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Renowned environmentalist, Dr Jane Goodall has launched the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress education program encouraging school students to find inspiring solutions for parks, people and the planet.

Dr Goodall, an ambassador for the World Parks Congress, met with year eight students from the Rose Bay Secondary College who are participating in the program developed by NSW National Parks to celebrate Australia hosting the prestigious event which plans the future for some of the most valuable areas on the planet.

Over the coming weeks, the students will learn about the vital role of parks, completing projects with their NSW National Parks mentors and presenting their findings to global leaders at the Congress.

The students will learn about effective park management in relation to the numerous pressures upon them in an increasingly urbanised world.  Their specific research project will analyse African parks which are grappling with the effects of an insatiable poaching crisis – a topic close to Dr Goodall's heart.

Dr Goodall explained “our global parks are vital to the health of our planet and society. They provide habitat for threatened animals, keep us healthy by being the source of clean air, water and new medicines, offer natural solutions to climate change and provide homes and livelihoods to millions of people around the world.

“These students will be the future park rangers, managers and custodians of our planet. This education program was designed to give them a louder voice at the Congress and get their unique perspectives as we set the agenda for the decade ahead.”

Eight schools throughout NSW will participate in the program and present their work to experts from 160 countries and organisations including UNESCO, The World Bank and the United Nations Environment Program.

Fondly referred to as the 'Environmental Olympics', the IUCN World Parks Congress will be hosted at Sydney Olympic Park from 12th to 19th November 2014.

The wider community can get involved in this once in a decade international event  by registering as a delegate, attending the free public festival, ‘PlanetFest’ on Sunday 16th November or submitting their professional, amateur or instagram photos of parks and the threatened species they protect, to the Congress nature photography competition for the chance to win $24,000 worth of prizes.

More details can be found at www.worldparkscongress.org.au 

5th December 2013 - SYDNEY TO HOST IUCN WORLD PARKS CONGRESS IN 2014

18th September 2010 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE FAILS TO GET WITH THE SPIRIT OF WORLD PARKS DAY

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