Symposium
2021 International Symposium for Hwaseong Wetlands

On November 26, Hwaseong City hosted the 2021 International Symposium for Hwaseong Wetlands. This event was made possible by the joint effort of the Hwaseong Eco Foundation, EAAFP, Birds Korea, the Hwaseong Environmental Movement Association, the Korean Ministry of Environment, the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korean Cultural Heritage Administration, and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea. Representatives of numerous environmental organizations and NGOs, national and international experts, site managers, government officials, and members of the local communities presented their insights in person and online in the four main sessions of the symposium. Its main theme of “Connection” was omnipresent throughout the various presentations and discussions.

From left, Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi (Senior Researcher of HSF Korea), Dr. Sun-mi Hwang (Team member of Suncheon City Suncheonman Conservation Division), Mr. In-cheol Kim (Director of the Institute for Eastern Jeonnam Community Studies), and YongJune Kim (Researcher of HSF Korea)

The first session focused on the wise use of tidal flats and the role of policies for conserving wetlands. In the second segment titled “The Importance of Designating the Inland Wetlands along the Hwaseong Lake as a Wetland Protected Area and the Future Management Guidelines of the Hwaseong Wetlands” the presenters offered research data and the representatives of different stakeholder groups participated in a panel discussion. The participants agreed that an integrated approach that is drawn up by including all stakeholders and combines the interests of all parties is needed for the successful conservation of the Hwaseong Wetlands. The audience were impressed by an extensive case study about the Steart Marshes in UK presented by Dr. James Robinson of WWT.

The special session and closing segment mainly focused on the Far Eastern Curlew and outlined why for the conservation of Wetlands collaboration across borders and on an international scale is needed. Dr. Bernhard Seliger of HSF Korea also offered his input on this issue and presented the work of HSF Korea with the DPRK to conserve wetlands. The presentations of the speakers were all interconnected and offered insights into different aspects of conserving the Hwaseong Wetlands. Participants were able to join the event online or offline and the conference can still be viewed online.