1973 iucn yearbook

mechanism on which these individuals could rely to overcome
their isolation. The first objective which the Board set for itself
in 1948 was the establishment of such a mechanism and the
promotion of its universal recognition.
Four lines of action were chosen to make this intention clear:
to increase the number of international meetings during the first
years; to produce as many publications as possible, particularly
in relation to these meetings; to promote association, by correspondence,
with national and international authorities; to seek
immediate financial support for the first projects with which IUPN
was to be associated.
During the first years, the activities of the Union followed the
four main guidelines. The task of organizing a scientific and
systematic approach to conservation problems, as well as the
drawing up of a world doctrine on the relation between man and
his environment, were left for a later date.
The Union, poor and weak at the start, soon enjoyed the privilege
of having its name linked, in collaboration with UNESCO,
with the organization of a very important international conference,
which was held in 1949 at Lake Success, following the
United Nations Scientific Conference on Conservation and Utilization
of Resources (UNSCCUR). This occasion presented an
opportunity for advocates of IUPN to meet again after Fontainebleau.
They continued to meet each year; either at the biennial
General Assemblies of the organization or, in particular, at the
Technical Meetings organized annually: Brussels 1950, The
Hague 1951, Caracas 1952, Salzburg 1953, Copenhagen 1954.
On each occasion a new book was published - reporting the
deliberations of the sessions, helping to publicize the activities of
the Union, and strengthening its image as the international forum
for conservation of nature.
Between these international meetings and the issue of related
publications, the Union concentrated its efforts on two other
plans of action: interventions and projects.
Among these activities, we will mention only the initial productive
actions of the Survival Service and Education Commissions
and the many approaches undertaken with caution - in the
beginning especially, a mistake would have been costly - to
encourage governments to correct abuses, and to take necessary
measures to facilitate in their countries the creation of private
organizations for the protection of nature.
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