BRAILLE VERSION OF BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION LAUNCHED ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Press Release
ENV/DEV/343*
HE/923
BRAILLE VERSION OF BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION LAUNCHED ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
19960102 GENEVA, 27 December 1995 (UNEP) -- A braille version of the Convention on Biological Diversity is being launched on 29 December in commemoration of the first International Day for Biological Diversity, declared by the United Nations General Assembly on 19 December 1994.The International Day coincides with the date of the Convention's entry into force on 29 December 1993. The Convention was signed by 167 States and the European Community on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro and, to date, has been ratified by 136 countries.
The transcription into braille has been undertaken by the Paris-based Association Valentin Hauy for blind people with an initial print run of 1,000 English and 1,000 French copies to be distributed free of charge to all blind and partially sighted peoples' organizations around the world. Two hundred copies of the Spanish braille version, in addition to 200 copies on cassette, will be funded and produced by the Spanish National Organization of the Blind based in Madrid.
"Launching the braille version of the Convention on Biological Diversity to mark the International Day is one step towards increasing public awareness and education as to the overall importance of biological diversity, which represents the very essence of life", explained Calestous Juma, Executive Secretary of the Convention secretariat, which is serviced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The launching of the English, French and Spanish braille versions of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the first time that industry joins forces with the Convention secretariat and the Spanish National Organization of the Blind by financially supporting the braille project.
_---------_ * Press Release ENV/DEV/343 dated 6 December should have carried the symbol number DEV/2083.
- 2 - Press Release ENV/DEV/343 HE/923 2 January 1996
Contributions were made by a number of international partners, notably the European Senior Advisory Group on Biotechnology, which aims to promote the benefits of biotechnology to meet society's needs. Also contributing were the United States-based Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Japan Bioindustry Association, the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association and the European-based Green Industry Biotechnology Platform. Such contributions demonstrate the commitment of industry to disseminate the Convention to as many people as possible, thus significantly contributing to increasing public awareness -- paramount in the secretariat's drive to promote balanced economic and social approaches for the protection of all life forms.
Welcoming the launch of the braille version of the Convention, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, UNEP Executive Director, said, "The Convention on Biological Diversity is about humanity. It is a reminder of our failure to read the warning signals and about the tough decisions we must make to save our biological resource base. But humanity can learn and bring about change. This braille version of the Convention will involve the visually impaired in the growing constituency of concerned citizens who demand a role in safeguarding the future of our planet."
"In commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity, what can be more appropriate than to launch a braille version of the Convention so as to reach out to the large constituency of blind people around the globe", said Andrew Dickson, Secretary-General of the Brussels-based European Senior Advisory Group on Biotechnology.
When asked about the meaning of biological diversity to blind people, Pedro Zurita, Secretary-General of the World Blind Union, commented, "It is impossible to say what biodiversity means for blind people because blind people are as diverse as nature. However, since our right to life is often threatened by theories and practices which defend a wrong idea of the essence of human beings, I would think that we would be inclined to back any movement which aims at preserving life on earth in all its manifestations."
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