IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

About Sailing to Barcelona

As part of IUCN´s World Conservation Congress (5-14 October 2008, Barcelona, Spain), Sailing to Barcelona is an action-oriented initiative, where participants will showcase their contributions to the protection of marine and coastal biodiversity. Sailing boats, research vessels and environmentally-friendly ships will be the powerful tools used to visually communicate this action.

The objectives of Sailing to Barcelona are to:

Raise awareness on marine and coastal conservation issues beyond the conservation community.
Showcase individual contributions to coastal and marine conservation.
Create additional momentum for future action in marine and coastal conservation.
Effectively engage, mobilize and empower the IUCN constituency and its partner network.

Sailing to Barcelona is an initiative in partnership with Countdown 2010 for Marine Ecosystems, to help communicate the international targets for 2010 on biodiversity and 2012 on marine protected areas. The initiative has joined efforts with Antinea Foundation, an international foundation dedicated to raising awareness on, and building partnerships for, marine stewardship.

Saturday 4 October

Welcome Ceremony
Barcelona's Maritime Museum

Sailing to Barcelona participants will be welcomed at Barcelona’s imposing Maritime Museum where their contribution to marine conservation will be publicly acknowledged. Boats will also receive instructions for the next day’s parade.

Saturday 4 to Thursday 9 October

Harbour Village
Barcelona Harbour

The Sailing to Barcelona Village will provide a diversity of onboard and onshore activities. Here, Congress participants and the public will be invited to exhibitions and gatherings hosted on the boats, while benefiting from the interactive activities organized onshore next to the dock.

Sunday 5 October

Boat Parade & Celebration
Barcelona Harbour to Port Forum

Sailing to Barcelona boats will parade from Barcelona harbour to the marina next to the Congress Centre, in honour of the World Conservation Congress' Opening Ceremony. Boats will deliver their personal contributions towards marine conservation while celebrating a common message for the protection of our oceans, seas and coasts.

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park-Spain

Photo: Sarah Gindre

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