Values and prinicples of mountaineering
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:26 am
For my master-dissertation I’m doing a survey on sustainable development in mountain ranges (worldwide) and the –possible- influence of the larger Alpine Clubs (including the UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation)) on this process of sustainable development in mountain regions (outside their own countries).
Some contributions to a more sustainable way of life in mountain areas and a more sustainable approach towards mountaineering have been made by Alpine associations .
For example the UIAA has created over the years some documents and declarations about ethics and values of mountaineering in order to promote social development, cultural understanding and environmental awareness.
(Documents like the Kathmandu-Declaration (1982), the Summit Charter (2001), the Tyrol-Declaration on Best Practice in Mountain Sports (2002), the Mountain Ethics Declaration (2009), etc.)
Now, I would like to see how much influence these documents have on a more sustainable approach towards mountaineering. Do they actually influence people (mountaineers) to behave and think in a more sustainable –and ecological- way? Did they improve the lives of indigenous people in for example the Andes or Himalays? Did they have any real impact on the environment in mountain ranges? Or not? Maybe they don’t have any impact on all this at all?
That’s why I would like to ask whether you have heard of these (and other, similar documents) before, or not? And if you’ve heard of them: how well do you know these, have they raised more awareness about the need of a more sustainable development in mountain areas and, thus, a more ecological approach of mountaineering, and do you actually apply these values and principles -while mountaineering or even in your everyday lives?
I’m asking this because it’s hard to judge on my own. Some –honest- positive as well as negative responses would be really appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Koen
Some contributions to a more sustainable way of life in mountain areas and a more sustainable approach towards mountaineering have been made by Alpine associations .
For example the UIAA has created over the years some documents and declarations about ethics and values of mountaineering in order to promote social development, cultural understanding and environmental awareness.
(Documents like the Kathmandu-Declaration (1982), the Summit Charter (2001), the Tyrol-Declaration on Best Practice in Mountain Sports (2002), the Mountain Ethics Declaration (2009), etc.)
Now, I would like to see how much influence these documents have on a more sustainable approach towards mountaineering. Do they actually influence people (mountaineers) to behave and think in a more sustainable –and ecological- way? Did they improve the lives of indigenous people in for example the Andes or Himalays? Did they have any real impact on the environment in mountain ranges? Or not? Maybe they don’t have any impact on all this at all?
That’s why I would like to ask whether you have heard of these (and other, similar documents) before, or not? And if you’ve heard of them: how well do you know these, have they raised more awareness about the need of a more sustainable development in mountain areas and, thus, a more ecological approach of mountaineering, and do you actually apply these values and principles -while mountaineering or even in your everyday lives?
I’m asking this because it’s hard to judge on my own. Some –honest- positive as well as negative responses would be really appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Koen