yp-cem

=CEM Young Professionals Network (YPN) = The Young Professionals Network (YPN) of CEM is a voluntary group of young professionals associated with ecosystem management. All members of the YPN are already members of CEM and are under 35 years of age. The YPN aims to connect young professionals working on issues which relate to the IUCN CEM foci through developing an interactive program which builds skills and collates and synthesizes diverse expertise around focal issues.

=CEM YPN Vision = Our vision is an intergenerational community of leaders who learn and work together within and through IUCN, for a world where ecosystems are managed in such a way as to sustainably provide their products and services to nature and mankind. Intergenerational exchange, learning, and collaboration are integral parts of how IUCN delivers its vision of "a just world that values and conserves nature." We aim to integrate “youth” contributions throughout the CEM network, facilitating skills interchange and harnessing talent at all levels, and raising awareness of CEM activities more widely.

=CEM YPN Mission = Our mission is to contribute to the CEM-EMP work program through the YPN and IUCN’s intergenerational partnership for sustainability. Moreover the YPN will engage in collaborations with the CEM thematic groups and regions and other partners where possible. YPs will have roles within each of the CEM thematic groups, providing an energetic complement to other members and facilitating activities linked to thematic groups, regions and to the CEM more broadly.

=CEM YPN Goals = Our Goal for the CEM-YPN is to increase proactive and meaningful participation of emerging young leaders and professionals in the priority areas of ecosystem management in conserving and restoring nature, developing capacity, and ensuring the future quality of nature based management of natural resources.

=CEM YPN Activities = The CEM YPN has a blog and a facebook page in addition to a place within the Intergenerational partnership. All CEM YPN members are welcome to submit articles for the blog post and encouraged to not only share relevant events with the network, but furthermore to actively organise CEM relevant events (i.e. panels and symposia) as part of appropriate conferences under a CEM endorsement (prior to submission as a CEM endorsed event listings should be submitted to the YPN lead (achughes@xtbg.ac.cn) for approval by CEM network members). In addition we aim to setup an online forum where YPs can seek advice on both conservation and sustainable development relevant issues, and their own development as young professionals and access the experience of our Broad membership to provide their expertise and but capacity, capability and confidence in the CEM YPs. We also aim to set up periodic events using digital media, in additional to regional and thematic meetings.

=CEM YPN Membership = CEM is calling all members aged 35 or under to sign up for the Commission's Young Professionals Network by emailing Pat Hawes  with attached copy of CV (short version). Find more information on our official CEM Thematic Group page.

=Contact = Learn more about getting involved with the CEM YP Network from: > CEM Member Liaison, Pat Hawes <cem@iucn.org>
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Co-Lead, Shalini Dhyani <shalini3006@gmail.com>
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Co-Lead, Siddiqur Rahman <siddiq.forestry@gmail.com>
 * Co-Lead, Alice C. Hughes <achughes@xtbg.ac.cn>

=Recent Publications= <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The UN Global Sustainable Development Report 2016 is out now. The third chapter; co-authored by CEM YPN member [|Bartłomiej Kołodziejczyk]; includes opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology and synthetic biology among many others. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Global Sustainable Development Report - 2016 edition (Advance unedited version) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The following is an executive summary of the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) 2016. Building upon the 2014 and 2015 reports, the current report responds to the mandate from the Rio+20 Conference to contribute to strengthening the science-policy interface for sustainable development in the context of the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF). The preparation of the report involved an inclusive, multistakeholder process drawing upon scientific and technical expertise from within and outside the United Nations. 245 scientists and experts based in 27 countries, including 13 developing countries, contributed to the report. 62 policy briefs were submitted in response to an open call. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=400&nr=2328&menu=1515
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">July 2016 **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 2016 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Significance of provisioning ecosystem services from moist temperate forest ecosystems: lessons from upper Kedarnath valley, Garhwal, India
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Co-Lead IUCN CEM YPN writes about the important provisioning ecosystem services of Garhwal Uttarakhand a part of Western Himalayas in Indian Himalayan Region]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Understanding Mountain Soils: A Contribution from mountain areas to the International Year of Soils 2015 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the case studies by Dr. Shalini Dhyani Co-Lead IUCN CEM YPN details about mountain soil and traditional conservation measures taken by local communities and indigenous people of Garhwal part of Indian Himalayan Region. Case studies provided by Mountain Partnership members and partners around the world showcase challenges and opportunities as well as lessons learned in soil management. This publication presents a series of lessons learned and recommendations to inform mountain communities, policy-makers, development experts and academics who support sustainable mountain development.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">June 2015 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CEM Co-Lead Shalini Dhyani writes about lesser known virtues of an under-utilised, wild edible from Indian Himalayan Region. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Read her article A Taste of Mountains.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 2015 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CEM Co-Lead Siddiqur Rahman published research on Forest and Agro-Ecosystem Productivity with respect to climate variables in Bangladesh.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">July 2014 **

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">News Briefs = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are now looking for new working groups for 2017. Please send me (achughes@xtbg.ac.cn) your ideas for new working group proposals for 2017 by the 12th of April. Proposals should include 1). The name of the working group; 2). The key aims of the working group 3). 3-5 Core group members 4). Proposed timeline for some potential activities for 2017. We will have a skype call for all those interested in CEM YPN activities this year at 11pm Beijing time on the 14th of April, please fill in [|this link] to participate.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">March 2017 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|IUCN CEM YPN Blog] Network of Young Professionals working towards conservation of nature and ecological systems. Visit the blog for interesting youth conservation stories from across the globe!!
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">September 2016 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I once again remind and invite you all to contribute relevant small case studies related your work and connection with nature (reader friendly brief stories; photo stories; videos) anything that we can use to develop a blog by IUCN CEM YPN for being presented at WCC. You may also like to write about your thoughts and expectations with upcoming IUCN Congress theme...Planet at the cross roads. Read more here: http://iucnworldconservationcongress.org/planet-crossroads ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For wider endorsement you may also share it with your colleagues and friends who may not be CEM YPN members but have similar stories where they are trying to have an impact on their surrounding nature by their positive contributions. These can be from forests, mountains, marine, urban ecosystems anywhere. The idea is keeping these stories short and crisp and saying whetever you wish to say. Those who are attending the WCC their special insights and contributions are desired. ==== ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Looking forward to your energetic emails and interesting stories, pics and videos. Write back to CEM YPN Lead Shalini Dhyani shalini3006@gmail.com ====
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">August 2016 **

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shalini Dhyani, CEM YPN Co-Lead and Co-convener IUCN Task Force of IPS participated in PEDRR workshop on engineering and ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction. The Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) organized its Third International Science-Policy Workshop from 14-16 June on the UN campus in Bonn. The workshop focussed on engineering and ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR/CCA). Bringing together experts from academia, research, the private sector, and policy, the international workshop aims to contribute to accelerating and scaling up the implementation of Eco-DRR/CCA in the engineering and planning communities. The workshop discussions were structured along key themes at the interface of “traditional engineering” and “Eco-DRR /CCA” type of solutions) a spectrum of perspectives from engineers to conservationists; ii) existing ecological engineering standards; as well as iii) the way forward for the development of ecological engineering standards for DRR/CCA where gaps are identified. The workshop also looked at economic considerations when assessing ecological/ecosystem-based options, engineering options, or hybrid ecological-engineering options, and drawn lessons from practical examples. In addition, participants considered “best practice” examples where improved construction/reconstruction standards have been successfully mainstreamed in development and infrastructure planning. The workshop was hosted by the Environmental Vulnerability & Ecosystem Services Section ([|EVES]) of UNU-EHS and co-organized together with several PEDRR partners such as United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Wetlands International (WI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), in collaboration with Deborah Brosnan & Associates, and with the support of the European Commission. Dr. Dhyani also presented a small film on ecosystem based disaster risk reduction approaches by locals and indigenous communities of higher Himalayan Region in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. ==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">June 2016 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PEDRR workshop on engineering and ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction 14-16 June; UN campus in Bonn, Germany **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**April 2016** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CEM Young Professional Award Winner 2016!! <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many excellent Young Professionals were nominated for the CEM Young Professional Award this year, seriously challenging the selection committee, led by CEM SC member Said Damhoureyeh. There is, however, one clear winner. We are very proud to announce the winner of the next CEM Young Professional Award: Dr. Nick Murray! Nicholas Murray is a research fellow at Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. The jury was impressed with his academic achievements and his demonstrated commitment to conservation and ecosystem management, including voluntary work. In addition, over the past few years he has been an important part of the Red List of Ecosystems team. Congratulations! He will get this award at IUCN Conservation Congress at Hawaii.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For more about our New Winner Read Here: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> https://www.ecosystem.unsw.edu.au/people/nick-murray <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/nick-murray

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Omer Aijazi, a Young Professional within both CEM and CEESP has been appointed as IUCN Co-Cair for Mountain Ecosystems Thematic Group (METG). Omer is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia. Omer Aijazi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Studies and Liu Scholar at the Liu Institute for Global Issues, at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He received a MA in Community and Social Planning at the University of British Columbia, and a BBA in Business Administration from the University of Toronto. Omer’s doctoral research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and examines processes of social repair after natural disasters in settings of structural violence, where populations are most vulnerable. Geographically, Omer’s research is situated in Pakistan. Omer worked extensively with the international humanitarian system in 2010 Pakistan monsoon floods response. He worked closely with communities in several regions of the country and these intimate experiences continue to influence his work. In 2012, Omer returned to Pakistan on a research project with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) to explore the role of religion and gender in disaster recovery. Omer also works with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a junior consultant/post-graduate researcher on conflict sensitive climate change adaptation policy and natural resource governance frameworks. In 2013, funded by the Goethe-Institut, Omer was a Scholar in Residence at the Kulturwissenschaftliche Institut Essen, Germany in the “Culture and Climate” research stream. During his tenure in the Scholars in Residence program, he examined the use of various culturally embedded resources by communities in post-flood Pakistan to navigate the consequences of disasters and climate change. He also elaborated on the use of visual methods (photographs) as a critical research pedagogy to narrate the lives of communities disrupted by climate change and natural disasters. ====
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 2016 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you are aware, 2015 was a landmark year in international negotiations on both climate change adaptations and disaster risk reduction. In March 2015, international community adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and in December 2015, the world came together in Paris to conclude the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The role of protection of environment as a key buffer against climate change and disaster risk reduction has been acknowledged in both the agreements. Also scientific community has increasingly identified clear linkages between sound environmental management and disaster risk reduction which also offer climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits. In this context, IUCN CEM YPN Co-Lead Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Scientist CSIR- National Environmental Engineering Research Institute ([|CSIR-NEERI]) along with the United Nations Environment Programme ([|UNEP/DRR]) organised a National Consultative Workshop in India on Ecosystem Based Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. The meeting brought together technical experts and policy makers from across India to review how the new opportunities offered by science and international policies could be leveraged to promote ecosystem based approaches in India. More information on the event are included in the drop box ([|Drop box for event details]). <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 2016 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Urban Biodiversity Portal for Urban Campus Forest ([|NEERI Biodiversity Portal] ) of CSIR-NEERI ([|CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute]) gets recognition for being Urban Biodiversity Champions ([|Urban Biodiversity Champions]) by Wild Cities International of Coalition Wild, USA ([|Wild Cities Champions])
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">December 2015 **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">November 2015 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Call for candidates for the CEM Young Professional Award, 2015 **

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please find attached a call for candidates for the CEM Young Professional Award which will be presented to the successful candidate during the IUCN Congress to be held in Hawai'i in September 2016. =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Note that all nominations should be sent to Dr Said Damhoureyeh (said@ju.edu.jo) with copy to Dominique Noome (dominiquenoome@gmail.com). All questions concerning the award should also be sent to them. ===== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-from Bartłomiej Kołodziejczyk, IUCN CEM YPN Nominee for the Academy
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">October 2015 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Future Leaders Academy in 1st World Forum on Ecosystem Governance at Beijing China **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The first day of the Future Leaders Academy is over. The whole programme, semminars and discussions were of very high standard.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The selection process for the Future Leaders Academy must have been very tough and competitive because the Leaders are very knowlegable and experienced. It is a pleasure to be a part of this group and work together with them. The big surprise for me is the diversity of the group. They not only come from different countires, but also from different educational backgrounds. I've met Leaders coming from neuroscience and health fields, while I myslef focus on nanotechnology and energy applications. We are connected by a passion for greener future where ecosystems and ecosystem governance play a very important role. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I participated in three seminars today. The first seminar on "Adapting to climate change" lead by Angela Andrade and Jim Hallett encouraged the group to think what are the issues that we come across while dealing with climate change projects. Several very interesting issues have been mentioned. While all agreed that society is aware of the climate change issues, it is not empowered enough to actively particapare in the mitigation process. Additionally, there is a lack of stakeholder engagement when it comes to the climate change projects. Due to its dynamic nature, most of the climate change projects should be done within agile project management framework, where the project goals are carefully evaluated after every project step and adjusted with stakeholders.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The second seminar titled "An ecosystem perspective on mitigation" run by Mine Pabari and Madhav Karki focused on tools, ideas and innovation within climate change mitigation. Although, we shifted slightly from the topic we have achieved quite a bit in only 1.5 hour time slot. The biggest discusson we had focused on pros and cons of short term and long term projects when it comes to the climate change. The group had very mixed opinions on this problem.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The last seminar today focused on "Valuing natural capital" by Zhu Chunquan and Emmanuelle Cohen Shacham. The topic turned out to be very controversial to the group and attracted a great debate. After a brief introduction to the field. Some of the Future Leaders expressed their opinion, saying they feel very uncomfortable trying to express or evaluate ecosystems, their values and services in terms of money and financial benefits. Surprisingly, this topic is not very new, but the approach seems to be very immature. There are several frameworks and tools that support the whole evaluation process, however the legitimacy of these tools left the group with some doubts. While the topic is important there needs to be one solid and consistent framework that can be followed. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Academy is very stimulating and developing. I am looking forward to the next day.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The third day of the Forum and first day of the Forum Technical Sessions started with official introduction. Piet Wit and Steve Edwards (both from IUCN) introduced Forum's Vision. Ed Burrows gave very inspiring talk on the Red List of Ecosystems. While you may have heard of IUCN's flagship Red List of Endangered Species, you have to check the RLE ( @http://www.iucnredlistofecosystems.org)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The general introduction to the forum and its vision was followed by introduction to the forum themes. There were two streams "Governance of Ecosystems to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals" and "Governance of Ecosystems to Respond to Climate Change". I have participated in the second stream managed by Angela Andrade, the Deputy Chair of IUCN CEM. Angela introduced the topic and gave us idea of what the Roundtable Discussions are going to be. There where five separate roundtable discussions covering different topic whitin each stream. Each roundtable had three sessions (morning, afternoon, and the last session to be held tomorrow). First session focused on identifying issues, second on solutions to identified issues and the last will cover identifying priority actions.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My round table was on "Adapting to climate change". The first session was extremely fruitful, we have identified 25 issues and further on grouped them. The grouped issues include:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Communication, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Education and Training, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- (lack of) Innovation and Technology, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Financing, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Capacity Building, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Stakeholders, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Culture, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Loss and Damage.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have also come up with several questions related to the above issues, however I will skip them here due to lack of space. We also agreed within the group that uncertainty is an issue that is common for all the above.Having identified the issues, we could start another roundtable discussion on solutions. We have considered every of the issues above and tried to come up with feasible and sustainable solutions and best practices. Again, I will skip it here due to lack of space. The second roundtable discussion was as fruitful and energetic as the first one. We've done a great team work. The second roundtable discussion was followed by the Armchair Conversations. After great introduction to the Red List of Ecosystems I have decided to learn more about this iconic project. The Armchair Conversation on RLE was given by Nik Murry from UNSW in Australia. Nik is one of the Future Leaders. Nik and his team in Australia have done amazing work developing the framework and practices for RLE. Again, I highly encourage you to read more on @http://www.iucnredlistofecosystems.org. The database is constantly growing and by 2025 most of the ecosystems are going to be covered.Another archair conversatiin that I went to was facilitated by Philip Liwei Chen from Parks Canada. Liwei used his amazing skills to develop understanding and teamwork and to show us how to improve it. After second armchair session we headed to the bar to continue our team excersises...

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On day four, all the working groups finalized their work and identified priority actions for Beijing Declaration. The draft of the declaration is ready. The team is currently reviewing it and making necessary changes. It was a stressful day, but our great teams managed to deliver significant change to the field - Beijing Declaration. This document is very important and will be presented at COP21 in Paris. Participants of the Future Leaders Academy got a chance to develop the Future Leaders Declaration, which will serve as an appendix to the Beijing Declaration and is considered to be a voice of young generation. It was amazingly productive day. Additionally to the above, I have facilitated Armchair Conversation on "Nanotechnology and ecoststems". The topic attracted around eight participants and resulted in some great outcomes.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">August 2015 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">IUCN CEM members participate in First Authors meeting of IPBES Asia-Pacific Regional Assessment at UNU, Tokyo, Japan **

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On 17–21 August 2015, United Nations University-IAS hosted the first meeting of nearly 140 nominated experts to launch an Asia-Pacific Regional Assessment-a critical evaluation of the state of knowledge in biodiversity and ecosystem services - conducted by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Members of IUCN Commission on Ecosystems Management actively participated in the First Author’s meeting at UNU, Tokyo, Japan. These were Dr. Madhav Karki, Chair IUCN CEM SE Asia core committee as Co-Chair; Dr. Judy Fisher Theme Leader: Ecosystems and Invasive Species; Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Co-Lead Young Professional Network; Aidin Niamir, YPN; Dr. P.C. Abhilash and Dr. Athar Masudi. =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aim of IPBES is to strengthen the links between science and policymaking by providing assessments, policy support, and capacity building. During this five-day meeting, discussion by the participating experts centered on the six chapters of the IPBES Conceptual Framework: =====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Options for decision making across scales and sectors.
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The entire assessment process will take three years, with the final report, including a summary for policymakers, scheduled for submission to the IPBES Plenary in 2018. Based on existing peer-reviewed literature, grey literature and indigenous and local knowledge, the report will serve as a valuable tool for effective formulation and implementation of policy related to the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services at the regional, sub-regional and national levels. The report will also become one of the building blocks for subsequent global assessments.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Skype chat meeting for WCC, 2016 planning and other important topics of CEM YPN members held on 29 July 2015 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The meeting details and discussions from the Skype chat are available for download here:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">July 2015 **

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">IUCN CEM YPN Co-Lead selected to be a Lead Author for IPBES deliverable 2b – Regional assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Asia and the Pacific <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">IUCN CEM YPN Co-Lead and IUCN IPS Co-Convener Shalini Dhyani was nominated as an expert for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel has selected her to be a Lead Author for IPBES deliverable 2b – Regional assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Asia and the Pacific. The overall scope of the regional and subregional assessments is to assess the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services, the impact of their changes on good quality of life and the effectiveness of responses, including the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The assessments will address terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services. The objective of this assessment is to strengthen the science-policy interface on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services at the regional and subregional levels. She will be attending the first authors meeting from 17-21 August 2015 organised by the Technical Support Unit for this assessment at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), in Tokyo, Japan.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Skype chat meeting for WCC, 2016 planning of CEM YPN members for WCC 2016 at Hawaii <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In order to take stock of what is happening, and identify useful directions in which to concentrate our efforts, We would like to invite you to a Skype call proposed in second week of July. All of our members of the network are invited hence, you all are requested to send us your skype name to be included in the Skype thread. Many of you have also not updated information about themselves so, please also enclose a brief CV of yours while, sending your skype names and interest to participate in this chat to shalini3006@gmail.com and siddiq.forestry@gmail.com. Last date for to receive your updates is 30th June 2015. Once we have your emails of your interest and skype names we will plan a doodle poll for the times and dates in first week of July, 2015

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Call for Contributions for the Forum now open. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next IUCN World Conservation Congress will take place in Hawaiʻi, USA, from 1 to 10 September 2016. This Call for Contributions invites you to propose events for the Forum (the part of the Congress open to the wider public, 2 to 5 September). The Call will remain open until 15 October 2015 and you will have until that date to identify partners and jointly develop your proposal. Events at the Forum are varied and include Workshops, training and capacity-building sessions at the Conservation Campus, Posters and Knowledge Café sessions. It is a great platform to meet and discuss with like-minded people. So if you would like to engage and inspire others, this is your opportunity to do so! New for 2016: Submit your proposal and follow its progress on the new Congress Portal.Similarly, take a look and see what has already been submitted using this simplified process. Please read our guidelines carefully before submitting your proposal in order to maximise the chance of it being selected. The Congress Portal is currently only available in English. French and Spanish versions will follow shortly.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visit the Congress Website for the latest updates and information about the Congress and please don’t hesitate to contact us at if you have any queries.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">IUCN CEM YPN Co-Lead Shalini Dhyani develops a web based biodiversity portal of Urban Forest of her research institute i.e. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) Nagpur Campus. NEERI Biodiversity Portal (NBP) is a web based platform for sharing knowledge related to biodiversity of NEERI Campus. CSIR-NEERI the leading environmental engineering research Institute of India is involved with many relevant national and international projects.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">April 2015 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The prime objectives of NEERI Biodiversity Portal is to encourage more people including school going kids, youth and others to develop a deep and multifaceted understanding of floral and faunal biodiversity of their surroundings. The portal enriches its’ viewers, scientific community, researcher and children about the knowledge of their surrounding biodiversity. It describes and provides a detailed account about the floral and faunal components that is present in the campus since its inception or is added due to factors in last few years. The portal in its maiden attempt tries to bring together the existing information about trees, birds and butterflies on one single platforms. This is for the people who are working in field already can better access the information in its most interactive way.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For details: []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is with great pleasure that we welcome Shalini Dhyani of India and Archi Rastogi of Canada / India as our two new Co-Conveners. Both possess the wide-ranging competencies we were seeking and have demonstrated their commitment and enthusiasm for our approach to youth engagement and intergenerational partnership, for example through their recent involvement in the World Parks Congress in Australia. Furthermore, Shalini and Archi compliment our current constellation of Co-Conveners by reinforcing links to the Commission on Ecosystems Management (CEM; through Shalini) and to the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA; through Archi). We had no Co-Conveners from Asia and welcome Shalini and Archi’s networks and contacts in India and beyond. For more information please visit our News briefs page.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">March 2015 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Commission on Ecosystems Management has recently appointed Shalini Dhyani from India and Md Siddiqur Rahman from Bangladesh as Co-Leads of its revamped Young Professional Network.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 2015 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can follow the activities of the CEM Young Professionals through their new facebook page:[]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The IPS Task Force Co-Conveners are seeking a fifth Co-convener to join their team in preparation for the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii, US. We welcome all interested members to apply by February 16, 2015 ! See the details in the call:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">January 2015 **

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Co-Lead YPN IUCN CEM has been awarded the prestigious “IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (IUCN-CEM) Chair Young Professional Award” at World Parks Congress 2014 in Sydney, Australia. World Parks Congress is a landmark and prestigious global forum on Protected Areas, indigenous people; PA conservation and management issues that happens once in 10 years. IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management Global Chair, Dr. Piet Wit presented the award to Dr. Shalini Dhyani on 14th Nov. 2014 in Nature based Solutions Pavilion during World Parks Congress 2014 at Sydney Olympic park, Australia. She was invited by IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management to present her work in CEM Steering Committee meeting. Her presentation broadly covered her research work on disaster risk reduction using both Community and Ecosystem based approach that involves nature based solutions in Garhwal, Uttarakhand.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">November 2014 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.neeri.res.in/scrollnews_image/IUCN-CEM-AWARD.pdf <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/cem/cem_resources/_ecosystem_news_3___2014/ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">https://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/ceesp/ceesp_news/?20196/Activities-Reflections-Future-Steps

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Commission on Ecosystems Management has awarded its first CEM Chair's Young Professional Award to IPS Task Force member Shalini Dhyani of India. She will be participating in the IUCN World Parks Congress in Sydney, where she will present her work on 13 November in one of CEM's Nature Pavillion events. Learn more here.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">October 2014 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Congratulations to IPS Task Force member, Shalini Dhyani of India, who was named to the South East Asian Core Committee for the Commission on Ecosystem (CEM). Shalini comments:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">December 2013 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope I will be able to let the voice of youth and of intergenerational partnership be clearly understood in upcoming meetings and decision making processes!

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chair Piet Wit appoints Elena Borasino, Peruvian environmental economist, as the new Young Professionals Coordinator for IUCN's Commission on Ecosystem Management. Welcome, Elena!
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">April 2013 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Building on its pioneering tradition of appointing intergenerational Co-Chairs of its Thematic Groups, CEM is seeking a young person to Co-Chair its new Thematic Group on Peatlands. Please contact CEM member and IPS Task Force member Chris Mahon to express your interest.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">October 2012 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Returning Chair of the Commission on Ecosystem Management, Piet Wit, named mid-career Steering Committee members Birguy Lamizana the Focal Point for Young Professionals and Said Damhoureyeh as Special Advisor on Intergenerational Partnership. Glad to see this intergenerational leadership in place!
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">September 2012 **