77th UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Ecosystem Management - Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services (SC77)

Duration: 29 August - 25 September 2019
Application: 18 February - 15 April 2019

Motivation

In the past four decades, the world has lost more than half of its biological diversity. This is a global, human-induced process, described as the Holocene extinction. The primary mechanisms driving this rapid decrease in biodiversity are habitat and ecosystem destruction and degradation, chemical pollution, the introduction of non-native species and over-exploitation of natural resources, to mention the most important ones. As climate change and growing human populations further exacerbate the problem, the adverse effects on the well-being of vulnerable populations are felt all around the globe.

This challenge is, among others, reflected in the efforts of institutions and programmes like the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2010-2020, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to name a few.
Biodiversity is the resource upon which families, communities, nations and future generations depend. It accounts for all life on the planet, forming interdependent ecosystems, and providing resilient ecological communities. The individual and collective actions taken today – including businesses and governments – are critical for securing the conservation of ecosystems, their biodiversity and their provision of services. This 77^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Ecosystem Management –Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services (SC77), in accordance with SDG 15, contributes to “taking urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species” and works towards the overarching target to “ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.”
The course will cover important ecosystem assessments, introduce participants to a range of different methodologies from the natural and social sciences of assessing and valuing ecosystems services in different societal contexts and convey basics of biodiversity and ecosystem governance. This knowledge is fundamental for involving relevant actors in the transformational path needed for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the continued provision of ecosystem services for human well-being.

Objectives

This 77^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Ecosystem Management –Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services (SC77) will train participants in essential concepts and methods relevant to the interrelationship between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services as well as in different approaches of defining and categorising them. Participants will be familiar with important concepts and methods in the field of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services research and governance. The combination of participatory methods, expert knowledge and techniques to design, implement and monitor sound management strategies at different scales are presented in this course to provide the necessary tools to approach the impacts of biodiversity loss in the context of ecosystems and the services they provide. The participants will be introduced to state-of-the-art ecological theory and learn to apply this knowledge within a socio-economic framework.

Target groups

This course is designed mainly for managers and decision-makers with a biodiversity-related background and a keen interest in deepening their knowledge and competencies on biodiversity conservation, environmental policies and/or social, economic and political aspects regarding the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. The nomination by the delegating institution is a mandatory prerequisite.

Represented countries of origin in the course

Ms Džana Bordanić

Country of origin:Bosnia and Herzegovina
Workfield: ed./nat. comp.
Position while attending the course: Young Researcher at Center for Energy, Environment and Resources (CENER21)
71 000 Sarajevo
Academic background: Ecology (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Preparing Environmental Impact Assessment (for B&H) and ESA (World
Bank), Reports on Marine Plastic Pollution, Preparing Action Plan for ECO
KARST project "Ecosystem services of karst protected areas - driving force
of local sustainable development", translating, writing project proposals

Ms Nona Budoyan

Country of origin: Armenia
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Chief Specialist of Biodiversity & Forest Policy Department at Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia
Yerevan
Academic background: Chemistry and Environment Protection (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
resp.: Drafting of state biodiversity protection policy, the activities directed
to the implementation of the obligations of Armenia under the international
environmental conventions( CBD, CMS, Bern conv.), the development of strategic plans and policy trends to the present demands

Mr Josue Celiscar

Country of origin: Haiti
Workfield:fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Field Operations Director at Fondation Pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine Caracol
Academic background: Agronomy (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Makes sure that the activities are properly done on the field, I help with the proposal and budget writing, Helps put in place and conceiving research methodology, Reports directly to the Director of the NGO

Mr Tuấn Minh Thành Đoàn

Country of origin:Vietnam
Workfield: fed./nat. admin
Position while attending the course: Technical Staff of MBFP and Pernament Staff of KfW8 Project at Management Board for Forestry Projects Hanoi
Academic background: Silviculture (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Guiding and facilitating the implementation of biodiversity protection and monitoring at protected areas together with national and international experts and other agencies

Mr Ngawang Dorji

Country of origin: Bhutan
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Forestry Officer at Organisation at Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve Haa
Academic background:Forestry (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Organize and conduct anti-poaching activities, Compounding of cases, Conduct EIAs for forest land clearance, Resource management and biodiversity Conservation, Wildlife rescue programs, Organize forest felling against infections, Follow up on forest legal

Mr Faisal Elias

Country of origin: Ghana
Workfield: fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Policy and Advocacy Officer at Ghana Wildlife Society, Accra Conservation Education Centre Accra
Academic background: Integrated Water Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Tasked with spearheading the organisation’s policy and advocacy effort, at the national and local level, in the areas of biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, land-use management and related fields

Ms María Inés Hernández de la Peña

Country of origin:Mexico
Workfield:reg. NGO
Position while attending the course: Coordinator and Public Policy Analyst at Reforestamos México Ciudad de México
Academic background: Political Science and Public Administration (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities: Research and development of pertinent information to assist decision making processes regarding urban trees in the region, national political analysis, monitoring and positioning the subject in the public agenda, development of sensibilization campaigns for civil society and work in field projects

Mr José Guillermo López Funes

Country of origin: El Salvador
Workfield: Local NGO
Position while attending the course: Biologist at Paso Pacifico Ventura
Academic background: Biology (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Gather data about the biology of the Critically Endangered Yellow-naped Parrot. I also collaborate to contact local members of the surroundings communities where this species lives, to identify allies that help to the protection of the parrot.

Ms Tsitsi Sithandiwe Maponga

Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Workfield:Fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Assistant Curator of Mammals at Natural History Museum Bulawayo
Academic background: Sustainability (Environment and Development) (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Curation of the mammalogy specimens, this includes accession and documentation, conducting biodiversity research, giving talks to university students

Mr Noel Latiaeli Mbise

Country of origin: Tanzania
Workfield:Environmental Conservation
Position while attending the course: Ecologist and Head of Research and Monitoring (reg. NGO at Grumeti Fund
Mugumu, Serengeti, Mara
Academic background: MBA with a focus on Conservation Leadership (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Serves the Head Ecologist, and manages all ecological/conservation monitoring and research aspects of the Grumeti Fund, including setting research priority agenda for more effective conservation in collaboration with professional, governmental and community stakeholders

Mr Richard Niyomugabo

Country of origin: Rwanda
Workfield:
Position while attending the course: Intern- Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism at FAO Headquarters Rome, Italy
Academic background: Biology, Specialisation Human Ecology (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Support the research of relevant information and analysis of surveys related to FLR activities by CPF members at country level in 10 African countries,
Elaboration of a report analysing on FLR efforts and coordination modalities
across CPF members are;present the results to the Global Landscape Forum

Ms Kristina Orlova

Country of origin: Turkmenistan
Workfield:
Position while attending the course: Specialist of Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development at Scientific, Ashgabat
Academic background: International Relations, Political Sciences and Human Rights (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Provides consultancy services for the activities on regional environmental
cooperation, Position requires the multitasking and performing duties of
administrative assistant, as well as specialist on the digital networking
platform K-link nursery activities

Mr Simon Ndibnuh Patamaken Aneck

Country of origin: Cameroon
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Head of Service and Project Assistant at Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Yaounde
Academic background: Environmental Engineering (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
As a Head of Service, I plan, manage and follow-up the execution by my staffs of our annual work plan relating to technically orientating hierarchy in decision making, As a Project Assistant, I assist the National IPBES and the Convention on Biological Diversity Focal Point in her projects

Mr Yew Aun Quek

Country of origin:Malaysia
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Administrative and Diplomatic Officer / Assistant Secretary at Biodiversity and Forestry Management Division Putrajaya
Academic background: Biodiversity, Conservation and Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Managing all matters related to the Convention on Biological Diversity,
Monitoring progress and executing the National Policy on Biological
Diversity 2016-2025

Ms Moselantja Rahlao

Country of origin:Lesotho
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Principal Range Management Officer at Department of Range Resources Management, Maseru
Academic background: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (B.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
This is a managerial position working directly with the chief range management
officer, departmental manager director and relevant stakeholders, It is tasked with national biodiversity management through policy formulation and review as well as supervising executiin of biodiversity programmes

Ms Fitria Rinawati

Country of origin: Indonesia
Workfield: fed./nat. NGO
Position while attending the course: Sub-national Senior Coordinator of Eastern Indonesia at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bogor, Jawa Barat
Academic background: Tropical Forestry and Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Support provincial and national government to design and implement sustainable economic development plans that incorporate conservation priorities, with a focus on reforms in governance, policy and spatial and development planning

Ms Issa Daniela Secaira Mancia

Country of origin: Guatemala
Workfield:Climate Change and Protected Areas (Ramsar Site)
Position while attending the course: General Manager of CEDRACC and Agroecology Coordinator at Asociación Vivamos Mejor Guatemala Panajachel, Sololá
Academic background: Food Studies (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Manage CEDRACC’s education, research, and biodiversity pillars, Manage the Field School, lead knowledge-exchange activities, and coordinate native plant nursery production for restoration, Coordinate capacity-building and counseling regarding agroecology to prevent chronic malnutrition

Ms Natia Tskhovrebadze

Country of origin: Georgia
Workfield: fed./nat. admin.
Position while attending the course: Senior Specialist of Forestry Policy at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Tbilisi
Academic background: Natural Resources Management (M.Sc.)
Responsibilities:
Development the national forest policy, strategies, and action plans, improvement national legislation taking into consideration international priorities, directives, and obligations of the country; Donor coordination in order to enhance the effectiveness of activities related to the SFM

Mr Alejandro Eduardo Jorge Valenzuela

Country of origin: Argentina
Workfield: fed./nat. university
Position while attending the course: Assistant Professor and Member of the Board of Directors of the University at Institute of Polar Sciences, Environment and Natural Resources National University of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia
Academic background: Biological Sciences (Ph.D.)
Responsibilities:
Teaches and researchs about Biological Conservation at the UNTDF, As member of the Board of Directors, defines policies at national/local levels, represents UNTDF in different management governmental councils related to environment, protected areas, and management plans, Coordinator for IUCN

Ms Mariana Yankous Gonçalves Fialho

Country of origin: Brazil
Workfield: reg. admin.
Position while attending the course: Environmental Manager at Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentável (SEMAD)
Superintendência Regional de Meio Ambiente, Belo Horizonte
Academic background: Applied Ecology (Ph.D.)
Responsibilities:
Works in the environmental agency of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil,
Analyzes the viability of activities and constructions that can cause significant
environmental impacts (such as miners, dams, roads), especially focused
on impacts on biodiversity (terrestrial and subterranean animals)