IUCN - The World Conversation Union

The Forum is a grand public gathering hosted by the world’s conservation community, bringing together people from all over the world to discuss, share and learn.

Addressing the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges, the Forum offers four days of debates, workshops, dialogues, art and film, roundtable discussions, training courses, music and exhibitions on the following three streams:

• A new climate for change
• Healthy environments - healthy people
• Safeguarding the diversity of life

More than 800 events will take place during the four days of the Forum. About 10% of them are organized by the IUCN Secretariat; the rest run by IUCN members, Commissions and partners.

All events aim to share knowledge, to build understanding and consensus, and to form new alliances and partnerships.

A more detailed programme with the titles of sessions will be available in spring 2008. Download the Draft Forum Programme.

Information on the Members' and Partner events accepted can be found here.

Aliances workshops

Aliances is the Catalan word for alliances, a common concept among languages and cultures. In Aliancesworkshops, organizers will use creative approaches (interactive dialogue techniques, world café processes, simulations and gaming, etc.) and engage participants to share their knowledge and know-how, and foster understanding and consensus-building on issues.

Conservation cinema 

Films, documentaries and video clips on conservation issues and solutions will be shown in these sessions. 

Posters

Posters (1 x 0.5 meters) will showcase the work of environmental specialists during lunch breaks.  

Knowledge café  

The Knowledge café will see hosted roundtable discussions involving up to 12 people to foster mutual understanding, explore areas of common interest, network, share experiences, and explore possible partnerships or joint ventures. Up to 20 discussions will be held simultaneously in the large Knowledge café area.  

Learning opportunities  

Learning opportunities will build participants’ skills in conservation and sustainable development domains. Participants will be introduced to, and experiment with, new tools and methodologies. They can involve up to 20 people and last for half or full days. They will be held in a hotel nearby the convention centre.  

Social events  

Theatre , musical presentations, traditional dance and receptions will add another dimension to the Forum and help attendees network.