October 21, 2011 – October 23, 2011 Location: Burlington Vermont
Conference: Environmental Diplomacy and Security in International Relations
CONFERENCE CONCLUDED SUCCESSFULLY. Summaries of discussions were posted on the IEDS Blog
University of Vermont – Burlington, Vermont USA
October 21 – 23, 2011
Friday October 21, 2011
Opening Ceremony and Reception 5:00pm sharp in Billings Center (labeled as “Billings Library” on the sign outside but note this is NOT the main university library) — Great Hall in this building is right thorugh the main front entrance where conference registration will take place as well as most lectures (Address for GPS: 48 University Place, Burlington — adjacent to UVM “Green”).
Parking is free on weekends in most UVM Lots. See Campus map by clicking here
Opening keynote speakers — (speeches will start PROMPTLY — please arrive at 5:15pm )
Ambassador Richard Benedick, President, National Council on Science and the Environment
Matt Dunne, Manager for Community Relations, Google Corporation
Film screening, Oct. 21 7:00-8:30pm in Fleming Museum auditorium (walking distance behind Billings hall — volunteers available to guide guests after reception)
Fambul Tok International, Postconflict reconciliation in Sierra Leone comments and discussion with execuitive producer Libby Hoffman
Saturday October 22 Panels: All will be in Billings Center Great Hall (University Place adjacent to UVM “Green”)
A) Bridging Eurasia: Energy Infrastructure, Conservation and Culture – Saturday, Oct. 22 8:30-10:30am
Panel Chair: William Keeton (UVM)
a) Erika Weinthal (Duke University)
b) Mersudin Avdibegovic (University of Sarajevo, Bosnia)
c) Bernhard Wolfslehner (European Forest Institute, Vienna, Austria)
B) Polar Diplomacy: Energy, the Environment and International Security – Saturday, Oct. 22 11:00am-1:00pm
Panel Chairs: Betsy Baker (Vermont Law School — in absentia due to family emergency)
Ross Virginia (Dartmouth College) will be chairing this panel in Betsy’s absence
a) Rasmus Bertelsen (United Nations University)
b) Glenn Sheehan (Barrow Arctic Science Consortium)
c) Sam Gardiner (National Defense University)
d) Damien Degeorges (French Institute for Strategic Research)
Buffet lunch served in Billings Great Hall (1 to 2pm)
Visiting environmental artists from Cuba will present their work during lunch sponsored by Vermont Institute for the Caribbean
C) Chemical Diplomacy: Negotiating Treaties around Hazardous Pollutants – Satuday, Oct. 22 2:00-4:00pm
Panel Chair: Saleem H. Ali (University of Vermont)
a) Michael Bender ( Lead UNEP Mercury Global Supply/Storage Partnership, Zero Mercury Working Group)
b) Pia Kohler (Williams College, Earth Negotiation Bulletin)
c) Kenneth J. Davis (US Environmental Protection Agency)
D) Beyond African “Exceptionalism”: Ecological approaches to improving the African Union – Saturday, Oct. 22 4:30-6:30pm
Panel Chair: Mark Freudenberger (Tetra Tech ARD)
a) Fenda Akiwumi (University of South Florida)
b) Allard Blom (World Wildlife Fund)
Saturday, October 22, Dinner: 7 to 9pm: Billings Great Hall (University Place adjacent to UVM “Green”) Keynote speakers at dinner:
Colonel Tom O’Donovan (Retd.), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Former commander in Afghanistan)
Tariq Banuri, Director emiritus of United Nations Sustainable Development Division
Sunday October 23 — Morning panel: Billings Center Great Hall (University Place adjacent to UVM “Green”)
E) The Social Ecology of Borders: Environmental Regionalism and Globalization – Sunday, Oct. 23 8:30-10:30am
Panel Chair: Anna Grichting Solder (Bordermeetings & Qatar University) via Skype
a) Todd Walters, International Peace Park Expeditions
b) Charlie Chester (Tufts University & Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative)
c) Michele Zebich-Knoss (Kennesaw State University)
Video screening during panel of
Transcending Boundaries: Conservation Across Borders
10:30 to 11:30 Screening of Transparent Radiation — UVM porduced documentary (Billings Lecture Hall)
11:30 to 12:45 — time to stroll down to Burlington Waterfront at leisurely pace and explore before cruise
Cruise on Lake Champlain – Sunday, Oct. 23 1:00-4:00pm aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen. Departure from Burlington Waterfront dock at the end of College St. Parking available nearby — please be at pier by 12:45pm
Cruise Keynote Speaker: Deb Markowitz (Secretary, VT Agency of Natural Resources)
Cruise Discussion Speakers:
Annette Smith,( Executive Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment)
Mary Watzin (Dean, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, UVM)
Kerrick Johnson, (Vice President for External Affairs, Vermont Electric Power Company)
Registration is available here. (For more information, please email rpincus1@uvm.edu.)
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