Sustainable Land Management and Vulnerable Ecosystems - TriCo Brokerage/BioPlatform Conference 15-17 January 2003 in Ljubljana

Second Announcement and Invitation for active participation in the International Brokerage Event promoted within the frame of the TriCo - Regional Cooperation Initiative and Scientific Conference promoted within the frame of the Bioplatform European Platform for Biodiversity on the topic of "Sustainable Land Management and Vulnerable Ecosystems", to be held in Ljubljana, 15-17 January 2003.

The event deals with research in the 6th Framework Programme focusing on the topics of: ,1. Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry - New Concepts, Strategies and Tools for Sustainable Land Management;,2. Integrated Management of Natural Resources for Sustainable Development and Tourism;,3. Fragmentation of Ecosystems in Sensitive Areas - i.e. Wetlands.
----------------------------------------,MAIN GOALS
The main goals of the brokerage event and partnering conference are:,- to match R&D potentials in the Candidate Countries with the proposed Integrated Projects and Networks of Excellence for the First Calls of FP6 in the above mentioned topics;
- to bridge sustainability research with policy making;
- to bridge conflicts between physical planning, development activities and biodiversity;
- to present possibilities for sustainability research in FP6 - Priority 6.3. Global change and Ecosystems", Priority 8 "Policy oriented research" and other programmes (Interreg, LIFE, GEF, etc) and
- to support establishment of National BioPlatforms in the Candidate Countries with guidelines and successful models from the EU countries.
----------------------------------------,ORGANISATORS
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Slovenia,University of Ljubljana, Dept. of Biology and National Biological Institute, Slovenia,BIT, Bureau for International Research and Technology Co-operation, Austria,Area Science Park Trieste, Italy
In Co-operation with: ,Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Energy, Slovenia,BMWA Austrian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour, Austria,Innovation Relay Centres in Slovenia, Austria and Italy,BioPlatform FP5 Thematic Network,European Commission, DG Research, Brussels
----------------------------------------,MISSION STATEMENTS
Mission of BioPlatform
BioPlatform, a thematic network from FP5 supports the existing European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS), a forum of scientists and policy makers representing the EU countries and other European countries. The aims of EPBRS are to promote discussion of EU biodiversity research strategies and priorities, exchange of information on national biodiversity activities and the dissemination of current best practices and information regarding the scientific understanding of biodiversity conservation. EPBRS is a network of scientists and policy makers that work in different fields of Biodiversity and aims at improving the effectiveness and relevance of European biodiversity research, fulfilling functions that provide significant components of a European Research Area. The papers and recommendations that are produced by this forum are freely available to policy makers, the scientific community, environmental groups and people in general. EPBRS addresses several social objectives by bringing together policy-makers that represent a range of environmental interests within the Community and scientists whose research is focussed on these environmental interests.
Mission of TriCo Regional R&D Co-operation Initiative
TriCo (trilateral co-operation between Slovenia, NE Italy and Austria with Germany, Hungary and Croatia as observers) is a regional initiative for the support of R&D cooperation in the Alpine-Adriatic region. Close scientific and technological regional cooperation in the framework of TriCo initiative started in 1998. It was based on traditionally well-established partnership among the founding institutions from the three countries in the area between the Alps and Adriatic Sea. Founding partners of the TriCo initiative were Slovenian Ministry of Science and Technology, Jozef Stefan Institute and Slovenian Innovation Relay Centre FEMIRC - now IRC; Italian partners: AREA Science Park from Trieste and IRENE-Italian Relay Centre North-East and Austrian partners: BIT Bureau for International Research and Technology Co-operation, Austrian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour, and Austrian Federal Ministry for Science and Transport. One of the principal aims of the TriCo initiative is to foster co-operation among industry, technology sector and research institutions in the region, which is performed through regular R&D brokerage events of project proposals, technology requests/offers as well as of knowledge and technology transfer to the industry in the selected topics. Another important aim of the TriCo initiative is preparation of the research and scientific sphere and economy in the region to take an active role in partnership within regional programmes (INTERREG) and bilateral programmes (Cross-Border Co-operation - CBC) as well as in preparations for successful R&D collaboration of the countries from the region in the joint European research programmes, especially in the 5th Framework programme of research and technological development activities of the Community in the years 1998-2002, in the 6th Framework programme 2002-2006 and in the establishment / functioning of the European Research Area and European Innovation Area.
For the years since 1998 TriCo partners have combined expertises to stimulate regional co-operation in technology, research and innovation projects based on both, immediate interest and high relevance to all the partners. Among others, topics in the fields of sustainable development, information technologies, agro-food, applied biotechnology and food processing technologies, environmental resources management and cleaner energy systems and innovative city technologies including water and waste management and innovative transport solutions for the rapidly growing cities in the central-European space, have been selected for the six TriCo R&D brokerage events held so far. Planning of activities in the framework of TriCo initiative, setting of the strategic orientation, selection of work topics for the brokerage events and selection of presentations of project proposals and technology requests/offers are co-ordinated on an annual basis by the permanent TriCo Steering Committee, consisted of representatives of national research institutions, innovation relay centres and line ministries from Slovenia, Italy and Austria. Lately, due to growing interest of international scientific and research community, TriCo R&D brokerage events are extending to guests and observers from Germany, Hungary, Croatia and other Central-European countries. This fact confirms, that TriCo initiative is becoming important instrument for preparation of the scientific and research sphere in the broader region with regard to possible common research interests of central European countries for collaboration within regional development programmes and with regard to the common research and technological development activities of the EU. The seventh TriCo R&D brokerage event in Ljubljana on 15 January 2003 will be the first with the clear aim to bring already advanced close regional cooperation into the framework of emerging European Research Area.
----------------------------------------,ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS
Venue:,National Biological Centre (Biolosko Sredisce),Vecna pot 111 ,SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
The venue is located close to the city centre. Parking places at the venue will be available. Transportation from the hotels will be organized for participants.
More information about Ljubljana can be found on: ,http://www.ljubljana-tourism.si/index.cgi?set_lang=us
,Language:,The official language of the event will be English.
,Information on the conference (Programme/Participant forms):,http://www.rtd.si/
and
Dr. Ales Gnamus,FP5 - National Contact Point "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development",FP6 - NCP "ECOTECH",Ministry of Education, Science and Sport,Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SLOVENIA,Tel.: + 386 1 478 4680,Fax: + 386 1 478 4719,E-mail: [e-mail]
How to participate?
By registration form:,- Participant Form - Please enclose the Accommodation Form ,- Project Description Form - Please indicate type of the project to be presented!*,*Note! ,On January 15, 2003 project ideas for FP6 IPs and NoEs (without EoI), STRPs, SSAs or Interreg (Alpine Space, CADSES), LIFE, GEF can be presented;,On January 16, 2003 only project ideas for the FP6 based on the Expressions of Interest (Call: EOI.FP6.2002-2002/C71/06 opened from 20/3/2002 until 7/6/2002) i.e. IPs and NoEs should be presented.
The participation is free of charge. The number of participants is limited to 150-170 persons, therefore we suggest all potentially interested to register as soon as possible.
Deadline for registration (submission of Participant Forms) and active participation presentation of project ideas (submission of Project Description Forms) is 8th January 2003 (possible extension for mere registration only! will be considered case by case).
Registration i.e. Participant Forms, as well as the Project description forms should be completed and returned either by fax or e-mail to the secretary of the event to the address indicated on the forms. If you wish that the organizer made reservation for your accommodation at lower price, please indicate your preferences in the Accommodation Form.
Please note that a copy of each form for the TriCo event (January 15, 2003) should also be sent to the National Contact Person corresponding to the participant country., ,Accommodation
In order to book your hotel accommodation in Ljubljana, please fill in an Accommodation Form and return it to the secretary of the event:
Mrs. Maja Ambrozic,Ministry of Education, Science and Sport,Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SLOVENIA,Phone: [phone],Fax: [phone],E-mail: [e-mail]
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia will arrange hotel reservations for participants, however the costs will have to be met by themselves. Bookings after 8 January 2003 will be accepted only upon availability. Your hotel reservation will be confirmed by Mrs. Ambrozic.,National Contact Persons for the TriCo event
Austria,Mr. Reinhold Gruber,BIT Bureau for International Research and Technology Co-operation,Donau-City-Strasse 1,A-1220 Vienna,Phone: [phone],Fax: [phone],e-mail: [e-mail]
Italy,Mr. Marcello Guaiana / Ms. Lara Dipace,AREA Science Park,Padriciano 99,34 012 Trieste,Phone: [phone],Fax: [phone],e-mail: [e-mail] / [e-mail]
Slovenia,Dr. Ales Gnamus ,Ministry of Education, Science and Sport,SI-1000 Ljubljana,Phone: ++386 1 478 4680,Fax: ++386 1 478 4719,e-mail: [e-mail]
,Permanent Members of the TriCo Steering Committee
Austria,Mr.Otto Peperna, Austrian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour, Vienna, Austria,Mr.Georg Panholzer, Austrian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour, Vienna, Austria,Prof.Manfred Horvat, Bureau for International Research and Technology Cooperation, Vienna, Austria
Italy,Mr.Gabriele Gatti, AREA Science Park, Trieste, Italy,Mr.Marcello Guaiana, AREA Science Park, Trieste, Italy,Mr.Salvatore Nadrah, Sincrotrone Trieste ScpA, Trieste, Italy,Mr.Diego Santi, ENEA IRC IRENE 2000, Bologna, Italy
Slovenia,Mr.Albin Babic, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia,Dr.Ales Gnamus, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia,Dr.Niko Herakovic, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia,Dr.Uros Stanic, IRC Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Countries

Austria, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia