Many of the challenges the 15 Steps to Help Save Galapagos seek address are not unique to Galapagos GCT has helped fund a Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) international workshop on Island Sustainability in a Globalized World, held from 22 March to 26 March at CDF's offices in Galapagos.
The event brought together international experts from islands in the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Australia, and members of local and national institutions, NGOs and special guests to exchange experiences on island-community management and sustainable development issues.
According to GCT chief executive, Toni Darton: "We were delighted to support this workshop because we expect it to make a valuable contribution to the international sharing of knowledge about island sustainabilty. We recognise that there is no quick fix to saving Galapagos. It requires a holistic approach and that is why our 15th Anniversary Appeal focuses on 15 Steps to Help Save Galapagos. The workshop is a great example of what working together can achieve in tackling current challenges whilst securing longer term solutions."
During the opening ceremony of the week-long seminar, CDF's executive director, Dr J Gabriel Lopez, highlighted the importance of this meeting where "throughout this week, experts and workshop participants will be developing a practical conceptual framework regarding sustainability priorities to not only address the problems afflicting Galapagos, but also debate possible solutions in the search for the balance of good living with biodiversity and ecosystem conservation."
The following main topics were discussed in the seminar:
1. Analysis of island societies and/or the vulnerability of ecosystems in a globalized world,with special attention to the concepts of geodiversity and/or geographical opening.
2. The meaning of sustainability in island societies.
3. Indicators of human impacts arising from globalization processes.
4. The main areas of research to identify priority measures for achieving sustainability in island societies.
This is the first of a series of workshops to be held by CDF in 2010 and 2011 to address specific issues such as tourism, energy and transportation, waste management, water management and climate change, among other matters relating to island conservation and sustainable development.
