The 6th EABRN International Training Workshop on “Sustainable Management of Biosphere Reserves”

Date：2015-05-30

(Wudalianchi, 20-30 May, 2015)

Organized by

EABRN Secretariat, UNESCO Beijing Office

International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO (HIST)

Wudalianchi Administration Committee

Chinese National Committee for MAB

Supported by

The Republic of Korea National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU)

The Republic of Korea Ministry of Environment

Assisted by

SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.

BACKGROUND:
The East Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (EABRN) was established in response to a call for strengthened cooperation between UNESCO Member States in the Asia Pacific region in the implementation of the Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves. EABRN was officially launched in 1995. The five founding members of the network – China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, Mongolia and the Republic of Korea (ROK) – were joined by the Russian Federation in 1998 and Kazakhstan in 2011. The Secretariat for the EABRN has been based at the UNESCO Beijing Office since 2003.
EABRN has three priority themes for cooperation: eco-tourism, conservation policy, and trans-boundary cooperation. The network facilitates the exchange of information between biosphere reserves (BRs) and governing bodies, and conducts regular regional meetings on issues of common concern. It also serves as a mechanism to facilitate training and site-to-site cooperation. To date, EABRN has conducted thirteen international network meetings and five training courses starting in 1994. These interactive events have provided opportunities for experts and BR managers to exchange experiences in biodiversity conservation, particularly the implementation of the Seville Strategy, the Statutory Framework for Biosphere Reserves, and the Madrid Action Plan. At these meetings, the results of cooperative scientific studies – such as on tourism management – are also presented to members.

The International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), a Category II Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, was proposed to UNESCO by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in May 2007. The proposal was approved by the 35th General Conference of UNESCO in October 2009, and ratified by the State Council of China in April 2011. On 24 July, 2011, the launching ceremony of HIST was held in Beijing. HIST is the first UNESCO centre to apply space technologies for the monitoring and conservation of world natural and cultural heritage sites. The centre is hosted by The Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a national research institution of China located in Beijing with the capacity to receive and process data acquired from satellites and remote sensing aircrafts, and to apply the data to research work in various areas including the heritage sites.

As an institute combining scientific research with professional services, HIST – and its host institution AIR - have the capacity of acquiring airborne and space borne remote sensing data and images, and is committed to exploring advanced technologies for earth observation and associated applications. One of its research priorities is the application of remote sensing for Biosphere Reserve management.

6th EABRN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE:

To date, five EABRN training courses have been held - in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012 - primarily focusing on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to BR management.

1st EABRN Training Course: Application of GIS in the Management of Biosphere Reserves, August 2004. Organized by the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences

2nd EABRN Training Course: Application of GIS in the Management of Biosphere Reserves, December 2006. Organized by the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of Sciences

3rd EABRN-UNESCO Training Workshop: Remote Sensing and GIS for Biosphere Reserve Management to Adapt Climate Change, 30 March – 10 April 2009. Organized by Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences

4th EABRN-UNESCO Training Workshop: Remote Sensing and GIS for Biosphere Reserve Management, 11-22 April 2011. Organized by Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences

5th EABRN-UNESCO Training Workshop: Biological Inventory and Database Construction for Biosphere Reserves Network, 10-16 July 2012. Organized by Biodiversity Committee, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese National Committee for DIVERSITAS, Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve, and Chinese National Committee for MAB

THE 6TH EABRN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP:
Wudalianchi, China, 20-30 May, 2015

The 6th EABRN training course, organized collaboratively by the EABRN Secretariat at UNESCO Beijing Office, the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO (HIST), the Wudalianchi Administration Committee and Chinese National Committee for MAB, and made possible through the support of the Republic of Korea National Commission for UNESCO and HIST, will take place during 20-30 May 2015 at the Wudalianchi Biosphere Reserve in Heilongjiang Province, China.

COURSE CONTENTS:

Aiming at sharing and reinforcing BR management experience and capacity, the course will cover a range of issues including zonation, biodiversity conservation, socio-economic development, exchange of information on the major functions of BRs in member countries. The course will promote cooperative research on biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in and around BRs, strengthening cooperation between EABRN and member countries, and encouraging international and regional cooperation with other networks. Special attention will be given to developing the capacity of BR managers through the application of modern technologies and spatial tools.
Under the overall theme of sustainable management of biosphere reserves, the course has been designed for biosphere reserve management professionals, and will include lectures, discussions, a field work component in Wudalianchi and a session at the Harbin Base of HIST. Moreover, a presentation and demonstration of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation, data collection and analysis for BR management will be delivered.

METHODOLOGY:

During the programme, participants will be exposed to fundamental concepts through lectures and presentations. Participants will have interative communications with experts from UNESCO headquarters, ERAIFT (a regional traing school of UNESCO in Africa), Korea, HIST and so on. All participants are encouraged to bring their laptop computers.
Different from the previous courses, the 6th EABRN Course has invited the participation of SZ DJI Technology Co.,Ltd which is a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative aerial robotics technology for commercial and recreational use. The team of DJI will use its UAVs to acquire the data of Wudalianchi in the field and demonstrate how UAVs can be applied to the management of world biosphere reserve.

FACULTY:

Faculty members from UNESCO Headquarters and Beijing Office, ERAIFT, HIST, Chinese National Committee for MAB, Wudalianchi Administration Committee, Republic of Korea National MAB Committee and other international/national experts will conduct the lectures and practical sessions.

INSTRUCTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS:

- Language:
The working language of the course is English. Participants should have good knowledge of written and spoken English. Some knowledge of Chinese would be an advantage, but is not required.

- Boarding and Lodging:
Participants will be provided with standard double bed room (sharing) accommodation. The basic condition includes hot water, breakfast, bath room, Wifi and so on. Food (lunch and dinner) will be served.

- Expenditures To Be Borne By Participants/Nominating Agencies:
All other expenses are to be borne by the participants and/or their nominating agencies.

Insurance:
Participants are advised to take out adequate insurance towards health, medical, accident or any other health related incidences/cases during their stay in China. UNESCO/HIST will not be responsible for such expenses, nor provide insurance related to the Workshop.

Contact persons:

Mr. Du Yang
Project Assistant
Natural Sciences Sector
UNESCO Beijing Office
5-153 Jianguomenwai Waijiaogongyu
Beijing 100600, China
Tel: +86-10-6532 2828 Ext. 136
Fax: +86-10-6532 4854
Email: y.du@unesco.org

Ms. Huo Sijia
Program Coordinator
International Centre on Space Technologies for
Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices
of UNESCO
No 9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District
Beijing 100094,China
Tel：+86-10-82178911
Fax：+86-10-82178915
Email: hist@raid.ac.cn