Many NGOs working with the Ramsar Convention had, until 2010, little opportunity to engage in the Ramsar Conference of the Parties, or their actions be recognised by Ramsar’s formal process. In 2010 WWT offered to chair a newly formed network, the World Wetland Network (WWN).
WWN is now chaired by the Australian Conservation Volunteer Association with WWT acting as deputy chair and regional representative. WWN works to engage and support NGOs during the COP, including a Pre-COP meeting, opening and closing statements of civil society groups, and supporting the coordinated influencing of draft resolutions.
WWN also ran three rounds of Wetland Globe awards, identifying both good and bad practice in wetland management. We gave awards to wetlands that stood out in either a good or bad way. These were very successful in supporting local active civil society groups despite a mixed reception by national governments.