On behalf of BGCI and Durban Botanic Gardens, we warmly invite you to participate in BGCI's 7th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens. The title ‘Action Learning: places, spaces and partnerships for biodiversity and human well-being' has been chosen to reflect just how far botanic gardens have come in terms of education and how committed they are to educating people for sustainability.

Through the themes of the congress, we will explore our relevance to society and demonstrate that, although botanic gardens alone cannot save plant diversity from extinction, we are a vital part of the solution. Botanic gardens are at the heart of communities and are ideally placed to work in partnership to encourage new ways of thinking for sustainability. This congress will promote such sharing and help forge new links across the globe as part of a worldwide movement.

Running an international congress obviously has implications for our collective carbon footprint. We are endeavouring to minimise this through a range of measures including electronic communications, use of local suppliers and native tree planting to help offset our travel to the congress.

We are planning an exciting programme which will actively engage you in listening, debating and hands-on activities Our colleagues in South Africa run inspiring and effective education programmes and are at the forefront of action learning. We believe we can all learn an enormous amount from them at this congress and urge you to participate.

Sara Oldfield Secretary General: BGCI	Christopher Dalzell Curator: Durban Botanic Gardens