• Plenary themes of the meeting will address the challenges of integration in human dimensions research - across disciplines, across hemispheres, and across the science-policy interface. They will also address issues of central importance to both the developed and the developing world - "urban sustainability", "vulnerability", and "poverty and the environment". One plenary talk will discuss the climate change issue in the post-Kyoto era and the implications for human dimensions research.
  
  
• In addition to plenary talks, there will be a large number of sessions devoted to the presentation of research on the human dimensions of global environmental change, including topics such as land use and land cover change, energy, environmental security, industrial transformation, sustainable development, integrated assessment, population and the environment, environment and health, attitudes and behavior, consumption, trade and the environment, environmental governance, environmental and ecological economics, and the science-policy interface.
  
  
• The International Scientific Planning Committee welcomes the submission of abstracts, as well as proposals for sessions. Selection of the abstracts and session proposals will be based on scientific quality and the need to develop a coherent and balanced meeting agenda. Those submitting individual abstracts will be asked to indicate whether they wish to present a paper or a poster (or either one). Those submitting proposals for entire panels will be asked to name a chair, four paper-givers, and one discussant - each paper should have its own abstract. The ISPC will also consider a small number of proposals for sessions in a round-table format. If abstracts are accepted, the ISPC will welcome submission of a full paper for publication on a CD to be distributed shortly after the meeting. (Instructions for the submission of abstracts)
  
  
• The Committee seeks the participation of researchers from a broad range of disciplines. We especially encourage researchers from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, as well as young researchers from all over the world, to submit proposals. For these categories of researchers, efforts will be made to provide financial support for participants whose abstracts are selected for presentation at the meeting. Participants from other communities, such as NGOs, business and government, will also be welcome.

The Outline of the 2001 Open Meeting

The meeting: 2001 Open Meeting of the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Research Community

Date: October 6-8, 2001

Venue: Hotel Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Host: Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Brazilian Human Dimensions Programme and a Consortium of Brazilian Universities composed of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), the University of São Paulo (USP), and the University of Brasília (UnB)

Co-Sponsors: Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Science and Technology

Other Sponsors: International Human Dimensions Programme (IHDP), Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Asia-Pacific Network (APN). Other sponsors are currently being approached

Planned by: International Scientific Planning Committee

Program: There will be six plenary talks each followed by a number of smaller parallel sessions

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Registration:

• US$150 for registration until July 15^th
• US$195 for late registration, with September 6^th deadline

Reimbursement Policy: 50% reimbursement for cancellations up to August 6th

On-line registration will be available by the end of March, 2001

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Lodging

Participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations.

The organizing committee has made reservations at the Hotel Glória, where the Open Meeting will take place. It is a comfortable and strategically placed hotel, five minutes drive away from Santos Dumont Domestic Airport and close to downtown and a subway station. Hotel Glória faces a cinematographic view: Sugar Loaf Mountain surrounded by Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park. This is one of the most famous postcards of the planet.

For more details about Hotel Glória, visit its web page at (http://www.hotelgloriario.com.br/english/index.htm) or call +55-21-555-7272 (phone) or +55-21-555-7282 (fax).

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Touristic Attractions

Splendid natural surroundings in a tropical environment formed by mountains, forests, beaches, lagoons and vegetation, all part of the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro, are waiting for you. Progress and conservation walk hand-in-hand in Rio. Over the years it has had to learn to cope with all the problems inherent in balancing the demands of a large city with the restrictions nature has put before it.

Corcovado Mountain, 2.300 feet above the city, the Sugar Loaf Mountain at the entrance to the Bay of Guanabara, and 56 miles of sandy beaches are part of the natural beauty of Rio. Rio offers other natural attractions to its visitors like the Botanical Gardens, the Tijuca Forest and Paquetá Island. It offers a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and bars, cultural and sporting events, world class shops and stores, museums and galleries. Rio’s man’s made attractions include the Maracanã, the world’s largest and most famous soccer stadium.

The natural beauty of Rio is just one element that will certainly make your stay unforgettable. In addition, the Local Organizing Committee is preparing a variety of social and cultural events to give the delegates an idea of the rich cultural aspects of Brazilian society. These events are being planned to provide the 2001 Open Meeting participants evening entertainment and relaxation, every day, after more than 8 hours at the Meeting.

Come to discover the treasures hidden on this side of the planet. The local organizing committee is making arrangements with tourism agencies for providing you with excursions before and after the meeting, so just come along and enjoy yourself.

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More information about the meeting will be available on this website as it is updated. Inquiries can be addressed to open.meeting@ciesin.columbia.edu. The deadline for submission of abstracts and session proposals is March 29, 2001.