IUCN-WCPA Mountains Network--Drakensberg Workshop, 5th World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa September 2003 --Drakensberg Workshop Papers

THE DIDIMA DECLARATION
September 6, 2003

We, the 60 delegates to the Mountain Workshop, a component of the IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, representing 27 countries, and with the support of the Mountain Club of South Africa and the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) have assembled in the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa, to draw attention to the continued need for co-operation among nations for the protection of globally significant biodiversity and the pursuit of peace and reconciliation among people....more

According to William Blake, "Great things are done when men [and women] and mountains meet". That was certainly true for our group. Besides all the camaraderie, networking, fun, and friendships that resulted from the Drakensberg Workshop, we also worked hard to produce an impressive array of tangible outputs:

The Didima Declaration, which was promulgated from atop Sentinel Peak by Trevor Sandwith, (shown upper left part of this page) full text shown to the left.

Vth World Parks Congress Recommendation #6:
Strengthening Mountain Protected Areas as a Key Contribution to Sustainable Mountain Development

Guidelines for Planning and Managing Mountain Protected Areas
This book, published by IUCN, is now available at their website.
Special thanks to Larry Hamilton for allowing us the chance to shape
the content of this valuable reference book for protected area managers
around the world.

Protected Areas Management Principles and Practices
We look forward to the new, internationalized Second Edition of this acclaimed Oxford University Press book. It should be available in 2004. Special thanks to Graeme Worboys for allowing us the chance to shape the content of this valuable reference book with input from our various workshop committees.

Andromeda Press Book
We look forward to a new Andromeda Press (Italy) book that will feature a compilation of our workshop papers plus an insert section of color photographs. The book should be available in 2004. Special thanks to Professors Roberto Gambino and Bernardino Romano for their help in facilitating this project with Graeme Worboys of Jagumba Consulting and Dave Harmon of the George Wright Society.

After the daily field trips around the World Heritage Site, Drakensbergers worked hard each afternoon and evening at the stunningly beautiful Didima Camp Conference Center with its outstanding view of Cathedral Peak, or the Foyer with its sunny spaces and comfortable chairs. The hard work and good cheer that pervaded the Drakensberg Workshop experience was an excellent example of the unique Spirit of the Mountains.

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