development and biodiversity conservation. More importantly, the Cyber Dialogue attempted to increase the level of engagement by many actors and stakeholders to represent the widest possible range of opinions and views. Through the Cyber Dialogue, marginalized groups were given the opportunity to engage in a multi-cultural dialogue like the more visible groups invited by RCEs and other biodiversity-related organizations. Under this set-up, the more proactive groups were able to share their activities and challenges in biodiversity conservation, as well as the good practices aimed at coping with identified unsustainable trends. RCE Chubu believes that an important step towards achieving mutual understanding and consensus building on biodiversity conservation among diverse groups is to document the views, analyze the various dimensions that enhance or negatively impact the scope and objectives (scenario analysis), and collectively chart the best possible strategy. The objective of the Cyber Dialogue project was to draft a declaration of civil society at the COP10 through the discussions in the social networking service site of the Cyber Dialogue Project as one tool in this process. Implementation of the Cyber Dialogue In preparing for COP10, the implementation of Cyber Dialogue underwent three phases. Table 1. The Implementation of Cyber Dialogue (Phase 1-3). 100 THE ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY Preparatory Stage of the Cyber Dialogue The test run in Japanese for the Cyber Dialogue commenced in the summer of 2009. During this phase, both the social networking service and the mailing list were generated and utilized. The strengths of the social networking service were identified. These included: • Suitability – It is suitable for thematic discussions. Participants found that using the function of tree displayed system was ideal and enabled them to classify and search even more and diverse topics. • Accessibility – The method was easily accessible and it drew on comprehensive discussions on biodiversity in the most practical and simplified way. • Innovativeness – The approach created a social network of various stakeholders who are engaged in biodiversity conservation. A crucial lesson learned from the activity was the fact that despite their differences in terms of goals and operations, one critical element for consensus building trade-offs and mutual understanding was to bridge the communication divide. Developing simple and efficient forms of communication on commonalities was needed so that goals which are for the good of the society as a whole are pursued, ensuring biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Phase Time Event Phase 1 May 2009 – December 2009 Announcement of launching the Cyber Dialogue Posting of the comments on the CBD Online Discussion Site Phase 2 January 2010 – October 2010 Co-conduct of the Cyber Dialogue with JCN-CBD Launch of the Japanese site SNS (I-dialog) Discussion on the declaration from civil society Phase 3 October 2010 (during COP 10) Conduct of Global Dialogue Forums Public appeal of Aichi Nagoya
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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