxCEPA Specialist Group

This CEPA Resolution calls for the establishment of a Working Group onCEPA by the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) (Action 1.1.3above), and identifies preliminary tasks for this group in Annex II (pageXX), noting that these tasks should be conducted using financial resourcesfrom a Voluntary Fund for Outreach or other similar contribution. In theabsence of appropriate funding, and following a proposal by WetlandsInternational, a decision was taken at the 11th meeting of STRP in April2003 that a CEPA expert group should be strengthened within theWetlands International Specialist Group (SG) system.

Initially composed of CEPA Focal Points and STRP members expressing aninterest in the CEPA SG, the group has expanded to includerepresentatives from wetland-oriented NGOs and international NGOs aswell as CEPA experts. The CEPA SG held its inaugural meeting inWageningen, the Netherlands, 2627 May 2003, and developed a workplan for the period 2003-2005. Principal activities include:

Providing input to Ramsars STRP Working Groups to ensure CEPAissues are considered fully and reflected appropriately in theguidance developed for Parties consideration at COP9.Outlining a programme of work that addresses and prioritises thetasks identified in Annex II of the CEPA Resolution.Providing specialist advice on CEPA issues to Wetlands Internationaloffices and other parts of the WI specialist network.

Further information on the work of the SG can be obtained fromhttp://www.wetlands.org/networks/Education/Education.htm or from the

Ramsar Secretariat.End Box

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Operational Objective 1.2 Demonstrate that CEPA processes areeffective in achieving Ramsars wetland wise useobjectives at the global, national and local levels.

Actions:

1.2.1 Develop pilot projects to evaluate a range of approaches forapplying CEPA in promoting the wise use of wetlands, in particularinvolving those who make a direct use of wetland resources. {STRP,CPs, CEPA, IOPs}

1.2.2 Review existing CEPA programmes and case studies and documentthe lessons learned regarding effective approaches from theseexperiences. {STRP, CPs, CEPA, IOPs}

1.2.3 Make the findings and conclusions drawn from Actions 1.2.1 and1.2.2 available to Parties and the broader community throughappropriate mechanisms (see Operational Objectives 2.1, 2.2 and2.3). {Bureau, CPs, CEPA, IOPs}

General Objective 2: To provide support and tools for theeffective implementation of national andlocal wetland-related communication,education and public awareness (CEPA)activities.

Operational Objective 2.1 Provide national leadership, networks andcohesive frameworks to support and catalyse CEPAfor the wise use of wetlands.

Actions:

2.1.1 Contracting Parties (as requested by Resolution VII.9) are urged as amatter of priority to appoint suitably qualified persons to fulfil the

roles of national government and non-government Focal Points forwetland CEPA, and to advise the Ramsar Bureau of the personsfulfilling these roles and their contact details. {CPs}

2.1.2 Establish a national Wetland CEPA Task Force (if no other

mechanisms exist for this purpose), ensuring suitable stakeholderand NGO representation, to undertake a review of needs, skills,expertise and options and to set priorities for the implementation ofthis programme of work. {CPs, CEPA, OCs}

2.1.3 Formulate, drawing upon theAdditional Guidance on reviewing andaction planning for wetland communication, education and publicawareness (CEPA) developed for this purpose, a national (and,

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where appropriate, sub-national, catchment or local) action plan forwetland CEPAwhich incorporates the conclusions to emerge fromAction 2.1.2 above, and provide a copy of this to the RamsarConvention Bureau so that it can be made available to other Parties

and interested organizations and individuals. (TheAdditionalGuidance document is available in hard copy from the Bureau and inhtml at http://ramsar.org/outreach_ reviewsactionplansI.htm.) {CPs(national Wetland CEPA Task Force or similar body), IOPs, OCs}

(See Additional information on pages XX and XX-XX)

2.1.4 Review and, where appropriate, integrate wetland CEPA into thebusiness of national wetland, biodiversity, forestry, agriculture,irrigation, power generation, mining, tourism, and fisheriescommittees and other relevant policy and planning committees

where they exist. {CPs}

2.1.5 As part of undertaking actions 2.1.2, 2.1.3 and 2.1.4, ensure thatattention is given to the efficiency and effectiveness ofcommunication and information-sharing systems between relevantgovernment ministries, departments and agencies, and wherenecessary develop mechanisms to address any shortcomings. {CPs}

2.1.6 Collaborate globally and nationally to encourage synergy with theCEPA activities under other international conventions andprogrammes, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and theUNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. {Bureau, CPs, CEPA,IOPs}

2.1.7 Establish and maintain an on-line searchable listing of expertise inCEPA and of the CEPA Focal Points, one which can be accessed toassist CEPA at national and international levels, and promote thisservice to assist CEPA programmes and activities.{Bureau, CPs}

See also Action 1.1.2 above.

Start Box

Additional information

Action Planning for Weland CEPA

The CEPA programme calls upon Contracting Parties to develop a nationaland, where appropriate, sub-national, catchment or local action plan forwetland CEPA (Action 2.1.3), and to provide copies of these Action Plans tothe Secretariat.

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Although the information below suggests limited activity in actionplanning, the analysis of National Reports submitted for COP8 suggeststhat a significant number of countries have taken at least the first step inthe planning process, with 22% of Contracting Parties noting that they had

established a Task Force to carry out a review of wetland CEPA (effectivelythe first step in the development of an action plan), while 42% respondedthat this was in progress at some level.

At the national level . . .

Australia was the first Contracting Party to develop a CEPA Action Plan,with the official launching of the Plan on World Wetlands Day, 2 February2001. The plan, Communication, Education, and Public Awarenessto Promote Wise Use of Australias Wetlands National Action Plan2001-2005 - The Next Step (November 2002), was updated in 2002.

To assist other Contracting Parties, a brief (and unofficial) report on theaction planning process was provided, at the request of the Secretariat, bya member of the Task Force (available athttp://www.ramsar.org/outreach_news_australia.htm).

Germany published its 47-page German Action Plan forCommunication, Education and Public Awareness on Wetlandsunder the Ramsar Convention in August 2001. This included anextensive review of wetland CEPA actors and activities within the countyas well as a section on recommended priority actions.

Hungary published its National Strategy for Communication,Education and Awareness in Support of Wetland Conservation inHungaryin May 2002. Information on the development of the Strategy isreported on page XX of this handbook.

At the sub-national level . . .

Australia took the number one spot again with the publication in August2002 of a Wetlands Communication Strategyfor the 22,000 squarekilometer Hunter region in the southeast of the country. This work was

spearheaded by The Wetlands Centre, located in the Hunter EstuaryRamsar site.

And most recently at the supra-national level . . .

The MedWet Initiative, the Mediterranean regional initiative operatingunder the aegis of the Convention, released its MedWet CEPA Strategy2003-2005 in June 2003. The CEPA Strategy, with clearly defined actionsand timescales is based firmly upon Ramsars CEPA Resolution VIII.31 andMedWets work plan for the period 2003-2005.

Although not a uniquely Ramsar-labelled product, the RegionalEducation and Public Awareness Strategyfor West Africa, published

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in March 2003 by Wetlands International, was based on a regionalassessment of the strengths and weaknesses of wetland CEPA conductedwithin each of the 14 countries. The final strategy integrated severalelements of both the Ramsar CEPA Resolution and the Wetlands

International Strategy, 2003-2005.All of these Action Plans are available electronically from the CEPA mini-Web site at http://ramsar.org/outreach_nationalactionplans.htm.End Box

Operational Objective 2.2Transfer, exchange and share CEPAinformation and expertise that promotes andresults in the wise use of wetlands.

Actions:

2.2.1 Continue to develop the Conventions Web site and the CEPA mini-Web site within it, which has been designed specifically for the CEPAprogramme, and add resource materials to ensure that these remaina cornerstone of this CEPA programme globally. {Bureau}

(See the Conventions Web site at http://www.ramsar.org and theCEPA mini-Web site at http://www.ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm.)

2.2.2 Encourage Ramsars International Organization Partners (IOPs),especially the IUCNs Commission on Education and Communication,and other organizations with which collaborative agreements are inplace, also to make available suitable resource materials to assistthe global CEPA programme and information on effective CEPAapproaches.{Bureau, IOPs}

2.2.3 Continue to produce, distribute and share resource materials tosupport wetland CEPA actions. {Bureau, IOPs, CPs, CEPA, OCs}

2.2.4 Maintain, and seek to expand, the Ramsar global e-mail networks toinclude Ramsar Administrative Authorities, Ramsar national wetland

CEPA Focal Points, CEPA professionals, Ramsar site managers, thosefacilities dedicated to environmental education and awarenessraising, and local stakeholders. Establish and support similarnational e-groups and the linking of these with the global network.{Bureau, CPs, CEPA, IOPs, OCs}

(See additional information on page XX)

2.2.5 Promote and seek to resource the coordination of the Wetland LinkInternational programme of the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust, UK, inorder to allow it to assist wetland education centres to create a

global network and national centres of excellence for promotingCEPA, and to facilitate information exchange between centres in

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about wetlands and wetland-related CEPA and as key sources of CEPAexpertise.

Why network?

Educators and other CEPA workers often feel isolated at their individualcentres. Daily work demands leave little time to contact colleagues andshare knowledge and expertise. Educators often have difficulty findinghelpful advice, words of support, relevant case studies, problems andpitfalls, guidelines for best practice, effective solutions, and ways to avoidreinventing the wheel. The WLI programme aims to fill this gap.

What WLI does

WLI is designed to: Encourage and support the exchange of information and expertise

among those involved in wetland education programmes,especially those operating from wetland education centres.

Advocate for, and assist in, the development of new wetlandeducation centres and programmes worldwide.

Improve the effectiveness of operations at wetland educationcentres through sharing, training and expertise exchange.

Lobby for the greater inclusion of CEPA programmes withinwetland and related conservation initiatives, and support for thedevelopment of frameworks for subsequent implementation at

national, regional and global levels.

WLI membership

WLI defines a wetland education centre as any place where there isinteraction between people and wildlife, and where CEPA activity occurs insupport of wetland conservation aims.

Thus the WLI network includes wetland nature reserves with a wide rangeof visitor facilities, environmental education centres, field studies centres,zoos and botanical gardens, many interactive natural history museums,

and a wide variety of community site-based projects and programmes.

WLI is open to any organization, group or individual planning, designing oroperating a place or places with interaction between people and wildlifeand within education and/or interpretation objectives. Members may begovernment, non-government, professional, amateur, paid or voluntary.

WLI benefits

WLI launched its first Web site (www.wli.org.uk) in July 2003, and an e-mail

group was launched in October 2003 to assist WLI members incommunicating with one another. The Web site is gradually building a

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framework for cooperation and collaboration among educators. Such aframework developed by wetland educators would improvecommunication and allow participation of Australian wetland educators inthe WLI initiative.

To initiate the process, a forum for wetland educators was held in 2002 toidentify challenges and devise strategies which educators and centrescould use to build links and share skills. Participants at the workshopdiscussed three broad themes:

What do we need to be better wetland educators?How do we meet the challenges of distance and keep up to date onwetland issues?What are the major challenges in educating people about wetlandvalues?

Workshop discussions and follow-up meetings agreed that the keyobjective was to develop a peer support network that would allow wetlandeducators to:

Maintain and build friendships;

Communicate regularly;

Share information on relevant opportunities and exchange ideas;Build their own capacity and the capacity of their target groups; and

Develop links with international colleagues.

From the forums deliberations, the WLI Australia Communication Strategywasdeveloped with clearly defined objectives and with strategies andactions to realise these objectives (available athttp://ramsar.org/outreach_wliaustralia_commstrategy.htm). This strategywill guide communication among wetland educators working in the fieldand meet objectives under Australias National Wetland CEPA Action Plan:2001-2005.

While resources to operate WLI Australia are not guaranteed, major aimsinclude:

keeping centres and educators connected, introducing newcentres to other wetland educators ;

feeding national issues, trends, opportunities down through thenational network and up to the international WLI network;

feeding international trends, opportunities from the internationalWLI network down through the national network; and

advising and interacting with networks in other countries as theyemerge.

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At this stage the actions are strongly focused on, but not limited to,educators based in centres. Where possible the network will be expandedto inform all interested educators about national strategies and actions toimprove the conservation of wetlands.

Further information is available from:Christine Prietto ([email protected])WLI Australia Coordinator, The Wetlands Centre AustraliaWeb site: www.wetlands.org.auPO Box 292, Wallsend, NSW, Australia 2287Tel: +61 2 4955 8673; Fax +61 2 4950 0497End Box

Operational Objective 2.3 Improve the individual and collectivecapacity and opportunities of people to participate

in and contribute to using wetlands wisely, throughthe recognition of the values of wetland resources.

Actions:

2.3.1 Review the current national needs and capacities in the areas ofwetland CEPA, including in relation to the establishment andoperations of wetland education centres (see Operational Objective3.3) and use this to define capacity-building priorities within thenational wetland CEPA action plan (see Action 2.1.3). {CPs, CEPA}

2.3.2 In collaboration with Ramsars International Organization Partners,identify sources of expert information and training opportunities inwetland CEPA in order to facilitate the sharing of expertise andknowledge at the local, national, regional and global levels.{Bureau, CPs, CEPA}

2.3.3 Seek resources through appropriate mechanisms to support thecapacity building identified as priorities through Action 2.3.1,ensuring that key groups such as women and indigenous and ruralcommunities are not overlooked. {CPs}

2.3.4 Review formal educational curricula to ensure that they areincorporating information on the ecosystem services provided bywetlands, promoting the wise use principle, and recognizing theimportance of CEPA in pursuing the objective of wise use. {CPs,IOPs, OCs}

General Objective 3: To mainstream the wise use ofwetlands within society and enable peopleto act.

Note: the foregoing Operational Objectives all contain actions whichcontribute toward achieving this General Objective as well.

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Operational Objective 3.1 Foster sustained national campaigns,programmes and projects to raise communityawareness of the important ecosystem services

provided by wetlands as well as their social,economic and cultural values.

Actions:

3.1.1 Undertake national campaigns, programmes or projects to raiseawareness, build community support, and promote stewardshipapproaches and attitudes towards wetlands. {CPs, CEPA, OCs}

3.1.2 Celebrate World Wetlands Day/Week with appropriate national andlocal events and promotions and the distribution of resource

materials, in order to raise awareness of wetland values andfunctions. {CPs, CEPA, Bureau, IOPs, OCs}

(See Additional information on page XX)

3.1.3 Collaborate with the media to inform decision-makers and thebroader society about the values and benefits of wetlands. {CPs,CEPA, Bureau, IOPs, OCs}

3.1.4 Promote appropriate Wetlands of International Importance asdemonstration sites for Ramsars wise use principle and ensurethat they are suitably equipped in terms of capacity, signage, andinterpretive materials. {CPs, CEPA}

Start Box

Additional information

World Wetlands Day

Launched in 1997, World Wetlands Day 2nd of February - celebrates thesigning of the Ramsar Convention in February 1971, in the Iranian city of

Ramsar. Each year, government agencies, NGOs, and groups of citizens atall levels of the community undertake actions to communicate the valuesand benefits of wetlands in general and the Ramsar Convention inparticular to a broad range of target audiences.

The success of WWD as a campaign tool is demonstrated by the numberand diversity of reports sent to the Secretariat each year. Following WWD2004, reports were received from more than 250 event organizers in 85countries. WWD activities come in all shapes and sizes, from lectures andseminars, nature walks, childrens art contests, sampan races, and

community clean-up days, to radio and television interviews and letters tonewspapers, to the launch of new wetland policies, new Ramsar sites, and

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developing an action plan, that of the UK and Hungary, that identify someof the challenges.

Attempting to develop a CEPA action plan for wetlands

in the UK:- a personal perspective from Doug Hulyer, NGO CEPA Focal

Point

Over four years have elapsed since the adoption of the first CEPAResolution VII.9 and its annexed guidelines, and a new CEPA Resolutionwas adopted at COP 8 in Valencia, yet still no CEPA action plan is in placefor the United Kingdom. Why is this? As one of the individuals who hasbeen working for a decade or more with the Ramsar Convention indeveloping the CEPA agenda, perhaps I can offer some suggestions.

The CEPA group initially formed in 2000 to develop such a plan for the UKsoon became aware of the challenge of the task with the complex range ofexisting initiatives that were underway in the UK that would impact uponour planning. For example, a Sustainable Development Education (SDE)Panel had been set up by Government in 1999 with a five-year life, taskedwith the creation of a strategy for England and Wales; even at that timewetlands CEPA people in the UK had recognized the central importance ofSDE in formulating any ecosystem specific plan (the approach formallyendorsed in Resolution VIII.31). The final report of the panel was publishedin February 2003 and is creating a holistic framework for all the sectoral

interests in the country.

Similarly, a very advanced biodiversity education initiative had existed atmany levels (from local to national) since the mid-90s wetlands, again,being very central to this. The first fully integrated and partnershipapproach, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, was first published in 1995,creating a strategy almost unique in the world.

Another complication encountered over the past four years has been theincreasing devolution agenda within the United Kingdom, with decisionsnow being made at country level (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland,and Wales). In response, a whole new set of country-based initiatives andplans are being produced. For example, in November 2003, Working withthe grain of nature a biodiversity strategy for England was published bythe Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Similarplans are being created for the other three countries within the UK.

The approach of our CEPA group, a small group of NGOs and government-linked agencies, has been to support and encourage opportunities forwetland CEPA in these and many other areas of environmental policy-making and practice from biodiversity action planning to education for

sustainable development and lifelong learning. In short, the past four

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years has been about creating a context within which a CEPA plan forwetlands would be successful.

Now we are ready to re-figure the various wetland CEPA elements within

these contexts, to target initiatives and identify outputs and outcomes. Anexample of this is the Education and Public Understanding (EPU)implementation process at the centre of the England Biodiversity Strategy.Water and wetlands is one of the five central sector issues within theoverall strategy (the others being woodlands and forests, coasts andmarine, agriculture, and urban); the EPU process involves linking a sector-focused plan with all the others being developed by other sectors. Wherecommon issues arise it is possible to avoid re-invention of wheels andtarget resources accordingly.

The good news is that wetlands have been shown, through research

commissioned by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), to be incrediblypotent tools in building awareness and action for sustainable developmenteducation; they are immediate and accessible systems that demonstratedirect benefits to peoples lives. It is hoped that a plan will now becompleted for wetlands CEPA in the UK during 2004, one which will seekto put wetlands at the heart of sustainable development education andeducation at the heart of sustainable development.

Doug HulyerNGO CEPA Focal Point, UKDirector of Programmes & Development, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust,UK

Formulating and implementing a CEPA Strategy forWetland Conservation:

Hungarys approach

By Andrs Bhm, Government CEPA Focal Point

In response to Resolution VII.9, the Administrative Authority responsiblefor Ramsar implementation in Hungary, the Authority for NatureConservation, has spearheaded the development of a CEPA strategyaimed at raising awareness of wetland values and functions as well asemphasising the vulnerability of wetland ecosystems at national and locallevels. Communication and education experts of the ten National Parkdirectorates and the major non-governmental organizations were involved(including WWF-Hungary, BirdLife Hungary, and the Association of NatureConservationists), and discussions and consultations were organized inearly 2000 and 2001. Subsequently, an IUCN project, Effectivecommunication for Biodiversity Conservation, under the Pan-EuropeanBiodiversity and Landscape Diversity Strategy, focused on the

development of the draft. In late 2001, the draft was finalised with thehelp of the communication experts assisting this project, producing a

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comprehensive wetland communication strategy (available athttp://www.ramsar.org/outreach_nationalactionplans.htm).

The NGO and governmental focal points appointed to formulate the

strategy are now focused on coordinating the implementation of thestrategy at different levels. They collectively manage a network thatincludes representatives of each National Park directorate and NGO.Although this is working fairly well, some of the focal points are alsoresponsible for many other activities (such as education, ecotourism, etc.)and are unable to commit the necessary time for effective implementationof some components of the strategy. An additional problem is theunpredictability of funds for implementation.

As a result of these difficulties, and also the challenges associated withthe recent restructuring of the Ministry, only certain parts of the strategy

have been implemented, mainly by the National Parks and NGOs.Nevertheless, some good results have been achieved. For example, at theLake Tata Ramsar Site, a plan for mass tourism was refused mainly bycitizens of the town after the joint communication campaign led by theMunicipal and local NGOs on the values and vulnerability of the wetland.Furthermore, though a proposal for creating a horse riding area in themost fragile part of the wetland seemed to be a green development formany people, it was also successfully refused by the local government.Villages around Tata started to recognize the town as a lead area whereenvironmental awareness is well developed.

Future developments include a much broader approach to communicationwithin the Ministry of Environment and with other ministries. Currently alldocuments relating to environmental communication (general naturecommunication strategy, communication strategy for Natura 2000network, communication strategy for species conservation projects,wetland CEPA, etc.) are under revision and it is hoped that a frameworkfor communication in nature conservation at governmental level will bedeveloped that encompasses all of these more specialised areas ofinterest.

Andrs Bhm, CounsillorMinistry of Environment and WaterAuthority for Nature Conservation, Hungary

Photo caption: Schoolchildren at the Lake Tata birdwatching towerPhotocredit: Lszl MusiczEnd Box

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Appendix 1

Understanding what is meant by the terms

communication, education and publicawareness and mainstreaming

1. In applying this programme, it is important that Contracting Partiesand other interest groups share a common understanding of what ismeant by the term Communication, education and publicawareness. The advice presented below is based on theMainstreaming Biological Diversitypublication (produced by UNESCO,the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the World ConservationUnion IUCN) and is intended to give a sense of what practitioners inthis field commonly mean by these terms, as well as the perspectiveswhich have been used in formulating this programme.

2. Communication is the two-way exchange of information leading tomutual and enhanced understanding. It can be used to gain theinvolvement of actors and stakeholders and is a means to gaincooperation of groups in society by listening to them first andclarifying why and how decisions are made. In an instrumentalapproach, communication is used with other instruments to supportwetland conservation, to address economic constraints, and tomotivate action.

3. Education is a process that can inform, motivate and empowerpeople to support wetland conservation, not only by inducing lifestylechanges, but also by fostering changes in the way that individuals,institutions, business and governments operate.

4. Awareness brings the issues relating to wetlands to the attention ofindividuals and key groups who have the power to influenceoutcomes. Awareness is an agenda setting and advocacy exercisewhich helps people to know what and why this is an important issue,the aspirations for the targets, and what is and can be done to

achieve these.

5. Mainstreaming is another term used in this CEPA programme. While ithas many definitions, in this context it has been used to mean theprocesses by which societies, businesses and governments can bebrought to recognize the full functions, services, and benefits derivedfrom ecosystems, and the natural environment, and then act to givethese values appropriate effect in decision-making. Mainstreaming istherefore at the centre of achieving sustainable or wise use.

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Appendix 2

Possible target groups and stakeholders of the

CEPA Programme of the Convention on Wetlands1. There are a large number of possible target groups for this CEPA

Programme which fall within the broadest category of the generalcommunity or civil society. To assist Contracting Parties and othersusing this Programme to decide on the actions they will take, thisAppendix describes 27 subgroups of civil society which have beenidentified as those people who can make a significant and immediatedifference in the status and long-term sustainability of wetlands.

2. In developing national or local programmes of action based on this

CEPA Programme, Contracting Parties and others are urged to takethis Appendix into consideration for their own situations indetermining those which are their highest priority target groups.

3. A fundamental assumption of the CEPA Programme is that, as aconsequence of the actions taken in response to it, there will be anincreasing number of actors who become agents, ambassadors oradvocates for the Convention on Wetlands and the principles it seeksto encourage. Support for the CEPA Programme should therefore beseen as an investment which aims to help decision-makers andmobilise local-scale actions directed at achieving the conservationand wise use of wetlands.

A) PEOPLE IN GENERAL

Target Group/Individuals RationaleLandowners (especially thosewho are responsible formanaging wetlands)

These are the people who are makingdecisions which impact directly uponwetlands. Parties and Ramsar must informthem and provide them with access to expertinformation and expertise.

Indigenous people and localcommunities

Many indigenous people and localcommunities associated with wetlands havegreat knowledge of managing theseecosystems in a sustainable way, and in someinstances have an ongoing culturalassociation with wetlands. Ramsar should aimto encourage the sharing of this experiencewith other wetland managers andacknowledge indigenous peoples stewardshipof wetlands.

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Women Engaging more women in wetlandmanagement is a priority, as in many culturesthey tend to be more entrepreneurial in thefamily unit and more amenable to changinglifestyle habits. They may also tend to

communicate more often with the childrenwithin the family.

Children Children are the next generation of environmental managers and caretakers, andRamsar must ensure that they are aware ofthe importance of wetlands and how to usethem wisely. Children can also becometeachers of their parents through their owneducation.

National and local non-government organizations

In many countries local NGOs are vital forachieving action. They need to have expert

information and expertise available to them.Those responsible for electronicand print media

Conveying positive and informative messagesabout wetlands to the general community canbe accelerated through news and other storiesin the electronic and print media.

Community leaders andprominent people athletes,sports people, religious leaders,artists, royalty, teachers,opinion leaders, etc.

Community leaders can use their public profileto draw attention to issues, and those whohave empathy for wetland conservation maybe ideal ambassadors to promote the Ramsarmessage.

B) GOVERNMENTS AT ALL LEVELS

Target Group/Individuals RationaleEnvironmental policy makersand planners within localadministrations, provincial/state and national governmentadministrations.

These officials are key decision-makers at thelocal level and subregional and nationalscales. Their actions can impact directly onwetlands, positively or negatively, either atthe local level or catchment/river basin scale.

Wetland site managers(wardens, rangers, etc.) withinlocal, provincial/state and

national governmentadministrations.

These people have a special need to receiveadvice on the best practices in managingwetland ecosystems, and on gaining public

support and participation for their work,especially where they are responsible formanaging a Ramsar site. Site managers alsohave valuable first-hand experience withwetland management, and finding ways toallow these experiences to be shared betweenthem and with others is a priority.

National AdministrativeAuthorities of the RamsarConvention

They should have the best information at theirdisposal for efficient application anddissemination.

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National AdministrativeAuthorities and Focal Points forother environment-relatedconventions

If there is to be a more integrated approach tomanaging land and water resources, includingwetlands, there is a need to create greaterunderstanding of and empathy for the RamsarConvention among those implementing the

other conventions.National consultative andadvisory committees for theRamsar Convention and otherenvironment-relatedconventions (such as NationalRamsar Committees).

Similarly, there is a need to create greaterunderstanding of and empathy for the RamsarConvention among those who are advisinggovernments on implementation of Ramsarand the other conventions.

The Ministers responsible for allsustainable development andeducation portfolios and

environment-relatedconventions as well as Membersof Parliament - National,State/Provincial and local.

Ramsar needs to gain the support of theseMinisters and all government members, forthey have direct input to policy setting,

budget allocation, etc. Those Members ofParliament in the opposition parties may be inthis position in the future.

National aid agencies, bilateraldonors

The Convention needs to ensure that there isa good general understanding about what itdoes within those organizations that aredealing with governments on a range ofsustainable development issues. Ramsar mustensure that the relevant officials are wellbriefed and able to support Ramsar principlesthrough on-ground projects in the Contracting

Parties.Ambassadors and the staff ofoverseas missions.

It is important that these officials fullyunderstand the Ramsar Convention and itsmodus operandi so that national governmentscan be better informed.

C) INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Target Group/Individuals RationaleGlobal organizations WorldBank, Global Environment

Facility, United NationsDevelopment Programme,United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, Global WaterPartnership, etc.

The Convention needs to ensure that there isa good general understanding about what it

does within those organizations that aredealing with governments on range ofsustainable development issues. Where theorganizations have funding programmes,Ramsar must ensure that the relevant officialsare well briefed and able to support Ramsarprinciples through on-ground projects in theContracting Parties.

Regional organizations SouthPacific Regional EnvironmentProgram, European Commission,Southern Africa DevelopmentCommunity, RegionalDevelopment Banks, ASEAN

As above.

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councils of environmentaleducation

materials being developed by theseorganizations.

Wetland/ Environment Centres,Zoos, Aquaria, Botanic Gardens,etc.

These are ideal venues for promoting theRamsar message and efforts should beintensified, in order to have suitable

information and materials and programmesavailable within them.

National and internationalnetworks of libraries.

The library networks provide an excellentavenue for making information on Ramsar andwetlands more accessible to the generalcommunity.

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Annex II

Priority tasks of the STRPs CEPA Working Groupin the triennium 2003-2005

1. For each task within the STRPs programme of work for the triennium,provide ongoing input to the various working groups to ensure CEPAissues are considered fully and reflected appropriately in the guidancedeveloped for Parties consideration at COP9.

2. Evaluate the CEPA-related information provided in the National Reportssubmitted for COP8 and identify the major impediments andconstraints being experienced by Parties in this area. Provide summaryadvice on this to the STRP and Standing Committee, and use it to guidethe actions of this Working Group.

3. Review existing Ramsar guidance, and develop additional guidance, asrequired, for Parties, STRP, Bureau and IOPs, on CEPA issues and onopportunities which exist in the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2003-2008 tofurther the objectives of the CEPA Programme.

4. Develop for consideration at COP9 additional guidance based onpractical experiences to enhance Ramsars New Guidelines for

management planning for Ramsar sites and other wetlands (ResolutionVIII.14), Guidelines for establishing and strengthening localcommunities and indigenous peoples participation in themanagement of wetlands (Resolution VII.8), and the Guiding principlesfor taking into account the cultural values of wetlands for the effectivemanagement of sites annexed to Resolution VIII.19, in order to showthe role of CEPA in local management action (Action 3.2.1 from theCEPA programme).

5. Review Ramsars other guidance for Parties (as contained in the WiseUse Toolkit) and, where appropriate, develop additional guidance to

indicate how CEPA can be integrated into these policy and planningapproaches.

6. Review the CEPA programmes and activities of other internationalconventions and programmes, including but not restricted to theConvention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change, and the UNESCO Man and theBiosphere Programme (MAB), and provide advice to the Ramsar Bureauon how to advance more harmonised approaches. (Action 2.1.5 fromthe CEPA programme)

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7. Develop the scope and Terms of Reference for pilot projects to evaluatea range of approaches for applying CEPA in promoting the wise use ofwetlands. (Action 1.2.1 from the CEPA programme)

8. Review existing models and case studies for undertaking wetland CEPAactivities and document the lessons learned from these experiences.(Action 1.2.2 from the CEPA programme). Make these conclusions andcase studies available to the Ramsar Bureau for distribution toContracting Parties and other interested bodies. (Action 1.2.3 from theCEPA programme).

9. In coordination with the Ramsar Bureau, ensure that the conclusionsfrom the reviews and revision of National Wetland CEPA Action Plansare available to all Contracting Parties, as working examples of CEPAAction Plans.

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Relevant Resolutions

Resolution VIII.31(adopted by the 8th Conference of the Contracting Parties, Valencia,

Spain, 2002)

The Conventions Programme on communication,education

and public awareness (CEPA) 2003-2008

1. AWARE of the importance of communication, education and publicawareness (CEPA) as central and cross-cutting elements forimplementing the Convention;

2. NOTING that the Conventions Strategic Plan 2003-2008 recognizesthe critical importance of CEPA for pursuing its General Objectives,and in particular General Objective 1 relating to the wise use of allwetlands, as follows: To stimulate and assist all Contracting Partiesto develop, adopt and use the necessary and appropriate instrumentsand measures to ensure the wise use of all wetlands within theirterritories;

3. RECALLING that Resolution VII.9 adopted the first ConventionsOutreach Programme 1999-2002 Actions to promote

communication, education and public awareness to supportimplementation of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971);

4. RECOGNIZING the importance ascribed to communication, educationand public awareness in the outcomes of the World Summit onSustainable Development, and that, therefore, CEPA for sustainabledevelopment, promoting the ecological, social, cultural and economicvalues of wetlands, should be a focus of Ramsars future CEPAactivities;

5. SEEING WITH SATISFACTION that, as requested by Resolution VII.9, asat 30 September 2002 86 Contracting Parties have designated theirGovernment Focal Points for CEPA and 69 Parties their national non-governmental CEPA Focal Points;

6. NOTING WITH PLEASURE that the analysis of 119 National Reportssubmitted for COP8 has revealed that there are at least 480 wetlandeducation centres found in 68 Contracting Parties, that in 18Contracting Parties wetland issues are addressed at all levels informal education curricula, and that in a further 58 ContractingParties wetland issues are addressed at some levels in formal

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7. CONGRATULATING the 26 Contracting Parties that have formednational CEPA Task Forces and in particular Australia, Germany, andHungary for having developed National Wetland CEPA Action Plans asurged by Resolution VII.9, but CONCERNED that so few Parties have

done likewise;8. COMMENDING those governments, non-governmental organizations,

and local stakeholders in over 70 countries that have undertakenspecial events to promote World Wetlands Day on 2 February;

9. EXPRESSING THANKS to the Ramsar International OrganizationPartners (IOPs) for their ongoing support to CEPA activities globallyand within many Contracting Parties;

10. CONGRATULATING the Governments of Spain and Switzerland for

their financial support for the publication of Our wetland heritageon the occasion of COP8, and the Danone Group for its continuingsponsorship of the Conventions Evian Initiative, which has asignificant communications component;

11. EXPRESSING SATISFACTION with the work done by the Ramsar Bureauin relation to CEPA in general and to communications in particular, inspite of the very limited financial and human resources at its disposalfor this purpose, and REGRETTING that insufficient effort has beenmade so far to resource the Voluntary Fund for the ConventionsOutreach Programme established by Resolution VII.28; and

12. THANKING those who participated in the workshop convened by theRamsar Bureau in June 2002 to refine and further elaborate a secondCEPA programme, and also those CEPA Focal Points, representativesfrom Ramsars IOPs and other conventions, and other CEPA expertswho contributed their views, as well as the participants in the CEPAWorkshop organized as part of the Global Biodiversity Forum heldimmediately before this COP, and the Ministry of Environment of theAutonomous Government of Valencia, Spain, for the financial supportprovided for the Workshop;

THE CONFERENCE OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES

13. ADOPTS the Conventions Programme on communication, educationand public awareness (CEPA) 2003-2008, contained in Annex I to thisResolution, as an instrument to provide guidance to ContractingParties, the Ramsar Bureau, the Conventions InternationalOrganization Partners (IOPs), other NGOs, local stakeholders andothers in the development of appropriate actions to support theimplementation of the Convention at the international, regional,national and local levels;

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14. ENCOURAGES the Contracting Parties to adopt the concept RamsarCEPA for Sustainable Developmentto effectively address theecological, social, cultural and economic values of wetlands throughthis programme;

15. INSTRUCTS the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) toestablish, as appropriate, an Expert Working Group on CEPA withsuitable members and a chair from the Panel as well as other invitedCEPA experts;

16. REQUESTS the Standing Committee to recognize the critical role thatCEPA plays by ensuring that all future triennial work programmes ofthe STRP integrate CEPA as a cross-cutting tool in all specific tasksrequested of the panel, and set priorities for these tasks;

17. ENDORSES as immediate tasks of the STRPs CEPA Expert WorkingGroup those activities outlined in Annex II to this Resolution;

18. REQUESTS the Ramsar Bureau to undertake specific efforts to obtainresources for the Voluntary Fund for the Conventions OutreachProgramme, noting that the tasks of the STRP CEPA Working Groupshould be conducted using financial resources from this VoluntaryFund or other such contributions;

19. REAFFIRMS the call made in Resolution VII.9 for all Contracting Partiesto nominate as a matter of priority suitably qualified Government andNon-government Focal Points for wetland CEPA and to inform theRamsar Bureau accordingly;

20. URGES all Contracting Parties, as suggested in Resolution VII.9 and inthe CEPA Programme 2003-2008, to establish appropriatelyconstituted Task Forces, where no mechanism exists for this purposecurrently, to undertake a review of needs, capacities andopportunities in the field of wetland CEPA, and based upon this toformulate their Wetland CEPA Action Plans (at national, sub-national,catchment, or local levels) for priority activities which address

international, regional, national, and local needs;

21. STRONGLY URGES all Contracting Parties to seek to develop andimplement their Wetland CEPA Action Plans as integrated componentsof their broader environment, biodiversity, wetland and watermanagement policy instruments and programmes, and to ensure thatCEPA is recognized as underpinning the effective delivery of theseactivities;

22. CALLS UPON those Contracting Parties with wetland CEPA plans toevaluate the effectiveness of those plans on a regular basis, to

amend their priority actions where necessary, and to provide

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feedback to the STRP CEPA Working Group on such reviews andrevisions;

23. REQUESTS Contracting Parties and the Conventions IOPs to submit to

the Ramsar Bureau, for consideration by the STRP CEPA WorkingGroup, case studies outlining and demonstrating the lessons learnedfrom CEPA-related efforts, including consideration of highly successfulas well as less effective activities;

24. ENCOURAGES the Contracting Parties to review and improve, asnecessary, the content of wetland-related components of educationcurricula, and to do so in collaboration with the Ministry of Educationand other education authorities;

25. REITERATES the call to multilateral and bilateral donors and private

sector sponsors to support appropriate actions as set out in theRamsar CEPA Programme 2003-2008;

26. ALSO REITERATES ITS SUPPORT for the Wetland Link Internationalprogramme of The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, UK (WWT) as acornerstone of the CEPA Programme, and AGAIN EXPRESSESCONCERN about the lack of significant financial support for the globaland national development of this programme;

27. URGES the Ramsar Bureau to strengthen the capacity of the CEPAFocal Points by clarifying their roles through the STRP CEPA WorkingGroup, and by the provision of training through the RamsarWetlandTraining Service, once established;

28. FURTHER URGES Contracting Parties, multilateral and bilateraldonors, and private sector sponsors to contribute to the VoluntaryFund for the Conventions Outreach Programme to enable improvedinternational coordination of CEPA, including greater support in thisarea for the use of the three working languages of the Convention,financing of the Wetland Link International programme, facilitatingthe work of the STRPs CEPA Working Group, and supporting the

production of resource materials for World Wetlands Day celebrationsand events;

29. ENCOURAGES those Contracting Parties with established, orproposed, wetland education centres and related facilities to supporttheir participation in the global network of such centres under theWetland Link International programme of the WWT (UK), and forthose centres to become key places of learning and training aboutwetlands and wetland-related CEPA;

30. DIRECTS the Secretary General to strengthen collaboration with the

Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity,through the mechanism of the established Joint Work Plan, for

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Resolution VII.9(adopted by the 7th Conference of the Contracting Parties, San Jos, Costa

Rica, 1999)

The Conventions Outreach Programme 1999-2002Actions to promote communication, education and publicawareness to support implementation of the Convention on

Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)

1. RECALLING Resolution VI.19 which called for a concerted programmeof education and public awareness to increase the knowledge andunderstanding of wetland values and benefits and so develop actiontowards the conservation and sustainable management of wetlandresources;

2. NOTING General Objective 3 of the Strategic Plan 1997-2002 of theConvention which describes a range of actions designed to allow theConvention to raise awareness of wetland values and functionsthroughout the world and at all levels;

3. RECOGNIZING the importance of communication, education andpublic awareness as central elements of implementing the RamsarConvention and its Strategic Plan;

4. EXPRESSING THANKS to the participants in the workshop convenedby the Ramsar Bureau in September 1998 as follows: Commission onCommunication and Education of IUCN - The World ConservationUnion; Ghana Wildlife Society; Global Rivers Environmental EducationNetwork (GREEN); Water Planet; Water Watch Asia; Watercourse andProject WET; Waterwatch Australia; Wetlands International SpecialistGroup on Education and Public Awareness; Wildfowl and WetlandsTrust; and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), who contributedsignificantly to the development of the Conventions OutreachProgramme;

5. FURTHER NOTING that this Conference, in Technical Session III, hasconsidered and discussed in detail the Conventions OutreachProgramme 1999-2002;

THE CONFERENCE OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES

6. ADOPTS the Conventions Outreach Programme 1999-2002 asannexed to this Resolution to provide guidance to Contracting Parties,the Ramsar Bureau, the Conventions International OrganizationPartners, local stakeholders and others in the development of

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to support the implementation of the Convention at the international,regional, national and local levels;

7. REQUESTS all Contracting Parties, in accordance with the Outreach

Programme, to nominate, by 31 December 1999, suitableGovernment and Non-government Focal Points for WetlandCommunication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) to undertakethe functions therein specified;

8. FURTHER REQUESTS that the names and contact details for theseFocal Points be provided to the Ramsar Bureau as soon as possible inorder to create a global network of experts in this field to advance thesharing of knowledge, expertise and resources;

9. URGES, as suggested in the Outreach Programme, that each

Contracting Party establish appropriately constituted Task Forces,where no mechanism exists for this purpose (e.g. National RamsarCommittees), to undertake a review of national needs, capacities andopportunities in the field of wetland CEPA, and based on this toformulate their National Wetland CEPA Action Plans for priorityactivities which consider the international, regional, national and localneeds;

10. ENCOURAGES Contracting Parties to seek to have their NationalWetland CEPA Action Plans in place by 31 December 2000, and toprovide copies of these to the Ramsar Bureau to make available toother Contracting Parties and interested organizations and persons;

11. STRONGLY URGES each Contracting Party to seek to develop andimplement their National Wetland CEPA Action Plans as integratedcomponents of their broader environment, biodiversity, wetland andwater management policy instruments and programmes, to ensurethat communication, education and community awareness arerecognized as underpinning the effective delivery of these activities;

12. WARMLY INVITES relevant global programmes which fill the criteria for

official International Organization Partners of the Ramsar Conventionas per Resolution VII.3 to facilitate future working partnerships andcooperation in advancing implementation of this OutreachProgramme;

13. DIRECTS the Ramsar Bureau, as funds and human resources allow,using information and materials provided to it by the national FocalPoints for Wetland CEPA in each Contracting Party, to establish aspart of the Conventions Web site a clearing-house for informationrelating to wetland CEPA;

14. NOTES and ENDORSES the targets set by the Outreach Programme interms of using the full potential of the Internet and e-mail to assist

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with wetland CEPA activities and general implementation of theRamsar Convention, namely that by the year 2000 everyAdministrative Authority of the Convention should have Internetaccess and e-mail facilities and then to progressively link these

Administrative Authorities with Ramsar site managers, the NationalWetland CEPA Focal Points and those facilities dedicated to promotingenvironmental and wetland education and awareness raising;

15. WELCOMES the growing celebration of World Wetlands Day and Weekin a large number of countries, and URGES Contracting Parties tocontinue, or to begin to use this occasion to bring attention to theirachievements and continuing challenges in wetland conservation andwise use;

16. DRAWS ATTENTION to the section of the Outreach Programme which

considers formal education and training initiatives, and ENCOURAGESthe Administrative Authorities in each Contracting Party to review thisin partnership with the relevant Ministry, and to seek participation ontheir Wetland CEPA Task Forces of a representative from this Ministryand other appropriate expert bodies and organizations;

17. REITERATES ITS STRONG SUPPORT for the Wetlands Link Internationalinitiative, a cornerstone of the Outreach Programme, EXPRESSESCONCERN for the lack of significant support for this Programme in thepast, and URGES Contracting Parties, International OrganizationPartners of the Convention, regional and national NGOs, and potentialsponsors to reassess their priorities in an effort to mobilise resourcesto see this initiative fulfil its potential;

18. CALLS UPON multilateral and bilateral donors, and private sectorsponsors to recognize the value and importance of supportingactivities directed at promoting enhanced communication, educationand public awareness, and the recovery, preservation anddissemination, where appropriate, of traditional knowledge and skillsrelating to wetlands, and to allocate funds specifically for thepreparation of National Wetland CEPA Action Plans.*

* In this context, also note paragraph 18 of Resolution VII.28 on Financial andBudgetary Matters, which reads: DECIDES to establish a Voluntary Fund for theConventions Outreach Programme, REQUESTS the Standing Committee toprepare and adopt the Terms of Reference for the Fund at its annual meeting in

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