merrion street

Thursday 31st October, 2013 Jimmy Deenihan TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht announced today that the EUROPARC Federation’s annual conference and general assembly will take place in Ireland next year for four days in Killarney, from 28th September – 1st October 2014.

The EUROPARC Federation is the voice of Europe’s Protected Areas and represents some 400 members in 35 countries. These include nature conservation practitioners, government ministries, NGOs and major European conservation organisations. Decision makers from across Europe will gather in Killarney for discussion, debate and networking opportunities centred on Europe’s shared natural inheritance.

Ireland has been a member of the Federation since 1986 and has previously hosted the annual conference at Glenveagh National Park in 1996. The theme of next year’s conference is, ‘understanding the value of nature.’

Minister Deenihan said, ‘I am delighted that Ireland, through my Department, has secured this significant international conference. The conference will bring around 400 delegates to Killarney, and will showcase the economic and socio-economic potential of the natural heritage sector and improve our understanding of how economies, the natural environment, and the well-being of societies are interlinked.’ The Minister added, ‘This potential is significant in a county like Kerry with its international reputation for natural beauty, rich living heritage and vibrant cultural heritage, all intrinsically linked to its tourism potential and economic, and socio-economic well-being.’

Further details in relation to the programme for the EUROPARC Federation Conference will be announced over the coming months.

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