In 2005, the Secretariat launched a research and training programme on Dialogue and Concertation in biosphere reserves. Its aims were: ■ to determine the needs of biosphere reserves in terms of conflict management and prevention;
■ to identify and involve national researchers working on these questions;
■ to analyse existing practices in the field of dialogue and concertation with local stakeholders, in matters of compromise-seeking between biodiversity conservation and
development;
■ to analyse and publicize the experiences of certain biosphere reserves which can be shared within the World Network;
■ to promote exchanges among biosphere reserves on this theme. In 2006, case studies were conducted in eleven biosphere reserves on the experience and practice of dialogue, and a technical note entitled “Biodiversity and stakeholders:
concertation itineraries” was published by the Secretariat in three languages.