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-1 UTHALIA&
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 13 NOVEMBER 1977
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
The World Wildlife Fund is expected to extend its activities
to Australia next year. An Australian World Wildlife Fund will
be organised and run by Australians, and the funds raised will
largely be spent on Australian projects.
The World Wildlife Fund ( WWF) is an international body based in
Switzerland whose objective is to help to conserve the world's
natural heritage, especially threatened habitat and wildlife
species. It operates through national organisations which raise funds to
assist nature conservation bodies, both private and governmental,
with particular conservation projects.
The question of establishing a World Wildlife Fund in Australia
was discussed in correspondence with the conservationist Sir
Peter Scott, who was Chairman of the Board of'Trustees of the
World Wildlife Fund, and again at a meeting with Sir Peter Scott
in London in June.
In September, the President of World Wildlife Fund International
Mr. John Loudon, wrote giving his support for the proposal and
offering full -co-operation and assistance.
I had further discussions last week with Mr. Maurice Strong, one
of WWF's International Trustees and former Executive Director of
the United Nations Environment Programme. Mr. Strong emphasised
the importance which WWF attaches to establishing the organisation
in Australia the only continent on which it is presently not
active. I emphasised to Mr. Strong my continuing personal
interest in and support for the work of the WWF. He welcomed
the proposal for Australian participation, as contributing to
the important task of conserving Australia's unique wildlife.
Mr. Strong will att-end a meeting of the WWF Executive in
Switzerland nexz -week, where it is expected that the proposal
for an Australian organisation will be endorsed.
If the proposal goes ahead, consultations with Australian nature
conservation bodies and with community leaders will take place
during the next few months. This will be followed by a visit
by senior WWF officials early next year to establish an
appropriate basis for the Australian organisation, which is
exzDected to be launched later in 1978. / WWF
2
WWF works closely with its sister organisation, the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature ( IUCN)
of which Australia is a member. IUCN provides scientific
and technical advice on conservation needs and priorities.
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