5.1 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LIAISON

Background

The Gardens participates in a number of organisations providing forums for liaison and discussion between botanic gardens and herbaria. These include the International Association of Botanic Gardens and the International Association of Plant Taxonomists at the international level and the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens and the Council of Heads of Australian Herbaria at the national level.

Working with the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau, the Gardens has provided assistance to botanic gardens in the AsiaPacific region. Training has been provided for horticulturists from Malaysia and Western Samoa and assistance has been organised to enable representatives of botanic gardens in Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Western Samoa to attend a conference on plant conservation and obtain work experience in Australia. Assistance has also been provided to plant conservation conferences organised by the Bogor Botanic Gardens in Indonesia and the Wellington Botanic Gardens in New Zealand.

In the educational area the Gardens is active in providing advice to the Australian Education Council's National Collaborative Curriculum Project and, through the Banksia Centre, in providing advice on therapeutic horticulture programs to organisations across the country. As a major visitor destination in Canberra, the Gardens works cooperatively on promotional activities with other attractions through its membership of the National Capital Attractions Association.

Gardens staff are encouraged and given time to participate as individuals in societies and associations that are relevant to their work. This includes scientific bodies such as the Australian Systematic Botany Society and the International Plant Propagators Society and educational organisations such as the Environment Education Association of Australia.

Management prescriptions

Objective

The objective is to participate actively and constructively in national and international bodies involved in issues relevant to the full range of the Gardens' activities.

Implementation

The Gardens will continue to support and play an active role in the International Associations of Botanic Gardens and Plant Taxonomists and the Councils of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens and Heads of Australian Herbaria, which bring together representatives of institutions with aims and interests akin to its own. It will also continue, as part of its promotional and educational responsibilities, to work with the National Capital Attractions Association and the National Collaborative Curriculum Project.

The Gardens will endeavour to take a more active part in the provision of training and assistance to developing botanic gardens in the AsiaPacific region, working cooperatively with the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Staff will be encouraged to participate in national and international societies and associations relevant to their work and, where appropriate, support will be provided to facilitate their involvement.