Lelystad, 26/27 August 2006 –
The AEWA Secretariat participated in one of the largest
Bird Fairs in continental Europe this weekend taking place
on the edge of the famous Oostvaarderplassen
wetland in The Netherlands.
The annual Vogelfestival
is organized by the Dutch BirdLife partner Vogelbescherming
Nederland, SOVON
and Staatsbosbeheer
and is a major event for bird and birding enthusiasts from
all over the region. Modelled on the British Birdfair
held in Rutland Water (UK) the Dutch event
has grown to include over 100 exhibitors and is attended
by more than 15,000 visitors.
One of the exhibition tents at this years
Vogelfestival was dedicated to The African-Eurasian Migratory
Waterbird Agreement and gave visitors the opportunity to
learn and ask questions about the Agreement, watch the recently
produced AEWA 10 Year Anniversary Film and view the special
AEWA exhibition.
“We
receive a lot of support from visitors to our stand
- who are often very surprised to learn that the United
Nations is also active in protecting migratory birds."
- Bert Lenten |
 “The
Vogelfestival in Lelystad is a great opportunity to present
the work of UNEP/AEWA to a very interested and specialized
public. It is exciting for us to be visibly present amongst
the plethora of bird related stands featuring everything
from optics, wildlife books, outdoor equipment and special
birding holiday tours.” said Bert Lenten, the Executive
Secretary of AEWA. (pictured left)
“We receive a lot of support from visitors to our
stand - who are often very surprised to learn that the United
Nations is also active in protecting migratory birds. Many
people do not know anything about the international dimension
of bird conservation and are very interested in hearing
more about how some countries are working together to protect
waterbirds and their habitats across their migratory range”
continued Lenten.
 The
Secretariat decided to present the Agreement and its work
at the Vogelfestival for the second consecutive year. “Although
we do not have the staff or resources to be present at many
birding events throughout the year, I believe our participation
at the Dutch Vogelfestival has a big effect at relatively
low cost as we manage to reach many potential multipliers”
concludes Lenten.
This year approximately 1200 AEWA posters and other publicity
materials also from its mother Convention (UNEP/CMS)
were handed out to visitors to the Vogelfestival, many of
which also used the opportunity to ask questions to Secretariat
staff present at the AEWA stand throughout the weekend.
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