Saturday, September 24, 2022 – 3:26 PM
ABU DHABI, 24th September / WAM/ The Emirates Falconers Club is organizing an international conference on the role of local communities in safeguarding at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center under the slogan “Sustainability and Heritage… in a Renewed Spirit,” as part of the activities of the 19th Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, which will be held during the period from September 26th to October 2nd.
The conference focuses on the important role of local communities and indigenous peoples in strengthening the link between intangible cultural heritage and wildlife conservation.
The conference, which is attended by 24 young falconers between the ages of 18 and 30 from 24 countries, is organized by the Emirates Falconers Club and the International Federation of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
His Excellency Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the exhibition and Secretary-General of the Emirates Falconers Club, said that the conference seeks, through the participation of many experts and researchers from the UAE and 24 countries from different continents, to promote sustainable use that is indispensable for preserving the environment and to emphasize the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In this regard, he linked it to the Committee on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization “UNESCO” with the aim of benefiting from the readiness of societies to support efforts to preserve heritage and the environment.
The conference highlights the importance of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition and the role of the UAE at the international level in expanding the world of falconry and preserving the environment and cultural heritage.. It aims to work on establishing direct channels of communication between falcon breeders and falconers, encouraging a positive view of falconry for those outside its surroundings and correcting information and stress that sport falconry is rich in sustainable hunting successes that need to be shared as an integral part of local communities and indigenous peoples, encourage strategies to restore ecosystems through sustainable use, recognize the role of falconry as an important heritage in local communities and indigenous peoples and the leadership role that Falconers can play a role in providing support to achieve conservation goals and heritage preservation.
The conference will review the role of the International Federation of Falconry and the Conservation of Birds of Prey in promoting the spread of falconry in a legitimate manner and focus on highlighting the conservation gates and the student education project through cooperation with schools and the International Falconry Festival, thus highlighting the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to preserving and promoting falconry all over the world.
The conference will be moderated by Dr. Adrian Lombard, Head of the Sustainable Use and Ecosystem Management Group at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with the participation of Gary Timberl, representing the International Federation of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey.
The conference will address, through its multiple sessions, the contributions of falconers and fishermen in promoting the sustainable use of nature’s resources, and present ideas regarding the innovative capabilities of falconers for sustainable fishing methods.
The conference includes an open discussion workshop on promoting and preserving falconry through social media, improving communication between all trends and opinions, and correcting myths and misconceptions.
The conference will focus on strategies, concepts and opportunities for the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage and wildlife conservation, as well as the contribution of the process of registering falconry to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in promoting falconry practice, species conservation and the future of falconry – current challenges and future visions.
Wam / Hoda Rajab / Awad Al-Mukhtar / Assem Al-Khouli