CSTS at the 3rd CCEE conference on sustainable development

	Slovak Minister of Environment , Mr. Miklos speaking at the conference

Centre for Scientific Tourism in Slovakia had been officially asked to prepare scientific outdoor programme for 70 participants of the third consultation of representatives of the EUROPEAN EPISCOPAL CONFERENCES on environmental issues "Christian Lifestyles and Sustainable Development" held from the 17th to the 20th May 2001 in Slovakia. Among them, there were representatives of the following organizations:

• EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
• COUNCIL OF EUROPE
• FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES OF THE GREGORIAN UNIVERSITY (ROME)
• HOLY SEE (VATICAN)
• PAX AND JUSTICE
• CATHOLIC BISHOP'S CONFERENCE OF THE USA
• CATHOLIC BISHOP'S CONFERENCES OF 22 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
• REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE (BUDAPEST)
• LANZA FOUNDATION (ITALY)

EU envoy to Slovakia, Mr. Rochel was one of the keynote speakers

During the outdoor excursion, they were introduced to the scientific and educational value of Slovak primeval forests as well as to their importance for biodiversity protection during a field trip to the Badinsky Primeval Forest. The excursion participants learnt that primeval forests represent unique and dynamic ecosystems that are characterised by richness of species, allelic richness and heterozygosity of populations.

Such ecosystem show a wide diversity and the genetic variation of their trees populations is the source of adaptability under changing environmental conditions. The populations of primary forest constituents also represent a replicable genetic resources that provide valuable material for breeding purposes. A transfer and preservation of genetic information is secured through a natural regeneration.

Thus virginforests along with natural reserves and protected landscape areas are the best solution for a long-term in situ germplasm conservation for all living ecosystem constituents including microorganisms as well as fauna.

Conference participants guided by CSTS experts during an outdoor excursion
 

	Conference participants guided by CSTS experts during an outdoor excursion (photo 2)

"Thank you for your guidance. I fully support your views on nature conservation and your actions".

Dr Jean-Pierre Ribaut

Note: Dr. Dr Jean-Pierre Ribaut is a Swiss zoologist and Catholic deacon, former head of the nature conservation department of the Council of Europe. He proposed the idea of The Klingenthal symposia in order to bring people of diverse spiritual traditions together with scientists and policy-makers in fora which address globally significant environmental questions. The Catholic movement Pax Christi, the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation and the Goethe Foundation joined forces to support the venture.

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