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The mission of CEEweb for Biodiversity is the conservation
of biodiversity in Central and Eastern Europe through the
promotion of sustainable development.
CEEweb works through advocacy, influencing decision making,
common projects, capacity building, networking and awareness
raising.
It targets its members, local, national and international
decision makers, NGOs and NGO networks, companies and the
scientific community.
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 founded in 1994 (under the name
of Central and East European Working Group for the Enhancement
of Biodiversity), 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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