I’ve worked with The WILD Foundation for almost 3 years and one major thing that I have noticed in that time is the power of face-to-face interactions to effect change in the environmental space. The internet has given us all incredible tools for communication, but I think it’s important to never forget the power of many minds all gathering in one spot. This is when real progress is made! I believe face-to-face formal and informal interactions have powers that all of our digital communication tools cannot yet rival. This is one of the main reasons why I am so excited to be a part of WILD9 this fall. It will be my first World Wilderness Congress, and I’ve heard so much about the accomplishments and interactions that have taken place at each of the previous 8 Congress. WILD9 promises to be unique, interesting, interactive and a huge success for wilderness world-wide!
WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress will convene in Merida, Mexico from 6-13 November 2009, in the heart of the Mayan world. Having convened 8 times on 5 continents, WILD9 will be the first ever WWC in Latin America. Many of the world’s leading conservation experts, politicians, academics, corporations, artists, native peoples, students and many others will gather to debate and act upon the most urgent environmental issues of our time such as climate change, water and more. Some of the top confirmed presenters are Dr. Jane Goodall, Russell Mittermeier (President of Conservation International), the Indian economist Pavan Sukdev and Stephan Harding, an expert on Gaia theory.
Among its rigorous conservation objectives, WILD9 is slated to be the largest gathering of conservation photography ever in Latin America, with participation from many of the top conservation photographers around the world. I’ve had the pleasure of featuring some of these talented photographers on our blog over the past year, and you can check out some of their photos here. Each day the plenary sessions will feature keynote presentation from top-level conservation photographers including: James Balog, Art Wolfe, Thomas Mangelson, David Doubiliet and Nick Nichols. Many other members of the International League of Conservation Photographers will be in attendance, participating in and leading workshops, seminars and panels discussions.
The WILD9 program is filled with exciting presentations, workshops, local excursions and training sessions and there are many major conservation objectives including new wilderness designations, the first international agreement on wilderness and more! Registration is open to the public and special discount apply for delegates from certain regions, students and for those who are able to register prior to 1 August. Looking forward to seeing you in Merida!
Article by by Emily Loose
Emily Loose is the Director of Communications for The WILD Foundation. She can be contacted there, or found on Twitter @WILDfoundation.
