ABSTRACT
The Seventeenth IUCN General Assembly in Costa Rica was a cheerful affair. This was partly because the difficult issues seemed to have been resolved; partly because Costa Rica is a warm, welcoming and relaxed country as well as a stunningly beautiful one; and partly because – although over 800 people turned up, stretching the facilities to the limit – the atmosphere remained that of a family gathering with time for informality and for outings. Relaxation was evident after the opening ceremony in the downtown theatre, when the President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, Dr Swaminathan and Prince Philip walked through the streets to the host country reception along roads guarded by nothing more military than boy scouts with staves. 1
