On March 30st 2005 the synthesis report on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) has been released. The objective of the MA - called for by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000 - was to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and the scientific basis for actions needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of those systems and their contribution to human well-being.
The MA seeks answers to questions like: How have ecosystems and their services changed? What has caused these changes? How have these changes affected human well-being? How might ecosystems change in the future and what are the implications for human well-being? And what options exist to enhance the conservation of ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being?
The North-South Centre invites you for a discussion with two important authors of the MA:
Rik Leemans is professor at Wageningen University and one of the members of the Core Writing Team. He will explain the main findings of the MA and discuss how the concept of ecosystem services has been applied in the MA.
Rudy Rabbinge is also professor at Wageningen University and was one of the two main authors of the MA chapter on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their relation with this assessment.
Fokie Flapper, management team member Department for Nature, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, will reflect on the policy relevance of the study within the field of LNV.
Lunch will be provided for.
You can sign in for this meeting by through the website or by sending an e-mail to Petra Schlooz.