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| SEAZA Future 2015 |
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To the membership of the South East Asian Zoos Association and to zoo and wildlife colleagues throughout the world, it is with great pleasure that I present to you the next phase in SEAZA’s roadmap into the future, the ground-breaking 8-Point Action Plan for Success!
The next stage in SEAZA’s strategic planning builds upon a foundation created in 1998 by members meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. Reinforcing the organization’s commitment as a global conservation partner, SEAZA Future 2005 was formulated establishing a strategic path for SEAZA in concert with the World Zoo Conservation Strategy (WZCS) published in 1993. With the distribution of an update to WZCS in 2005, a revision to our regional plan was given high priority by the SEAZA Executive Board.
Meeting in Bogor, Indonesia in February 2006, the Executive Board laid the blueprint for updating the organization’s strategic plan. It was determined that the best approach was to celebrate our region’s achievements and to bring that positive momentum into the future by challenging our membership to pursue an even higher level of excellence.
In recognition of our organization’s dedication and hard work, here is but a sampling of what we’ve achieved since the distribution of SEAZA Future 2005:
- Demonstrated our dedication to animal welfare through the creation of a SEAZA Welfare and Ethics Committee to evaluate and provide accreditation to those members meeting strict international standards. The committee has also provided guidance to those national zoo organizations and member zoos desiring to create their own committees locally.
- Expanded the skillset of our membership through the successful completion of several training programs in areas such as ex-situ conservation, ethics and welfare, animal husbandry and management, veterinary techniques and education.
- Reaffirmed our involvement with in-situ conservation through workshops, symposiums, PHVA’s and meetings with national and international agencies.
- Participated in successful projects relating to the rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of highly endangered species such as the orangutan, Bali mynah, bunting, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhino, proboscis monkey, python, elephant and milky stork.
- Increased the size of our organization including several associate members from countries such as Japan, Korea and Kuwait.
- Held eight SEAZA annual conferences that were hosted in the countries of Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, as well as joint conferences with ARAZPA in Singapore and Melbourne.
- Established a SEAZA Aquarium Committee based on WAZA’s Aquarium Committee.
- Provided leadership in facilitating a forum comprised of government, non-government, local and international agencies discussing strategies for linking in-situ and ex-situ conservation of South East Asian region endangered species.
- Partnered with the International Zoo Educators association (IZE) in holding a joint education conference in Hong Kong.
- Met with ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong to establish a partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to improve animal welfare in our region.
Located in one of only a few biodiversity hot spots in the world, SEAZA zoos must always be sensitive to the fact that they function amongst highly endangered species of flora and fauna. This is a challenge that our members must resolve above and beyond those of a business or operational nature, and one that must and is being overcome.
Now with solid successes behind us, I now raise the bar and ask the SEAZA membership to aspire to achieve even greater goals. The 8-Point Action Plan for Success outlines the approach for expanding our past successes into even greater achievements. Specific areas to be addressed include:
- Furthering development in species management planning, local and regional studbook management, taxon advisory group, as well as the linking in-situ and ex-situ projects.
- Based on the philosophy of “No zoos are to be left behind”, I encourage increased participation by the membership in programs and to assist those members who require assistance.
- Establishing and strengthening partnerships with zoos in other countries in support of in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects.
- Educating visitors on the negative impact of global warming.
- Increasing awareness in the need for amphibian conservation given that South East Asia hosts many of the world’s amphibian diversity, 16% in Indonesia alone.
- Raising the overall standards of member zoos through evaluations and training.
- Encourage zoos and aquariums to join SEAZA as well as national zoo associations to improve communications and partnerships.
Veteran SEAZA members will recall that the objectives defined in the SEAZA Future 2005 strategic plan seemed unachievable at first, but were well within the capabilities of our organization. I congratulate all of you for your achievements and look forward to working with you to implement the 8-Point Action Plan for Success outlined for the future.
I encourage everyone to download your own copy of SEAZA Future 2015 by clicking HERE and read it for yourself! (9.8MB)
Sincerely,
Jansen Manansang
President
South East Asian Zoos Association
September, 2007
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