This special international conference is being convened to celebrate
the 75th Anniversary of the Waterton/Glacier International Peace
Park - the first in the world. The dream of a Peace Park was originally
inspired by local people to celebrate peace and friendship between
nations. Today that respect is reflected in collaborations that
include cooperative ecosystem monitoring, research and management,
and joint educational programs. Cooperation has also extended
beyond the park boundaries in collaborations with area residents
to foster awareness of resource management concerns and to develop
local projects.
The Peace Park concept has since evolved into close working relationships
and many collaborative initiatives throughout the globe - many
of which may not have been anticipated at the time. The Peace
Park concept includes hundreds of international agreements protecting
borderlands and bringing peace to transboundary frontiers. This
four day conference will document the ripple effect and consider
the issues, benefits, barriers and best practices of Peace Parks
and transboundary protected areas around the world. Through case
studies and regional overviews delegates will discuss trends,
experiences and developments in transboundary protected areas
management around the following themes:
Collaborative initiatives (managerial, scientific, public/private,
intergovernmental and educational) and mechanisms for transboundary
management. Peace Parks as vehicles for international cooperation
and conflict resolution. The influence and role of International
Peace Parks and other transboundary reserves on regional economies.
Effective engagement and the role of local people and communities
in transboundary protected areas and Peace Parks.
This event will attract over 250 participants from Canada, the
US and abroad.
The Miistakis Institute is taking a strong leadership role in
organizing and chairing the conference as part of the Institute's
mission to assist in the development and implementation of collaborative
ecosystem management and to support a transboundary ecosystem-based
approach to sustainable land use management.
Our goal is to share success stories, embrace challenges and advance
the theory and practice of transboundary protected area management
both internationally and regionally.
This special international conference is being convened to celebrate
the 75th Anniversary of the Waterton/Glacier International Peace
Park - the first in the world. The dream of a Peace Park was originally
inspired by local people to celebrate peace and friendship between
nations. Today that respect is reflected in collaborations that
include cooperative ecosystem monitoring, research and management,
and joint educational programs. Cooperation has also extended
beyond the park boundaries in collaborations with area residents
to foster awareness of resource management concerns and to develop
local projects.