Convene
'I think the most importand lesson is not to rely on the wisdom of one or two experts or leaders when making difficult decisions. That doesnt't mean that expertise is irrelevant, or that we dont't need smart people. It just means that together all of us know more than any one of use does.'
John Surowiecki, The Wisdom of the Crowd (2004)
IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is the world’s largest conservation network. The Union brings together 83 States, 110 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.
IUCN's immense convening power is of unique value to members and partners, and to the variety of sectors and organisations who seek positive dialogue with the world's leading experts on conservation and environmental issues.
The Learning and Leadership Unit (LLU) works to enhance the success of any opportunities to convene that IUCN creates. For LLU, convening people provides an opportunity to:
- foster innovation,
- catalyse change,
- enable people to share and disseminate knowledge that others can use, and
- engage people in participatory learning.
The Learning and Leadership Unit works on session design and expectations with organisers, helps deliver effective and productive sessions internally and externally, and creates spaces for innovation and change. Our session dynamics may be compared to mixing compounds in a chemistry experiment: the event will be a catalyst for change, maybe even explosive change!
The Learning & Leadership Unit is actively linked to IUCN's Commission on Education and Communication and its network of 600 learners, educators, trainers and capacity-developers around the world. Our unit also provides the Focal Point for CEC and the membership liaison service. LLU draws on these experts and uses its own convening expertise to bring together people interested in dialogue for positive change.
