The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) – Country Office Macedonia from 15-16 December, 2016 in Hotel “Romantique“, Star Dojran, is organizing Regional Conference on protected lakes: “The Holistic Mixture of Natural Values and Human Growth”, as final event under the project: “Developing capacities for sustainability of Dojran Lake“ financed by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) based in Washington, USA.

The aim of the Conference is to bring together representatives of different stakeholders which are active in areas related to management, protection and development of water resources and particularly lakes – as important aquatic ecosystems, to discuss and propose practical and sustainable solutions for integrated management of water resources that are essential for life and maintaining the biological diversity of ecosystems.

Based on its result-oriented Strategy, the REC Water Management Topic Area promotes an integrated water resources management approach, including the protection of waters in terms of quality and quantity, the adaptation to climatic changes, and multi-sector integration — considering broad selection of stakeholders, their interests and concerns.
The REC will bring exceptional speakers and panelists aiming to initiate and engage a broad audience for positive thinking and innovative solutions, focusing on the following thematic issues:

1. Vision for Integrated Management of Protected Lakes
2. Role of Science for Lake’s Management
3. Non-for-profits, Volunteers and Teachers as Key Players for Lakes’ Life
4. Sustainable Economic Activities around Protected Lakes
5. Institutional and Financial Mechanisms for freshwater protection and management

The “Protecting Lakes” Regional Conference is an opportunity for all the participants to present their views, to discuss and to reach common understanding on what is our common vision for freshwater resources and on how to reach its accomplishment with the steps to come, as individuals, as experts, as citizens and as promoters of sustainable living.