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The mission of CEEweb for Biodiversity is the conservation
of the biodiversity through the promotion of sustainable development.
Today CEEweb represents the network of several dozens of
nature conservation organizations from Central and East European
countries, working together to protect the biological heritage
of the region. The rich natural heritage, which is vital to
the rejuvenation of these countries, is threatened by intensive
agriculture, forestry and resource exploitation as well as
infrastructure developments.
As CEE countries are trying to imitate the West; they repeat
all the mistakes that were made by these previous models.
Roads, power lines, tourist facilities are just some elements
of developments that are being constructed without any consideration
for the ecological consequences. With several of these countries
joining the EU these influences have become even greater and
more direct.
Since the ecological systems and features that need to be
protected are linked and interdependent, biodiversity can
not be saved by one country alone. It necessitates regional
efforts, based on common biogeographical characteristics.
In our times enormous political changes are taking place.
The political map of Europe is changing, and so is the focus
on nature conservation. Since the founding of CEEweb the work
of the member NGOs has shifted from nature study to political
activity, which represented the natural evolution of the nature
conservation movement. This indicates that the strongest driving
force influencing changes in nature conservation is policy-making.
Therefore, just as in the case of the environmental movement,
the nature conservation movement needs to address its problems
at the source, rather than using an "end of the pipe"
approach.
Pursuing its mission CEEweb aims to:
- identify and change drivers behind biodiversity
loss;
- form common policies and actions for the enhancement
of biodiversity in the Central and East European region;
- promote the enforcement of international conventions
for nature and biodiversity conservation, with special regards
to the Convention on Biological Diversity;
- promote the concept and strategies of sustainable
development and contribute to their implementation;
- raise public awareness about the importance of
biodiversity and its protection.
For these aims the network undertakes lobbying activities
and campaigning, information and expertise exchange, capacity building and educational
activities.
CEEweb for Biodiversity was established in 1993, with the
support of the European Union and two Hungarian NGOs; the
National Society of Conservationists and Green Action. One
primary aim of the organization is to help the implementation
of international tasks under the Convention on Biological
Diversity. Presently CEEweb is the only network in operation
which has been set up and run by nature conservation NGOs
in Central and Eastern Europe.
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