Course overview

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) includes provisions across scientific, legal, enforcement and other related domains. Successful implementation of the Convention depends on the full understanding of these provisions and the rationale behind them. The CITES Basic E-learning course contains a set of ten lessons including those covering general subject areas. The aim of the E-learning course is to enhance the accessibility of the wealth of information, guidance materials, tools and resources to allow CITES Parties, in particular CITES Management and Scientific Authorities, law enforcement authorities, and focal points, to have improved access to learning about the basic requirements of the Convention and its implementation in a self-paced manner.

Content and Duration

This e-learning course is composed of ten lessons which are organized in interactive modules and combine course theory with exercises and interactions to facilitate the learning process. The core content of the lessons is complemented with numerous references to guidelines, tools and CITES Resolutions and Decisions.

It will take you approximately 3 hours to complete the full course, excluding additional materials. This is a self-paced course that allows you to save the progress made and resume the course later. You can navigate the lessons at your convenience and retake them whenever you like.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the basic purpose and requirements of CITES
  • Learn key scientific, legal, and enforcement provisions relevant to CITES implementation
  • Recognize the roles and responsibilities of CITES authorities and enforcement bodies
  • Apply core CITES guidelines, tools, Resolutions, and Decisions
  • Strengthen practical skills for effective national implementation of CITES

Take the quiz at the end of the course to assess your learning progress. You are required to answer at least 80% of the assessment questions correctly in order to obtain a course certificate.

Before obtaining the certificate you also need to submit the course survey (your feedback). This survey helps us to improve the course, develop new courses, and assess if you are achieving your learning objectives.