CEPNEWS 

NEWSLETTER OF THE UNEP CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME  
Vol. 11, No. 1, March 1997 


NOTICE TO READERS We welcome your inputs to CEPNEWS on activities that are relevant to CEP. CEPNEWS is published quarterly and distributed in March, June, September and December. The deadline for news items is one month in advance. The next scheduled to be published in June, 1997, so please submit your news items before 1 May 1997. 

Contents - March 1997

CEPNEWS Archive 
Editorial  Articles  News Briefs 
Call For Papers - Caribbean GIS Conference 
Internet Briefs 
Call For Proposals - Wetlands for the Future 
Past Events 
Vacant Positions 
Training Opportunities 
Publications Available 
Upcoming CEP Sponsored Events 
Other Upcoming Events of Interest 

Editorial

Contents 

The International Year of the Reef


Coral reefs, often referred to as the ‘rainforests of the sea', are among the most complex, diverse, and economically valuable ecosystems in the world.  Millions of people depend on coral reef ecosystems for their food, their livelihood and for the protection of the coastlines they inhabit.  Yet a conservative estimate is that 10% of the earth's coral reefs is seriously degraded and a much larger percentage is threatened. Human activities are the major contributors to current reef decline.  The International Year of the Reef (IYOR) (see CEPNEWS Vol 10, No 4) campaign is aimed at  arousing awareness and action for the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. 

Since the launch of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in 1995, concern over coral reefs has been integrated into decisions and work programmes of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development at the global level and in the workplan of UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP), at the regional level. The emphasis now is to translate this concern into committed action at the national level, and IYOR is helping to trigger this process between international and national NGOs and governmental agencies.  IYOR will give a major boost to research, conservation and educational activities relating to reef management throughout 1997, and help to develop the long-term programmes that are needed to encourage the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs. 

Associated with this, is the development of the IOC/UNEP/IUCN Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and the involvement of global NGO's such as IUCN and WWF as active partners in the IYOR effort. 

IYOR activities have already been initiated in some 30 countries. Representatives of NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions, dive associations and other groups are banding together to form National IYOR committees in countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Colombia and Jamaica with workshops being held to pool expertise and information and develop national action plans. 

In the Wider Caribbean Region, CEP, as contact point for ICRI at the regional level, is promoting IYOR and public awareness activities.  Media packages are being developed in English, French and Spanish and funds are being sought for the production of a poster and brochure.  Additionally, through ongoing CEP projects, guidelines for integrated coastal area management and protected areas management are being disseminated throughout the region. 
The Protocol concerning Land-Based Sources and Activities of Marine Pollution is under development for approval by Governments during l998 (see article in this issue); and ‘Best Practices’ for sustainable coastal tourism are being identified and promoted through an ongoing USAID/UNEP regional project. 
As Jacques Cousteau and several million SCUBA divers and snorkellers have discovered, you don't have to live in a country with coral reefs to develop a fascination, admiration and concern for these incredible ecosystems. For example, in the United Kingdom, NGOs have formed an IYOR Organising Committee.  David Bellamy, the British environmental activist and media personality, launched the national initiative in January 1997 at London Zoo. Even landlocked Switzerland is involved, with the aim of sensitizing tourists and the tourism industry to the vital role that coral reefs play in this industry and the impacts (both positive and negative) that tourism can have on coral reefs. 

Public awareness and environmental education are key to successful conservation;  a range of coral reef television documentaries and video footage and exhibitions are being prepared to support the goal of IYOR to wake up the world to the plight of coral reefs.  An important part of the message is that there is a role for everyone - fishing communities, divers and dive operators, NGOs and governments, educators and businesses - in safeguarding the future of these resources. 
To assist with the communication of coral reef issues through IYOR, IUCN and the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -an IUCN member- have created a global media outreach process. Through the "52 Coral Reef Stories" project, IUCN and NOAA will provide a coral reef story to international media outlets each week of 1997. IUCN members are invited to provide coral reef story ideas to the IUCN Marine and Coastal Programme. Groups  responding with ideas will be asked to then draft a short  press release for the story, providing background material and a contact individual. 
Details on the above information, and more, is contained in the IYOR/ICRI Reef Packs that were distributed at the World Conservation Congress and are available to interested parties. The Reef Packs contain, among other things:  The IYOR campaign is a coalition of like-minded organizations which are ready to provide and coordinate the exchange of information as a means to stimulate awareness and action for the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated ecosystems. There is no formal funding or organisational structure and participation is open to any and all parties who wish to develop such awareness and action. 
For more information on IYOR, please contact: 
IYOR is on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.coral.org/IYOR/

"Coral Reefs:  Their Health, Our Future!"

Key Messages:
· Coral reefs are in danger!
· Healthy coral reefs are living communities - corals are living animals.
· Healthy coral reefs provide food for our families.
· Healthy coral reefs build beaches and islands and protect our homes from the sea.
· Pollution kills our coral reefs.
· Using fish poison kills our coral reefs.
· Dynamiting kills coral reefs and blows up our families' future.
· Soil is precious on land but kills life on coral reefs.
· Taking too much from the reef today steals from our children's future.
· Together our coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses protect and support each other:  we need them all.
· Protecting our coral reefs helps secure our future and is everyone's responsibility

IYOR and the CEP


The importance of coral reefs for sustaining the national and cultural heritage of our Wider Caribbean cannot be stressed enough.  If action is not taken at all levels, we will loose the sustenance and opportunities for recreation and sustainable economic development which coral reefs provide as one of the world's most biologically diverse and productive habitats. 

The Caribbean Environment Programme of UNEP is promoting IYOR at the regional level and is developing public awareness activities in this regard. Governments, international and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, schools, the media, hoteliers the private sector and the general public are being urged to participate and contribute in raising awareness in any way possible to the plight of coral reef conservation. In an effort to maximize resources, CEP has adopted the theme for IYOR of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as well as a number of their public awareness strategies.  The following key messages developed by SPREP and also appropriate for the Wider Caribbean are being promoted by CEP. 
Please do not hesitate to use these messages as appropriate in schools, television and radio features, news articles, seminars, and join the plight for coral reef conservation. 

For further information please contact:  
UNEP CAR/RCU, 14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica; Phone: (1-809)922-9267 to 9; Fax: (1-809)922-9292; E-mail: uneprcuja@toj.com 

See also the article on coral reefs in CEPNEWS Vol. 4 No. 3

Articles

Check the Reef with Reef Check 1997

Contents 
Reef Check 1997 is an exciting international event involving collaboration between recreational divers and marine scientists.  1997 is the International Year of the Reef (IYOR) and Reef Check is an official IYOR activity. The major goal of both IYOR and Reef Check is to raise public awareness about the value of coral reefs around the world and potential threats to the health. 
During the first week of September 1997, Reef Check will report on the basic "health" of a minimum of 100 reef sites from around the world, the first time such a synoptic view has been available. The goal will be to disseminate the information gained from this snapshot "Reef Check" by having a live video satellite link among a number of representative sites throughout the world. In this way, the attention of the public, politicians and government leaders will hopefully be focused on the status of the world's coral reefs. 
Reef Check surveys will be made between 14 June and 31 August 1997. They will involve one-day rapid surveys of as many reef sites as possible using very basic "tried-and-true" techniques such as counting indicator species and measuring coral cover ratio (live/dead). The work will be done in one day at each site by combined teams of recreational divers with a knowledge of marine biology and at least one professional marine scientist per team who will be responsible for ensuring the scientific quality of the work. 
A serious problem with the traditional scientific approach is that there are only a small number of reef scientists, many of whom have multiple obligations, and so can only carry out surveys periodically. Thus the database for checking on the health of coral reefs is very spotty and not easily comparable. The solution would be to organize a global survey effort that would take place annually over a short period -- a synoptic survey of the health of the world's reefs, with volunteer help from non-scientists. 
Reef Check 1997 is a global volunteer effort by groups of recreational divers led by experienced marine scientists (Masters or PhD-level scientists specialized in tropical marine ecology and who have underwater experience carrying out transect surveys - other persons can also be considered as scientific leaders if they are recommended by a reef scientist known to Reef Check) to carry out targetted, scientifically based, coral reef surveys. These special surveys will use the simplest techniques possible to determine whether specific human impacts have affected coral reefs. The ultimate goal is to generate publicity for coral reef research and conservation by demonstrating that reefs around the world, possibly including those believed to be relatively "pristine," have been affected by human activities. 
Reef Check 1997 was designed by IYOR committee members and other experienced reef scientists. It has been enthusiastically supported by hundreds of scientists and divers around the world. The responsibility for Reef Check has been divided among several Regional Co-ordination Centres. The centre closest to the Wider Caribbean Region is presently: 

Eastern US Scientific Coordinator: Ben Haskell 
FKNMS Science Coordinator 
(1-305) 743-2437 phone (1-305) 743-2357 fax 
E-mail: bhaskell@fknms.nos.noaa.gov 

Eastern US Volunteer coordinator, Mary Enstrom 
E-mail: menstrom@ocean.nos.noaa.gov 

Eastern US Training Coordinator, Alex Stone 
E-mail: reefkeeper@esrthlink.net 

If you are located in the vicinity of the Regional Coordinators, please register with them, and check with them regarding training, fund-raising, site selection and other details. If you are not located near a Regional Coordinator, please register directly with the  Global Headquarters of Reef Check. Volunteers are welcomed to create additional regional centers in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. 
For more information, please contact the Reef Check Global Headquarters at: 
Reef Check Coordinator, Gregor Hodgson, PhD. Institute for Environmental Studies, HK University of Science and Technology Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong. E-mail: rcgregor@usthk.ust.hk, Tel: (852) 2358-8568,  Fax: (852) 2358-1334  

Morrocoy - The Mysterious Death Of A Coral Reef

Contents 
Venezuelan marine biologists estimate that approximately 90 per cent of the coral reef in Morrocoy National Park is dead. The primary cause seems to be a cream-colored, jelly-like slick which washed onto the reef in January 1996 and killed it within days. 
Globules of the slick appeared in the Morrocoy National Park reef area over a one week period in late January 1996. They floated near the surface of the water  for a few days,  then settled on the coral reef, killing approximately 90 percent of the coral and much of the plant and fish life in the Morrocoy National Park. To date, it is still not clear what the slick was and where it came from.  No one knows precisely what is the nature and origin of the slick.  

According to biologists at University Simon Bolivar, two main hypothesis could explain the appearance of the creamy slick. The first is that there was a major chemical spill at sea near the Morrocoy area. The second hypotheses is that it was caused by a natural phenomenon. A series of unusual atmospheric conditions  occurred in the area at about the same time the creamy slick appeared. Unseasonable heavy rains lowered the ocean temperature in Morrocoy. Thermal mapping photos taken during January 1996 indicate lower than normal temperatures along the Morrocy coastline. The seabed was visible from the surface for the first time in twenty-five years. It is believed that these conditions could have allowed phytoplankton and bacteria to form the slick  absorbing  the oxygen in the water resulting in the suffocation of almost all the hard and soft coral, fish, sea urchins, worms, sea cucumbers, and sponges in the affected area. The slick also could have caused the effect known as "coral bleaching", which is also a result of lack of oxygen in the water. 

However, since the phenomenon occurred mostly on the outer parts of the Morrocoy island system and the area inside the group of islands were far less affected, the "natural causes" hypothesis does not seem very probable. 

Three other factors could have contributed to the death of the reef:  While these factors have contributed to some of the long-term destruction of the reef and nearby bird sanctuary, they do not explain what happened in January 1996. Samples were taken from the site only 3-5 days after the slick appeared; toxicity results have not yet been published or made public and neither have sediment analysis been carried out. 

The main industry of Morrocoy is tourism.  The damaged reef has, therefore,  had a very negative effect on it. Assistance is urgently needed to determine the cause of this incident and to prevent its recurrence. The USA and British Governments have been approached in this regard by the local government in Morrocoy but to date no assistance has materialized. 
For further information contact the CEP Technical Focal Point in Venezuela: Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables (MARNR), Torre Sur, Piso 18, Centro Simon Bolivar, A.A. 6623, Caracas 1010, Venezuela. Tel: (58-2) 408-1522,  Fax: (58-2) 483-2445. 

News Briefs

Memorandum of Co-operation Between the CBD and the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols

Contents 
A Memorandum of Co-operation was recently signed between the Secretariat of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena, 1983) and its Protocols, and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Nairobi, 1992). 
This initiative emanates from Decision No.1 of the Seventh Intergovernmental Meeting on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) and Fourth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region, (Kingston, 12-14 December 1994).  It is also the result of an ongoing process of consultation initiated since that time by the RCU with the CBD Secretariat.  This initiative was also supported by a number of delegations from the Wider Caribbean at the Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) to the CBD, (Buenos Aires, November 1996), when an information document prepared by the RCU was presented outlining the programmatic linkages between the CBD and the Cartagena Convention and the CEP (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/Inf.50). 
For more info, please contact: UNEP CAR/RCU, 1420 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica; Phone: +1-809-922 9267 to 9; Fax: +1-809-922 9292; Telex: 3672 UNEPCARJA;E-mail: uneprcuja@toj.com  

Towards A Protocol On Marine Pollution From Land-Based Sources And Activities In The Wider Caribbean Region

Contents 
The Contracting Parties to the Cartagena Convention decided in 1987 at a meeting in Guadelope to give priority to a Protocol on Marine Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS).  Since that time several meetings have been held to develop the LBS Protocol, together with its technical annexes. The last Meeting of Legal\Technical\ Policy Experts to develop such a Protocol was held in Kingston, Jamaica, 24-28 February 1997.  At this Meeting representatives from eighteen countries in the region took important steps towards a final Protocol.   However,  there are still some issues which need further consideration. 
For example, to date there is no consensus on the inclusion of both effluents and emissions from Land-Based Sources and Activities in the Protocol or whether the Protocol should be limited to just effluents.  Another question of concern is whether the source specific annexes to be developed should have timetables for action. 
The next Meeting is planned for early 1998 and is entitled: "Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Cartagena Convention to Negotiate a Final Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities".  If this Meeting is successful, which means that the governmental representatives have to get the political commitment to reach consensus on pending issues, a Protocol may be ready for adoption at a meeting of Plenipotentiaries in late 1998.  At least nine Governments need to ratify the Protocol before it enters into force.   The question is whether the Governments of the Wider Caribbean  will have a working Protocol on Marine Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities before the year 2000, thirteen years after the decision was taken to develop such a Protocol ? 

CEP Focusses On The Implementation Of The Cartagena Convention And Its Protocols

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The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) will focus its sub-programme activities on the implementation of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols.  The proposed workplan for CEP for the biennium 1998-1999 will be presented at the next Meeting of the Monitoring Committee on the Action Plan of the CEP in June 1997.  Briefly, CEP's  future work may be described as follows: 

Call For Papers

Contents 

Caribbean GIS Conference

The Geographic Information Systems Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GISSTT), in collaboration with the Continuing Engineering Education Centre, Faculty of Engineering, University of the West Indies, Trinidad, will be hosting a Caribbean Conference on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Nov 5-7, 1997.  The Conference is expected to attract regional and international experts in GIS development. Interested persons in the Caribbean region are encouraged to attend. 
Papers are invited for the Technical Sessions of the conference.  Papers will be accepted for both oral and poster presentation.  The deadline for submission of abstracts (maximum  300 words) is April 15, 1997.  The official language of the Conference is English. 
A second circular, providing details of short courses, keynote speakers, other collaborating organizations, registration and accommodation will be issued in April 1997. 
In order to be placed on the mailing list for the second circular, kindly contact:  Dr. Cassandra T. Rogers, Conference Chair, Caribbean Conference on Geographic Information Systems, c/o Department of Civil  Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, W.I.; Tel: (1-809) 662-2002, Ext. 3440. 

Internet Briefs

Contents 

NetCoast 

http://www.minvenw.nl/projects/netcoast 

Last year, the Coastal Zone Management Centre (CZMC) in the Netherlands launched NetCoast, the Internet facility which is primarily intended as an international communication platform for everyone involved in coastal zone management issues. NetCoast can help reach the goal formulated by UNCED that coastal nations should develop Coastal Zone Programmes in order to achieve sustainable exploitation of natural resources in the near future. 
CZMC is currently developing NetCoast 3.0 which will include a frequently updated Newsletter and a Digital Global Vulnerability Assessment (GVA) Atlas and a database (a potential decision-support tool for coastal management) which will include worldwide socio-economic development and the interaction with coastal systems and their resources. 

The primary goal of NetCoast is the exchange of information and expertise.  The CZMC intends to distribute, on CD-ROM, a Coastal Zone Management Open-Learner, a computer-based course composed of several training modules dealing with the practice of integrated coastal zone management.  Based on the latest analytical and management tools for coastal zone management, this course will be designed to serve different types of learners and will be geared to their specific needs while allowing them to work at their own pace.  Students with access to Internet will be able, via Netcoast, to consult a panel of experts on questions related to their course. 
For more information, contact: Jan Kuperus, Coastal Zone Management Centre,  Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, P.O. Box 20907, 2500 Ex, The Hague, The Netherlands; Tel: (31-70)311-4311; Fax: (31-70)311-4380; E-mail: czmc@rikz.rws.minvenw.n1  

Call For Proposals

Contents 

Wetlands for the Future


The Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands of International  Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are soliciting proposals from Latin American and Caribbean institutions and individuals to participate in the Wetlands for the Future (WFF) training programme.  This initiative will promote the implementation of the concept of "wise use" of wetlands by strengthening the capacity of countries to manage their wetland resources in a sustainable way and contributing to the integration of wetland conservation and management into the development process.  All proposed activities should be in line with the principles, recommendations and guidelines of the Ramsar Convention. 
The sponsors of Wetlands for the Future wish to establish partnerships with training institutions, catalyze wetland training activities currently underway or planned within the region and complement existing training and education initiatives with wetland related instruction. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 
Wetlands for the Future addresses Ramsar’s Strategic Plan (1997-2000) General Objective 4 "to reinforce the capacity of institutions in each Contracting Party to achieve conservation and wise use of wetlands".  Anyone interested in submitting a proposal to WFF is encouraged to read the Strategic Plan and other relevant Ramsar documents (Guidelines for the Implementation of the Wise Use Concept; Additional Guidance for the Implementation of the Wise Use Concept; Guidelines for Management Planning for Ramsar Sites and other Wetlands) available on the Ramsar Web site  or on request from the Ramsar Convention Bureau. 
The purpose of this initiative is:  Applicants and counterpart institutions must have, or must develop, the expertise to meet training requirements.  These institutions must offer specially tailored programs to suit regional, sub-regional and/or  national training needs. 

WHO CAN APPLY FOR WFF SUPPORT? 
Institutions such as governmental resource management agencies, environmental  and sustainable development NGOs, universities,  documentation centers and professionals or individuals associated with any such institution (graduate students, park rangers, decision makers, wetland managers, technical and field staff). 
Please note that the deadline for presentation of proposals will be 31 May 1997.  If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can find Ramsar documents and news in the homepage (http://iucn.org/themes/ramsar/). 
For more information, contact:  Bureau/Oficina:  Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland; Tel:  (41-227)999- 0170; Telefax: (41-227)999-0169; Telex: 41 96 24; E-mail: ramsar@hq.iucn 

Past Events

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Heavily Contaminated Bays 

There are two closely co-ordinated projects in the Wider Caribbean Region addressing the problems of Heavily Contaminated Bays: one project is funded by the UNEP IPID sub-programme, and the other is funded by GEF and it is co-ordinated by UNDP in co-operation with UNOPS. 

UNEP/IPID: Heavily Contaminated Bays and Coastal Areas: Third Technical Advisory Committee Meeting, Havana, Oct. 1996

The Third Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting  for the UNEP/IPID Project on Heavily Contaminated Bays was held in Havana, Cuba in October 1996. 
This UNEP/IPID project is being carried out by the Centre of Engineering and Environmental Management (CIMAB) as the consultant. There are pilot studies being conducted in four countries: Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic; Bluefields, Nicaragua; Point Lisas, Trinidad and Tobago; and, Bahia de Pozuelos, Venezuela.  At a project meeting in November 1997, revisions were made to the workplan and budget for the second phase of the pilot studies based on the recommendations of the TAC Meeting.  Although the project has been subjected to numerous delays over the past 12 months, it is hoped that the startup problems have been resolved and the implementation of  the project will proceed as planned. 

The October Meeting was originally planned as a co-ordinated UNEP-UNDP-GEF Workshop.  However,  Hurricane Lily forced the postponement of the GEF part of the workshop.   The GEF component was re-scheduled to December 1996 (see following article). 

GEF: First Regional Workshop on Heavily Contaminated Bays and Coastal Zones of the Wider Caribbean Region, Havana, 3-5 Dec. 1996

This workshop at which UNEP/IPID was represented, was attended by the technical focal points in the participating UNDP-GEF-UNOPS countries. This project includes Kingston Harbour, Jamaica; Havana Harbour, Cuba; Puerto Limón, Costa Rica; and Cartagena Bay in Colombia. The IDB also attended the Workshop. 
The main results of the workshop were as follows:  GEF officials considered it possible, according to the IPID project to have another regional or national project carried out at the same time.  The ongoing IPID project can be a support to a further development of a GEF project. The Workshop expressed an increased need for workshops and training of professional staff on technical matters. The Workshop further expressed the need for more work on development of effluent standards and cost-benefit analysis. 

An Island Gateway on the Internet, Maastricht, 29-31 Jan. 1997


As part of their tenth anniversary celebrations, the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) organised a seminar to discuss "An Island gateway on the Internet:  Using the Web to Facilitate Information  Exchange on and  among Small Islands" at their Maastricht office, 29-31 January 1997.  The aims were as follows:  OUTCOME 
A new Island Gateway site will be created on the Internet.  The exact name has not yet been decided upon, but it will bring together as many of the  existing sites as possible including the long awaited SIDSnet which has now received seed funding under the UNDP Sustainable Development Networking Programme. 
The site should become a focal point for island communities worldwide capable of providing access to numerous resources, thematic information, tools for searching and discussion as well as other features like multi-lingualism. 

A Steering Committee has been formed to carry out a series of tasks by the end of February 1997.  These include recruiting additional IWC partners, proposing terms for the consitution and incorporation of IWC, defining requirements for the Homepage and preparing an initial series of links related to the 14 priority areas in the SIDS Programme of Action. 

The Island Web consortium mailing list is being used to further discuss the outcome of the seminar.  To subscribe, send a message to listproc@upei.ca. 

Further background information on the entire ECDPM seminar can be obained at: 
http://www.oneworld.org/ecdpm/anniv/sidsem.htm. If your have any problems, contact Peter Meincke, e-mail: meincke@upei.ca 

Vacant Positions

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Internships at the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands


The post offers an opportunity for young graduates to become acquainted with the workings of an intergovernmental treaty dealing with the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, and more specifically, wetland ecosystems. 
The interns will assist Ramsar policy and technical staff comprising the Senior Policy Advisor and the Regional Technical Co-ordinators dealing with ramsar’s seven regions:  Africa, Asia, Eastern and Western Europe,  North America and Oceania, in the full range of their activities, as required during different periods of the year.  These include:  QUALIFICATIONS 
The principal qualities required are enthusiasm and commitment to nature conservation and sustainable use issues. 
The interns should have a university degree (preferably a post-graduate degree) in a subject related to wetland conservation and sustainable use, such as geography, biology, hydrology, marine sciences, natural resources management, land use planning, or anthropology/sociology.  Experience in field work in wetland subjects will constitute a clear advantage. In addition, interns should have reasonably well-developed computer skills. Ability to work in English is essential, and knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be of value. Candidates from developing countries and countries whose economy is in transition are strongly encouraged to apply. 
Candidates should be prepared to provide services for a minimum of six months, but commitment for one year will be preferable. 
For more info or to submit an application, please contact:  Julia Tucker, Administrator, Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland; Tel:  (41-22)999-0170;  Fax: (41-22)999-0169; E-mail: ramsar@hq.iucn.org 

Training Opportunities

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Scholarship for Research in Desalination and Water Reuse


The International Desalination Association (IDA), is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 and chartered in New Jersey, USA.  IDA has established a scholarship fund (Channabasappa Memorial Scholarship Fund), which assists young engineers and scientist to further their education in subjects related to desalination.The maximum grant per student is US$6000.  The individual selected must have other sources of funds to supplement this grant and allow him/her to complete graduate degree requirements.  The following guidelines are important for those wishing to apply: 

Eligibility:  Must have a degree from an accredited university, and be in the top 10% of their class in science or engineering.  Must prove admission to a graduate programme in desalination or water reuse.  Must show leadership and achievement potential. 

Basis of Award Application:  Undergraduate transcript; references (four, of which at  least one is from an IDA director or member); motivation for a career in desalination or water technologies.  Applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee which will have at least two IDA members from universities. 

Application Procedure:  The applicant must submit application documents as mentioned above, including evidence of other source(s) of funding to supplement this scholarship. 
For an application  form or additional information, contact:  Mr. Taysir Dabbagh, Chairman, Education and Scholarship Committee of the IDA, c/o Kuwait Fund, P.O.  Box 2921, Safat 13030, Kuwait; Tel: (965)243-8269; Fax: (965)243-6289. 

Integrado De Zonas Costeras - Escuela Superior Politecnica Del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2-17 June, 1997

The purpose of this course is to provide participants with practical skills in the design and implementation of integrated management plans for coastal areas and environments.  It is directed at resource management professionals and environmental planners in government agencies, universities and nongovernmental organizations in the Latin American and Caribbean region.  The course will draw on global experience in integrated management planning for coastal environments and how this can be applied to critical issues in coastal resource management issues (such as coral reef and mangrove habitat loss, water quality degradation, declining fish production, and rapid tourism development) for nations in the region.  The programme is being organized by the Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral in Ecuador and is open to all applicants; however, participation will be limited to 25 individuals.  This course will be offered in Spanish. 
For more information on the course, contact:  Director de Capacitacion, Centro Nacional de Recursos Costeros - Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral, Casilla de Correos 09-0105863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Tel: (593-4)269470, 269464; Fax: (593-4)854629;  E-mail: ecervan@espol.edu.ec 

Caribbean Natural Resources Institute - CANARI - Workshops And Courses: January - June 1997.

CANARI workshops and courses are practical and hands-on. Each course targets a specific audience and is tailored to meet the needs of professionals in the field.  A variety of experiential and participatory educational methods is used along with case studies and field visits. 
Admittance to all courses is by application only. Application forms are available from CANARI on request.  Since space is limited, prospective applicants are urged to submit their forms early. 

Please contact CANARI for information about the cost of specific activities.  Fees cover tuition, accommodation and meals, local transportation and course materials.  Applicants not in a position to cover the cost of their participation are encouraged to contact funding sources to seek fellowships.  CANARI may be able to help applicants identify possible sources of funding. Government Training Offices may also be able to provide funding information.. 
For further information about any of the activities listed in this brochure, or to obtain application forms, please contact: CANARI, Clarke Street, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia; Tel: (1-758)454-6060; Fax: (1-758)454-5188; E-maill: canari@isis.org.lc 

Centre for Environmental Management & Planning (CEMP)

Four week intensive training courses on environmental assessment and management: These courses, which although suggested to last four weeks, may be longer or shorter, depending on clients’ specific training requirements, and may either be held either in Aberdeen or "in-country".  In recent years, courses for groups from India, Taiwan and Nigeria have been held in Aberdeen. 

Environmental training for the oil and gas industry: CEMP offers a range of specialized courses on many environmental aspects for the oil and gas sector.  Courses normally range from 1-3 days, are organised at the specific request of clients, and can be adapted to clients’ particular requirements.  The following courses can be delivered - Environmental Management Systems, Environmental Impact Assessment,  Environmental Auditing, Environmental Awareness, Environmental Effects Auditing. 

Project related training: Many new projects now require tailor-made programmes for levels of staff ranging from senior decision-makers to workers on the ground.  CEMP has recently been involved in a number of projects which have provided a major training  component. Please contact CEMP if you would like to discuss your specific training requirements. 
For further information on courses and publications, please contact:  Jane Butler/Doug Reid at: CEMP, CORDAH, Kettock Lodge, Aberdeen Science & Technology Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB22 GU, Scotland, UK.  Tel:  (44-1224)414211/414212; Fax: (44-1224)414250; E-mail: j.butler@astp.cordah.co.uk or d.reid@astp.cordah.co.uk 

Masters Programme In Human Ecology

This programme is funded by the Belgian Administration for Co-operation to Development - Vrije Universiteit Brussel  Admission Requirements:  A Bachelor’s Degree in Science, in Engineering or Medicine.  The two year’s Master’s programme is taught in English.  Academic year starts in October. 
For information brochure & application forms, please contact: Department of Human Ecology - International Relations Officer - Free University Brussels (VUB); Laarbeeklaan 103 - B-1090 Brussels; Telephone: (32-2)477-4925; Fax: (32-2)477-4964; E-mail: gronsse@meko.vub.ac.be; 
Homepage: http://vub.vub.ac.be/~gronsse/index.hmtl 

Publications Available

Contents 

Democratic Governance and the Social Condition in the Anglophone Caribbean

This is a publication of the Caribbean Division of the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean.  This paper, prepared by Professor Selwyn Ryan of the University of the West Indies, was commissioned in part to assist UNDP in the programming of its resources in the area of governance and development, and as a response to the perceived weakening of democratic governance in the Anglophone Caribbean. 

As is already well known, Caribbean economies continue to be confronted with a series of complex challenges on this, the eve of the 21stCentury.  Indeed, the continued general decline in living standards in many countries, along with the high levels of unemployment and underemployment are cause for great concern.  In addition, the heavy debt burden of several countries, economic restructuring, natural disasters, increases in drug related criminal activities and violence against women and children constitute major obstacles to the economic growth and development of the Region. The author argues that, taken together, these developments and their resulting tensions threaten to undermine the long -standing democratic traditions of Caribbean countries. 

Thus, not only is there a need to formulate and implement programmes at the national level, but a regional development strategy with goals of co-operation, integration and participation geared towards strengthening the democratic institutions and processes of the CARICOM community, is also critical. 
The Caribbean Division aims, through this publication, to advance the discourse and stimulate action on many of the issues highlighted.  In this regard, we welcome comments and/or questions you might have on this paper. 
For more information, contact:  Gillian Lindsay-Nanton, Chief, Caribbean Division, Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, One United Nations Plaza, DC-1 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10017; Telephone:  (1-212) 906-5400; Telefax: (1-212) 906-5892; E-mail: rblac@undp.org 

The State  Of The World’s Children 1997

The well-being of children has been the inspiration and the driving purpose of the United Nations Children’s Fund for 50 years.  It is from this unique perspective and experience that UNICEF adds its voice, concern and expertise to the debate about child labour, the primary focus of the The State of the World’s Children 1997 report. 

Child labour is a controversial and emotional issue.  It is also a complex and  challenging one that defies simple solutions.  The thoughtful and comprehensive approaches required must be guided by the best interests of the child and by a commitment to children’s human rights, as enshrined in the Convention on the rights of the Child. In this report, UNICEF urges that priority be given to efforts for the immediate end of hazardous and exploitative child labour and to urgent support for education, so that children may acquire the knowledge and skills that can enable them to improve their lives.  It also stresses the need for basic services, social development strategies, income-generation measures and legal protection for children, their families and communities. 

The State of the World’s Children emphasizes the need for such collective action to deal with child labour.  By working together, as the report makes clear, governments, international and national organizations and all members of the world community can help protect children from the economic exploitation so graphically described in this report.  Ending hazardous child labour, a priority concern of the International Labour Organization and of UNICEF, now needs to become the world’s shared and urgent goal.  The United Nations system must take the lead. 
For copies of this, please contact: UNICEF Headquarters, Palais des Nations, CH-1211, Geneva 10, Switzerland; Tel: (41-22) 791-2111;  Fax: (41-22)791-074 

Training Needs in Utilising Environmental Technological Assessment for Decision-Making - A Preliminary Study to Strengthen Capabilities in Managing Environmentally Sound Technologies

This report contains the results of a simple questionnaire conducted by the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) to identify training needs in developing and transition-economy countries for improving decision making regarding Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) for sustainable management of large cities and freshwater resources.  The questionnaire was sent out in late January 1995, and 520 completed replies were received through 13 April of the same year.  Responses were solicited from individuals and institutions representing target countries for prospective training interventions, and also from industrialised countries knowledgeable of training needs for  developing and transition countries. 

IETC staff are well aware that due to the limited sample size and the geographical and professional distribution of respondents, the study cannot claim any degree of statistical reliability.  Moreover,  there are considerable differences between countries, sub-regions and regions regarding awareness on Environmental Technology Assessment (ETA) and its utilisation.  Training programmes with great flexibility and sensitivity to local needs will have to be developed. 
The main purpose of the questionnaire was to gain insight into  training  needs to optimise the role of Environmental Technology Assessment in the environmental management decision making process.  In this way, decision-making pertaining to the management of ESTs will, hopefully, be improved.  The study also identifies target training groups and provides input for effective implementation of IETC’s training programmes. 
For more information, contact: UNEP-IETC, Osaka Office - 2-110 Ryokuchi Koen, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka 538, Japan. Tel: (81-6) 915-4580; Fax: (81-6)915-0304; E-mail: meganck@unep.or.jp  

Upcoming CEP Sponsored Events

Contents 
For more info, please contact: 

UNEP CAR/RCU, 1420 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica; Phone: +1809-922 9267 to 9; Fax: +1809-922 9292; Telex: 3672 UNEPCARJA; E-mail: uneprcuja@toj.com 

Other Upcoming Events of Interest

Contents 



International Conference on the Biology of Coastal Environments, 6-9 April 1997, Manama, Bahrain. 
Contact:  Fax: (973)682582; E-mail:  nawar@batelco.com.bh 

3rd International Ocean Pollution Symposium (IOPS), 6-11 April 1997, Ft. Pierce, Fla. USA. 
Contact:  Mr. Iver W. Duedall, Oganizing Committee Chairman; Fax: (1-407)984-8461; E-mail: iops@fit.edu. Homepage: http://www.fit.edu/ duedall/iops 

XVII Interamerican Travel Congress, 7-11 April 1997, San Jose, Costa Rica. 
Contact: The Inter-Sectoral Unit for tourism, Organization of American States, 1889 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006; Tel: (1-202) 458-6318; Fax: (1-202) 458-3190. 

Ecological and Social  Impacts in Planning Caribbean Marine Protected Areas, 14-15 April 1997, Richmond Hill Inn, Union Street, Montego Bay, Jamaica. 
Contact:  Ivor Williams, Centre for Tropical Coastal Management, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Tel: (44- 191)222-5868; Fax: (44-191)222-7891; E-mail: i.d.williams@ncl.ac.uk 

First International Symposium on Large Scale Constructions in Coastal Environments, 21-25 April 1977, Nordery, Germany.  
Contact:  Manfred Vollmer, Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersachsisches Wattenmeer, Virchowstr, 1, D-26382 Wilhelmshaven; Tel: (49-44)214-2556; Fax: (49-44)214-4314. 

8th  International Conference on Rainwater Catchment Systems, 21-25 April 1997, Teheran, Iran. 
Rainwater Catchment for Survival is the theme of this 8th international conference.  Areas of focus, all related to rainwater catchment systems utilization in arid and semi-arid areas, will be technology; management; environmental aspects; socio-economic  aspects; progress and innovations; training and innovative extension; and religious and cultural aspects. 
There will be plenary sessions, workshops, exhibitions and group discussions.  Leading companies, manufacturers, publishing houses, educational and research institutions and various other organizations associated with rainwater utilization, water purification and water treatment will participate. 
The conference is being organized by the Minisry of Jihad-E-Sazandegi in co-operation with the International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association. 
Contact:  Mr. J. Ghoddousi, Conference  Secretariat, P.O. Box 13445-1136, Teheran, I.R. Iran; Telephone: (98-21)641-8335; Fax: (98-21)640-7214. 

First European Conference on Sustainable Island Development, 23-26 April 1977, Minorca, Spain. 
Contact:  INSULA (International Scientific Council for Island Development)/UNESCO, 1 rue de Miollis, 75015 Paris, FRANCE; Tel: (33-1)4568-4056; Fax: (33-1)4568-5804; E-mail: jcgrau.cim@bitel.es; Homepage: http://www.insula.org/conf.htm 

ReCaribe ’97 - The Caribbean Recycling Conference, Training and Exposition, 4-8 May 1997, Trinidad Hilton,  Port of Spain, Trinidad. 
From May 4 to 8 this year, the leaders of solid waste management programmes in the Caribbean will come together in Port of Spain to focus on waste reduction and recycling business opportunities at the annual conference and exposition of ReCaribe - the Wider Caribbean Waste Reduction and Recycling Alliance. 
This year’s conference is mainly sponsored by Clean Islands International, Inc. and the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL).  The four-day programme includes plenary sessions, workgroup sessions, technical training sessions, technical tours, a two-day exhibition hall, and the Annual General Meeting of ReCaribe.  In addition, there are excellent opportunities to network among Caribbean and North Atlantic participants on this subject of growing interest in the area - waste reduction and recycling. 
Contact:  Edison Garraway, Chief Executive Officer, SWMCOL,  Head Office - 34 Independence Square North, Port of spain, Trinidad; Tel: (1-809)625-6678/80; Fax: (1-809)623-6534; Branch Office - Port Authority Building, Scarborough, Tobago; Tel: (1-809) 639-3558; E-mail: swmcol@trinidad.net; Homepage: http://www/trinidad.net/swm 

International Conference On Cultural Heritage In Islands And Small States, 8-10 May 1997. Valetta, Malta. 

The objectives of the Conference are:  Authors are invited to submit papers on topics related to the theme of the conference. The papers are to be written in English. The suggested length is between 6,000 words and 10,000 words. 
An abstract of the paper not exceeding 300 words should be submitted by 1 March 1997 and three copies of the full text of the paper, together with a diskette copy, are to be submitted by 15 April 1997. 
Contact: The Secretary, International Conference, CULTURAL HERITAGE IN ISLANDS AND SMALL STATES, Islands and Small States Institute, Foundation for International Studies, University Building, St. Paul Street, Valletta, Malta; Telephone: +356-248218, 234121/2; Telefax: +356-230551, e-mail lbrig@cis.um.edu.mt. 

Oceanology International Pacific Rim ’97, 12-14 May 1997, Singapore. 
Contact:  Angela  Pederzolli, Conference Executive, Spearhead Exhibitions Ltd., Ocean House, 50 Kingston Road, New  Malden, Surrey, KT3 3LZ, UK; Fax: (44-181)949-8186; E-mail: angela@spearhead.co.uk 

International Conference on Pollution Control and Environmental Management in Large Metropolitan Areas.  Depolurb’ 97, 18-22 May 1997, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 
Contact:  One Gateway Center, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, U.S.A; Tel: (1-412) 232-3444; Fax: (1-412) 232-3450. 

The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism, 21-24 May 1997,  Dominica. 
Contact:  Caribbean Tourism Organization, 20 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017, U.S.A. 

Latin American Parks Congress, 22-29 May 1997, Colombia. 
Contact:  David Sheppard, Intern, Protected Areas Programme, IUCN HQ;  Tel: (41-22)999-0166; E-mail: das@hq.iucn.org  

IV Course on Integrated Management of Coastal Zones, 2-13 June 1997, Ecuador. 
Contact:  Director  of Administration, Centro Nacional de Resursos Costeros, Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral, Casilla de correos 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Eduador; Tel: (593-4)269470, 269464; Fax: (593-4)854629; E-mail: ecervan@esopol.edu.ec 

10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, 9-20 June 1997, Harare, Zimbabwe. 
Contact:  Service de Conferences, Secretariat CITES, Case postale 456, 1219 Chatelaine/Geneve, Switzerland; Tel:  (41-22)979-9139; Fax: (41-22)797-3417. 

Joint Workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management, organized by Caribbean Office of Science and Technology, UN/ECLAC, 24-27 June 1997, Trinidad. 
Contact: David W. Moody, IWRN Technical Secretariat, OAS, Washington, D.C. 
  
VIII Pacific Science Association Inter-Congress from 13-19 July 1997. University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. 
A special symposium "Women, Science and Development:  From indigenous knowledge to New Information Technologies’ is being organized under the auspices of the Pacific Science Association and the Gender, Science and Development Programme of the International Federation of Institutes for Advanced study.  These topics have evolved from successful sessions on Women and Development (Honolulu, 1991) and Human Resources for the future:  Women and Young Scientists in Asian and Pacific Science (Beijing 1995).  Sessions will be organized around two major themes:  "Women, Science and Indigeneous Knowledge and "Women, Science and New Information Technologies. 
Registration deadline is April 1, 1997.  Registration must accompany submission of abstracts.  Information on the Inter-Congress can be found at http://ruve.usp.ac.fj/~psa. 
Contact:  Island Resources Foundation, 6296 Estate Nazareth, No. 11, St. Thomas, VI 00802-1104; Tel: (1-809)775-6225; Fax: (1-809)779-2022; E-mail: etowle@irf.org  

First International Symposium on Diving 1997, 1-4 July 1997, Havana,  Cuba. 
Contact: Lic. Manuel Dominquez Portillo, Co-ordinator,  Centro Nacional Audiovisual Subacuatico "Barracuda"; Aptdo. Postal 4229; Cod. Postal 10400, Habana 4, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba; Fax: (53-7)33-3111; E-mail: ideasz@tinored.cu 

Third Loicz Open Science Meeting - Global Change Science in the Coastal Zone, 10-13 October 1997, to be held at Leeuwenhorst Conference Centre, Noordijkerhout, The Netherlands 
Contact:  LOICZ Core Project Office, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P. O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg-Texel, The Netherlands; Tel: (31)222-369404; Fax: (31)222-369430; E-mail: loicz@NIOZ.nl 

The Asia-Pacific Initiative for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, 14-16 October 1997, Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia. 
Contact:  Alternative Development Asia Limited,  5/F, 3 Wood Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong; Fax: (852)2574-1997; E-mail: altdev@hk.super.net; Homepage: http://www.hk.super.net/~altdev/ 

Bordomer 97 - Coastal Environment Management and Conservation,  27-29 October 1997, Bordeaux,  France. 
Contact:  General Secretariat, Bordeaux Congres Service - Quartier du Lac - 33300 BORDEAUX-LAC; Tel: (33-5)5611 8888; Fax: (33- 5)5643-1776.  

CNPPA Midterm Review Meeting,  19 Nov. - 4 Dec., 1997, Albany, Western Australia. 
Contact:  David Sheppard, Intern, Protected Areas Programme, IUCN HQ;  Tel: (41-22)999-0166; E-mail: das@hq.iucn.org  

International Conference - Education and Training in Integrated Coastal Management  - The Mediterranean Prospect, May 25-29 1998, Genoa, Italy. 
Contact:  Conference Co-ordination and Secretariat, ICCOPS, c/o The University of Genoa, Department Polis - Stradone di S. Agostino, 37 - 16123 Genoa, Italy,  Tel:  (39-10)209-5840; Fax: (39-10)209-5907; E-mail: vallega@polis.unige.it 

Symposium on Marine Conservation Biology, a component of the Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, 6-9 June, 1997. Universityu of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.  
Contact: Dr. Elliot Norse, President, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, 15806 NE 47th Court, Redmond, WA 5805, USA. Telefax: 1-206-8833017; E-mail: enorse@u.washington.edu. 

Coastal Zone 97: "Charting the Future of Coastal Zone Management: The next 25 years". 20-26 July 1997, Boston, Mass. 
Contact: Martin C. Miller, USAE Waterways Experiment Station, Attn: CEWES-CR-O, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA.. Fax: (1601) 6344314. E-mail: m.miller@cerc.wes.army.mil 

With Rivers to the Sea: Interaction of Land Activities, Fresh Water and Enclosed Coastal Seas. 7th Stockholm Water Symposium, 3rd Int. Conf. on the Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS). 11-14 August 1997, Stockholm, Sweden. (NB! New dates) 
Contact: Stockholm Water Symposium/EMECS Conference 1997. Stockholm Water Company, S-106 36 Stockholm, Sweden. Fax: (46-8) 736 20 22. E-mail: sympos@sthwat.se