An international conference in the framework of the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD) took place from September 21st to 23rd in Montpellier, France. The conference focused on the issue of civil society and desertification.

The conference was organized into plenary sessions and 6 workshops. DCG was responsible for the organization of one of the workshops under theme 1 along with CARI. The following three main topics were discussed during the conference under two workshops each:

• Drylands and the political agenda at the national and international level:
How to increase priority given to the issue of dryland areas?

• Economic potential of dryland areas and increase of local communities’ resources:
What are the constraints and opportunities, and possible innovations?

• Strategy of civil society organizations and of their national and international networks:
What is their role, what are their new common involvements?

The last day took place in the center of Montpellier with stands from the different participants including a DCG stand, talks between scientists, participants and the public, and cultural animations. 

More information on the output of this conference including the Montpellier Appeal will soon be available on this website and on the Forum website: www.desertif-actions.org.

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