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  7. Library and Publications

Library and Publications

In response to paragraph 12 of decision VI/19, the Secretariat carried out the following activities.

Development of partnerships with academic and research institutions for exchange of biodiversity publications

The Secretariat established contacts with a large number of Universities and NGOs worldwide to initiate a process of regular exchange of publications on biodiversity. As of the end of August 2003, the total number of institutions and organisations contacted stood at 93 academic and research institutions in 64 countries, 82 NGO’s, IGOs, UN and other international agencies, and 11 indigenous organisations. As a start, the Secretariat disseminated the latest copy of the “Handbook of the Convention on Biological Diversity” and other promotional materials produced by the Secretariat. The exchange process will no doubt be an evolving one incorporating additional institutions and organisations and will be further enhanced as the CEPA electronic portal becomes fully operational and widely publicised.

Formal liaison with schools

The school outreach effort described in more details in paragraphs 28 to 29 and 40 to 42 below evolved out of the activities undertaken jointly with a number of schools in Montreal on the occasion of the International Biodiversity Day for 2003.  To promote biodiversity public education and awareness among future generations, the Secretariat initiated school visits to selected Montreal area schools on the occasion of the International Biodiversity Day. Staff from the Secretariat showed a short video, followed by presentations tailored to the interests of students ranging in age from 7 to 17 about the importance of biodiversity, explaining the effects that biodiversity loss has on everyday life, and what individuals can do to help preserve this variety of life on earth. International Biodiversity Day posters were presented to all the classrooms and a list of educational Web sites related to biodiversity issues were given to the teachers for distribution to the students. The presentations by staff of the Secretariat stimulated lively discussions and the experience generated many ideas for expanded school outreach in 2004.

The expanded school outreach effort is therefore intended to create tools and products that will appeal to different ages with varying degrees of complexity, informative and thus help promote awareness and skills in the implementation of the objectives of the Convention and its Strategic Plan.

Additional information on this project is contained in document UNEP/CBD/GEEPA/4/2/Add.2

Make available all publications produced by the Secretariat in the 6 UN languages

The Secretariat has not produced any promotional materials or publications specifically focusing on biodiversity communication, education and public awareness for the purpose of wider dissemination to the Parties and other partners.  Lack of financial resources to cover the publication costs has precluded the commencement of this activity and it is anticipated that the formulation of the proposed operational strategy for the CEPA initiative will make appropriate provisions including budgetary allocations to address the publication and dissemination of CEPA promotional materials. However, it is worth noting that Spain has offered to publish in Spanish the Handbook of the Convention on Biological Diversity, for wider distribution.

SCBD publications

A link to the electronic library of the Secretariat will be available soon.