The 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) was held at the City of Geneva, Switzerland from June 26-30. The congress brought together over 500 representatives of 300 botanical gardens from 70 countries and regions. Prof. Chen Jin, director of Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden (XTBG), was invited as one of the 7 keynote speakers. 

  Chen Jin headed up 5 representatives of XTBG. He delivered a keynote speech entitled “Environmental education in botanical gardens: a child’s play ?”. He pointed out that education has been regarded as one of the core functions of botanical gardens. Combining with environmental education achievements of XTBG over the past years, he presented why education is important and how to make education more effective in botanical gardens.  

  Principal investigator of XTBG Biodiversity Research Group presented at session of “Plant Conservation” with a title of “The role of botanical gardens in plant conservation in the tropics”. Mr. Wang Ximi reported “China's environmental education trend and the botanical gardens' role”. Dr. Shi Jipu introduced the conservation works of XTBG. Mr. Zhu Renbin introduced “A best tool for plant searching” at the session of “Management Challenges”. 

  The theme of the congress is “Botanic gardens in society: visions for the future”. It aims to stimulate discussion and innovative reflections on the role and relevance of botanic gardens in society. Major topics include plant conservation, education and outreach, botanic garden management challenges and communicating the big issues via landscaping, with workshops and discussion sessions organized during the course of the meeting to address specific issues. 

 Prof. Chen Jin makes plenary speech. 

 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress  of BGCI 

  Conservatory of Conservatorie et Jardin botaniques