MMCA and EPA: "Qualification is the key to Earth-Shot"
Austrian training programmes "Management of Conservation Areas" and "European Parks Academy" presented at Europe’s marketplace
"In 1969, 50 years ago this year, the first man stepped on the moon," said Ignace Schops, President of the Federation Europarc, in his opening speech at the Europarc Conference 2019 in Jurmala (Latvia). The coming decade should be dedicated to the protection of planet Earth. "We need an Earth Shot", the bundling of all forces from society, science and economy in order to cope with these challenges, said Schops. The conference with 370 participants from 40 countries is dedicated to the topic "Nature on your mind".
"Education and training are the key to the Earth Shot," says Michael Jungmeier of the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences. At the Europarc Marketplace he presents and discusses the Europaen Parks Academy and the international master programme Management of Conservation Areas. These training courses are aimed at managers of protected areas and are intended to impart the skills required for nature conservation in the 21st century. The marketplace is crowded. Points of view are represented, and information exchanged. "I am delighted that the Austrian training programmes have met with such great interest," summarises Michael Jungmeier.
From an Austrian point of view, there is further good news from Jurmala. The Europarc Conference 2019 will take place in the Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park. The conference will be held in the period from 27 to 30 October 2020 and will focus on the topic "Question your Mindset. How to communicate in the 21st century". "We are delighted to welcome you all to Austria," says Johannes Ehrenfelder, Director of the transboundary Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park, at the presentation of the invitation video: https://www.europarc.org/europarc-conference/.