August 2007

 FROM THE PRESIDENT 

You may (or may not) be aware that NELA is a member of The World Conservation Union (IUCN). Founded in 1948, The World Conservation Union is the world's largest conservation network. The Union brings together 83 States, 110 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) - including NELA, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.

The Union's mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.  The Union supports and develops cutting-edge conservation science; implements this research in field projects around the world; and then links both research and results to local, national, regional and global policy by convening dialogues between governments, civil society and the private sector.[1]

The Union recently established a Regional Office in Fiji.  The focus of the Office will be on issues and activities in the Pacific Area.  A member of the NELA National Executive attended a recent Regional Members meeting in New Zealand and returned enthused by the opportunities to become involved in the work that the Union is doing in the Pacific region. 

The goals and objectives of the Union are very much aligned with NELA's vision of communication and education in the environmental realm.  At the last National Executive meeting, the Executive resolved to support the work of the Union in the Pacific and as a starting point, ensure that NELA was included on the mailing list to be notified about relevant Pacific activities (particularly in Australia).  More information about the Union and its work in Australia will be communicated through the NELA website as that information comes to hand. 

In the meantime, if you would like to know more about the Union, you can look at its website (http://www.iucn.org/) or click through from the NELA website (on the links page).

The conference program for the National Conference in 2008 is 95% settled - stay tuned for news soon about topics and speakers.  It's going to be a great conference so mark off the 27^th and 28^th of March 2008 in your calendars!  It's also a lovely time of year to be in Perth so take a look at some of links on the NELA website for ideas of things to do and places to see while you are here.

As always, if you haven't renewed your membership for the 2007/2008 financial year - please do so as soon as possible.

Robyn Glindemann

President

[1] Taken from The World Conservation Union website - www.iucn.org