Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP to address delegates at CIWEM National Conference on Wetlands.

The Conference – Wetlands and the Community – will be held on Thursday 31st January 2002 at One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London.

The Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP, Minister for the Environment will address delegates on the key role the Government has to play in taking forward its obligations under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and on Implementing the Water Framework Directive.

The conference Is timed to coincide with the celebrations for World Wetlands Day on 2nd February 2002, which will focus on Wetlands: Water, Life and Culture. This theme is reflected in a busy conference programme, providing an opportunity to explore the need for management strategies that can be used to safeguard the cultural heritage of wetlands as well as their natural values and functions.

The conference will discuss the following issues:

The Water Framework Directive – Water, Life and Culture; Lessons Learned from the Wise Use of Floodplains Project; Flood Management, Communities and the Environment; Wetland Creation for Biodiversity and Community Benefit; Wetlands: Threats and Opportunities; What Wetlands Can Do for People; Wetlands for Wales Lottery Project; The Importance of Understanding Hydroecology in Wetland Management and Wetland Research Needs.

Concessionary rates are available to NGO’s Charities and Students wishing to attend this event. To receive a full conference brochure and registration form, or for further information about the exhibition opportunities at this event please contact:

Eric Hammond, Terence Dalton Limited, 47 Water Street, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9RN

Tel: 01787 249290 Fax: 01787 248267 email: Erica@lavenhamgroup.co.uk web: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/