Video: Synthetic Biology webinar

The video recording of our Synthetic Biology webinar is now available.

Synthetic biology creates both significant risks and significant opportunities for nature conservation.

This webinar discussed the IUCN process for developing a policy on synthetic biology in relation to nature conservation. An interesting part of that work was the groundbreaking creation of a Citizens’ Assembly to ensure that the formal policy development process receives input from a genuinely representative cross-section of the IUCN Membership. IUCN members Parks Victoria and the University of Queensland were randomly selected from the membership base to contribute.

Panellists included:

• Jessica Reid – District Manager from Parks Victoria and Citizens Assembly participant.

• Dr Stuart Kininmonth - Heron Island Research Station Manager, University of Queensland and Citizens Assembly Participant

• Peter Cochrane - IUCN Vice President and part of the Council Programme and Policy Committee Resolution 123 Working Group

• Jo Hopkins - ACIUCN Commissions Liaison and Co-Chair IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Health and Wellbeing Specialist Group.

For further information on synthetic biology see:

• IUCN issues brief: Synthetic biology and its implications for biodiversity conservation

• IUCN Resolution: Towards the development of a policy on Synthetic Biology in relation to Nature Conservation

Video: Reimagining Conservation Webinar

The video of our online webinar to launch the final report from the 2022 Reimagining Conservation Forum - Working Together for Healthy Country is now available.

The ‘Key Themes and Next Steps’ webinar was attended by 160 people and covered the 6 key themes emerging from the forum and ways they can be implemented to create positive change. Panellists also discussed the upcoming 2024 Reimagining Conservation Forum and how to get involved.

The panel consisted of:

Barry Hunter – Chief Executive Officer, NAILSMA (North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance);

Cissy Gore-Birch - Kimberley Cultural Connections & Indigenous Carbon Industry Network;

Erica McCreedy – Chief Operating Officer, NAILSMA and ACIUCN Board Member;

Joanne Wilson – NSW Environmental Protection Authority and ACIUCN Board Member;

Dr Rosalie Chapple – Senior Research Fellow, Transdisciplinary School, University of Technology Sydney.

Download: One-page Summary