International Year of Mountains 2002 Japan
This is the sixth newsletter about preparations for the International Year of Mountains. It was prepared by the IYM Coordination Unit at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the UN lead agency for coordinating the Year.
Peace and the IYMOne of the important goals of all international years is to contribute to world peace. The IYM is no exception and has defined as one of its key objectives to focus attention on conflicts in mountain areas and to promote peace making in those regions. In the present context, as the lives of millions of mountain dwellers in Afghanistan - and in other areas around the world - are at risk, this message could not be more important. And with the UN and its Secretary-General having won the centenary Nobel Peace Prize for 2001, the importance of the peace message to this UN international year is even more appropriate. Peace and stability are absolutely prerequisites to sustainable mountain development everywhere.
Organizers of IYM events and activities are encouraged to incorporate this message and to focus increased attention on what can be done to promote conflict resolution and peace as they plan their IYM observances. While holding a major mountain peace event in 2002 might be a consideration, incorporating this issue in as many events as possible may be the best way to ensure that the peace message is effectively dealt with during the IYM. Please let us know if and how you plan to do so in the context of your own IYM activity.
Communications Plan for the IYM Coordination Unit
A Communications Plan for the IYM Coordination Unit has recently been developed. The purpose of the plan is to facilitate a successful IYM by translating communications strategies into actions, setting priorities, integrating and coordinating the communication efforts of all who are celebrating the IYM and linking communications with resource mobilization. It's also intended to assist a wide variety of IYM observers in developing their own communications plans. The plan is currently available in English and will be soon be available in French and Spanish. You will soon be able to download the plan from the IYM official web site at http://www.mountains2002.org or you can obtain a copy by contacting the IYM Coordination Unit directly at info@mountains2002.org.
Tool kit for National Committee Organizers
The IYM Coordination Unit is currently developing a "tool kit" of information materials to help country level observance of IYM. Presentations in electronic and hardcopy format will be provided to assist countries as they establish national committees and plan their own IYM activities. This material will be available by early November through the IYM web site or by requesting it from the IYM Coordination Unit.
World Mountain Symposium, Interlaken, Switzerland
From 30 September to 4 October, the "World Mountain Symposium: Community Development between Subsidy, Subsidiarity and Sustainability" was held at Interlaken, Switzerland. This IYM preparatory event was sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and organized by the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Bern. About 150 mountain experts from every part of the world working in the fields of science, development cooperation and policy-making attended this Swiss inaugural event for the IYM. The aim of the Symposium was to come up with concrete proposals for sustainable development of mountain regions that can be used by local, national and international decision-makers. The Summary of Conference Proceedings is available at http://www.wms2001.ch/.
Mountain Forum meetings
The Mountain Forum held two important meetings in late September. The Forum's node managers from the regional and global levels gathered together with the MF Executive Secretary in Rolle, Switzerland to discuss collaboration and share insights as this decentralized mountain network continues to grow and expand. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for those responsible for the daily operations of the Forum to meet face to face and interact personally - not just virtually! The Mountain Forum Board of Directors also met in Rolle to hold its annual meeting and provide guidance and support to the Forum's Executive Secretariat and nodes.
Major Events Planned
Last month's newsletter listed major IYM events for 2002. Please also add to your calendar the following: 2nd International Meeting of Mountain Ecosystems, "The Tropical Mountains toward 2020: Water, Life, and Production" * 5-7 June 2002, Huaraz, Peru * will highlight the nature of Peru as a mountainous country and the global importance of tropical mountain regions * organized by the National Working Group of Ecosystems of Mountains of Peru (the IYM National Committee of Peru) * for further details visit: http://www.mtnforum.org/calendar/events/0206imma.htm
National initiatives underway
As of 16 October, 38 countries have established national committees and many other governments have designated national focal points for IYM observance. Information about the work of national committees and contact information for more than 50 countries is available in the Action section of the IYM Web site at www.mountains2002.org/action http://www.mountains2002.org/action.
Contact Us
If you are organizing events and activities, please let us know. For more information visit the IYM Web site at http://www.mountains2002.org or contact the IYM Coordination Unit at FAO at info@mountains2002.org.