Article 6. Education, Training and Public Awareness Development of a SBSTA work programme Kevin Grose, Manager, Information Services

Moving from hard to soft issues in the Convention process “Hard” issues are dealt with first Legal frameworks, establishment of benchmarks, setting of standards, guidelines “Soft” issues are dealt with second Harder to define and resource Inter-sectoral linkages “Article 6” people are not always part of process

Status of Article 6 Request from SBSTA for a document based on submissions and other information on national experience Review of Art. 6 in National Communications Submissions from Parties ( ) Side Events at SB12, SB13 and COP6 Document to be submitted to SB14

Insights from the side events 340 people attended the 3 events Governments NGOs Media People came out of interest not mandate Much experience exists, interest is high Links to Article 5, capacity building, technology

Some views on needs Education Inter-sectoral cooperation Longer-term commitment Training Training on Convention process, negotiation skills “Informal” training on issues, including synergy with CCD, CBD Training in support of capacity building Public Awareness Exchange of experience and best practices Support to design & implement national information strategies & campaigns More information in UN languages, e.g. Le Portail Francophone Access to tools: Internet, web sites, databases

Conclusions Growing recognition that Article 6 issues require action Understanding of relationship between successful technical implementation and need for public support Opportunities for inter-sectoral cooperation at national level Opportunities for exchange and cooperation between Parties at international level