Chinese Updates: China Sets up Dolphin Research Institution

China Sets up Dolphin Research Institution
2012-08-16

 
A research institution to protect rare endangered Chinese white dolphins has been set up in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Guangxi Beibu Gulf Chinese White Dolphins Research Institute was jointly established Tuesday by the regional department of science and technology and the Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration.

The institute will focus on the protection of the Chinese white dolphin and other rare wild animals, as well as marine ecological monitoring and marine pollution prevention.

Known as the "maritime panda", the Chinese white dolphin is the most endangered marine animal and under the first-class state protection in China.

The Chinese white dolphin mainly lives in the seas around Xiamen and the Pearl River estuary in south China. The Sanniang Gulf of the Qinzhou city of Guangxi is the "hometown of Chinese white dolpine".

The Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences estimates that about 2,000 of the dolphins are living in China's seas.

For more information: http://english.mep.gov.cn/News_service/media_news/201208/t20120816_234881.htm

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New Publication: Performance Pledge 2012 by EPD

Performance Pledge 2012 published
The Performance Pledge outlines our services and the performance achievements for 2011 and the performance standards you can expect from us for 2012. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.





For more information: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/resources_pub/publications/files/PP2012-eng.pdf 

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Eco Expo Asia - International Trade Fair on Environmental Protection, 27 - 30 October 2012, Hong Kong

Fair Details

Fair Dates :	27-30 October 2012 (Saturday-Tuesday)
Edition :	7th
Venue :	AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong
Opening Hours :	Fair Date Opening Hours Buyer Registration Hours 27 October (Sat) 10:30am - 6:00pm 10:00am - 5:30pm 28-29 October (Sun - Mon) 10:00am - 6:00pm 9:30am - 5:30pm 30 October (Tue) 10:00am - 5:00pm 9:30am - 3:30pm
Admission :	27, 29-30 Oct: Free admission to trade visitors aged 18 or above only, trade visitors must wear their admission badge during the fair. (All exhibits are for display only and not for sale) 28 Oct: Free admission to all visitors (Part of exhibits will be for sale)
Organisers :	Hong Kong Trade Development Council Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.
Co-organiser :	Environment Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Supporting Organisations :	BEAM Society Limited Business Environment Council Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong Consulate General of Canada Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Environmental Contractors Management Association Environmental Protection Department Federation of Hong Kong Industries Hong Kong Electronics Industries Association Hong Kong Electro-plating Merchants Association Hong Kong Environmental Industry Association Hong Kong General Association of Re-cycling Business Hong Kong Green Building Council Hong Kong Indoor Air Quality Association Hong Kong Metal Finishing Society Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association Hong Kong Productivity Council Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Professional Green Building Council The Hong Kong Association of Energy Service Companies Limited The Hong Kong Green Manufacturing Alliance The Hong Kong Institute of Architects The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers UK Trade & Investment
Major Exhibit Categories :	Air Quality Air filtration system Air pollution & gas emission control Air purification & deodorisation technology and equipment Gas, smoke & chemical monitoring and treatment equipment Desulphurisation & dust control technology and equipment Energy Efficiency & Energy Energy saving devices and products Renewable & alternative energy products Alternative energy machinery and technology Eco-friendly vehicles New energy materials Waste Management & Recycling Solid waste recycling technology and equipment Solid waste treatment, incineration & recycling systems Transport, collection & sorting of waste Biological treatment equipment Oil recycling technology and equipment Waste electrical and electronic equipment treatment and recycling systems Eco-friendly Product Bio-degradable plastic products Recycled paper products Recycled plastic products Bio-degradable & recycled products and packaging Bio-degradable & eco-friendly raw materials Organic products Nano technology and materials Environmental Protection Solution & Service Beach, coastal, harbour & marine protection Forest regeneration & environment conservation Environmental project equipment and services Landfill containment Slope & ground management and protection Soil erosion control Research & consultation Water Quality Water desalination & purification technology and equipment Sewage systems and treatment Water treatment and distribution Sewage maintenance Wastewater recycling technology and equipment Control, Measuring and Laboratory Technology Quality inspection and testing services Environmental electronic surveillance, monitoring and management systems Sound & noise control products and services Environmental information & data processing Laboratory equipment & supplies Environmental Protection Service & Research Environmental-related education & training Environmental-related media & publications Green financing Sustainability consultancy Green Building Solution & Service Energy efficient devices and systems Indoor air quality technology and systems Water saving devices and products Eco-friendly landscape designs Architectural & design services Green roof systems and green walls Eco-friendly materials for construction and fitting
Target Buyers :	Government policy makers, urban planners and related NGOs Manufacturers, designers, engineers looking for eco-friendly solutions to their production process and products Chain stores, retailers, courier companies looking for eco-friendly packaging materials Land developers looking for ecological landscape and construction designs Consulting Engineers, Architects and Surveyors Cleaning companies and management companies Corporate Executives

For more information: http://www.hktdc.com/fair/ecoexpoasia-en/Eco-Expo-Asia-International-Trade-Fair-on-Environmental-Protection.html

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Pollutant Degradation, Energy Recovery and Emission Mitigation from Anaerobic Treatment, 14 September 2012, Hong Kong

Pollutant Degradation, Energy Recovery and Emission Mitigation from Anaerobic Treatment

Pollutant Degradation, Energy Recovery and Emission Mitigation from Anaerobic Treatment

Introduction

Organized by the Sino-Forest Applied Research Centre for Pearl River Delta Environment (ARCPE) of Hong Kong Baptist University

Date:

14 Sep 2012

Time:

17:30 - 19:00

Venue: RRS905, Sir Run Run Shaw Building, Ho Sin Hang Campus, Hong Kong
Baptist University

Speaker: Prof. Kuan-Yeow Show

To register, send your(1) name  (2)school/department/company/organization (3)contact email and phone number to arcpe@hkbu.edu.hk.

Registrations are on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information: http://arcpe.hkbu.edu.hk

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New Publication: Environmental Governance and the Courts in Asia: An Asian Judges Network on the Environment

Environmental Governance and the Courts in Asia: An Asian Judges Network on the Environment

Date:	June 2012
Type:	Brochures and Flyers
Country:	Show 5 tags Indonesia; Malaysia; Pakistan; Philippines; Thailand
Subject:	Environment; Governance and public sector management
Series:	Law and Policy Reform Briefs

Description

Asian chief justices and judges recognize that they have much to gain by exchanging experiences with judges across borders. Their professional ties with fellow judges are often strong, given their shared professional challenges.

ADB has recognized the unique and distinct leadership role the judiciary plays in the environmental enforcement chain. This brief is a summary of ADB's work with the Asian courts at the regional level, subregional level (South East and South Asia), and national level (Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand).

Contents

• ADB and Environmental Governance
• Asian Judges Symposium on Environmental Decision Making, the Rule of Law, and Environmental Justice
• ASEAN Chief Justices’ Roundtable on Environment: Towards a Vision on Environment for the Judiciary in Southeast Asia
• South Asia Conference on Environmental Justice
• Asian Judges Network on the Environment

For more information: http://www.adb.org/publications/environmental-governance-and-courts-asia-asian-judges-network-environment

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S. Korean Updates: Enhancing management performance by controlling environmental information

Enhancing management performance by controlling environmental information
Published Date: 2012.08.23


Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) under the Ministry of Environment reported on the 22nd that the institute is providing consulting program to the small and medium-sized enterprises which are obliged to disclose their environmental data, according to the extended enforcement of Environmental Management Information System (EMIS).

In the year 2011 when the system was conducted on a trial basis, green companies were target for the system. In September 2012 the system will begin in earnest, extending the scope of target to about 1,100 environmentally sensitive businesses and public organizations. The companies and organizations that are subject to information disclosure should register the data via EMIS (www.env-info.kr) by the end of September. Among the participants, there are 75 small and medium-sized enterprises. Unlike the major companies, small and medium-sized companies are having difficulties in disclosing the information due to insufficient environment management system and restricted manpower and budget.

KEITI is starting with consulting 35 companies (about 50%) for them to establish EMIS and register information. Entire procedures including extraction of essential environmental information, listing information for disclosure and entering environmental information in the system will be supported under the consultation program. Education will be also provided to the companies for continuous improvement.

Considering the analysis on trial implementation of EMIS in 2011, KEITI expects the consulting program to contribute in enhancing the management performance of participating companies.
Based on the fact that 70% of consultees are manufacturing companies using natural resources such as metal, cement and paper, it is also anticipated that efficiency of resources management and economic feasibility will be promoted through systematic management. As an example, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals reduced the basic unit of the water usage by 28% by recycling the waste water discharged from manufacturing process and improving efficiencies of water management facility.

Through environmental information disclosure and verification, KEITI is planning to settle EMIS by raising the reliability of registered information and expanding the communication between the companies, stakeholders and the public.

Source: http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=10687&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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Feeding The World: Asia’s prospect of plenty, 27 September 2012, Hong Kong

Feeding The World: Asia’s prospect of plenty

September 27th 2012

• Harbour Grand Kowloon, Hong Kong

The Economist will convene leaders from the food and agribusiness industry, government, academia and advocacy organisations for a solutions-driven dialogue around these critical questions:

How will we feed the world in the future? How will we feed Asia?

By gathering leaders at the highest levels The Economist is sparking a timely and inclusive dialogue in this the inaugural year of Feeding the World: Asia’s prospect of plenty.

About the ConferenceThe Conference will convene stakeholders for a rigorous and thought-provoking discussion around the critical questions: how will we feed the world in future, and, particularly how will we feed Asia?

Speakers:

• Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit
• John Parker, Globalisation Editor, The Economist, author of special report Feeding the World (The Economist, February 2011)
• Rusman Heriawan, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Government of Indonesia
• Kevin Rudd, Member, Australian Parliament for Griffith; Former Prime Minister, Government of Australia
• Walter Dissinger, President, Nutrition & Health Division, BASF Group
• Daniel Balaban, Head, Centre of Excellence Against Hunger, Brazil; President, Brazilian National Education Development Fund
• Percy Misika, FAO Representative in China, DPR Korea and Mongolia, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Shenggen Fan, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
• Robert Zeigler, Director-General, International Rice Research Institute
• Anil Jain, Managing Director, Jain Irrigation Systems
• Gao Yu, China Country Director, Landesa
• MS Swaminathan, Chairman, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
• Umran Beba, President, Asia-Pacific region, PepsiCo
• Davor Pisk, Chief Operating Officer, Syngenta
• Jose Cuesta, Food Price Watch author, Senior Economist, The World Bank
• Johann Vollmann, Professor and Soy bean breeder, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

Please click here for more information and registration details.

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New Book: Living in a Low-Carbon Society in 2050 by Horace Herring

Living in a Low-Carbon Society in 2050

Edited by Horace Herring

Palgrave Macmillan

29 Aug 2012

What would it be like to live in a low carbon world? Where our houses are heated not by gas, but by solar energy; where our cars run not on oil but on electricity; and where the countryside is empty of cows but full of new energy and food crops. Governments may talk about reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by eighty per cent by 2050, but any pursuit of significant change will require drastic changes in either our energy supply or our lifestyles, or preferably a combination of both. Combining theory, case studies and speculative fiction, a range of contributors, from leading UK academics to pioneering renewable activists, create a compelling picture of the potential perks and pitfalls of a low carbon future.

For more information:  http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=479517

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Way Forward of Environmental Protection in Hong Kong, 25 August 2012, Hong Kong

Way Forward of Environmental Protection in Hong Kong

Introduction

CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia ‧ Environment and Climate Change Forum Series

Date:25 Aug 2012

Time:10:15 - 12:35

Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Central Library

Registration: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGN4X3p4TEx0QngyOGhqSm5RQXloQUE6MQ

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New Book: Civil Society Networks in China and Vietnam Andrew Wells-Dang

Civil Society Networks in China and Vietnam

Informal Pathbreakers in Health and the Environment

by Andrew Wells-Dang

  

Series: Non-Governmental Public Action
Palgrave Macmillan

31 Jul 2012

Description

Non-democratic states such as China and Vietnam are often assumed to lack functioning civil societies. In spite of apparent restrictions, the network members Andrew Wells-Dang studies actively create informal pathways for advocacy through cross-sectoral social networks. This book brings a fresh, original approach to understanding social action through the conceptual lens of informal environmental and health networks. Using personal relationships, media allies, and new technologies, activist networks are transforming public discourse and expanding political spaces. A series of rich and captivating case studies turn conventional depictions of controlled Chinese and Vietnamese civil societies on their heads. Wells-Dang demonstrates a wider range of advocacy techniques and strategies than previously documented in one-party authoritarian political systems. He argues convincingly that informal and virtual networks, rather than corporatist associations or autonomous non-profit organizations, are the true building blocks of civil society.

Website: http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=565966

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Paving the Way of an Energy-efficient Future: Electricity Market Review in 2013, 31 August 2012, Hong Kong

Paving the Way of an Energy-efficient Future: Electricity Market Review in 2013

organized by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and WWF

co-organized by  School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong

This energy efficiency forum aims at building a platform for policy makers, power companies , the business sector, academia, green groups and professional associations to exchange opinions regarding electricity governance in Hong Kong and the up-coming mid-term review of the Scheme of Control. 

It is our honor to have Mr. Wong Kam Sing, Secretary for the Environment, to be our Guest of Honor.

The event detail is as follows:

Date	31 August 2012 (Friday)
Time	2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Venue	Auditorium, 1/F, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building, 15 Hennessy Road, Wanchai.    5 minutes walk from MTR Wanchai station (B1 Exit) Map: http://www.hkcss.org.hk/image/map/HKCSS-map.jpg
	Free of Charge. First-come-first-served. Capacity of 200 persons.
Tentative rundown
Program	Registration time : 1:30 pm – 1:55 pm
	Welcoming Speech by Mr. Wong Kam-sing, JP,  Environment Bureau of HKSAR
	Section I : An Overview of the Scheme of Control The pros and cons of the agreement and its relationship with the electricity market and roadblocks discouraging energy efficiency in the SOC by Dr. Lam, Pun-lee (林本利博士), Former Member of the Energy Advisory Committee
	Section II : Possibilities of Electricity Market Governance - International cases of monitoring the electricity market, changes in the energy mix, local extent of monitoring of public utilities by Dr. Tso, Che-wah(曹志華博士), School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong by Mr. Fred Lee Wah-ming (李華明先生), SBS, JP, Legislative Councilor
	Section III : Suggestions for the Mid-term Review of the Scheme of Control - Issues related to suggested improvements for the agreement with respect to finance, accountancy, environment and transparency, etc. by Dr. William Chung Siu-wai (鍾兆偉博士),Department of Management Sciences, City University of Hong Kong

Should you be interested, please register by completing the registration form below and returning via email on or before 24 August (Friday).

For further question and reservation, please contact Ms. Tang at dtang@wwf.org.hk  or 93830111.

For more details and registration: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B84P2RPPBJ8YSWhPZ3pxZ2FkQzA/edit#

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New Book: The Governance of Energy in China: Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy by Philip Andrews-Speed

The Governance of Energy in China: Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy
Energy, Climate and the Environment

Philip Andrews-Speed

Palgrave Macmillan, 10/2/2012
ISBN: 978-0-230-28224-7, ISBN10: 0-230-28224-5,
5.430 x 8.500 inches, 280 pages, 17 b/w photos, 9 b/w tables

The way in which energy is governed in China is driving its rising level of carbon dioxide emissions. This book analyses the nature of energy governance in China by combining ideas relating to transition management with institutionalist theories, which helps to identify factors which assist or constrain the country's path to a low-carbon economy.

 

About the Author(s)

Philip Andrews-Speed Philip Andrews-Speed is an Associate Fellow of Chatham House, London, Uk. His research has been focused on energy governance in China, and on the interface between energy policy and international relations.

Table of Contents

Introduction
China's Energy Sector 1980-2010
China's Carbon Emissions: Outlook and Challenges
Managing the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy Governance, Institutions and Society
China's Institutions of Governance
Energy Policy-Making Energy Sector Reform
Energy Policy Implementation and Regulation
Technological Innovation and Household Energy Saving
Implications for China's Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy

 

For more information: http://www.bookdepository.com/Governance-Energy-China-Philip-Andrews-Speed/9780230282247

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New Book: Greening Governance in Asia-Pacific

IGES White Paper IV

Greening Governance in Asia-Pacific

Once every two years, IGES releases a white paper focusing on key policy agendas in the Asia-Pacific region. The Fourth IGES White Paper, entitled "Greening Governance in Asia-Pacific" examines innovative approaches to governance and institutions that have emerged from the region and recommends governance arrangements and policy solutions to accelerate the transition to a green economy, and argues that, without significant governance reform in Asia-Pacific, global sustainable development will remain an under-implemented ideal rather than a new reality.

July 2012   Copyright: IGES

Download 

>>Full text

>>Executive Summary

Table of Contents 

Chapter 1:

Asia-Pacific, Green Economy, and Institutions for Sustainable Development

Chapter 2:

Strengthening Governance for Environment and Sustainable Development: The potential for a capacity and information exchange platform in Asia-Pacific

Chapter 3:

Forging Policy and Institutional Frameworks to Promote Access to Environmental Information

Chapter 4:

Green Economy and Domestic Carbon Governance in Asia

Chapter 5:

Community Forest Management and REDD+: Opportunities and challenges

Chapter 6:

Achieving Environmentally Sound Development in Asia through the Transfer of Low Carbon Technology

Chapter 7:

Networking Cities for Better Environmental Management: How networking functions can enhance local initiatives

Chapter 8:

Policy Framework for International Collaboration towards Sustainable Resource Circulation and Management in Asia

Chapter 9:

Conclusions

For more information: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/pub/whitepaper4.html

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INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON SUSTAINABLE TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 2012, 26-27 November 2012, Malaysia

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON SUSTAINABLE TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 2012

26th to 27th November 2012
Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Organized by: Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia
For more info: http://www.frsb.upm.edu.my/susted/index.php/home.html

Introduction
The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and practitioners involve in sustainability to present and discuss their research and developmental activities related to the topic. the conference will serve as a platform for participants to exchange new ideas, experience and knowledge as well as to establish networking for future collaborations. The conference will consist of invited papers from prominent researchers and practitioners, technical paper presentations and discussions. selected papers will be published in a special issue of the refereed and citied journal Alam Cipta : International Journal on Sustainable Tropical Design Research and Practice. Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI).

Who Should Attend
Anyone who feels responsible towards their environment including planners, architects, landscape architects, interior architects, artists, engineers, educators, researchers, foresters, horticulturists, property developers, local council administrators, students, etc.

Call for Papers

Papers:
The seminar will accept opinion, policy, research, and practice papers dealing with the following topics:

1. Design ideas and innovations in tackling climate change.

2. Climate change and its impact on Asian society and culture.

3. Climate change and its influence on Asian food security.

4. Climate change and its role on human health and well-being.

5. Impact of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.

6. Mitigation and adaptation measures on climate change.

7. Case studies and real life experiences on impact of climate change.

All papers will be reviewed by the editorial committee before publishing in the seminar proceeding. Accepted papers will be published in the seminar proceeding. However, only selected papers will be invited for oral presentation. The main author of the paper must register and pay the conference fee before the paper can be published in the proceeding. In case of join authorships, at least one of the authors must pay the registration fee.

Selected authors will be invited to contribute the extended version of their papers for publication in a book entitled "Sustainable Environmental Design and Climate Change in Asia."

Important dates

»		First Announcement		:		15 March 2012
»		Abstract Submission		:		15 July 2012
»		Final Paper Submission		:		15 October 2012

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2012 4th Journal Conference on Environmental Science and Development (JCESD 2012 4th), 24-25 November 2012, Thailand

2012 4th Journal Conference on Environmental Science and Development (JCESD 2012 4th) 24th to 25th November 2012 Bangkok, Thailand

General Information

2012 4th Journal Conference on Environmental Science and Development (JCESD 2012 4th) aims to provide a forum for researchers, pactitioners, and professinals from the industry, academia and government to discourse on research and development, professional practice in environmental science and development. JCESD 2012 4th will be held in Bangkok, Thailand During December 24-25, 2012. It is one of the leading international conferences for presenting novel and fundamental advances in the fields of environmental science and development. It also serves to foster communication among researchers and practitioners working in a wide variety of scientific areas with a common interest in improving environmental science and development related techniques.  All submissions will be peer reviewed and evaluated based on originality, technical and/or research content/depth, correctness, relevance to conference, contributions, and readability. Submissions will be chosen based on technical merit, interest, applicability, and how well they fit a coherent and balanced technical program.   All submitted articles should report original, previously unpublished research results, experimental or theoretical, and will be peer-reviewed. Articles submitted to the conference should meet these criteria and must not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Manuscripts should follow the style of the journal and are subject to both review and editing.

All the registered papers will be published into International Journal of Environmental Science and Development. (IJESD, ISSN: 2010-0264, available at: http://www.ijesd.org/content.htm) by IACSIT Publishing, and distributed at the conference. The journal will be included in the Engineering & Technology Digital Library.

Important Dates

Paper Submission (Full Paper) Before September 12, 2012
Notification of Acceptance On October 5, 2012
Authors' Registration Before October 25, 2012
Final Paper Submission Before October 25, 2012
JCESD 2012 3rd Conference Dates November 24-25, 2012

Submission Methods

Formatting Instructions (DOC)

Email: jcesd04@stpress.net ( .pdf and .doc)

For more information:http://www.ijesd.org/jcesd/4th/index.htm

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Call for Papers: Roundtable Workshop on Cleantech and India’s Vision, 7 September 2012, India

Roundtable Workshop on Cleantech and India’s Vision 

7th September 2012
New Delhi, Delhi, India

International Round-table workshop on "Clean-technology and India's Vision" . The major themes of the workshop are Solar energy, Energy Efficiency, Building Efficiency,Biomass and Waste Management .

Organized by: Jagurih Group and Waterloo Global Science Initiative
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 22nd August 2012

Website: http://jagurihgroup.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/august08-poster-cleantech-workshop-final.pdf

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Fifth International Conference of the Latin American Studies Council of Asia and Oceania (CELAO) 2012, October 9-11 2012, Philippines

Fifth International Conference of the Latin American Studies Council of Asia and Oceania (CELAO) 2012

"Strengthening Exchanges across the Pacific"

October 9-11, 2012

Manila, Philippines

download CONFERENCE PROGRAM here

This conference is jointly organized by the Latin American Studies Council of Asia and Oceania (Consejo de Estudios Lati noamericanos de Asia y de Oceanía - CELAO) and the Philippine Academic Consortium for Latin American Studies (PACLAS).

CELAO was established in Osaka, Japan in 2003 to serve as a forum for multidisciplinary research on Latin America and to promote cooperation with similar organizations devoted to Latin American studies. Its current president is Dr. Enrique Valencia Lomeli from the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. The first conference was held at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia on July 14th -16th, 2005; the second in Seoul, Korea on June 21-23 2007; and the third at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India on December 3-5, 2008. The fourth and most recent conference was held at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico on November 22-24, 2010.

CELAO's fifth international conference is at the same time the third of PACLAS. The Philippine consortium was established in 2002 under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, as an offshoot of the Forum for East Asia-latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). Its members are Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Department of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Service Institute, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (Secretariat), University of Asia and the Pacific (Chair), University of the East (Deputy chair), University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas. The twofold aim of PACLAS is to promote Latin American studies in the Philippines and to contribute to the revitalization of Philippine relations with Latin America; it is an aim that counts on shared heritage. As flagship project, the first international conference in 2008 was held at the University of the City of Manila and University of the Philippines-Diliman in 2008, and the second at De La Salle University-Manila and University of Santo Tomas in 2010.

CALL FOR PAPERS:

The theme for CELAO 2012, "Strengthening Exchanges across the Pacific" has as its overarching object the rich potential and actual cooperation among the countries of Asia and Latin America. It seeks to explore the multiple dimensions of interaction in time and space particularly in what has evolved into the Asia-Pacific region. Exchange involves people, ideas, goods and values; shared experiences and heritage; converging issues and solutions even in divergent contexts. It presents a rich field for comparative studies between different countries and between sub-regions.

The papers should address any of the following sub-themes:

1. Movements of people (including labor migration) and transnational identities

2.Trade relations and policy'; transpacific investments

3.Maritime industry (shipping, seafarers, ports)

4. Diplomacy, security and conflict resolution

5. South-South exchange

6. Democratic transition, retrogression and consolidation

7. Civil society and civil action

8. Labor relations; social welfare programs

9. Culture and heritage: the arts, language and literature, history

10. Religion, gender and society

11. Environmental issues and urban development; tourism

12. Transfer of technology

Website: http://www.paclas.org.ph/

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