Below are the most recent conference announcements received by the Natural Hazards Center. A comprehensive list of hazard/disaster meetings is posted on our World Wide Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/conf.html.
Second Tampere Conference on Disaster Communications (CDC-2001). Host: Government of Finland, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and others. Tampere, Finland: May 28-30, 2001. In 1991, Tampere, Finland, hosted the International Conference on Disaster Communications, which adopted the Tampere Declaration. This statement of experts from major humanitarian organizations, regulatory authorities, and the private sector became the foundation for subsequent work toward an international treaty allowing the unhindered use of telecommunication technology in international disaster response. Indeed, in 1998, Tampere hosted the Intergovernmental Conference on Emergency Telecommunications, which adopted the Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunications for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, an international treaty deposited with the United Nations Secretary General.
In 2001, Tampere will host CDC-2001--the Second Tampere Conference on Disaster Communications. As with the 1991 event, CDC-2001 is expected to result in recommendations and a statement of experts on disaster communication. In addition, the meeting will provide an opportunity for governments to sign and ratify the Tampere Convention. CDC-2001 is open to participants from all sectors concerned with the application of telecommunications to disaster mitigation and response operations. A primary goal of the meeting is to bring these disparate groups together to work toward a regulatory framework that permits the unimpeded use of all appropriate telecommunication means to respond to and mitigate disasters. Details and registration information are available from the conference web site: http://www.reliefweb.int/telecoms. Interested persons can also contact Annamaija Paunu-Virtanen or Anja Hakkarainen, TAVI Congress Bureau, Papinkatu 21, FIN-33200 Tampere, Finland; tel: +358 3 233 0460; fax: +358 3 233 0444; e-mail: annamaija.paunu-virtanen@tavicon.fi. Information about the program is available from Seppo Sisatto, Chair of the Organizing Committee, e-mail: seppo.sisatto@kotiposti.net; or Hans Zimmermann, International Telecommunications Union, e-mail: hans.zimmermann@ties.itu.int.
International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA 8). Offered by: Center for International Health and Cooperation (CIHC). New York, New York: June 3-29, 2001. This course provides intensive operational and academic training for individuals involved in responding to humanitarian crises, particularly during armed conflicts and disasters. The IDHA is a multidisciplinary program intended to simulate work in an actual humanitarian crisis; it involves 12-hour days, six days per week, for a full month. Future programs include
For details, and an application form, see: http://www.idha.ch. Applications should be submitted to Michel Veuthey, Academic Director, CIHC, e-mail: michel.veuthey@ties.itu.int.
Disaster Management: Developing Best Practice. Sponsor: Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists. Coventry, U.K.: June 18-19, 2001. The key issues addressed at this meeting will include emergency planning and response, post-trauma interventions, risk management, the role of volunteers in disaster response, issues for the emergency services, the media and disasters, and multidisciplinary approaches to disaster management. More information is available from Anne Eyre, School of Science and the Environment, Coventry University, Coventry, U.K. CV1 5FB; tel/fax: 02476-888485, e-mail: a.eyre@cov.ac.uk.
11th World Conference on Disaster Management. Host: Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: June 24-27, 2001. The World Conference on Disaster Management brings together professionals from the fields of emergency response, emergency management, emergency health care, business continuity planning, risk management, and security. The program includes pre- and postconference workshops, plus sessions spanning everything from "Global Warming and the Rise in Natural Disasters" to "Effective Communications in a Crisis," "Infectious Diseases and Pandemics," "North American Wildfires of 2000," "2000 Floods in the UK," and many other topics. For details, see: http://www.wcdm.org; or contact Dylan Bailey, Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness, P.O. Box 2911, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3R5; (905) 546-3911 or (800) 965-4608; fax: (905) 546-2629; e-mail: dobailey@ccep.ca.
Safeguarding our Cultural Heritage: Emergency Response Regional Workshops. Offered by: Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC).
Over the last several years, a task force of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), with help from other organizations, has developed, tested, and refined a disaster curriculum. The resulting course addresses a number of administrative and risk management issues as well as response and salvage measures. Thanks to a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the curriculum is being used to build a multidisciplinary cadre of experts nationwide. Hence, this workshop is intended for conservators, curators, registrars, collections managers, archivists, archaeologists, historic preservation officials and specialists, librarians, or professional emergency responders interested in the preservation of historical or cultural artifacts threatened by disasters. Each workshop will be limited to 15 participants. To apply or receive more information, contact FAIC, 1717 K Street, N.W., #200, Washington, DC 20006; e-mail: info@aic-faic.org; or Mary Lee, (860) 927-0178; e-mail: mlee@mohawk.net.
First Annual Meeting on Integrated Disaster Risk Management: Reducing Socio-Economic Vulnerability. Sponsor: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and Kyoto University's Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI). Laxenburg, Austria: August 1-4, 2001. The purpose of this conference is to allow disaster and risk professionals to present research and share ideas on selected issues in disaster risk management, keeping in mind the importance of integrating risk policy into other areas of hazard management. Topics will include:
Workshop on Vulnerability Assessment Techniques (VAT) II. Host: Organization of American States, Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment (OAS/USDE); NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC). Charleston, South Carolina: August 13-15, 2001. The objective of the VAT I workshop, held in March 2000, was to explore a variety of natural hazard vulnerability assessment methodologies and identify gaps in coverage at all levels in the public and private sectors. At VAT II, additional vulnerability assessment techniques will be presented, followed by panel discussions on their applicability to development programs and projects. Participants will identify needed additional development and recommend possible new applications. For workshop details, or to register, contact Lacy Johnson, NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, SC 29405-2413; (843) 740-1213; fax: (843) 740-1313; e-mail: lacy.johnson@noaa.gov; WWW: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/vata/vat_twhttp://www.colorado.edu/hazards/o/.
"E-Health"--The Use of Information Technology and Telematics in Emergency Management and Education. Sponsor: Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kuopio, Finland, and others. Kuopio, Finland: August 23-25, 2001. Rapid growth of the world's population, as well as increased migration and mobility, are straining health care resources around the world. In particular, emergency situations are increasingly common in both developing and developed countries, and public expectation is that response will be prompt and efficient. This conference will examine how emergency health service professionals are staying prepared to meet these challenges and expectations. It will examine current levels of emergency preparedness, look at common mistakes, highlight the role of communications technology, and introduce the latest benefits that these technologies offer for emergency health care management. A call for abstracts has been issued; for details, contact the Conference Secretariat, University of Kuopio, Department of Health Policy and Management, P.O Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; tel: +358 17 163 631; fax: +358 17 162 999; e-mail: aapo.immonen@uku.fi.
IV Inter-American Dialogue on Water Management: "In Quest of Solutions." Sponsors: Ministry of the Environment of Brazil, International Water Resource Association, and others. Iguacu, Brazil: September 2-6, 2001. This international conference includes sessions on floods, climate change and impacts, and mitigation of natural disasters. More information is available from Bernhard Griesinger, Inter-American Water Resources Network, Organization of American States, 1889 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006; (202) 458-3570; fax: (202) 458-3560; e-mail: bgriesinger@oas.org; WWW: http://www.iwrn.net; or the Executive Secretariat, Av. Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, A317-conj. 53, 01317-901 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; tel/fax: +55 11/3104-6412; e-mail: dialogo@acquacon.com.br; WWW: http://www.ivdialogo.com.
Floodplain Management Association (FMA) Fall Conference. Lake Tahoe, Nevada: September 23-26, 2001. The theme of the fall FMA meeting will be "Water Quality and Floodplain Management--A Concept Whose Time Has Come." Subtopics will include lake management, multiobjective management, interagency coordination, and other issues in floodplain management. For a conference brochure, contact Laura Hromadka, FMA, P.O. Box 2972, Mission Viejo, CA 92692-0972; (949) 766-8112; fax: (949) 459-8364; e-mail: fmalaura@pacbell.net; WWW: http://www.floodplain.org.
Fourth Annual Medical and Health Disaster Management Conferences: "Bioterrorism: Your Toolbox for Action!" Sponsors: California Department of Health Services, California Emergency Medical Services Authority, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and others.
More information is available from Cheryl Starling, California Emergency Medical Services Authority, 1930 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 322-4336, ext. 463; fax: (916) 323-4898; e-mail: cheryl.starling@emsa.ca.gov; WWW: http://www.emsa.ca.gov.
Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting.
The GSA annual conference includes numerous sessions on various aspects of geologic hazards--including landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes. It also offers pre- and postmeeting field trips, short courses and workshops, exhibits, and other opportunities for professional development. The abstract deadline for the 2001 meeting is July 17. Additional information is available from GSA, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301-9140; (303) 447-2020 or (800) 472-1988; fax: (303) 447-0648; e-mail: meetings@geosociety.org.
Twenty-Eighth International Disaster Management Course (DMC-28). Offered by: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). Bangkok, Thailand: November 5-23, 2001. ADPC's Disaster Management Course is the cornerstone of the center's educational program. Beginning with basic concepts and proceeding to more sophisticated issues, the program uses classroom lectures, hands-on training, field trips, and exercises to improve participants' disaster management skills. For a program brochure, contact the Training and Education Division, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; tel: (66 2) 524-5362/524-5363; fax: (66 2) 524-5350/524-5360; e-mail: tedadpc@ait.ac.th; WWW: http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th.
Annual Applied Geography Conference. Fort Worth, Texas: November 14-17, 2001; and Binghamton, New York: October 23-25, 2002. The Annual Applied Geography Conference brings together academics and geographers working for public agencies and private enterprise. The meeting includes sessions on hazards, environmental issues, and related applications and techniques; indeed, hazards work has figured prominently in past meetings. For more information, contact Burrell Montz, Department of Geography, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000; (607) 777-2615; fax: (607) 777-6456; e-mail: bmontz@binghamton.edu; or Graham Tobin; (813) 974-4932; e-mail: gtobin@chumal.cas.usf.edu.
Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) 2001 Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington: December 2-5, 2001. Although presentations at the SRA Annual Meeting typically address human-caused hazards, chemical and health risks, and other traditional issues in risk analysis, in the past the conference has also dealt with human response to such natural hazards as floods and hurricanes. In addition, many of the issues discussed concerning anthropogenic hazards (such as hazard communication) are applicable to the world of natural hazards. For information on this year's meeting, contact SRA, 1313 Dolley Madison Boulevard, Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101; (703) 790-1745; e-mail: sra@burkinc.com; WWW: http://www.sra.org.
82nd Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Orlando, Florida: January 13-18, 2002. The AMS annual conference is held in conjunction with numerous additional symposia and subconferences addressing various aspects of meteorology, including meteorological hazards. For additional information about these meetings and abstract submission, see the AMS web site: http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/; or contact AMS, 45 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-3693; (617) 227-2425; fax: (617) 742-8718; e-mail: amsinfo@ametsoc.org.
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Annual Meeting. Long Beach, California: February 6-9, 2002. In 2002, EERI will repair to sunny Long Beach where members will discuss the many issues related to constructing seismically safe environments (or at least relatively safe environments--and what "relatively safe" means is a key issue). The sessions cover everything from examinations of recent events (Seattle, Bhuj, El Salvador, Honshu) to discussions of technical engineering issues. For details about the 2002 meeting, contact EERI, 499 14th Street, Suite 320, Oakland, CA 94612-1934; (510) 451-0905; fax: (510) 451-5411; e-mail: eeri@eeri.org; WWW: http://www.eeri.org.
International Symposium, Rural Community Interaction, and Workshop: Exploring Alternative Ways to Combat Desertification--Connecting Community Action with Science and Common Sense. Cape Town, South Africa; six rural communities; and Gobabeb, Namibia: April 8-20, 2002. Sponsors: Desert Research Foundation of Namibia; German Ministry for Economic Cooperation; National Botanical Institute of South Africa; and U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification emphasizes the importance of participation at the community level in planning, decision making, and implementation of actions to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought. The objectives of this symposium, field work, and workshop are to:
Topics to be addressed include:
The official language will be English; however, simultaneous interpretation in French and Afrikaans will be provided. Complete information is available from the conference web site: http://des2002.az.blm.gov. Interested persons can also contact Roben Penny, Woodbine, Essex Road, Kalk Bay, 7975 Cape Town, South Africa; tel/fax: 27-21-788-1285; e-mail: robenpen@jaywalk.com; or Beaumont McClure, Special Assistant for International Programs, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office, 222 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004; (602) 417-9430; fax: (602) 417-9398; e-mail: beau_mcclure@blm.gov; WWW: http://des2002.az.blm.gov.
Third International Conference on Landslides, Slope Stability, and the Safety of Infrastructure. Singapore: July 10-12, 2002. The conference organizers have identified 14 themes for presentations and technical papers, ranging from landslide investigation to climatic and geological factors influencing landslides, monitoring, hazard analysis, effects on structures, remediation, disaster management, and other topics. Abstracts are due December 15, 2001. Additional information is available from CI-Premier Ltd, 150 Orchard Road #07-14, Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841; tel: 065-7332922; fax: 065-2353530; e-mail: cipremie@singnet.com.sg; WWW: http://www.cipremier.com.
World Congress on Disaster Reduction. Sponsors: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Council on Natural Disaster Reduction and others. Washington, D.C.: August 26-30, 2002. The two overarching themes of this congress will be the development of sustainable societies in the face of natural and technological hazards and the provision of disaster technical assistance to achieve that goal. The congress will serve as a "global rallying point" for new and ongoing national and international hazard mitigation efforts. It is intended to strengthen and create new regional and global alliances, establish a realistic blueprint for future global disaster reduction, promote innovative technology and resource sharing among communities, identify possible new regional projects and generate public and private support for them, and establish science and technology centers of excellence to develop and disseminate science- and community-based solutions to specific hazards problems. For further information, contact Walter Hays, ASCE, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191; (703) 295-6054; fax: (703) 295-6141; e-mail: whays@asce.org; or Michael Cassaro, ASCE; e-mail: macass@aye.net; WWW: http://www.asce.org/conferences/disaster2002/.
(Note: a Pre-World Congress is planned for Washington, D.C., August 18-22, 2001. Contact the individuals above for more information.)
Training in Using Disaster Recovery to Build Local Sustainability. Offered by: Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center, University of Colorado. Boulder, Colorado: August 27-30, 2001. This course is intended for local, state, federal, and private-sector decision makers, planners, emergency managers, building officials, economic development directors, environmental specialists, and others who may be involved in recovery by a disaster-stricken community. It is designed to help them prepare and implement holistic recovery that results in a more sustainable community. By juxtaposing the components of sustainability (economic vitality, livability, environmental quality, disaster resilience, social equity, and participatory decision making) with likely postdisaster problems (damaged infrastructure, inadequate housing, ecosystem degradation, business disruption, etc.), participants will explore opportunities to enhance a town, city, or county during disaster recovery. For each opportunity, the course will consider various options for planning and taking action, funding strategies, and sources of expertise. More information is available from Jacki Monday, Program Manager, Natural Hazards Center, 482 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0482; (303) 492-2149; fax: (303) 492-2151; e-mail: jacque.monday@colorado.edu.
