Dialogue for nature conservation
Modern nature conservation concerns both people and nature. Dialogue is needed for nature conservation agencies to be successful in conservation and sustainable use of nature. For this reason, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has produced a skills development programme for dialogue, participation and conflict management – Dialogue for Nature Conservation.
The programme has become a great success the two years it has been running, 2008 and 2009. Some 500 persons have attended the courses, around 40 per cent more than we expected. Most of them have appriciated the courses as a useful tool for their work, since they have degrees in biology at university but not much education in communication and conflict solving. A formal evalutation will soon be ready.
Th programme has been designed for officials and their directors at county administrative boards and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The programme was created in cooperation with the Department of Urban and Rural Development at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala. The departement also run the courses.
Target group
Dialogue for Nature Conservation gives officials and directors a theoretical background and practical tools to spur dialogue, for creating democratic processes and acquiring basic knowledge about conflict management. Good communication is vital for successful nature conservation.
The programme is intended for people who work with nature conservation, marine environmental issues and the management of large carnivores and other wild mammals and birds. Nature conservation includes the protection and management of natural environments, planning for different types of landscapes, regional landscape strategies and local development projects.
Most of the courses are intended for officials. One course has been specifically designed for nature conservation directors, to prepare them for greater local participation in nature conservation and supporting the work of their employees.
The courses
The Dialogue for Nature Conservation programme includes
1. Basic course for officials
2. Course in environmental communication for nature conservation
3. Advanced courses in four specific areas:
a. management and site protection
b. large carnivore issues
c. wildlife management
d. local development and nature conservation
4. Advanced courses in communication:
a. cooperation and learning
b. conflict management
The programme in full
We have produced a report outlining the goals of the programme and for the various courses.
For more information Cecilia Persson, cecilia.persson (a) naturvardsverket.se