Congress Host
Parks Victoria
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As the premier State Government park management agency in Victoria, Australia, Parks Victoria employs staff across the State in a wide range of roles. Since its establishment in 1998, Parks Victoria has developed a strong reputation nationally and internationally as a leading park management agency. Through effective environmental and visitor management, Parks Victoria is dedicated to preserving the natural and heritage values of Victoria’s terrestrial and marine parks, bays, and waterways. |
Parks Victoria is honoured and excited to be hosting the first Ingaugural International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress 2010, here in Melbourne, Australia.
As the creator of the Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy in 2000, Parks Victoria has actively encouraged others to get involved and has seen the campaign supported by many leading park and health agencies both nationally and internationally.
Parks Victoria is committed to maintaining an innovative approach to the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative and is continually seeking to identify how parks and the natural environment can contribute to broader societal goals. To achieve this, collaboration is required with non-traditional partners, such as those within the health and community sectors.
Together, we hope to forge a new role for parks as a provider of fundamental societal benefits rather than a custodian of natural values alone.
Key Partners
International Union for Conservation of Nature
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. "IUCN is delighted to formally endorse the congress which I am sure will be a very exciting and relevant event – the outcome will provide very useful input into the next IUCN World Parks Congress in 2014”.
Julia Marton-Lefevre Director General, IUCN, Switzerland
beyondblue
Australia’s National Depression Initiative
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beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia. beyondblue has a mission to provide a national focus and community leadership to increase the capacity of the broader Australian community to prevent depression and respond effectively to it.
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“The association between beyondblue and Parks Victoria is a clear recognition of the way parks and open spaces are no longer simply about recreation – they are about enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of the community. Parks play a vital role in providing space for exercise and physical activity, which is important for the management and prevention of depression and anxiety. They are also a hub of community activity - facilitating social connectedness and inclusion. The Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress in 2010 is a unique opportunity for experts from both the parks, community and health perspective to come together and share knowledge. beyondblue is very happy to be a partner in this Congress initiative and we look forward to working with Parks Victoria, between now and 2010.” The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC, Chairman, beyondblue: the national depression initiative |
Deakin University
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Deakin University Health has an excellent reputation in teaching, training, research and service. They are known for our strong and vibrant commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of all people in Australia and internationally. Deakin maintain strong partnerships with government, industry, public and private organisations, and professional associations. Deakin offer a diverse range of professional undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as well as research supervision, within eight key health areas. One area of focus in the Health courses is on the environment, in which there are opportunities to undertake research in Honours, Master and PhD on the links between environment, nature and human health. "I would like to congratulate Parks Victoria on its Healthy Parks Healthy People approach. This is based on the research work ‘Healthy Parks, Healthy People: The Health Benefits of Contact with Nature’ which Parks Victoria commissioned Deakin University to undertake. The work reflects the growing awareness worldwide of the relationship between human wellbeing and the health of the ecosystem. |
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“The study has been widely acclaimed both nationally and internationally, and ongoing demand has prompted the publication of the recent second updated and expanded edition. I am delighted that Parks Victoria has decided to stage this Congress and Deakin University is pleased and proud to be a partner in this very timely and relevant event.” Professor Sally Walker Vice-Chancellor Deakin University |
Parks Australia
Parks Australia supports the Director of National Parks, a federal statutory officeholder, to conserve Australia’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Responsibilities range from management of the Commonwealth's protected areas, including six national parks (three jointly managed with their traditional owners) and two botanic gardens, to implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The national parks range from tiny Pulu-Keeling, a pristine atoll far out in the Indian Ocean, to the iconic World-Heritage–listed Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta and the award winning Booderee National Parks.
Parks Australia also helps build the National Reserve System, Australia’s great environmental partnership, and supports Indigenous landholders declare Indigenous Protected Areas in some of the most remote and fragile parts of the country.
Parks Australia is part of the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
World Tourism Organization
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO/OMT) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and the leading international organization in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how.
UNWTO plays a central and decisive role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, paying particular attention to the interests of developing countries.
