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| Calendar: | elma.pollard@gmail.com |
| Title: | National Conference on Global Change |
| When: | 26.11.2012 - 28.11.2012 |
| Location: | Joburg |
| Description: | The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are organizing a three-day national conference on Global Change. The conference will take place in Gauteng (precise venue to be confirmed) on 26 – 28 November 2012 under the auspices of the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology. Strategic Context Following the finalization of the Global Change Implementation Framework, one of the decisions by the global change research and policy communities was to have an annual event to reflect on the progress in, and showcase products and services emerging from the implementation of the Framework. These annual events would run from 2011 to 2018, and would consist of dedicated high level publications alternating with national conferences. The first event in this series was the publication in 2011 of ‘Observations on Environmental Change in South Africa’ championed by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This dedicated high profile volume documents the latest observations of Global Change trends and their policy implications. The national Global Change Conference will constitute the high profile annual event in 2012. Conference Theme The central theme of the 2012 Global Change conference is: “Global Change Science and Innovation for a Resilient Society”. Sub themes will be defined in the next circular. Purpose and Objectives The overall purpose of the biennial conference is to grow existing global change programmes and introduce new ones to enhance the implementation of the global change grand challenge and support the country’s sustainable development and green economy ambitions. This first conference is intended to provide insight into the activities of the Grand challenge and its contribution to key national imperatives. This conference will bring together approximately 300 professional and young researchers of the key global change programmes, the broader R&D; community, business, industry, government, civil society and funding agencies to present and discuss latest developments in global change research, as well as technology and policy solutions to mitigate the impacts of change. The specific objectives of the 2012 conference are to • Provide a platform for key global change stakeholders to discuss current South African research and innovation initiatives and interventions that form part of the Global change grand challenge; • Facilitate networking for key global change stakeholders in the country to establish and/or strengthen partnerships for enhancing the implementation of the Global change grand challenge; and • Drive the process of building the next generation of young scientists by creating a forum for them to present their research and interact with experienced scientists. Structure The conference will be structured into five major components; 1. Plenary sessions for invited keynote and high level presentations 2. Thematic parallel sessions for oral presentation selected research/technical papers, and case studies; 3. Poster sessions; 4. Multi-stakeholder dialogue and panel discussions; and 5. Exhibitions of products of services – scientific and non-scientific The general layout of the programme will be as follows: Day one: a.m. – Opening and plenary sessions (for invited speakers) p.m. - Parallel oral sessions (for open call papers) Tea and Lunch breaks – Poster sessions and exhibitions Day Two: a.m. – Plenary sessions p.m. - Parallel oral sessions Tea and Lunch breaks – Poster sessions and exhibitions Day Three: a.m. – Plenary session – Multi-stakeholder Dialogue and panel discussion - Wrap up and Closing Call for papers The organisers will welcome extended abstracts for oral and poster presentations in all disciplines relevant to the theme of the workshop. Abstracts can be on research papers, technological innovation, management policy or products and services related to the global change grand challenge. Interested contributors are invited to submit their abstracts to Ms. Ntombizini Manana (Ntombizini.manana@nrf.ac.za) on or before 30 September 2012. Abstracts are particularly encouraged from young (early career) scientists including Postdoctoral fellows, and students (Masters and PhD). Detailed guidelines and specifications on abstracts will be provided in the next circular. Registration To enable efficient organization of the logistics, registration for the conference will close on 15 September 2012. Registration is free but delegates will be expected to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Registration form can be found here: http://www.icsu.org/icsu-africa/events/regional-events/GCconferenceRegistration.docx Sponsorship A limited number of sponsorships will be provided to students whose abstracts are accepted for oral or poster presentation. Sponsorship shall cover travel expenses and full board accommodation. Inquiries For any queries or further inquiries please contact the conference secretariat (see contact details below) Conference Secretariat Dr Achuo Enow. Programme Director – Global Change, Knowledge Fields Development Directorate, NRF. Email: a.enow@nrf.ac.za Tel.: 012 481 4143 Ms. Ntombizini Manana. Programme Officer - Global Change, Knowledge Fields Development Directorate, NRF. Email: Ntombizini.manana@nrf.ac.za Tel.: 012 481 4358 |
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