Priority Activities (VIII/6)

SHORT-LIST OF PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR THE PROGRAMME OF WORK ON COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS

I. Main features of the short list of priority activities

1. The short-list of priority activities has been formulated to provide a coherent framework to guide implementation of the programme of work for CEPA in the short term, and in particular the upcoming biennium. The list addresses activities drawn from the CEPA programme of work in the annex to decision VI/19 as well as the CEPA dimensions in the programmes of work of the Convention in the thematic areas and cross-cutting issues to ensure that there is an integrated and coordinated approach in the delivery of CEPA messages and outputs to the intended target audiences.

2. CEPA strategies should be developed and implemented, wherever possible, as components of national biodiversity strategies and action plans. Where countries have yet to develop national biodiversity strategies and action plans, any CEPA strategies should take the potential of this into account.

3. In addition, the short-list of priority activities has taken into consideration the related ongoing CEPA work of other organizations and the need to build on the success and strengths of these efforts whilst providing a focused framework for the implementation of the identified activities at national, regional and international levels. This approach recognizes the value of strategic alignments and partnerships, networking, harmonization of related activities, and capacity building to ensure consistency in the generation and delivery of the envisaged outputs including key biodiversity messages.

4. In this respect, the short-list also recognizes the need to address some of the priority global initiatives in sustainable development, including the 2010 biodiversity target, the Millennium Development Goals, the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and other relevant initiatives. This approach is consistent with the requirement for the Convention process to provide substantial inputs and guidance in the ongoing efforts to address these global policy initiatives.

5. The purpose of the short-list of priority activities is to provide support for the rapid and immediate implementation of pilot project efforts in support of the programme of work on CEPA, taking into account national and regional needs and resources. The aim is to use outputs from this process to better refine the key elements of the longer-term implementation process and thus help reorient the overall approach for more detailed longer-term programme activities. The CEPA dimensions of the programmes of work on thematic areas and cross‑cutting issues will serve as a basis for the identification and implementation of appropriate pilot projects in accordance with the specific needs and circumstances of the individual Parties.

6. The implementation of the priority activities in this list will be guided by the need to undertake detailed needs assessments, particularly at the national level in order to better identify and elaborate the interventions required to meet the expressed needs in the longer term.

7. The formulation of the short list of priority activities has recognized the need to keep the implementation process broad in scope and approach in order to allow parties and other partners make the necessary modifications to customize it to their specific requirements and situations. This aspect will no doubt continue to evolve as the parties provide feedback on the progress and impacts of the implementation process and thus the need to continuously re-orient programme activities to conform to the evolving nature of the user needs at various levels.

8. Implementation of the short list of priority activities is intended to provide guidance for the refinement of the plan of implementation leading up to 2010.

II. Short-list of priority activities for the programme of work on Communication, Education and Public Awareness

Priority activity 1: Establish implementation structure or process for CEPA activities
Where appropriate, and taking into account existing institutional arrangements and other processes, establish focal points and implementation bodies for CEPA activities, including the list of priority activities, at national, regional and global level. Promote participation of relevant actors in national advisory bodies, including, as appropriate representatives from: Media Education Business Sectors Youth Science Community Indigenous and local communities Other actors Promote communication and collaboration between these implementation bodies and the Executive Secretary Utilize national and regional structures for implementation of priority activities for the programme of work on CEPA, including as components of national biodiversity strategies and action plans.
Tasks for Executive Secretary		Tasks for Parties
Establish electronic infrastructure, including enhancement of the CEPA Portal to facilitate communication on CEPA with national and regional CEPA networks disseminate information, advice and materials on CEPA activities among these networks. Ensure that implementation bodies are informed of activities at the international level		Establish implementation structure or process and advise the Executive Secretary. Promote participation of relevant actors in advisory bodies. Formulate implementation strategy and plans for the priority activities for the Programme of work on CEPA. Establish patterns of bilateral and regional assistance as necessary
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme elements 1, 2, and 3
Priority activity 2: Assess the state of knowledge and awareness on biodiversity and determine capacity for communication
Establish a baseline understanding of the state of awareness among key audiences through a variety of research tools. Wherever possible, use existing data and tools at the national and international level, and those created by international organizations such as IUCN, UNESCO, FAO, World Bank and OECD. Assessment tools may include inter alia: Focus group research and interviews with key stakeholders Survey research Press clipping reviews Determine key publics to be surveyed by the assessment, including, inter alia, and as appropriate: Media General public Youth and Children Scientific Community Indigenous and local communities Business Sector including key sectors identified in the Strategic Plan, such as: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Decision-makers Assessment should address the following elements, inter aila: Awareness of Biodiversity and its relationship to human well-being Awareness of the 2010 biodiversity target and CBD processes Capacity of Parties to communicate biodiversity messages Synthesize information for its use in implementation strategies of all priority activities, including Activity 3 below.
Tasks for the Executive Secretary				Tasks for Parties
Drawing upon input from the Informal Advisory Committee on CEPA , create template of assessment and assessment methodology and disseminate to the Parties Conduct pilot assessment amongst actors who have regular interactions with the Secretariat Provide advice on best way to integrate assessment to future national reporting processes.				Where appropriate, adapt knowledge and awareness template developed by the Executive Secretary for use at national level. Where tools already exist, adapt for use in assessment process. Conduct assessment and collate results for use by implementation body. Transmit results of this assessment process before the end of the biennium to the Executive Secretary for dissemination through the Clearing-House Mechanism.
Programme elements (Decision VI/19)
Programme elements 2 and 3
Priority activity 3: Develop key messages
Draw upon knowledge and awareness assessment for basic data on information gaps and needs among target audiences Develop messages to overcome these gaps and to provide information on the following, inter alia: The role of biodiversity in supporting human well-being, poverty alleviation and achieving the Millennium Development Goals The 2010 biodiversity target and its focal areas The unique nature and achievements of the Convention Linkages with the UNESCO Decade of Education for Sustainable Development Examples of conservation, sustainable us and equitable benefit sharing relevant to specific target audiences determined in Priority Activity 2, including the media The relevance of taxonomy for nature conservation supporting sustainable development The relevance of the ecosystem approach Draw upon additional resources in message development, including, inter alia the following: The first and second editions of the Global Biodiversity Outlook Key messages from the Biodiversity Synthesis Report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Elements from the Programmes of Work of the Convention Produce a short (i.e. under 10 pages) graphic summary for decision-makers of the Second Global Biodiversity Outlook, which profiles some of the headline indicators and key actions needed to attain the 2010 target.
Tasks for Executive Secretary						Tasks for Parties
E stablish key messages for some of the target audiences identified in priority activity 2 above. Disseminate list to national implementation bodies						Use existing resources to communicate key messages to target groups identified in priority activity 2 above. Elaborate key messages for national audiences including indigenous and local communities. Transmit messages to Executive Secretary for further dissemination to Parties as example of best practices.
Programme elements (Decision VI/19)
Programme element 3
Priority activity 4: Implement media relations strategy
Identify relevant media organizations including general and specialized media. Establish and maintain media contact lists for general media, and specialized media segments drawing upon existing national and international lists, including that maintained by UNEP, IUCN and international organizations of environmental journalists. Foster good working relationships with international and national media, including independent journalists through any of the following methods inter alia: Direct contacts via face-to-face meetings, telephone communication or e-mail correspondence. Host familiarization workshops and present key messages. Participate in environmental journalism conferences. Sponsor Annual Media Awards. Provide tailored, issue-based information relating to the key messages developed in Activity 3 above. Encourage publication and production of stories for press, radio and television. Work with the advertising community to increase their awareness and seek their support for spreading the message of the importance of biodiversity
Tasks for Executive Secretary			Tasks for Parties
Establish standards for media lists. In cooperation with UNEP, Parties and international organizations, elaborate and maintain international and regional media lists, disseminate through the clearing-house mechanism. In partnership with UNESCO, provide template for media familiarization workshops. Provide information on key biodiversity issues to the international media and disseminate this to Parties Participate in key international environmental journalism conferences. Host media familiarization workshops.. Develop media relations strategy for COP and SBSTTA meetings, as indicated under priority activity 9 below.			On the basis of the standards provided by the Executive Secretary, create and disseminate national media lists to the Executive Secretary On the basis of template provided by the Secretariat, host familiarization workshops Adapt, translate and disseminate information on biodiversity issues to national media. Host local media familiarization workshops. Participate in national journalism conferences..
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme Element 1
Priority activity 5: Elaborate toolkits for development and implementation of CEPA strategies
Drawing upon existing initiatives and resources, including case-studies and best practices, and the expertise of partner organizations such as UNESCO, IUCN, FAO, World Bank and other relevant conventions, elaborate and diffuse a toolkit for the elaboration and implementation of national CEPA strategies, including as components of NBSAPs, using data from activities 2 through 4 above, and including, as appropriate, the following elements: Explanation of CEPA and the goals for implementation of the programme of work The role of communication, education and public awareness in the CBD The importance of biodiversity to human well-being Inspiring action and cooperation by and among key sectors. Techniques to identify target audiences and conduct knowledge assessments Identifying important audiences and sectors for the work of the Convention; Methodologies for awareness assessments The role of media relations Reaching out to the education sector Building key messages for the target audiences Sources of material CBD documents: Global Biodiversity Outlook, Programmes of Work, 2010 Target and the Strategic Plan Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and other external documents How to customize messages for target audiences. Delivering messages. Building and implementing campaigns to reach out to target audiences Building a campaign and the national plan Partnerships and funding Events, including the International Day for Biological Diversity Maintaining activities in the long term Templates for CEPA Materials Media and stakeholders lists ; Samples of Key messages; Case-studies & best practices; Educational videos/materials; Kits for Media, Stakeholders, Education
Tasks for Executive Secretary	Tasks for Parties
In consultation with the Informal Advisory Committee for CEPA, and relevant international organizations, elaborate and draft a pilot version of the toolkit based on a review of existing materials and resources. Subject to the availability of funds, publish in United Nations languages and distribute to Parties, relevant international organizations. Provide support to Parties who wish to use the kit for their national strategies.	Where appropriate and subject to available resources translate toolkit into local languages Distribute toolkit to stakeholders as part of capacity-building strategies related to activity 6 below.
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme Elements 1, 2, and 3
Priority Activity 6: Organize workshops for the articulation of CEPA strategies
Using toolkits, such as that elaborated in Activity 5 above, and subject to the availability of resources, convene and host workshops to facilitate the implementation of National CEPA strategies, including as components of NBSAPs. Workshops will serve the following purposes Facilitate the sharing of experiences and stimulate bilateral and regional cooperation for CEPA Build capacity for applying the elements of such toolkits to NBSAPs Include the participation of key actors required for the implementation of national CEPA strategies as components of NBSAPs Produce templates for national implementation of CEPA Strategies as components of NBSAPs. Initiate process of formulating and implementing national CEPA strategies as components of NBSAPs.
Tasks for Executive Secretary		Tasks for Parties
In consultation with Parties, relevant international organizations, elaborate draft structure of workshops, including goals, actors and agendas. Convene regional workshops, with the participation of relevant countries, international organizations, subject to funding. In cooperation with funding agencies, assist in the mobilization of funds for workshops. Participate in regional workshops .		Collaborate with the Executive Secretary, and other regional actors to host regional workshops on CEPA. Assist as appropriate in the mobilization of funds for the holding of such workshops. Provide follow-up and reporting on the state of implementation of the results of workshops
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme Element 1, 2, and 3
Priority Activity 7: Develop infrastructure and support for a global network
Provide communication tools to enable the sharing of experiences on implementation of CEPA at national, regional and global levels. Facilitate communication between partner organizations and parties on best practices in Communication, Education and Public Awareness
Tasks for Executive Secretary								Tasks for Parties
Continue to develop the CEPA electronic portal on the website of the CBD and maintain alternative information dissemination mechanisms in support of the establishment of a global support network on CEPA building on, where possible, existing initiatives, including the following: Provide Links to the following: other networks and websites on communication and education, for example, those of IUCN, the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, CITES, UNESCO, etc. established learning institutions and centres of excellence Provide access to relevant projects, publications, NFPs briefing kits and updates Through the creation of an online forum, stimulate and provide means for experts and others to find those working on similar projects, problems or issues; Building upon the work conducted under activity 4, create a media network and disseminate the following information: activities by regions, backgrounders, archives of news releases by the Executive Secretary a archives of speeches Develop a “Children’s” website in all United Nations languages, subject to the availability of funding, that includes: background information on biodiversity and the Convention, contest announcements, quizzes, maps; an “educators corner” with background information on the Convention and biodiversity, downloadable teachers aids, and possibly a forum where classrooms could share findings and achievements								Where appropriate, provide information resources to the Executive Secretary for inclusion on the CEPA Electronic Portal. Where appropriate, provide support for alternative information dissemination mechanisms Promote, through existing networks, the CEPA electronic portal as a source of materials. Work actively to interconnect national and regional educational networks to share resources and expertise; Promote and encourage the development of open learning and distance education programmes by establishing partnerships among universities, centres of excellence in teaching, Parties and Governments and other stakeholders.
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme elements 1, 2 and 3
Priority activity 8: The International Day for Biological Diversity
Create the infrastructure for the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity at the Secretariat and in all Parties to the Convention Create communication and outreach strategies
Tasks for Executive Secretary							Tasks for Parties
Develop overarching communication strategy for the International Day for Biological Diversity each year. Develop slogan/theme Designate “Ambassador Country” Organize contests as appropriate, including: media awards; poster contests, etc. Ensure coordination with relevant international organizations Organize key events in Montreal for the day, including, as appropriate: Exhibitions Media coverage Editorial coverage Develop communication tools that streamline, facilitate and harmonize the organization of events to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity by Parties Slogan/theme Press kits Press releases Create templates of promotional material to be used by the Parties							Based on the communication tools developed by the Executive Secretary, create plans for national celebrations of the International Day for Biological Diversity Create and implement communication strategies to promote the day. Pursuant to availability of resources, develop local materials based on communication tools developed by the Executive Secretary Inform Executive Secretary of the results
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme elements 2 and 3
Priority activity 9: Raise profile of meetings of the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)
Increase visibility of meetings of the Convention to international and national media
Tasks for Executive Secretary					Tasks for Parties
Increase media coverage opportunities during COP & SBSTTA event through development and implementation of a media stimulation campaign: Encourage publication of advance stories, advance registration to facilitate media participation· Develop Media Conference Kit including special edition of the CBD newsletter Establish and manage Media Centre at COP, include support for press, television and radio journalists Host press briefings/bulletins, press conferences, Provide one on one interviews Provide web based simulcast of key plenary sessions Through the CBD website, provide daily electronic briefings to generate coverage among non attending media. Post all speeches and releases on the CBD website. Facilitate the participation of communities (poster display, photo gallery, stage performances, etc.) Organise and host “CEPA Fair” at COP Encourage participation of Parties, international organizations and others					Participate in “CEPA Fair” and sponsor participation of national CEPA actors Transmit CBD press releases to national media during COP and SBSTTA Create national media strategy for COP
Programme elements (decision VI/19)
Programme element 2
Priority activity 10: Strengthen formal and informal education on Biodiversity
Taking into account the importance of both formal and informal education, initiate programmes to strengthen formal and informal education on biodiversity Ensure that these programmes are informed by and linked with the UNESCO Decade of Education for Sustainable Development Identify best practices in biodiversity education, including those initiated by indigenous and local communities, and seek to disseminate these for further adoption. Education on biodiversity should seek to communicate, in language and methods suitable to a variety of age groups and communities: Biological Diversity and its role in sustaining human well-being. The importance of the interlinkage between conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of biological resources. Ways that people can identify and monitor biodiversity in the ecosystems in which they live Local and traditional knowledge about biodiversity.
Tasks for Executive Secretary			Tasks for Parties
In liaison with UNESCO, disseminate information, methodologies and best practices relating to the Decade for Education for Sustainable Development to the Parties			Taking into account the best practices at the international and national level, and drawing upon local experiences, initiate pilot projects for the strengthening of biodiversity education; Encourage partnerships among Parties, Governments and stakeholders for the development of generic K-university biodiversity-related curricula for use at the national and regional levels; Share best practices with parties through the CEPA portal. Evaluate pilot projects with a view to extend implementation as specified in the plan of implementation for CEPA
Programme Elements (decision VI/19)
Programme elements 2 and 3