and just prior to the arrival of the various presidents and prime ministers - often a time of high tension - Conference officials and other participants joined with the general public to construct a dyke.
The dyke was the brainchild of the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth.
This had been widely publicised and became a major focal point for the entire Conference, since global warming is already causing floods in many areas. The Netherlands, protected by an intricate system of dykes, is particularly concerned with potential floods.
The symbolic dyke was made of sandbags and stood eight feet high, stretching 500 metres around the Conference area, as a symbolic protection for those within its borders.
Many delegates and negotiators also brought sandbags into the Conference bulding, showing that those outside were also inside.
Jan Pronk's policy of openness and inclusion may have been tested several times, but the results were evident in the peaceful flow of discussions. The few times where Emotion might have overtaken Reason were usually handled in a rational manner.
Many delegates and negotiators also brought sandbags into the Conference bulding, showing that those outside were also inside.
Jan Pronk's policy of openness and inclusion may have been tested several times, but the results were evident in the peaceful flow of discussions. The few times where Emotion might have overtaken Reason were usually handled in a rational manner.