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The Platform of Civil Society Organizations for the Safeguard of Mountains in West Africa organized a conference on the theme “Impacts of traditional practices on the development of mountains” in celebration of International Mountain Day in Kara, Togo. Traditional Leaders, local decision-makers and NGO leaders gathered for the conference to discuss the key roles mountains plays in the ecological and socioeconomic development of Togo. Participants were informed of the West Africa Mountain Forum to be held in October 2017.

The FAO Pastoralist Knowledge Hub commemorated IMD with a message about mountain pastoralism: an important and viable livelihood strategy and way of life for people across the globe, from the Altai mountains of Central Asia, to the Himalayas of South Asia, from the Alpine mountains in Europe to the Andes in Latin America. Addressing the challenges faced by mountain pastoralists today, the Hub shared publications on the sustainability of mountain pastoralism and the ecosystem services provided by such production systems. [...]

The National Mountain Committee of Argentina celebrated IMD on 15 December. In her presentation on mountain cultures, María Pia Falchi of the National Institute of Anthropology and Latin American Thought noted how ancient inhabitants of South America considered mountains fundamental parts of a landscape. Today, mountains carry innumerable legends that form modern folklore and history. “Mountain cultures have deep roots that must be preserved and strengthened for future generations to understand the diversity of our national identity,” said Falchi.

The National University La Molina in Peru celebrated International Mountain Day with a conference on Peru’s mountains and glaciers that also highlighted Andean mountain cultures. Professor Juan Torres Guevara, who organized the conference, described how Andean peoples’ cultures have been shaped by the extreme high-altitude ecosystems of the Andes. He focused on how their deep knowledge of agriculture includes how to adapt to climate change, keep lands fertile and adapt crops to high altitudes.

Imlil is a small village in the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco where on 24 December, several organizations, including Le Meridien Hotels and UNESCO, are organizing a celebration of International Mountain Day. The day will begin at 9.00 with a guided visit of the Toubkal National Park ecomuseum, followed by a hike in the mountains. At 13.30, there will be a lunch at the Tiwizi Association Centre and an afternoon round-table discussion of the theme “Mountain Cultures”.  

The Association Assirem Gouraya organized the fifth edition of the National Mountain Festival in Bejaia, Algeria on 9-11 December with the support of the Algerian Ski and Mountain Sport Federation, the Conservation of Forests of Bejaia and the Directorate for Youth and Sports. The three days of the festival featured a climbing championship, a hike in a mountain cedar forest, a guided visit of the National Museum, discussions of mountain cultures and more.

The University of Perugia in Perugia, Italy held a conference about the Apennine Mountains on 2 December in celebration of International Mountain Day. Following a series of destructive earthquakes in 2016, conference participants concentrated on rebuilding and preserving their cultural identities. The University has decided at the conference to conduct lessons on mountains in different communities, including Norcia, in 2017.

The Russian Geographical Society (RGS) organized a celebration of International Mountain Day at its headquarters in Moscow, Russia on 8 December. Presentations were made by Vladimir Kotlyakov, Honorary President of the RGS; Danil Ivanovich, founder and director of Ethno-Nature Park Uch Enmek; Eugene D. Veselovsky, member of the Altai Biosphere Reserve; and Marina Y. Nesterenko, member of the Society for Tourism Commission. Particular attention was drawn to the need to develop a national policy on mountain regions in Russia.

The Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) hosted a mountain conference on “Rethinking the Development Agenda: Advancing Resilient Livelihoods of Mountain Peoples” on 11-12 December at the Club Himalaya in Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, Nepal in celebration of International Mountain Day. Over 50 government, civil society and private sector representatives attended. The conference concluded with the writing of a seven-point declaration with a concrete action plan to take the mountain agenda further.

The City Council Room in Aspen, Colorado, United States was overflowing with attendees for the presentation of an official mountain proclamation on 11 December, International Mountain Day. Following Mayor Steve Skadron’s presentation, Chief AhTave, heir of the Ute Mountain Tribe, offered a blessing. His message focused on the importance of mountains for their communities and their history.