1973 iucn yearbook

I wanted to escape from the office in the next few years I should
go to the Engadine before the Lucerne General Assembly, because
I would get no time to visit national parks afterwards! In the
event I did get some spare time immediately after the General
Assembly during July and August when most of the rest of the
world appeared to be on holiday. I spent this in writing individual
letters to the members of the Union, and to reorganizing all
correspondence into country files and, in particular, to learning
about IUCN's past. The gradual evolution and the continuity
of output of the Union were impressive, especially when it is
remembered that a new programme of work was prepared at
each General Assembly held biennially until 1960 and then
triennially. Emphasis and funds had been concentrated on the
Survival Service, National Parks and Ecology Commissions and
these seemed to me to be running well. In Malaysia I had been
involved with the creation of national parks and so I was well
aware of the practical need for conservation propaganda and
education to make the parks acceptable to politicians and people
alike, and for sound legislation on which to base them. As an
agronomist, I knew the value of efficient management of resources,
which it seemed to me should apply equally to urban as to
rural areas, to national parks as much as to agricultural areas.
These ideas were being propounded by the Commissions on
Education, Legislation, and Landscape Planning; these became
my main interest and I attended their meetings whenever I could.
It gives me great satisfaction to see the efforts we made then
becoming the basis for further expansion.
Harold J. Coolidge, who is one of two Honorary Presidents of IUCN,
has been intimately associated with Union activities from their beginning.
Now retired from the National Research Council, the former
IUCN President was asked to outline the things he considered major
achievements. He cited, with particular pride and emphasis, IUCN's
stimulation of the growth and enthusiasm for conservation in less
developed countries which has resulted from projects and scientific
meetings. Also, the custom of alternating General Assemblies between
developed and less developed countries has had a significant effect. His
statement goes on to say:
Among many achievements of IUCN that in hindsight seem
of significance to me are the following, mostly related to the
Commissions:
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