School of Science & Engineering

Second International Conference on Biodiversity and Renewable Natural Resources Management

Ifrane (Morocco)
May 30 - June 1, 2002

 

CONFERENCE AIM

Among the major environmental problems facing the new millennium are climate change, global warming, loss of biodiversity through extinction of many species, and consumption of natural resources. Obviously, the international community has become increasingly aware of these issues, in last decades. On the other hand, scientists continued their work and research for a greater understanding of the scientific principles underlying the ecological consequence of the environmental pollution.
Damage caused to humans and other life forms is now abundantly documented; birds, fish, plants are enduring genetic mutations and damage to immune and hormonal systems as a result of various types of pollution.
In the last years, governments of developed countries mainly focused their attention on a management approach advocating numerical controls on releases into the environment of dangerous wastes and chemicals that disrupt ecosystems.
Developing countries, forced to pay attention to  global issues (climate change, ...) and their impact on the ecosystems, are making a lot of effort to know more about their natural assets and their assessment . They are also striving towards setting up policies and standards within local environmental strategies, admitting therefore the same environmental approach as developed countries.
The First International Conference on Biodiversity, held on May 13-15, 1999, allowed a gathering of national and international specialists. The environment assessments and biodiversity issues were found to be of great concern among the scientific community. It was also felt that continuous interaction among scientists and decision makers is the only way for preserving and implementing further action toward natural resources preservation.
The purpose of this second conference, organized by the School of Science and Engineering (SSE) of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI), is four-fold:
1. review the update of any research work carried out on biodiversity and renewable natural resources.
2. exchange latest information and data on environmental issues at a local, regional and international scale : water , air and soil pollution.
3. discuss the pollution management approaches and see how  pollution management may shift from a numerical control approach to a preventive management approach to ensure the well-being for humans and other life forms.
4. present data on new and clean technologies and discuss the benefits and drawbacks for the future.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

The conference will be held at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane on May 30-June 1, 2002.
Nested in the heart of the Middle Atlas Mountains, AUI is surrounded by cedar forests, a vast Mediterranean ecosystem, which is rich in biodiversity resources. It provides the ideal setting for studying natural resources and any ecological impact resulting from global environmental issues. Furthermore, the Atlas region with appropriate natural resources reserves may play an important role in the regional development through good management of the natural resources.

CONFERENCE FORMAT

Languages: English and French.
Each oral presentation will be 20 minutes in length and workshops will be 90 minutes long.

May 30, 2002
• Morning:
Opening ceremony.
 General Session.
• Afternoon:
Session I: Environmental Assessment: Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (animal, plant, water, air and soil pollution).
Workshop I: Environmental Risk Assessment and Management.
Workshop II: Information Technology for Environ-mental Assessment.

May 31, 2002
• Morning:
Session II:  Environment Management (Plant and Animal Wildlife, Water, Bioremediation: Environ-ment and Health Impact.
Workshop I.
Workshop II.
• Afternoon:
Session III:  Renewable Energies (Bioenergy, Solar and Wind, Other forms of renewable energies).
N.B. Maximum of 20 participants per workshop.

SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS

The format should be Title, Name(s) of author(s), affiliation(s), and address(es). Abstracts (1 page) can be submitted by: 1. E-mail plain text, 2. E-mail attached document (PC Word 6), 3. Faxed copy with original to follow by mail, 4. Mailed hard copy.

DEADLINES

• May 31, 2001: Deadline for pre-registration.
• Sep. 31, 2001: Submission of abstracts.
• Nov. 30, 2001: Second announcement detailing the final program.
• May 30, 2002: Submission of full papers.
 
 
 
 

PO Box 104, Avenue Hassan II,
Ifrane 53000 (Morocco)

Fax: +212-(0)55862030
Tel: +212-(0)55862114/15
E-mail: Biodiv.conf@alakhawayn.ma
http://www.alakhawayn.ma/