<h3><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1499" title="icz_logo" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/icz_logo.jpg" alt="icz_logo" width="223" height="169" />AAZK Program Representatives</h3>
<img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1498" title="norah" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/norah-150x150.jpg" alt="norah" width="150" height="150" /> Norah Farnham         <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2758" title="sara_wunder21" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/sara_wunder21.jpg" alt="sara_wunder21" width="150" height="171" /> Sara Wunder Steward

<em><strong>Purpose</strong></em>
The International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ) provides a variety of assistance to our international colleagues, promotes the goals and objectives of AAZK, Inc. on an international level, increases awareness of AAZK and enhances communication among the world’s zoo professionals. Functions of the ICZ include hosting a conference every three years, keeper workshops, and helping keepers in developing countries receive access to resources and information.

The ICZ evolved from AAZK’s now-extinct International Outreach Committee (IOC). A major accomplishment of the IOC was procuring a travel grant which afforded the opportunity for representatives from 7 of the world’s professional zookeeper associations to meet at the AAZK conference in Columbus Ohio, in 2000.  Since this meeting, the ICZ has grown into an incorporated 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, complete with a Constitution, By- Laws, and 6,000 members from 30 countries.

<strong>ICZ Mission Statement: </strong>

'The ICZ will build a worldwide network among zookeepers and other professionals in the field of wildlife care and conservation. This exchange of experience and knowledge will improve the professionalism of zookeepers for the benefit of the animals under their care and promote awareness and actions that will contribute to the preservation of wildlife everywhere.'
<strong>
Vision Statement:</strong>

'A global network of zookeepers with the highest standards of professional animal care contributing to a diverse and sustainable natural world where neither wild animals nor their habitats are in danger.'

<strong>Current membership of the ICZ:</strong>
- American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)
- Association of British &amp; Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK)
- Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK)
- Asociación Ibérica de Cuidadores de Animales Salvajes (AICAS) (Spain)
- Association Francophone de Soigneurs Animaliers (AFSA) (France)
- Berufsverband der Zootierpfleger (BdZ) (Germany)
- Stichting De Harpij (Netherlands and Belgium)
-Animal Keepers’ Association of Africa (AKAA)
-Zookeepers’ Association of the Philippines (ZAP)

<strong>ICZ Steering Committee:</strong>

President:  Rolf Veehuizen, De Harpij
Vice President:  Carsten Knott, BdZ
Treasurer:  Liz Romer, ASZK
Secretary:  Carla Srb, ASZK
AAZK Program Representatives:  Norah Farnham &amp; Sara Wunder Steward
ABWAK Representatives:  Richard Barnett &amp; Ross Snipp
AFSA Representatives:   Virginie Roy &amp; Damien Lerasle
AICAS Representative:  Albert Pamies &amp; Raul Cabrera
AKAA Representatives:  Robynn Ingle-Moller &amp; John Werth
BdZ Representative:  Carsten Knott &amp; Irene Tomaschek
De Harpij Representatives:  Dennis Blomjous
ZAP Representatives:  Leo Jonathon Suarez, DVM &amp; Emilia Lastica, DVM

<img class="size-full wp-image-2759 alignnone" title="2012_icz_sc" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/2012_icz_sc.jpg" alt="2012_icz_sc" width="571" height="428" />
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<p style="text-align: left;"><span><em>Steering Committee in Singapore 2012</em></span></p>

<em><strong>Strategic Plan:</strong></em>
The ICZ’s course through 2016 will be guided by eight Strategic Directions:
·    Achieve the highest standards of zookeeping globally.
·    To assist zoos in need of improvement.
·    Securing the financial growth and stability needed to implement the ICZ’s strategy.
·    Increasing ICZ's visibility and impact.
·    Improving and developing the ICZ, reflecting the needs of zookeepers, zookeeper associations and zoos needing improvement.
·    Developing and delivering ICZ’s core conservation activities.
·    Developing and strengthening ICZ’s external partnerships.
·    Procure and develop a professional administrative management.

<em><strong>Upcoming:</strong></em>
The next ICZ conference will be held in Leipzig, Germany in 2015. Look for exact dates to be announced by Spring 2014.

<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2760" title="2012_conf_group" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/2012_conf_group.jpg" alt="2012_conf_group" width="700" height="467" />
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<strong>For more information:</strong>
Currently the two AAZK Program Representatives on the ICZ Steering Committee are Norah Farnham and Sara Wunder Steward. You may contact them at:

<a href="mailto:norah.farnham@aecetia.net/gws/aazk">norah.farnham@aecetia.net/gws/aazk</a>
<a href="mailto:sara.steward@aecetia.net/gws/aazk">sara.steward@aecetia.net/gws/aazk</a>

Please visit the ICZ Website at:  <a href="http://www.iczoo.org">www.iczoo.org</a>

<a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/international-programs/" title="International Programs"><i class="icon-link"></i> International Programs - Click here</a>