My dear readers,
It's been quite a while, but I'm back at the blog here in Barcelona at the World Conservation Congress along with 8,000 other representatives of government, civil society, and media. The event is a massive convention and showcase of hundreds of workshops, discussions, learning opportunities, lectures, and networking opportunities all centered around environmental conservation and sustainability. It's too expansive to take all in and digest and there's a million people to meet and talk to, both old acquaintances and colleagues and new faces. It's overwhelming.
I got here two days ago and have been staying in a village to the north of Barcelona called Alella, pronounced ah-lay-yah. I'm staying with a woman who I went to highschool with in New York and have had no contact with since then. We connected through a mutual friend from school and we really get along well. We always liked each other in school and we still do. The power of networks shows itself again and, as usual for me, I'm here much more on the local level than I would be were I staying with the other guests in hotels.
Among the people I've met here are included people from Costa Rica - the Earth Charter and the University for Peace, the former environment minister of Costa Rica who I met a few years back, and some IUCN members I know, just had a 15 minute conversation with Geoff Dabelko, director of the environmental security program at the Wilson Center and IHDP board co-chair, met Alistair Doyle - climate journalist for Reuters and so on and so forth. It's intense.
I'll be networking like mad looking for a good gig and already have a few leads and I'll be following the water events and communication events predominantly. I'm partaking of three learning opportunities, one on participatory video and community mapping, another on creating social networks, and a third on business for sustainability.
Again, it's wonderful to be around so many interesting and passionate people as well as being in Barcelona, one of the most stunning cities in the world. More to follow in the coming days and hours.
Fotos at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=162459&l=756cd&id=882695536
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1 comment:
Doug, it was superb seeing you in Barcelona! I will always appreciate your wit, insight, and capacity to make people feel special.
This event, like you said, has been intense in the best possible ways. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of the Congress when you get a free moment to post another blog entry.
Peace,
Dominic
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