New Intern/Assistant to the Regional Coordinator for the Americas joins the Bureau

Dear colleagues,

The Ramsar Bureau is very pleased to inform you that Julio MONTES DE OCA from Mexico/Costa Rica is our new Intern/Assistant to the Regional Coordinator for the Americas, to replace Marco Flores whose internship comes to an end on 14 February.

Julio started working with us today 4 February.

Julio obtained a Bachelor of Science, a Certificate in International Affairs, and a Certificate in Pulp and Paper Engineering in 1995, from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA. From September 1999 to September 2001 he studied at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, Belgium, and obtained a post-graduate diploma in Human Ecology in 2000 and a Master in Advanced Studies in Human Ecology in 2001 (both Magna Cum Laude).

Julio has just completed an internship at the International Coalition for Development Action (ICDA) in Brussels, Belgium, with involvement in both organisational and research-based tasks. He also attended diverse meetings in the context of NGOs, including interactions with the EU. Of particular interest has been his participation in a "High Level Seminar on Globalisation, Sustainable Development and the EU's External Policies", hosted by Green Globe Task Force and WWF, as well as in four "Rio+10 Coalition" meetings which focused on promotion of a "Global Deal" for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Julio is fluent in Spanish and English, and has an advanced level of French.

Thank you for making Julio feel welcome at our HQ and for assisting him whenever he needs some help or information.

-- reported by Annette Keller, Ramsar Administration Coordinator