Knowledge, good conversations and networking

Today, day 5 of the World Conservation Congress was another full and amazing day. I had my knowledge cafe yesterday and this went well, a knowledge cafe is a round table discussion allowing people to come together and have a good conversation. I had people attending of various backgrounds, conservation, fisheries, policy etc., organizations and counties so it was a great chance to ask some of the questions that I have as I work on my PhD.

As the cafe was a PowerPoint free zone, it was great to go back to come old school methods and I had people using markers and post it/ sticky notes to put their answers to each question onto and these were out up onto a boards. As a group we discussed each point and tried to reach some consensus. As a facilitator, my role was to keep the conversation going and make sure everyone had a chance to have their say.

What was interesting, and fun was that the questions I was asking, about fisheries, conservation, the use of all types of marine protection and how they come together, are controversial and highly debated topics. So I had fun asking these types of questions and seeing what the different responses were. Having a mixture of experts at the table from different countries allowed a unique opportunity to engage, that perhaps only a world congress such as this could provide.

There are so many interesting sessions that I have been to, along with book and report launches, and events. Many of the interesting networking happens around these workshops, at the restaurants, in the hallways and also at the pavilions in the evening over glasses of wine. I enjoy these times to be able to sit in the blue planet or the protected areas pavilions and have a good conversation with people who's work I have read or studied. I can ask questions and learn so much by meeting and talking with as many congress participants as possible, what a great opportunity this is to do this.

The world leaders debate sessions are also very interesting and you can message a question to them that comes up on the screen live. There is so much happening here, must get back to it!

 

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