The Ramsar Convention's Outreach Programme

The range of resource materials available to raise awareness of wetland values and functions is immense -- you could spend months on the Internet discovering what a wealth of materials and ideas already exist. This area of the CEPA Programme's mini-Web site can do no more than skim the surface of what is available, but we hope it provides you with inspiration, information and useful contacts. This is an area of CEPA work where the Convention can be most effective if CPs are willing to share information with others -- we will be relying heavily on your input to this section, so please let us know (hails@ramsar.org) of resources that you have used/written/designed that have worked well in your Wetland CEPA programme (in English, French or Spanish).

Left: Developed by the Mekong River Commission, this CD ROM is designed to raise the awareness of decision-makers at the national level of the ecology of the river and its role in sustainable development in the region. More here.

This section is divided into four subsections, CEPA Methodologies, Campaigns, Teaching Materials and Wetland Information but there is, of course, considerable overlap. As more materials become available we envisage considerable expansion of this section:

CEPA METHODOLOGIES: this page of the mini-Web site will highlight materials of use to those involved in the planning of CEPA programmes and activities.	*CEPA Methodologies*
CAMPAIGNS: in many countries there are highly successful programmes that bring local residents, school children and local authorities together in hands-on activities in their local wetlands. The aims? To raise awareness of the roles wetlands play in their lives, to identify how their lifestyles affect their local wetlands, how other local and distant activities affect the health of the wetlands -- and how an individual's efforts can make a difference.	*Campaigns*
TEACHING MATERIALS: the school curriculum presents a highly effective route for delivering information, raising awareness about wetland values and functions, and changing behaviour patterns. Here are some interesting materials for use in the classroom and during visits to local wetlands.	*Teaching Materials*
WETLAND INFORMATION: background information on wetlands, different types of wetland, wetland values and functions, role of wetlands in the water cycle etc.	*Wetland Information*

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 16 April 2001; updated 5 February, 2007 Sandra Hails, Ramsar.