October 3rd from 12:30 – 2:30 pm in the Egan Convention Center

Josh Brann jbrann@thegef.org

Objectives:

• To draw attention to the importance of wilderness for future generations, as reflected in the sentiment that today wilderness is more important than it ever has been, but it is not as important as it will be tomorrow.
• To provide the youth involved in the Wilderness Congress with an opportunity to explore questions of professional development, and to allow young professionals the chance to share their personal stories of what inspired them to work on wilderness conservation and how they turned that inspiration into a career.
• To create a dialogue between generations on the value and role of wilderness in society.
• To link the WWC to other initiatives in the broader context of young professional involvement and mobilization in the international conservation community, such as the recent IUCN resolution on the involvement of young professionals.

Activity:

The goal is to hold an informal group discussion at the World Wilderness Congress involving high-school and college age students participating in the youth activities of the Congress, and young professionals involved in conservation who are attending the WWC. We will also invite a few key conservation professionals from older generations. The group will split up into multiple small discussion groups, with the session lasting approximately 2 hours, including introductions and wrap-up. The session will be held on October 3rd from 12:30 – 2:30 pm in the Egan Convention Center. Lunch will be provided. Interested participants please RSVP to Josh Brann jbrann@thegef.org to ensure that lunch is available for all attendees.