World Wilderness Congress

The World Wilderness Congress (WWC) is the longest-running, public international conservation project and environmental forum and is the flagship project of The WILD Foundation and The Wilderness Network. The 1st WWC convened in South Africa in 1977. The most recent process culminated in the 10th WWC in Salamanca, Spain in 2013.

It was founded by South African conservationist Dr Ian Player and Sir Laurens van der Post at the suggestion of Zulu Game Ranger Magqubu Ntombela. Addressing the fundamental relationship between wild nature and people - both the importance of protecting wild nature, and its irreplaceable role in the health and prosperity of human society - the WWC is a conservation project which identifies conservation objectives and then organizes collaborative partnerships to achieve the objectives. The process culminates during each project cycle (approximately every 4 years), in a high profile, public, international event attracting delegates from around the world, often from non-developed countries, and includes heads of state and ministers as well as many senior policymakers, business, indigenous and community, cultural and scientific leaders. The focus is on environmental issues with a global perspective, with the well-being of wild nature and the related needs of human communities at the center of the action. It is one of the most prestigious international environmental forums, and the only one in which members of the public may interact closely with senior leaders.

October, 1977 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2,500 delegates from 27 countries.

Proceedings: Voices of the Wilderness, edited by Ian Player and published by Jonathan Ball, 1978.

Introduced the idea of wilderness conservation as a global issue and not just something done in western cultures. Presented programs to bring races and nations around the world together in the name of nature conservation. Looked at banking and economics for the first time as an important element in conservation efforts. Presented the largest exhibit of conservation art in Africa up to that time. Inspired production of a BBC film, Zululand Wilderness: The Black Umfolozi Rediscovered.

June, 1980, in Queensland, Australia.

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