LI is proud to announce that it will co-sponsor a Landcare side event at the upcoming United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of Parties 10 (COP 10). The COP is in the Republic of Korea in October this year.

The event will introduce and describe the Landcare approach to people attending the COP 10, through examples of its use and success in developing and developed countries, particularly in the drylands. Attendees will discuss the broad adoption of Landcare to assist in capacity-building and grassroots institutional strengthening to successfully implement the Convention.

A number of countries with strong Landcare programs have been asked to co-sponsor the event and provide speakers; these include Australia, Germany, Iceland and South Africa. Dr Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of the CCD, has encouraged us to create this event to expose the UNCCD community to Landcare, and is expected to give the opening remarks.

LI is committed to progress the declaration of an International Year of Landcare (IYLC)—this side event is another step in that direction. After the feasibility study completed by Emily Mutota in 2008, LI and its members have been seeking support from Governments and International Organisations. This upcoming side event will build on previous Landcare events at international conferences. Each event brings greater awareness to Landcare and the role it can play in implementing the international conventions, as well as bring about change at the grassroots level.

If you would like to help or have suggestions on how we can progress towards the IYLC, please email Mieke Bourne.