Horizons

Children's World Summit: Up to 1,000 children from around the world will meet in Aichi, Japan, next week for the Children's World Summit on the Environment. The aim of the event - from next Monday to Friday - which is organised by the United Nations Environmental Programme, is to give young people opportunities to discuss environmental issues where they live and on a global level.

It is being held in Aichi this year to co-incide with the World Exposition whose theme is nature's wisdom. It is hoped that through the conference, children will be able to collectively voice their concerns about the environment - and be inspired to think globally and act locally. The first such conference was held in Eastbourne, England, in 1995. See also www.children-summit.jp

Protecting our heritage

Seventeen cultural sites and seven natural sites were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List at a meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Durban, South Africa, earlier this week. The additional sites bring countries such as Bahrain (Qal'at al-Bahrain archaeological site) the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Old Bridge area of the old city of Mostar) to the list for the first time. New sites in Europe include the ancient Greek city of Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica in Italy and four buildings by the Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi. The Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works in Chile has also been added to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger to encourage efforts towards it conservation. See www.unesco.org for full details.

Of whales and herbs

Experienced whale- and dolphin-watchers will be out in force on tomorrow week hoping to attract new recruits at 10 popular whale-watching locations. Those interested in joining the groups at Killiney, Co Dublin, Hook Head, Co Wexford, Ardmore, Co Waterford, Galley Head, Co Cork, Brandon Point, Co Kerry, Mullaghmore Head, Co Sligo, Ramore and Whitehead, Co Antrim and Bloody Bridge, Co Down, should make contact with local organisers via www.iwdg.ie Meanwhile, those keen to learn about the medicinal values of herbs should head for Sonairte Ecology Centre, The Ninch, Laytown, Co Meath today at 2.30pm. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the herb garden, followed by a talk by medical herbalist, Anne Marie Keaveney. Details and directions on Tel:041 9827572.

Bog day afternoon

Next Sunday has been designated International Bog Day and the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Co Kildare, will mark the day with its official opening. The formal opening at noon by environmentalist, Eanna Ni Lamhna, will be preceeded by a guided tour of the Bog of Allen nature centre museum at 11am and a tour of the woodland garden and habitats at 11.30am. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council will also be officially given 32 hectares of raised bog by from Bord na Mona. Tours of the carnivorous plant house will follow at 2.3pm. Younger visitors can try some pond-dipping and search for minibeats in the woodland. Admission free. Contact 045-860133. See also www.ipcc.ie for nature summer camps for children next month.