On the occasion of UN Biodiversity Day (22 May) the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), together with the Secretariats of the AEWA (African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement) and EUROBATS (Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats) met on Monday, 23 May 2005, with the children of the Independent Bonn International School (IBIS) to talk about migratory animals, the threats they face for their survival and the work of the Convention and Agreements under the United Nations Environment Programme to conserve them.

Over 150 children aged 6-11 participated in the event. The kids were presented with a series of short videos and lectures on different biodiversity-related subjects. A short video informed them of the importance of biodiversity -the web of life on Earth- for their everyday life, as nature is the main source of many of the goods and services humans depend on daily. The children were then introduced to the world of migratory animals, learning about their habits, the threats to their movements, and human interference with their natural habitats. The role of CMS in the conservation of migratory animals and their habitats was also explained in the presentation by the UNEP/CMS Secretariat.

Two specific examples of migratory animals followed this presentation, namely waterbirds and bats. After a video showing different bird species, and a short explanation of the role of AEWA in the conservation of over 235 species, the children heard about the lives of bats from the man that was introduced to them as “batman”, alias Andreas Streit, the Executive Secretary of EUROBATS. Mr. Streit explained how bats play a vital role in the ecosystems they live in and, although they are often portrayed as scary animals, bats are indeed friendly and inoffensive.

The children enthusiastically followed the presentations, and were not shy to ask several questions, especially on bats which appeared to be their “favorite” migratory animals. Children were provided with information material, posters and stickers on the animals and the Convention and its Agreements, including ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetacean of the Baltic and North Sea) and ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area) for their follow-up activities with the teachers.

The CMS, EUROBATS and AEWA Secretariats wish to thank the teachers at IBIS for their collaboration and assistance, and wish to stress the importance of these outreach activities, meant to raise awareness of environmental issues among young generations.

As teachers in the world know very well, young generations are the decision-makers of the future. Education and awareness-raising are key tools to ensure that environmental issues are given sufficient consideration in the world to come. The UN Biodiversity Day motto this year stresses that “biodiversity is the life insurance for our changing world”. With the help of future generations, we can make sure that the change will be for the best, for a world where animals, plants and humans will live in peace and harmony.