This blog is on my experience on IUCN congress 2008. IUCN is one of the largest global environmental network with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.
The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2008 was held on 5-15 October 2008 in Barcelona, Spain, Organized by IUCN and hosted by the Government of Spain (led by the ministry for environment) and the government of Catalonia (led by the ministry for Environment and Housing). The provincial and city governments of Barcelona are also playing a key role in hosting the congress. The congress had two main parts. The four-day forum and The four-day member assembly. 
More than 8,000 of the world’s leading decision makers in sustainable development: from governments, NGOs, business, the UN and academia gether in one place for 10 days: to debate, share, network, learn, commit, vote and decide. The objectives, ideas, action and solutions all for a diverse and sustainable world.
High-level speakers to address the opening ceremony include HRH the Prince of Asturias and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand who hands over the Congress baton from Bangkok where the event was held in 2004, Spain’s Minister of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, Elena Espinosa and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Delegates include prominent figures such as Prince Albert of Monaco and CNN founder Ted Turner. They will seek ways to halt this trend and move towards IUCN’s vision of “a just world that values and conserves nature”.My first step to Barcelona:
I have reached Barcelona International Airport at 12.22 pm, 3th October 2008. It was my first experience in Spain. It was cold with some wind outside of airport. I had no map of the city at that moment. I only had some address in Barcelona. As spanish are not use english in daily life so languase was also a barrier for me to communicate other. I manage one police to find a taxi for me to reach my nearest destination Barcelona Mar Hostel at Carrer Sant Pau. I had tired so after having a shower I did a deep sleep. I wake up at 8.30 am. It was quite early morning. I did a walk tour near the hostel.
Forum Registration and find Hotel Silken:
The first task I did at forum area is confirmation of my participation at forum. It was planned before that I would stray at hotel Silken during the IUCN congress. The hotel was 15 minutes distance by walking from Congress venue. After dropping my ledge I start walking to see the places. I find a nice park near the hotel. The park is made by automobile wastage. It’s a nice example of recycling. Meeting with Dominic:
I know his hair, eyes, face but I have never meet him physically. I am coming to silken for make call to Dominic’s room. With invisible attraction during my entry at hotel he is at lobby. There is no talk among us. But we recognize each other. There was a memorable moment in my life with a very big Hug. By the way Mr. Dominic Stuker is working as International Youth Coordinator at Earth Charter International. He had lots of contribution to help to come in IUCN congress. It was my pleasure that I had experience to pass congress days with him. He is very polite, sincere on this work and caring about other. I am really pleased on his leadership and deeply gratitude on him.
At 5th October I had participate a learning opportunity event titled “Facilitating the process towards positive change”. This event was organized by The IUCN Commission on Education and communication, The convention on Biological Diversity, The Ramsar Convention on wetlands and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As part of the event I also did a group presentation specially focus on story of a local postman during the cyclone sidor in Bangladesh.
Meeting with e GLO Alumni members specially Douglas and Natalie:
In front of opening ceremony auditorium I meet Mr. Douglas F. Williamson. He is a New York City native, polyglot, environmentalist, filmmaker, communicator, and Humanist. From my point of view Douglas is big harted fanny man. He has capacity to inspire other through fun. I learn from him the technique to act as model and photographer in one picture. Douglas is also one of the e GLO alumni and he also the first e GLO member I meets physically. I also meet another e Glo alumni Natalie. e-GLO (Earth Charter Global Learning Opportunity) is a global, online digital storytelling and community leadership course, a program of Earth Charter International’s Youth Initiative, developed and implemented in collaboration with Beat Board TV, with the virtual secured multimedia communication multicast conference environment powered by Heart in Action Enterprises, and in-kind and financial support provided by Heart in Action Enterprises and Plan Netherlands. To continue sprit of e GLO it’s alumni members gathering also very important.Generation exchange:
This forum was great opportunity of generation exchange for me. I have learned more about Earth Charter and its strategy from Mirian Vilela, Executive Director, Earth Charter International . I also have option to learn from Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, Mr. Mahfuzur Rahman, Counselor,Embassy of Bangladesh in spain. Mr. Zakir Hussain Director, IUCN Asia regional office, Mr. Mahfuz Ullah, IUCN regional councilor, Beatriz Torres, Mohit Mukherjee, Director UPEACE Center for Executive and Professional Education resident Faculty etc.It was my pleasure to join ECI member’s party. I enjoyed their team work. I am also happy that they give me chance to share my works with them. At the sea party I enjoy company of Susan Guthridge-Gould. She is working as IUCN CSE newsletter Editor. I would like to give her big hugs for publish my picture at IUCN CSE web page.
Participate session’s events:
There were 900 events during the forum. All the events are very interesting and inspiring. But many events were run parallel. So I have fully participate in one event at on time but at interval period I get out and collects information from other rooms near to me so I can read them later.
Youth events:
I have participate three youth event titled “Intergenerational Partnership Fostering ethical leadership for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world”, “Investing in the Future: Young Leaders and Protected Areas”, “Supporting the Next Generation of Sustainable Development Leadership”. I also act as group presenter in supporting the next generation of Sustainable Development Leadership event.
Earth charter events:
I have take part two events organized by Earth Charter International. First one was “Intergenerational Partnership Fostering ethical leadership for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world” My role at this workshop was co facilitator. And the second one was Ethics-Based Assessment: helping individuals and organizations assess their commitment and action towards sustainability, and identify opportunities for strategic change. My role at second one as participant. By facilitation and participating both workshops I have opportunity to increase my knowledge on Earth Charter and its applications. I also learn use of EC ethics based Assessment tools. Other events:
During IUCN forum I have participate, collect material of the events titled - Facilitating the process towards positive change, Opening ceremony of the world conservation Congress, Opening ceremony of the world convention forum, Voice of voice less, energy and small island eco systems, Is there room for gender in climate change? The eco system approach: Road to sustainability, How to succeed in a changing world: Leading change, Environment conflict and peace building sharing lesions and building networks. How to develop successful business partnerships business night school, Exploring partnerships to sustain rural community development, Action in sustainability thinking globally acting locally, learning networks for bio-cultural Diversity etc.
My comments-
Youth at IUCN:
Its good that IUCN gives some space for young people at events. But the ratio is not still satisfactory. It is very important to note that the youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow but they are also set of people that will take over the world from the present generation and must be treated with respect and with great passion in leadership.
Earth charter youth gathering:
To stronger earth charter face-to-face meeting of coordinators and e GLO alumni is very help full. During 5 days I learns lots from my e GLO alumni friends that I have not learn over last 4 months by online chat or email.
Earth Charter campaign:
To stronger Earth Charter Campaign at national as well as global level we may think to work specially with media. Media has some special method to work with people. Media is also one of the easiest ways to reach lots of people with in a short period of time.
Some opportunity for ECYI after IUCN congress:
1. As IUCN give some focus on youth development also going to starts some pilot at Africa region. ECYI can take initiatives to help ECYG at Africa so they can work jointly with IUCN Africa region
2. ECYI can take initiatives that ECYG coordinators can more involve with IUCN commissions.
In fine IUCN congress is one of the milestone in my development activist life part. I am gratitude on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (Specially on Mr. Mosud Mannan) and Earth Charter International (Specially on Mr.Dominic Stuker) for their important support. After back at country I have tried my best to share my stories and information with other youth in Bangladesh.
News and Photo source: Biozid, Douglas, eGLO face book, IUCN press release.
