Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification ProgramSociety of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification ProgramSociety of Wetland Scientists
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Professional Short Courses


COURSE INFO PROVIDER: SWSPCP Webinar
COURSE TITLE: The Ramsar Convention and the Society of Wetland Scientists

INSTRUCTORS Nicholas Charles Davidson
Rob McInnes

COURSE DESCRIPTION SWS Webinar
18 October 2018

The Ramsar Convention and the Society of Wetland Scientists
Presented by Nick Davidson & Rob McInnes

Abstract:
The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty whose mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world. The Convention text was formally concluded on 2nd February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran, hence the informal name ‘the Ramsar Convention’. The vision of the Convention is that all wetlands are conserved, wisely used, restored and their benefits are recognized and valued by all. Countries that are signatories (known as Contracting Parties) commit to delivering on the three pillars of the Convention, namely: the wise use of all wetlands; the designation and management of wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Sites); and international cooperation. The Convention comprises several bodies. The main decision making body is the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) where representatives of governments meet to agree on a work programme and budgetary arrangements for the next triennium and consider guidance on a range of ongoing and emerging environmental issues. The main advisory body to the Convention is the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP). The STRP comprises a chairperson, appointed members, representative of each of the six International Organization Partners (IOPs) and National STRP Focal Points from the Contracting Parties. In addition, representatives of other convention secretariats, convention subsidiary scientific bodies, and scientific organizations as officially Invited Observer Organizations, invited experts, consultants, and organizations are asked to participate as required. The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) has been formally recognized as an Invited Observer Organization since 1999 and through the SWS Ramsar Section members of SWS have made, and continue to make, a significant contribution to the technical and scientific work of the Convention. This webinar will describe in more detail the work of the Convention, how it is progressing towards its vision, what will be considered at the forthcoming Thirteenth Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP13) to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between 21st and the 29th October 2018 and how SWS is involved in a variety of Convention processes.

Nick Davidson-Short Bio:
Prof Nick Davidson has over 40 years’ experience in the ecology, assessment and conservation of coastal and inland wetlands. Now working as an independent expert consultant on wetland conservation and wise use issues, he was the Deputy Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands from 2000 to 2014 with overall responsibility for the Convention's global development and delivery of scientific, technical and policy guidance and advice and communications. Prior to his Ramsar Convention post, he worked for the UK's national government conservation agencies and as global science coordinator for the international NGO Wetlands International. He has long-standing experience in, and a strong commitment to, environmental sustainability supported through the transfer of environmental science into policy relevance and decision-making at national and international scales.

Rob McInnes-Short Bio:
Rob McInnes is an independent Chartered Environmentalist and Professional Wetland Scientist with over 25 years of experience in wetland-related environmental research, consultancy and conservation. He possesses specialist knowledge of wetland ecosystems and in particular understanding the wider ecosystem services provided to human society by wetlands and how to restore or create multifunctional-multibenefit wetlands. He has worked on over 400 wetland-related projects both within the UK and overseas and has knowledge extending across a range of wetland types from upland peatlands to lowland floodplains and urban ponds. Rob regularly supports the work of intergovernmental agencies such as CBD, UNESCO, UN-Habitat and the Ramsar Convention as well as working for UK-based and international NGOs, private utilities, especially water companies, local authorities and government agencies. Rob is Managing Director of an independent environmental consultancy, RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd, which is dedicated to delivering the wise use of wetlands. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Land, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University and a visiting lecturer at several UK universities. Rob was previously Head of Wetland Conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and has also worked in ecological consultancy and in academia at the Universities of Exeter and London. Rob has served on the Ramsar Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel since 2006 where he has lead the Panel’s work on urban wetlands and co-led the work on wetland restoration. In addition to his project work Rob is a former President of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists and a recipient of the President’s Service and International Fellow Awards for the significant contributions he has made in promoting the conservation of wetlands and the goals of the Society.

Credit Points: 0.06

SYLLABUS/TOPICAL OUTLINE The presenters will allocate time at the beginning of the webinar to introduce the Ramsar Convention's history, membership, and organizational structure; and its mission and vision. The attendee will learn of the 170 Contracting Parties, or signatories of the convention, and their commitment to delivering on the "three pillars of the Convention" through its respective bodies. These "pillars" include the wise use of wetlands, designating and managing wetlands of international importance, and international cooperation. The role of Observer Organizations will be discussed, which includes SWS with its significant contribution of technical and scientific works. Finally, the work of the Convention will be discussed to include progress towards its vision and considerations for the upcoming Conference in Dubai, as well as SWS's involvement in a variety of Convention processes.

COURSE CONTACT
Louis Mantini
9225 CR 49, Live Oak, FL 32060
lfm@srwmd.org
P: 386.647.3144
F:

 

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Last Updated 10/1/20