During October 15-19, 2007, experts, scholars and representatives from over 60 countries and regions gathered together in Dongying at the Yellow River Delta to attend the 3rd International Yellow River Forum.
Facing huge problems of the rivers in the world, which makes us worry too much, considering from perspective of society, environment, economy, history, science and ethic, on the basis of deep discussion on economic and social development of river basin and maintaining the healthy life of rivers, we recognized these same problems inspired the adoption of "Yellow River Initiative-Declaration of the 3rd International Yellow River Forum " as below by delegates coming from all over the world.
We recognized:
-- River has life. River is a continuous, intact and clean life system. It is the continuous and recycling life system that creates colorful and magnificent natural scenery, and nourishes the ecosystem and human being. Human being has no any excuse and right to ruin the life of rivers.
-- River nurtures great civilization of human being. Civilization starts from the side of rivers. Nations grows on the bank of rivers. Culture and emotion, history and reality accumulate, settle, fluctuate and mingle here. Human being and rivers live mutually-dependent. Therefore, the relationship between human being and rivers should change from opposition into harmony. Rivers should be considered as a life body. Human being's consciousness of respecting rivers should be raised. A threshold line should be set down for stop blindly outstretching of human activities.
-- Rivers should greatly support gigantic ecosystem and economic development. The prerequisite is they should be healthy rivers. It is an obligatory mission of present generation to set up a vision of life value of rivers, respect rivers' right of keeping continuous, integrate and clean, and maintain the healthy life of rivers.
It is right time to call for action. We should shoulder the following responsibilities and duties:
-- Recognizing the significance of rivers to human being and publicizing it ardently, cherishing rivers' life like ourselves, devoting to river protection consciously, and promoting the maintenance of healthy life of rivers;
-- Acting well as a representative for rivers, carrying out training, development and management of rivers in a scientific way, optimizing water allocation, integrating and harmonizing development of economy, ecology and environment development in river basin, balancing the relationship of stakeholders, and promoting the development of society;
-- Jointly forging the platform for international river management exchange, carrying out exchange, dissemination, and cooperation on river basin management experiences and technology, awarding contributors with outstanding performance, promoting the maintenance of healthy life of rivers with an effective mechanism;
-- Appealing governments, international societies and people from all sectors of the world to make concerted efforts, take active action hand in hand, strive for the protection and the great rejuvenation of the rivers-the cradle of human civilization!
Wish the rivers for both nature and human society in the planet flushing forever!
Source: YRCC |
