I have been interested in education ever since teaching summer remedial classes for primary school students as a college student, and have frequently had occasion to develop education and training programmes in support of my work for governments and international organizations. This has ranged from curriculum materials for primary and secondary schools and training materials in rural environmental management for use in village areas through films and other supporting audiovisual materials to in-service training programmes for professionals and graduate level university courses. Now that I am retired, I am particularly interested in sharing my experience with younger generations.

Five years scientific research and curatorial experience, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA, with special interests in coral reef ecology, marine algae, and island environments, and continuing activity on various international scientific committees.

Eleven years residence in the South Pacific as adviser to governments and international organizations in ecology, conservation and environmental management, with extensive field experience, including at the grass-roots level. Three years residence in Africa and twenty years in Europe. Wide knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region and of small island developing States, particularly the developing countries and territories of the Pacific Islands, complemented by experience in the Caribbean and Africa, and visits to many other areas.

Thirty-five years programme management and administrative experience in the planning, organization and evaluation of international multi-disciplinary programmes of research, observation, and environmental assessment and management, including liaison with governments, organization of cooperation among international agencies, directing intergovernmental meetings, scientific symposia and training courses, and implementing the results of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992).

Producer of training and audio-visual materials, lecturer and writer (in English and French) for scientific audiences and the general public on ecology, conservation, religion, environment and sustainable development.

Consultant to many international organizations and government agencies, with special emphasis on coral reef and coastal zone management, conservation of nature and biodiversity, environment and management of islands, environmental education and training, indicators of environment and sustainability, rural social and economic development, and applications of science in developing countries.

Academic experience including organizing curriculum development and teaching graduate level courses in social and economic development, coordinator of UNEP/University of Geneva Environmental Diplomacy Programme, member of scientific committee for University of Geneva Continuing Education Certificate in Sustainable Development, and occasional lecturer for other university courses.

Recent substantive interests have focussed on coral reef protection and management, information for environmental decision-making, indicators of sustainable development, organization of observations and assessments of the global environment, public participation in environmental observations, new economic paradigms, and the special problems of small island developing States.

POSITIONS:
Retired from the United Nations, August 2002.
Director, Coral Reef Unit, Division of Environmental Conventions, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland, 2000-2002.
Coordinator, UN System-wide Earthwatch, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland, 1992-2000.
Deputy Assistant Executive Director, Division of Environment Information and Assessment, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland, 1996-1998.
Deputy to the Director, Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya, 1989-1992.
Consulting ecologist to governments and international organizations, 1982-1989, including: Government of New Caledonia; South Pacific Regional Environment Programme; Kanak Cultural, Scientific and Technical Office (New Caledonia); Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress; World Conservation Union (IUCN); Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, United Nations Environment Programme; Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER); Environment and Policy Institute, East-West Center; UNESCO.
Regional Ecological Adviser, South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, 1974-1982 (organized South Pacific Regional Environment Programme).
Associate Curator (Algae), Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 1970-1974, and Research Associate, 1974-1982.
Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 1969-1970.
Teaching Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 1965-1966.

MEETINGS AND FIELD EXPERIENCE relevant to education:
1972
Accredited observer for the Bahá'í International Community to United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lecture tour on coral reef ecology in secondary schools, Belize.
1975
Constructed environmental exhibits and trained staff for Museum of American Samoa.
1977
Resource person for Asian Development Institute Workshop on Development Planning with Special Reference to Evaluation, Western Samoa.
1978
Directed seven-week Sub-regional Workshop in Environmental Planning and Assessment, Papua New Guinea, with participants from various Pacific countries.
1979
Consultant to UNESCO meeting on development of coral reef research and marine science activities in the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Presented papers at Workshop on Natural Systems Management Training, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Directed Territorial Workshop in Environmental Planning and Assessment for rural medical officers in New Caledonia.
1980
Continued assistance with museum exhibits development in American Samoa.
Conducted Workshop on Environmental Planning and Assessment for Government of Niue.
1981
Invited participant in UNESCO Workshop in Research and Training Priorities for Coral Reef Management in Oceania, South Asia and Southeast Asia, Philippines.
Invited participant in UNDP-CCOP/SOPAC Inshore and Nearshore Resources Training Workshop, Fiji.
1982
Invited speaker, Seminar on Conservation and Development, and Training Course on Environmental Studies and Conservation, Fiji.
1983
Adviser on museum development in New Caledonia.
Invited lecturer at IOI/FFA/USP Exclusive Economic Zone Management Course, Fiji.
1984
Organized scientific symposia associated with 4th Festival of Pacific Arts, New Caledonia (cancelled at last minute due to political unrest).
1985
Presented key issue paper at 3rd South Pacific National Parks and Reserves Conference, Western Samoa, and lectured to associated training course for park personnel.
Designed and installed underwater nature trail in Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, Western Samoa.
Directed Training Course on Rural Environmental Management for Government of Vanuatu.
1987
Participant in Unesco-IUBS Commission on Biology Education workshop, Bangsaen, Thailand.
Fellow, Environment and Policy Institute, East-West Center, Hawaii.
Lecture tours for European Environment Year in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
1988
Lecturer to UNESCO/UNEP Workshop on Environment in Eastern Africa, Mauritius.
1990
Lecturer at Environmental Symposium, Landegg, Switzerland.
1997
Facilitator and speaker at Regional Capacity 21/DPCSD Workshop on Indicators of Sustainable Development, Accra, Ghana.
Organized Ethics Forum on the Environment, Landegg Academy, Switzerland.
1998
Invited featured speaker at Beas Foundation Seminar on "The Eco Principle: Ecology and Economics in Symbiosis", Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA.
1999
Adjunct appointment to the faculty of Landegg Academy, Weinacht, Switzerland.
Named to Commission on Peace, Ecology and Sustainable Development, in the Centre for Research on Peace, Institut Catholique de Paris, France.
Keynote speaker, AIESEC Planet Club Conference, Hungary.
2000
Invited speaker at International Conference on Human Habitat and Environment, Landegg Academy, Switzerland.
Invited keynote speaker at International Colloquium on Sustainable Development and Information for Decision-making, Ecole des Mines, St. Etienne, France.
Keynote speaker at Second AIESEC Planet Club Conference, Veroce-Kismaros, Hungary.
2001
Invited lecturer, Royal Commonwealth Society and London School of Economics, London, England.
2002
Lecturer, Centre of Human Ecology, University of Geneva, and graduate programme, Federal Polytechnic University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Commencement Speaker, Landegg International University, Switzerland
Invited speaker, World Civil Society Forum, Geneva.
Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, University of Miami, and participated in Workshop on the Future of Decision-support for Coral Reef Management, Miami, Florida.
Represented International Environment Forum (IEF) at World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, organized and spoke at Dialogue on Indicators of Sustainability at WSSD Science Forum, at panel on Multiple Dimensions of Globalization at IUCN Environment Centre,  and at panel on Science at the Local Level at the University of Witwaatersrand.
Speaker at European Bahá'í Business Forum annual conference, the Netherlands, and EBBF national conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, with lectures at various universities in Bulgaria.
2003
Lectures at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various universities in Madagascar.
Lectures for ten different universities in Adana, Ankara, Ismir and Istanbul, Turkey.
Keynote speaker, Festival de l'Avenir au Naturel, l'Albenc, France.
Co-organizer and speaker, 7th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum and Bahá'í Conference on Social and Economic Development in the Americas, Orlando, Florida, USA.
2004
Invited workshop speaker, First International Conference of the Consumer Citizenship Network, UNESCO, Paris.
Invited lecturer at AIESEC National Conference on Ethical Leadership, London, UK.
Led consultation on environmental governance, Pacific Institute for Advanced Studies in Development and Governance, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
Co-organizer and keynote speaker, 8th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Invited lecturer and workshop moderator, AIESEC national conference, Fiesch, Switzerland
2005
Represented Global Islands Network and CSD Education Caucus at the Mauritius International Meeting on further implementation of the Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States, chaired side event for Education Caucus.
Represented International Environment Forum at UN Commission on Sustainable Development, New York, including CSD Education Caucus
Invited to present University lecture and seminar at University of Bari, Italy, received Medal of the university from the Rector
2006
Invited lecturer for AIESEC national and regional conferences in Italy, Czech Republic, United Kingdom and Macedonia
Represented International Environment Forum at Un Commission on Sustainable Development, New York, including CSD Education Caucus
Participated in plenary panel at 3rd International Conference of the Consumer Citizenship Network, Norway
Organizer and keynote speaker at 10th Annual Conference of International Environment Forum, Balliol College, Oxford, England
Presented a week of lectures at Master of Advanced Studies in Development, Technology and Society, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Public and university lectures in Chambery, France; Quebec, Canada; Leichtenstein; Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria; Ohrid, Macedonia
2007
Invited lecturer, EBBF-AIESEC Seminar, Italy
Public and university lectures in Jyvaskyla, Tampere and Helsinki, Finland; Monaco; Nice and Chambery, France; Brussels, Belgium; Quebec, Canada; Noumea, New Caledonia
Invited participant in UNESCOcat Expert Workshop on Faith-based Organizations and Education for Sustainable Development, Barcelona, Spain
Represented International Environment Forum at 15th Commission on Sustainable Development, New York, including CSD Education Caucus; panelist in side event on Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change
Organized and lectured at UNEP/University of Geneva Course in Environmental Diplomacy, Chateau de Bossey, Switzerland
Lectured at Baha'i Summer Schools in France and Bulgaria, and Baha'i Winter School in Switzerland
Organizer and speaker at International Environment Forum 11th Annual Conference on response to climate change, Ottawa, Canada.
Led two workshops at AIESEC national conference, Fiesch, Switzerland.

Member, Evolutionary and Systematic Biology Steering Committee, Board of Academic Studies, Smithsonian Institution, 1970-1973.
Member of Council, Consortium for International Pacific Education and Communications Experiments by Satellite (PEACESAT), 1976-85.
Supervised development of curriculum materials in environmental education, and directed production of educational films on island environmental management, 1978-1981.
Organizer of regional and national training courses on environmental planning and management in the Pacific, 1978-1985.
Consultant to South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, developing extensive set of training materials and audiovisual supports on rural environmental resource management and development, 1983-1985.
Consultant to UNESCO on marine science education in the Pacific, 1987-1988.
Global faculty member, Landegg International University, 1998-2004.
Occasional lectures for graduate courses at University of Geneva and Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland (2001-present).
Member of steering committee, Department of Economic and Social Development, Landegg International University, Switzerland, helped to develop Master of Arts in International and Community Development (2002-2003).
Taught graduate courses on Sustainable Development, and International Institutional Framework for Development, at Landegg International University, Switzerland (2003).
Member of Scientific Committee and lecturer for Continuing University Education Certificate in Sustainable Development, University of Geneva (2003-present).
Academic Coordinator and member of Scientific Committee, UNEP/University of Geneva Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacy, and coordinator of module on Ethics, Religion and Science for Environmental Diplomacy (2006-present)

BIBLIOGRAPHY relevant to education
1980
Story of an island: managing your island environment (45 min. educational film). South Pacific Commission, Noumea.
1981
Coral reef monitoring handbook. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 21 p. Reprinted as SPC/UNEP, Coral reef monitoring handbook. Reference Methods for Marine Pollution Studies No. 25. UNEP, 1984. 25 p.
Resources management (abstract), p. 45-46. In Report on the Inshore and Nearshore Resources Training Workshop, Suva, Fiji, 13-17 July 1981. Committee for Co-ordination of Joint Prospecting for Mineral Resources in South Pacific Offshore Areas, Technical Secretariat, Suva, Fiji.
1982
Your changing island environment (25 min. educational film for school use). South Pacific Commission, Noumea.
1985
Training materials for rural environmental management (48 units and supporting audio-visual materials). South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, South Pacific Commission, Noumea (unpublished).
1988.
The marine environment. In P.J. Kelley (ed.), Field Work in Ecology for Secondary Schools in Tropical Countries. Science and Technology Education, Document Series No. 30. Unesco, Paris, ED-88/WS/47. Reprinted as Field Work in Marine Ecology for Secondary Schools in Tropical Countries. MARINF/80. Unesco, Paris, 1990. 90 p.
1989
Traditional environmental knowledge and resource management in New Caledonia. In R.E. Johannes (ed.), Traditional Ecological Knowledge: a Collection of Essays. IUCN, Gland and Cambridge. 64 p. http://islands.unep.ch/dtradknc.htm
1993
Les valeurs écologiques, p. 61-66. In La société a-t-elle besoin des valeurs éthiques, morales, spirituelles? Recueil des conférences, Association d'Etudes Baha'ies - Europe Francophone, Neuvième rencontre les 27 et 28 mars 1993 à l'Institut universitaire de hautes études internationales, Genève, Suisse.
1995
The moral dimension of sustainable consumption, p. 59-61. In Report of UNEP-ROE Roundtable Discussions on Sustainable Production and Consumption in Europe, Geneva, 22-23 November 1995. UNEP Regional Office for Europe, Geneva.
1996
The ECO Principle: Ecology and Economics in Symbiosis. Zed Books Ltd, London and New Jersey, and George Ronald, Oxford. 174 p. (also published in Portuguese)
Spiritual Dimensions of Sustainable Development. Paper presented at Workshop on Sustainable Development and International Cooperation, Bucharest, Romania, 22-23 March 1996. http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl96a.htm
1998
Small Island Environmental Management Training Course. http://islands.unep.ch/siem.htm
Sustainable consumption and true prosperity. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference of the Environment Forum, 6-8 November, 1998, De Poort, The Netherlands. http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl98c.htm
1999
When is enough, enough? Sustainable Consumption and True Prosperity. Herald of the South 50(3): 22-23.
Community-based environmental management: empowering people with environmental understanding. Paper presented at the 3rd Conference of the International Environment Forum cosponsored by the Bahá'í Agency for Social and Economic Development - United Kingdom (BASED-UK), 15-18 August 1999, Sidcot, United Kingdom. http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl99b.htm
2001
Values as the foundation for sustainable behaviour. Paper presented at the 5th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum, 19-21 October 2001, Hluboka nad Vltavou, Czech Republic. http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl01b.htm
2002
Linking science and indigenous knowledge for community environmental management. Paper presented at the Seminar on Integrating Science in Local Communities, World Summit on Sustainable Development, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002. http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl02b.htm
2004
Science and values as complementary foundations for consumer citizenship. Paper presented at First International Conference of the Consumer Citizenship Network, UNESCO, Paris, 1-2 March 2004. http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl04a.htm
Leading the Transition to Sustainability: Global Challenges and Individual Action. Keynote paper presented at the 8th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum, Thessaloniki, Greece, 15-17 October 2004. Abstract and powerpoint: http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl04b.htm
Environmental dimensions of sustainable lifestyles. Paper presented at the 8th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum, Thessaloniki, Greece, 15-17 October 2004. Outline and powerpoint: http://www.bcca.org/ief/ddahl04c.htm
 Measuring Sustainable Lifestyles and Sustainability. Paper presented at the 8th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum, Thessaloniki, Greece, 15-17 October 2004. Outline and powerpoint: http://www.bcca.org/ief/dkarl04b.htm  (with Sylvia Karlsson). 
2006
 Indicators of sustainability: reliable tools for decision making. UNESCO-SCOPE Policy Briefs No. 1, May 2006. Paris: UNESCO-SCOPE http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001500/150005e.pdf
 Climate Change: Scientific and Faith Perspectives. Paper presented at 10th Annual Conference of International Environment Forum, Oxford, UK, 15-17 September 2006. http://www.bcca.org/ief/doc/ddahl06b.htm
2007
Climate Change and its Ethical Challenges, p. 157-172. In The Baha'i World 2005-2006: An International Record. Haifa: Baha'i World Centre. http://www.bcca.org/ief/doc/ddahl07a.htm
Unravelling the puzzling world of islands. Chapter 2 in G. Baldacchino (ed.), A World of Islands: An Island Studies Reader. Malta & Canada, Agenda Academic and Institute of Island Studies. ISBN: 978-99932-86-10-3/ (with Christian Depraetere)
 Scientific Foundations for Commitment and Consistency, p. 220-224. In Dag Tangen and Victoria W. Thoresen (eds.), Catalyzing Change. Proceedings of the Third International Conference of The Consumer Citizenship Network, Hamar (Norway) 2006. Høgskolen i Hedmark, Oppdragsrapport nr. 4 - 2007. http://www.bcca.org/ief/doc/ddahl06a.htm
 Ethical Challenges of Climate Change. Paper presented at the 11th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum, Ottawa, Canada, 12-14 October 2007. http://www.bcca.org/ief/doc/ddahl07b.htm

In press.
Environment and Globalization. In Samir Dasgupta (ed.), Understanding Global Environment. Delhi: Pearson Education.