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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