[Discussion] WORKSHOP- Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Central Asia, Deadline Extended

[sule tarakcioglu]

WORKSHOP- Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Central Asia, Deadline 
Extended

This is to inform you that the application deadline for the 1st
International Workshop Human Dimensions of Climate and Environmental Change
in Central Asia (HDCECCA) has been extended until March 5, 2004.

Registration fee can be paid continuously until May 21, 2004. Early
registration is encouraged as course places may fill up prior to the
conference date.

Call for Papers: The 1st International Workshop

Human Dimensions of Climate and Environmental Change in Central Asia

May 21-22, 2004

The Climate and Environmental Change interdisciplinary committee and the
Geography and Planning Department at Grand Valley State University invite
paper proposals for the first International Workshop on Human Dimensions of
Climate and Environmental Change in Central Asia to be held in Grand 
Rapids,
Michigan (USA) May 21-22, 2004.

The goal of this workshop is to discuss human-environmental interactions in
arid and semi-arid environments of the world at various scales in the
context of global climate and environmental change, and more specifically,
to assess the human dimensions of climate and environmental change in
Central Asia.

The Central Asian republics, situated in the Aral Sea basin, are widely
recognized as a region of profound environmental crisis, and a case 
study of
exceptionally significant human-induced climate change at an unprecedented
rate.

Human-induced climate and environmental change has a strong impact on
natural ecosystems, water resources, biodiversity, agricultural crops, 
human
health and well-being, economic development, and regional political
stability. One of the main goals of the workshop is to identify the key
directions, strategies, and funding opportunities for collaborative 
research
on climate and environmental change in arid zones around the world.

Workshop topics include but are not limited to environmental issues of
Central Asia, climate change in arid and semi-arid environments, water
resources and irrigation, desertification control, implications of climate
and environmental change for human health, environmental public policy,
regional responses to global climate change with particular emphasis on 
arid
environments and the Central Asian region.

Paper proposals are encouraged from all disciplines, including, but not
limited to: geography, ecology, economics, natural resources, political
science, public administration, agricultural sciences, sociology,
anthropology, atmospheric science, natural resources management,
conservation science, and geomatics.

Registration deadline: March 5, 2004. Registration fee US$35.00 (late
registration fee after February 15 - US$50.00). Registration fee will be
waived for full-time students and GVSU faculty. Very limited funds will be
available to support lodging and travel expenses for participants from
outside of the United States.

Please send an abstract of no more than 500 words to the workshop chair, 
Dr.
Elena Lioubimtseva (lioubime@gvsu.edu) by March 5, 2004. Submit your
abstract (not longer than 500 words in Microsoft Word or text formats) 
along
with a title, key words and the name and contact information for the
corresponding and presenting author(s).

We have secured the special issue of Arid Ecosystems for publication of the
conference proceedings. Authors, who are interested in publishing their
papers in the conference proceedings but unable to attend the meeting, are
welcome to submit their abstracts and later full-length papers. No
registration fee will be applied to non-attending participants.

You can register for this event on line at
http://www4.gvsu.edu/coler/geography/CAC/WorkshopReg.htm

Information about workshop, GVSU and the city of Grand Rapids can be found
at http://www4.gvsu.edu/lioubime

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Dr. Elena
Lioubimtseva at lioubime@gvsu.edu

Workshop highlights and preliminary program: Friday, May 21st, 2004:

9:00- Welcome

9:15 - Keynote address

10:00 Invited papers - human dimensions of climate and environmental change
in Central Asia

12:00 Lunch

1:30 - 3:30 Paper presentations -diverse range of topics related to human
dimensions of climate and environmental change

3:45 - 4:45 Paper presentations - Climate and environmental change in
Central Asia

6:00 Reception Saturday, May 22nd, 2004

9:00 Panel discussion - human dimensions of climate and environmental 
change
in arid environments

10:30 Business meeting - Research strategies and funding opportunities
Sunday, May 23rd, 2004

8:00 Field-trip to Ludington State Park (field-trip is focused on aeolian
processes and coastal dunes in West Michigan and includes a picnic lunch)
Additional fee of US$30.00 applies.

Workshop program and proceedings will be available to all registered
workshop participants.

Publication of the refereed proceedings

All participants are encouraged to submit their papers for publication in
the special issue of Arid Ecosystems.

Paper submission deadline - August 30, 2004.