Non-governmental Organizations

World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Objectives

The IUCN's mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

Membership

IUCN is a world-wide union of member organizations comprising States, government agencies and non-governmental organizations (over 900 governmental and non-governmental members from 139 countries, including Canada).

Activities

Members of IUCN shape its policies and programs, have priority access to its advice and practical services, receive a steady supply of publications, reports and up-to-date information, and interact with other members (including governments) through newsletters, meetings and networks, and may thus influence national and regional policies and activities. For example, the Union produces authoritative statements on conservation issues such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Global Biodiversity Strategy, which influence environmental management and conservation policies and programs the world over. IUCN also actively participates in the preparation and development of international conventions related to the conservation of nature and natural resources and sustainable resource use. Access to these activities and resources are important benefits of membership.

Environment Canada's Involvement

Environment Canada is represented in the IUCN through the membership of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), one of several agency memberships in Canada. Individual memberships offer direct access for each of the agencies, and an ability to multiply Canada's voice in this important forum. Each member can focus on making a difference to those issues of importance to its mandate, within a coordinated Canadian effort. Coordination of the Canadian effort is effected through the Canadian Committee for the IUCN and Environment Canada; CWS holds a seat on the Executive Committee of that body.

http://www.iucn.org