Conference planned for the UK for World Wetlands Day 2004

World Wetlands Day What's New @ Ramsar

Conference planned for the UK for World Wetlands Day 2004

[Reprint of the conference announcement, provided for posting on this Web site by CIWEM]

DRAFT CONFERENCE PROGRAMME AS OF 30/10/03

A CIWEM Conference

World Wetlands Day Conference 2004

Wetlands: Policy into Action
2nd and 3rd February, 2004
SOAS, London

The aim of this conference is to bring together all the key organisations in the UK involved in wetlands issues to share knowledge, discuss innovative techniques, network, consider good practice case studies and promote business and wetland biodiversity.

Dr Peter Spillett
Thames Water

Geoff Bateman OBE
Environment Agency

Dr Chris Spray
Northumbrian Water

Thames Water
Environment Agency
Northumbrian Water
WWF-UK
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Severn Trent Water
Halcrow
Posford Haskoning

This event is accredited for Continuing Professional Development under the CIWEM CPD Scheme

Organised by CMS - Coastal Management for Sustainability

World Wetlands Day Conference 2004
Wetlands: Policy into Action
2nd and 3rd February, 2004 at SOAS, London

Background to the conference

World Wetlands Day (WWD) marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The Ramsar Convention was a major milestone in the recognition of the importance of wetlands both to society and biodiversity. The challenges we face today are no less real than when the convention was signed in 1971. WWD was celebrated for the first time in 1997. Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of WWD to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular. This will be the third WWD conference in the UK and is building on the experience we have developed so far.

Aims and Objectives of this conference

The aim of the conference is to bring together all the key organisations in the UK involved in wetlands issues to share knowledge, discuss innovative techniques, network, consider good practice case studies and promote business and wetland biodiversity. During the WWD 2003 conference we canvassed delegates for ideas on what they saw as the function of the conference. Not surprisingly this resulted in a mix of differing objectives. We have worked these into this year's programme with a view to helping structure the way we approach the conference and take forward important themes. The objectives of the WWD 2004 conference are to:

Understand the state of wetlands in order to identify where progress needs to be made
Explore how major policy initiatives and investment programmes should be developed to benefit wetland habitats
Share plans on how the World Wetlands Day could be broadened and developed to promote wetlands on a much larger scale than at present - we will be seeking you help in developing this programme
Develop an understanding of how best practice can help resolve key issues in practice in order to help take forward key themes such as partnership, the role of project officers etc.
Promote the RSPB/CIWEM Living Wetlands Award and to promote the importance of an international view of wetlands
Produce a CD of the event in order to structure the way wetland issues from the event are communicated and put into practice, and developed with a sense of continuity.

CIWEM and World Wetlands Day

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) represents a wide range of professionals from all sectors involved in the sustainable management of the environment. CIWEM is committed to developing a structured long-term programme of co-ordinated conferences and other events on this important subject. This approach will help maintain a focused approach as issues develop in the next few years and will provide continuity of thinking especially in terms of the information provided to Conference delegates and the literature that CIWEM publishes.

If you would like to hear more about CIWEM, its range of publications and its approach to wetlands and related issues please contact Justin Taberham (E-mail: Justin@ciwem.com).

In preparing the programme and planning the additional events on 2nd February we are keen to give people a much wider range of opportunities to network.

Programme

Feb 2nd 1300 to 1700 Free entrance and a guided technical tour and discussion session at London Wetlands Centre, Barnes, London - hosted by WWT

Feb 2nd 1830 to 2100 World Wetlands Day Reception and Guest Speaker at SOAS, London - supported by WWF-UK

Feb 3rd World Wetlands Day Conference 2004

0900 Registration and Coffee on Arrival

0945 Chairman's Welcome - Peter Spillett, Thames Water

Session 1 - Policy Development and Practice

0950 The Water Framework Directive - Maximising the benefits for wetlands
Ruth Davis, Head of Water Policy, RSPB

1015 The Periodic Review Process - How do we make the most of it for wetlands?
Chris Spray, Director of Environment, Northumbrian Water

1040 Flood management and opportunities for wetlands
Ann Skinner, Environment Agency

1105 CAP reform - the opportunities for wetlands
Rob Jarman, National Trust

1130 Refreshments and buffet

Session 2 - The State of Wetlands Chairman: Chris Spray, Northumbrian Water

1215 The state of wetlands - an English Nature perspective
James Marsden, English Nature

1245 Developing UK WWD on a bigger scale Doug Hulyer,
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

1315 The RSPB/CIWEM Living Wetlands Award 2004
Phil Rothwell, RSPB

1340 Announcement of the winner of the 2004 RSPB/CIWEM Living Wetlands Award

1345 Refreshments and sweet

Session 3 - Good Practice Case Studies
Chairman: Geoff Bateman OBE, Environment Agency

1430 From policy objective to demonstration project - making a start: Beckingham Marshes
Tim Cleeves, RSPB

1450 Partnership in action - key lessons from Cuckmere Haven
Jonathan Light, National Trust

1510 The value of project officers in catchment management - The Severn and Avon Vales
Brian Smith, Environment Agency/English Nature

1530 Promoting wetlands to the public - The Swale and Ure Washlands Project
Siobhan Walker, Swale and Ure Washlands Project

1550 Chairman's closing remarks

16:00 Close

World Wetlands Day Conference 2004

The Venue: The venue is the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), Russell Square, London. This is a new, air conditioned lecture theatre, with all the modern AV aids and professional projectionists; there will be ample space to accommodate the anticipated delegate numbers.
Accommodation: There is a wide range of accommodation available in the area and delegates will receive a hotel list when they book.
The Organisers: The conference is being organised by Bob Earll of Coastal Management for Sustainability (CMS) on behalf of CIWEM.

All non-CIWEM member delegates will receive CIWEM Environmental Partner grade of membership up to the end of December 2004. They will receive free copies of our magazine and have the opportunity to be involved in local CIWEM events and activities. Please note with Bob Earll if you are not a CIWEM member.

Conference fee:
CIWEM Members Fee £ 125 VAT £21.87 £146.87
NGO, Charity, Academic rate* Fee £ 95 VAT £16.62 £111.62
Student rate [See* below]: Fee £ 40 VAT £ 7.00 £ 47.00
Group rates: A group is 3 or more, booking and paying together; the rate is £100 / person + VAT

The fee includes food and refreshments and the conference papers.
Delegates with special needs should make this clear on booking

Conditions:

Cheques should be made payable to 'CMS'.
They should be sent to CMS, Candle Cottage, Kempley, Glos GL18 2BU.
Credit cards cannot be accepted.
Invoices can be provided on request.
Confirmation of registration and receipts will be forwarded on payment.
Payment should be completed BEFORE the event; otherwise entry may be refused
No refunds will be made for cancellation less than ten working days before the meeting.

Further details from Bob Earll: Phone / Fax 01531 890415 Joining details - maps, directions and hotels - programme are on the CMS website: www.coastms.co.uk or Email bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

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CIWEM conference
Wetlands - Policy Into Action

Booking Form
Name______________________Organisation___________________________________________
[BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE]
Address_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________ Telephone / Fax ______________________________
I am content for my Email address to be included on the CMS Emailing System and I am happy to receive CIWEM's free monthly "E-news" update.
Email Address _______________________________
Please register _______place / s Total amount_____________

Your ref. / order number _____________________ Are you a CIWEM Member? please tick Yes No

I would/would not like to take part in the guided visit at the London Wetlands Centre on 2nd February

I will/will not be attending the evening wine reception on 2nd February

VAT No: 742 4367 34
Please return completed booking forms to: CMS, Candle Cottage, Kempley, Glos GL18 2BU
Cheques should be made payable to 'CMS'

For further information about World Wetlands Day or the 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 3 November 2003, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.