Port Elizabeth Accord
7th World Wilderness Congress
8 November 2001
At this time in our history, when the shadow of uncertainty pervades
our thoughts and the presence of peril dictates our actions, all of our
aspirations and initiatives must by necessity be positive, determined,
visionary, and collaborative.
It is with this realization that 700 delegates from 42 nations convened in
Port Elizabeth, South Africa for the 7th World Wilderness Congress.
During the course of a week of presentations, consultations, debates and
decisions by a diverse array of people, cultures, professions and
perspectives, covering both challenges and solutions, some certainties
were confirmed, namely that:
- Wilderness, wildlands and wildlife - on land, in the sea and in the
air - are a resource of fundamental, irreplaceable value and substance
in all human endeavor; and
- Wild nature is essentially more than a resource, rather being The
Source of a singular gift of strength, sanity and inspiration in a
modern and fragmented world; and further,
- Wilderness - all of its many services and values - undeniably
informs and supports human communities and is an essential element of
the spirit and practicality of the 21st century.
HOWEVER, our convention recognized the inescapable truth: where vast
wilderness once surrounded and supported humankind, pervading and
persisting with ease, it is now small and dispersed islands in a sea of
humanity, retreating daily while assaulted by human numbers and greed, and
cloaked by an atmosphere which is not of its own making, nor life-giving.
AS A RESULT, our convention re-confirmed the basic principles of
international collaboration, cross-cultural cooperation, human equity and
freedom, combined with direct personal responsibility for the present and
future well-being of wilderness, wildlands, and wildlife, on land, in the
sea, and in the air.
THEREFORE, in light of this reality and these principles, we are RESOLVED
to act decisively, with intention, power and determination, on the
agreements, resolutions and actions of this 7th World Wilderness Congress.
7th World Wilderness
Congress Resolutions
For more information:
North and
South America
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The WILD Foundation,
Mail address:
PO Box 1380
Ojai, CA 93024 USA
Street address:
1012 West Ojai Ave,
Ojai, CA 93023
phone: 805/640-0390
fax: 805/640-0230
e-mail: info@wild.org
for Vance Martin:vance@wild.org
Vance Martin, President |
Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia
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7th WWC Secretariat,
Mail address:
P.O.Box 53260
Yellowwood Park
4011, KZN, South Africa
fax:
+27 (0)41 5833099
e-mail:
wfndn@eastcoast.co.za
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