International Union for Conservation of Nature

The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014Parks, People, Planet: Inspiring Solutions

Stream Leadership Proposal GuidelinesApplications for proposals close 5pm (GMT) Friday 8 March 2013

SummaryThe purpose of this document is to guide prospective applicants in the preparation of proposals to lead a program stream for the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014.

This is the first formative step in the development of the Congress program. Successful stream proposals will create the core structure of the program. A formal call for contributions to streams, as well as more opportunities to be involved in the program will follow this initial stage in late 2013.

An example of a stream proposal is provided throughout this document by Parks Victoria.

Applicants must read these guidelines carefully before submitting a proposal. Applications for proposals close 5pm (GMT) Friday 8 March 2013.

1. Introduction1.1 What is the IUCN World Parks Congress?

1.2 What is a program stream?

1.3 Who can be a stream leader?

1.4 What is the role of a stream leader?

2-3

2. Forward process2.1 Two-stage process and schedule

2.2 Decision and ‘approval in principle’

2.3 Ongoing engagement

2.4 Reporting arrangements

5-6

3. Stream leader specifications3.1 Essential attributes

3.2 Assessment criteria

3.3 How to submit a stream leader proposal

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4. Additional Information4.1 What will the IUCN World Parks Congress program look like?

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5. Enquiries 8

6. Appendices 1: Summary of Strategic Directions

2: Proposed program streams

3: Location and venue information

9-10

11-12

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

1. Introduction

1.1 What is the IUCN World Parks Congress?

The IUCN World Parks Congress is a landmark global forum on protected areas held every ten years. It brings together the most influential people in parks and protected area management to set the direction and shape the global agenda for the decade ahead.

The sixth IUCN World Parks Congress will be held in Sydney, Australia from 12 to 19 November 2014. This momentous event is organised by the IUCN, through its Global Protected Areas Programme (GPAP) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), and hosted on behalf of Australia by Parks Australia and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, in the Office of Environment and Heritage.

The theme of the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 is Parks, People, Planet: Inspiring Solutions. The ultimate aim of the Congress is to position parks and protected areas firmly within broader goals of economic and community wellbeing. This will be achieved by increasing understanding of the vital role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity and delivering ecosystem services. Demonstrating how this can be achieved, will be a key focus of the Congress. To achieve real influence, the Congress needs to bring together not only leaders in the parks and protected areas sector, but also business, government and influential individuals beyond it. Stream leaders will play a crucial role in achieving this goal by identifying and establishing relationships beyond the conservation and environment sector, to generate real solutions, commitment and action at the Congress. A summary of the Strategic Directions of the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 is at Appendix 1.

1.2 What are program streams?

The high quality IUCN World Parks Congress program will be shaped around a series of strong, robust streams developed and delivered by multiple organisations and individuals. Each thematic stream represents a body of work which requires further dialogue, negotiation, debate, and ultimately commitment to action from its respective constituents.

Oversight and coordination of the Congress program and its streams will be led by a Program Working Group, which reports to IUCN’s International Steering Committee and Australia’s National Steering Committee. These Committees will agree and approve the stream proposals. Once the streams have been decided, stream leaders will develop detailed plans and begin programming a body of work in line with their respective streams’ aims and objectives. A further call for contributions to these streams and more active programming will therefore follow in late 2013, once stream leaders have been appointed.

Consultation with members of the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) identified a short list of eight priority areas that may potentially be addressed at the IUCN World Parks Congress. Each area has been chosen based on its alignment with and ability to contribute to IUCN’s Global Protected Areas Programme. Although these areas may serve as potential program streams, they are intended to be a guide only. Alternative proposals, addressing a stream that is not listed below, but which demonstrates the ability to deliver against Congress objectives, will be considered.

1. Reaching conservation goals;2. Responding to climate change;

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

3. Improving health and wellbeing (*to be led by Parks Victoria);4. Supporting human life;5. Reconciling development challenges;6. Broadening participation;7. Respecting cultural landscapes and sacred sites, and8. Inspiring a new generation.

More information about the key objectives and related work of each potential program stream is at Appendix 2.

Example of the ‘profile’ section for a stream proposed by Parks Victoria relating to “improving health and wellbeing”:

The ”improving health and wellbeing” stream proposal encourages those from the health, wellbeing, environment, tourism, community development, transport, agriculture, education and parks sectors to work together to provide a better outcome for society. It will encourage the exchange of ideas, build partnerships, review achievements and develop new alliances between diverse sectors on the role of healthy ecosystems in supporting human health and wellbeing and will profile leading examples and case studies from developed and developing countries.

The stream will promote the value of parks for sustaining both human and ecosystem well-being and will contribute to solutions to some of our greatest global challenges associated with water, food, disease regulation, medicines, adaptation to climate change and mental/physical/spiritual well-being.

1.3 Who can be a stream leader?

A stream leader may be an individual, an IUCN member organisation, an IUCN commission or other organisation that demonstrates the capacity to lead a program of work globally and achieve the desired outcomes outlined in the Strategic Directions (Appendix 1). The success of the World Parks Congress is highly dependent on the appointment of competent and enthusiastic stream leaders.

Example of the ‘skills and experience’ section for a stream proposed by Parks Victoria relating to “improving health and wellbeing”:

Dr. Bill Jackson is the Chief Executive of Parks Victoria. Prior to his appointment in 2010, he was Deputy Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Dr. Jackson has extensive policy and field experience in conservation and natural resource management in Asia, Australia and Africa.

Parks Victoria has led the development and promotion of ‘Healthy Parks Healthy People’ both across Australia and internationally. The agency hosted the first International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress in Melbourne, Australia in 2010. Since then, the agency has continued to work in close collaboration with IUCN, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other organisations, to share and further develop the Healthy Parks Healthy People approach, including maintaining existing partnerships and developing new strategic relations. Parks Victoria has committed to delivering the stream.

1.4 What is the role of a stream leader?

The role of the stream leader directly relates to the achievement of the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 Strategic Directions (Appendix 1). Stream leaders are instrumental in making

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 the world’s most influential gathering of people directly and indirectly involved in protected area management.

The period leading up to the Congress will be used to plan and initiate action to achieve the aims and objectives of the program stream. In this stage, stream leaders will establish relationships with partners within and beyond the protected area sector to form a constituency. Together, the constituency will work on the aims and objectives of the stream; sharing ideas, identifying and integrating common goals, and debating new ideas and options to build a solid and inspiring ‘package‘ for presentation at the Congress. The package will need to include all the evidence and resources necessary for solutions to be implemented. The stream leader will identify and coordinate the elements and components needed to create the package by inviting the contributions of others. Think of this stage as preparing the soil and planting the seed.

With the ground work done, the World Parks Congress provides the opportunity to showcase, promote and deliver the stream to a new audience and other constituencies. This will be achieved by continuing to build understanding and knowledge, promoting dialogue, sharing perspectives, engaging a new generation and inspiring people to action.

Following the Congress, stream leaders will remain active with their constituency to ensure targets set during the Congress are achieved, and commitments to actions are implemented and effective.

This before-during-after approach is referred to as a pathway and summarised in the Figure below.

Figure 1: pathway activities

Each stream leader, in conjunction with IUCN’s and the Australian fundraisers, will make a vital contribution to securing the financial resources for preparation of the stream and for ensuring participation of delegates. In addition, the IUCN Fundraising Officer and the World Parks Congress Executive Officer will be able to provide strategic support to stream leaders

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Before Planning, policy analysis and research Pilot programs and case studies undertaken Sectoral involvement and activities with constituents Development of materials and guidelines Promotion and engagement at meetings, conferences and events Sourcing financial and in-kind support Seeking contributions from others

During Deliver plenary and sub-plenary sessions, stream sessions, side events, announcements, demonstrations, capacity building workshops, exhibitions or launches at the World Parks Congress to share perspectives, build capacity, achieve commitment and profile.

After Stream leaders remain active in their constituency following the WPC to ensure outcomes are met: targets reached, solutions implemented, capacity increased, policy change or legacy implemented

IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

regarding the development of the stream and funding proposals. Further information on the attributes of a stream leader is provided in section 3.1.

Example of a stream proposed by Parks Victoria relating to “improving health and wellbeing”:

Before - Lead in activities proposed in the stream include:1. Promoting the stream at a series of events in 2013 and 2014, including regional workshops and

international conferences.2. The establishment of a global coalition of partners from the health, wellbeing, environment, tourism,

transport, agriculture, community development and education sectors, including a concerted effort to engage developing countries.

3. The development of an IUCN WCPA Best Practice Guidelines for Healthy Parks Healthy People to be launched during the Congress.

4. The identification and development of a suite of suitable legacy products and initiatives.

During - At the World Parks Congress the proposed stream will:Be delivered in a range of formats and be interactive for attending participants and others through social media. This will include addresses by keynote speakers, parallel sessions (utilising the outdoors as a learning space), world café techniques and short training courses (capacity-building). The stream will also encourage innovative approaches to communication and learning such as infographics, posters, exhibitions (creative/artistic) and the latest technologies (e.g.: phone apps).

After – Follow up activities may include: Monitoring the impact of the stream against the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity Goals and Aichi

Biodiversity Targets. Working collaboratively with the health and medical communities in developing countries on the

implementation of tools and resources to improve health and wellbeing and protected areas. Contributing research and analysis to support the development of policies at various levels that aim

to achieve benefits for human health/wellbeing and protected areas

2. Forward process2.1 Two stage process

Stream Leaders will be selected according to a two-stage process. The first stage is the completion of a Stream Proposal addressing the package of work to be driven by the stream leader and the mechanism for engaging a diverse constituency. The second stage is the completion of a more detailed Stream Plan. The two stage process means that only successful applicants need to invest time and resources to produce a full project plan.

Schedule

Stage 1

25 January 2013 Applications open

8 March 2013 Applications close 5pm GMT

Stage 2

8 April 2013 Successful Stage 1 leaders invited to submit a more detailed Stream Plan, and schedule of works

6 May 2013 Deadline for submission of Stream Plans

Please note: this schedule is a guide only, as dates may change in Stage Two.

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

2.2 Decision and ‘approval-in-principle’

Stream proposals will be assessed by the Program Working Group, according to the criteria listed in section 3.3. Membership of the Program Working Group consists of IUCN representative members, World Commission on Protected Area (WCPA) Steering Committee members, and experts in parks and protected area management.

The Program Working Group will provide its recommendations to the International Steering Committee, which has overall responsibility for the Congress program and its alignment with the strategic directions. The International Steering Committee must endorse a stream proposal for it to be successful.

Successful applicants will be notified of in-principle approval by 8 April 2013, unless otherwise advised. Upon receipt of approval in-principle, applicants will be asked to develop a detailed stream plan and work schedule. More information about what is required in the stream plan will be provided to successful applicants at that time.

All unsuccessful stage one applicants will be notified individually. Proponents may be offered opportunities to combine efforts with other stream leaders where appropriate.

2.3 Ongoing engagement

The pathway approach to programming has been designed to ensure the World Parks Congress is not just a meeting place, but a series of connections, activities and actions, taking place before, during and after the Congress. The pathway approach will start conversations and negotiations early, increase the likelihood of agreement and commitment at the Congress, and then follow-up to ensure that agreements and commitments and delivered following the Congress.

In practical terms, the pathway approach means that stream leaders will need to build relationships and meet with their constituency and host activities prior to the Congress. Leaders will also need to continue to engage with their constituency, deliver upon commitments, and yield results following the Congress. The stream pathway should be demonstrated in stream proposals.

2.4 Reporting arrangements

Stream leaders will be required to report on their performance on a regular basis in the period prior to the World Parks Congress. Leaders will report to a central coordinator to prevent overlap, ensure that stream development aligns with the strategic purpose of the program, and the Congress more broadly, and ensure that the elements of the package of work is on schedule and of a high standard.

Following the Congress, stream leaders will need to complete a formal evaluation of the achievements of the stream. The evaluation report should critically assess the success of the stream program and reflect the experience of the stream constituency.

More information about the reporting requirements will be made available to successful applicants.

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

3. Stream Leader specifications

3.1 Essential attributes

Stream leaders may be individuals, IUCN member organisations, commissions or organisations that:

1. are prominent in their field with a substantial track record of achievement in protected area policy and/or practice;

2. are supported by an institution or agency with the resources and/or the capacity to raise resources to deliver a stream with significant deliverables and outputs for the World Parks Congress and for post-Congress next step implementation;

3. have the ability to enlist and engage a range of international and/or domestic partners and collaborators to develop, deliver and follow-up their stream, including at least one major partner from a sector that does not have protected area responsibilities and that will bring non-protected area participants to the World Parks Congress;

4. are capable and committed to delivering a significant element of the World Parks Congress program; and

5. agree, before seeking resources from the philanthropic and private sectors or from multilateral agencies, to consult with and seek prior approval from the Fundraising Committee;

6. have the ability to involve the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), other IUCN commissions and members in the planning, development and delivery of their stream content and products.

3.2 Assessment Criteria

Proposals will be assessed by the Program Working Group and the International Steering Committee against the following criteria:

1. articulates a strategic purpose which aligns with that of the chosen stream and the World Parks Congress Strategic Directions (Appendix 1);

2. clearly identifies opportunities for engagement within and beyond the protected area sector and the mechanism for building a constituency;

3. presents a technically sound package of work which has the ability to effect positive and measurable outcomes for parks and protected areas before, during and after the World Parks Congress;

4. presents a package of work that demonstrates progressive, creative and results-driven thinking and conception with strong prospects for successful implementation globally;

5. includes elements that build capacity and/or enable alternative governance arrangements which encourages social inclusion and equality; and

6. involves one or more other IUCN commissions and members in the planning, development and delivery of the stream content and products.

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

3.3 How to submit a Stream Proposal

Once you have read the guidelines, complete the proposal template located at:

www.iucn.org/worldparkscongress

Submit applications to:

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: wpcstreamleaders@iucn.org

Applications must be received via email in standardised electronic form (ie: Word document or Excel spreadsheet) by the deadline. Proposals will not be accepted after the deadline via regular post or any other channel. A confirmation email will be sent to the applicant upon receipt. IUCN will communicate directly with the applicant should additional information be required.

Applications can be submitted only in English, French or Spanish, the three official languages of IUCN.

Applications close 5pm (GMT) Friday 8 March 2013

4. Additional Information

4.1 What will the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 look like?

The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 will be held at Sydney Showground within Sydney Olympic Park, and expects to attract 3,000 delegates from around 160 different countries. The program will consist of plenaries, workshops, special events, side meetings and parallel events with capacity development workshops and field trips taking place before and after the formal sitting dates of the Congress. A public festival will be held on Sunday 16 November.

More information about the location and the venue of the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 is at Appendix 3.

5. Enquiries

For any enquires or questions about the stream leaders’ proposals, the process or the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014, please email:

ENQUIRIES TO: worldparkscongress@iucn.org

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The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 APPENDIX 1: Summary of Strategic DirectionParks, People, Planet: Inspiring Solutions

Purpose(Why)

Position parks and protected areas firmly within broader economic and community wellbeing goals byincreasing understanding of their vital role in conserving biodiversity and delivering ecosystem services, and

demonstrating how this can be achieved.

Objectives(What)

Parks Biodiversity conservation People Sustainable development Planet Nature-based solutions

Strengthen policy and action commitments for the expansion, connectivity and better management of parks and protected areas to cover all areas important for biodiversity and ecosystem services

Foster the equitable governance of parks and protected areas to empower communities (including Indigenous peoples) to become involved and to benefit

Explore and promote parks and protected areas as natural solutions to global challenges such as climate change, food and water security, health and a green economy

Foundations

IUCN ProgrammeValuing and Conserving Nature Effective and Equitable Governance

of Nature’s UseDeploying Nature-based Solutions

to global challenges

Key Strategies(How)

Collaborate and share knowledge and perspectivesBuild understanding and knowledge of effective and equitable ecosystem and protected area management, positioning them as a strong-hold of the natural world

Inspire and connect for enduring relationshipsEngage new generations and inspire people to take action, change behaviour and influence others

Identify and integrate common goals and interestsReach out and engage social and economic interests beyond the protected area sector to develop practical solutions that yield results and benefits across sectors

Lead on and debate new ideas and optionsFacilitate and promote dialogues between the parks and various development sectors, including promoting innovative funding mechanisms for contributions by protected areas

Measures of Success(Results)

Targets reachedImplementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, in particular achievement of Aichi Target 11 on protected areas

Solutions implementedProvide a science-based platform for stakeholders to reach consensus and design solutions for cases of competing interests on the use of natural resources

Capacity increasedProvide a technical focus for professionals working on protected areas to share and exchange best practices and facilitate networking

Policy changeArticulation of a vision and delivery of global policies and actions beyond 2020 for improved conservation outcomes

Legacy establishedDevelop a lasting initiative for the world, implementable in the Oceania and East Asia region in the decade following the Congress

IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

Background Protected areas are the cornerstone of global biodiversity conservation and have been a major focus of work for the IUCN since its foundation in 1948. There are now approximately 200,000 protected areas globally. The origins of the World Parks Congress go back to the sixth IUCN General Assembly in 1958 in Greece that recommended staging the first World Conference on National Parks, held in 1962.

Since then, five World Parks Congresses have progressively changed the way the world views and manages its protected areas. From an initial focus on technical standards and capacity, the Congresses have progressively broadened the role of protected areas in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Each Congress has been highly influential signalling new directions, deepening engagement with people, supporting sustainable human development, integrating protected areas into wider landscapes and seascapes, and helping to address fundamental issues of global change.

The last Congress, convened in Durban, South Africa in 2003, attracted 3,000 delegates from 160 countries.

Introduction The sixth IUCN World Parks Congress will be held in Sydney, Australia from 12 to 19 November 2014. It will be the world’s most influential gathering of people interested in protected area policy and management. The Congress will inform, inspire, and catalyse global action and commitment to better conserve, and realise the benefits of, the world’s protected areas. It will provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn, share, celebrate and collaborate on a series of actions that will reshape understanding and perceptions of the value of protected areas.This landmark event is organised by the IUCN, through its Global Protected Areas Programme (GPAP) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), and hosted on behalf of Australia by Parks Australia and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, in the Office of Environment and Heritage.

Program principles:

5. Intact, functioning and connected natural ecosystems and cultural landscapes sustain life on earth and the well-being of current and future generations.

6. Parks are a key institutional and management mechanism to maintain functioning natural ecosystems.7. Ecosystem protection and management underpins soil fertility, primary production, water supplies and carbon storage while helping to mitigate the

risks and impacts of natural disasters.8. Effectively managed and equitably governed protected areas present effective natural solutions to many of the environmental challenges facing the

planet, and social and economic challenges facing many communities.

Audience The IUCN membership, commissions and networks (made up of 1,200 government and NGO member organisations and 11,000 experts). The Secretariats of the major international and regional environmental agreements and conventions, including the Global Environment Facility. Multilateral development agencies including World Bank, UNEP and UNDP. Business, including health, wellbeing, development, insurance, finance, water, agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation and adventure sectors. Government. Non-government conservation organisations and philanthropic foundations. Park staff and managers, including Indigenous Protected Areas, private conservation reserves, local communities’ territories and conserved areas. Media – globally and nationally. General public - individuals interested in parks and the environment, and users of parks and protected areas for culture, health, sports, relaxation and

inspiration.

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APPENDIX 2

The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014Proposed program streamsReaching conservation goals

The Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020; Aichi Targets have established significant biodiversity conservation goals for the world to meet. IUCN has a critical role in tracking progress towards these targets as the only independent body that can objectively produce the standards and information needed. It is within this stream that IUCN can place a global challenge on the table to reinvigorate efforts, increase ambition at the level of each national government, set standards for quality protected areas, and seek commitments to address the capacity and financial gaps.

Responding to climate change

Climate change is having a significant impact on natural ecosystems and there is a need to address these impacts through connectivity conservation, restoration, trans-location and ex-situ measures. Protected areas offer a vital and under recognised ecosystem-based approach to climate change, in both mitigation (carbon storage and sequestration in terrestrial and marine biomes) and adaptation (maintaining water supplies, coastal protection, disaster risk reduction, avoided desertification). The WPC presents the opportunity to increase the use of nature-based solutions in national climate change response strategies.

Improving health and well-being

Australia’s successful hosting of the first international conference on Healthy Parks Healthy People in 2010 initiated a new engagement with the health sector, including the medical profession, public health management, wellbeing and the health insurance industry. It was the health sector that made the most cogent case for increased attention to the role of protected areas, both large scale and urban areas in medical biotechnology and in addressing non-communicable diseases that are the principal and growing cause of adult mortality worldwide. The mental, physical and intrinsic benefits of engagement with nature and green space are of great value to the wellbeing of our communities. The WPC provides the opportunity to build on this and the outcomes of the second Healthy Parks Healthy People conference in the USA in 2014.

Supporting human life

Protected areas are the most secure mechanism we have devised to hold the evolutionary wonder and richness of nature which is critical to human well being, even survival. Many protected areas have been established to maintain watershed values, and a third of the world’s largest cities depend on water supplies from protected areas. Similarly, protected areas hold the world’s most important food crops, the intact populations of pollinators, vectors and biological control agents, and the intact processes of soil genesis and biogeochemical cycling. In the past decade, the economic case has been made for values generated by protected areas. The WPC provides the opportunity to take these economic arguments to scale, sharing the many innovative approaches, including the water funds and payments for environmental services to achieve win-win outcomes.

Reconciling development challenges

There remains a need to improve decision-making that engages both the conservation and development sectors in a more integrated manner, given the inevitable trade-offs of trying to achieve protected area goals in the face of competing uses. The years leading up to the WPC provide the opportunity to engage with key sectors (e.g. mining, timber production, energy) to arrive at the WPC with options for the reconciliation and commitment to implementation. One avenue may be to develop innovative knowledge products and tools for mainstreaming biodiversity and protected areas into land-use planning and applying these at national scales.

IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

Broadening participation

Embedded in broader landscape and seas, protected areas engage with a wide range of rights-holders and stakeholders in establishment, governance and management, and in associated functions such as tourism, water provision and, bio-prospecting. The WPC presents the opportunity to facilitate a breakthrough on specific legal and implementation tools for governance and social assessment that remains a lagging goal set in Durban and by the Convention on Biological Diversity. New alliances can be established in partner industries, such as agriculture, farming and fisheries, to amplify protected area benefits and seek synergies that both make the case for investment and set the standards for collaboration among sectors.

Respecting cultural landscapes and sacred sites

Australia’s deep and rich Aboriginal culture presents an opportunity to host a WPC that makes significant strides to recognize, respect and engage with a diverse constituency of indigenous peoples, cultures and philosophies. Pathways to and from the WPC can address significant challenges globally to increase the recognition and to pass on the use of Indigenous and traditional knowledge to care for the land and its resources to future generations. The WPC could share best-practice examples of Indigenous-owned and managed protected areas that improve the lives of Indigenous people.

Inspiring a new generation

It is well-known that a love and understanding of nature stems from early experiences in the environment. Rewarding experiences in protected areas are one of the key means to establishing this connection. However, as the world’s population is increasingly urbanised, many young people are becoming disconnected from the environment and this can ultimately have negative implications in the political and policy arena. While children, particularly Indigenous children growing up in remote areas, are often raised with a strong connection to land and country, there is still more work to be done to increase the younger generations appreciation and understanding of the natural and cultural environment. The WPC aims to creatively build the global engagement of children and young people as advocates for protected areas by exploring the use of new technology and digital platforms, such as social media or virtual participation.

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

APPENDIX 3

The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014Location and venue information

Sydney, Australia

Set amongst the famous Sydney Harbour National Park with its secluded beaches, picturesque islands and pockets of native bushland, this famous city is the perfect host for the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014.

With a rich culture and natural environment, there is much to explore in Sydney. You can hike all around Sydney’s famous harbour, on short trails, day walks or sections of the 100km Great Coastal Walk. Take an Aboriginal harbour cruise to learn about the lives of Sydney’s original Aboriginal inhabitants, the Gadigal people. On the harbour’s northern edge, discover popular beach precincts such as Balmoral Beach, Manly and Chowder Bay. Join a night tour to meet nocturnal animals, spot sea birds on the cliff ledges and hear a cacophony of birds in the trees around Middle Head and North Head.

Sydney is also a gateway to the rest of Australia, providing easy access to planes, trains and buses to travel to other parts of the country.

The venue: Sydney Olympic Park

Sydney Olympic Park, approximately 16 kilometres from the central business district, is well known for its ongoing commitment to ecologically sustainable development and management. The multi-use precinct provides modern, state-of-the-art facilities and luscious open spaces, making it the perfect place to meet and work in a natural setting. Within Sydney Olympic Park, the Congress will utilise the Sydney Showground and Exhibition Halls: energy efficient buildings that have been designed maximise natural light and ventilation.i

Proposed Congress Timetable

IUCN World Parks Congress, November 2014

Days immediately before Capacity Building Workshops

Wednesday 12 Registration and Opening Ceremony

Exhi

bitio

nThursday 13 Day 1 Plenary and introduction to Sub Plenary

Friday 14 Day2 Sub Plenary

Saturday 15 Day 3 Stream Sessions

Sunday 16 Public Festival of Nature

Monday 17 Day 4 Stream Sessions

Tuesday 18 Day 5 Sub Plenary

Wednesday 19 Day 6 Plenary and Closing Ceremony

Days immediately following Field Trips

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IUCN World Parks Congress, Stream Leadership Proposal Guidelines

A green event

Organisers of the IUCN World Parks Congress are committed to developing and demonstrating a world-leading ecologically sustainable event. To do this, the World Parks Congress will be: Paperless – utilizing new and existing technology to save paper. Efficient – conserving energy and water. Waste wise – avoiding and minimising waste. Low-impact – careful to minimise the impact of the event on the natural environment within and

around Sydney Olympic Park.

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i Case study: Integrating ESD – The Environmental Legacy of Sydney Olympic Park. Nicole Campbell, Manager Environmental Policy, Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Presented at the Environmental Symposium, Old Parliament House, Canberra, 14 September 2001.