Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory
Posted on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
Tour du Valat has taken the initiative to catalyse efforts for the establishment of a Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO), in partnership with many other organisations. The purpose of the MWO is to provide objective and well-documented information on the status and dynamics of wetlands around the Mediterranean Basin, which would allow decision-makers to take informed measures for wetland conservation and wise use.
The initiative is supervised by the Mediterranean Wetlands Committee, an inter-regional organ of the Ramsar Convention, which ensures its legitimacy and guidance, and is developed in close collaboration with MedWet.
Med-INA, the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos based in Athens, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tour du Valat to assist in the incorporation of cultural aspects in the work of the Observatory.
Several working meetings have been organised during the last three years and Med-INA has participated in most of them. The last one was organised in Ede-Wageningen in the Netherlands, in 15-16 September 2010. Med-INA, represented by Social anthropologist Irini Lyratzaki, presented a proposal for the development of cultural indicators. It was decided that a cultural indicator (probably one estimating wetland visitor numbers) will be included in the indicators priority list.
