While the conservation concerns of every country are unique, transnational issues, similar ecosystems, and shared natural resources priorities provide a strong basis of common ground on which policymakers from around the world can share knowledge. Strong communication networks between legislators, executive officials, corporate and NGO leaders, and conservation experts will provide the framework in which the exchange of ideas and resources can take place.

Moreover, the CCN will design specific programming to allow the dissemination of knowledge across borders. It will seek to integrate foreign leaders into ICCF field missions involving U.S. Representatives and Senators and other policy leaders and high-level staff, and reciprocally help foreign leaders to participate in and inform U.S. policymakers through ICCF’s Congressional Briefing Series. Field conservation activities will be used as “living classrooms” from which participants will return to their countries in a strong position to discuss conservation problems and solutions with their legislative and executive branch colleagues.  Furthermore, as these missions offer an opportunity for policymakers from different parties and regions to develop personal bonds, the educational field missions will promote constructive long-term relationships to generate important conservation benefits.

We intend to design missions (technicians, policymakers, corporate leaders, and conservationists) to visit partner nations to witness conservation work there, build relationships, and allow the delegations the chance to explore additional opportunities for partnership in the region and beyond. We further intend to host missions from partner nations to Washington and to design programs in Washington specific to partner nations and their environmental policies and programs.

The Global Parks program and the Institute for Applied Conservation and Improved Livelihoods will also form the core of the CCN's on-the-ground initiatives designed to promote the exchange of good natural resources management practices internationally.