*ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CENTRAL EUROPE: PROBLEMS OF*
*TRANSITION*
Conference of the International Geographic Union
Prague, Czech Republic, 22 - 26 August 1993
*Invitation*
At the 1988 Sydney IGU Congress Czech and Slovak geographers
officially announced for the first time their interest to host
the 1994 Regional Conference in Prague. From a Central European
point of view, 1988 is pre-history: so much has since
dramatically changed here, including the very geography of this
small part of the globe.
When the Conference first preparatory steps were taken, we
were still living behind the "Iron Curtain" in the communist-
ruled Czechoslovak Federation. But very soon, in 1989, the cold-
war two-bloc schema in Europe collapsed and we witnessed the "big
bang" which triggered substantial transformation processes
penetrating all spheres of our life, affecting every individual
of this region and probably all mankind. Being part of this
fascinating stage, we witnessed the emergence of many new
sovereign states in our region (not to mention the Czech and
Slovak Republics themselves), felt rising hopes of millions of
people, but also severe problems which had ripened beneath the
crust of totalitarian systems and were now surfacing by means of
often merciless outbursts.
These problems are our Conference focus and we intend to
provide you with an opportunity to discuss them "right on the
spot". Moreover, we are determined to give you during the
excursions and other accompanying events a genuine view of the
region: our enchanting capital, Prague, our countryside with all
its beauties but also problems, border regions with their bitter
legacy and new prospects, and finally, the most remarkable places
of all Central Europe. After all, this will be a Central European
Conference.
In inviting you to take part in the 1994 Conference, we
simply hope to facilitate your aspirations to explore this
dynamic part of the World - an open-air laboratory for studying a
number of great geographic and environmental themes. Come and
see. You are most welcome.
*About the Conference*
_The 1994 IGU Regional Conference will be hosted by_
_Charles University of Prague (the oldest University in Central_
_Czech Republic, and organized in cooperation with other_
_Central European countries._
_The Conference aims at covering a very broad spectrum of_
_both scientific and applied issues, focusing on the Central_
_European region. The program of the Conference is structured_
_into six streams, addressing major contemporary issues;_
_streams are further divided into a number of thematic_
_sessions, main building elements of the programme. Four_
_Plenary Sessions will introduce the Conference main topics as_
_The scientific programme will be complemented by a series_
_of accompanying activities which will foster an exchange of_
_views between politicians, officials, business leaders and_
_representatives of non-governmental organisations on one hand_
*_Programme*_:
*Plenary Sessions*
PLENARY I: CENTRAL EUROPE IN TRANSITION: ENVIRONMENT,
ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
PLENARY II: PRAGUE: GET ACQUAINTED
PLENARY III: CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLICS: GEOGRAPHY AND
GEOGRAPHERS PLENARY IV: COMMON RESPONSIBIL
*Thematic Sessions*
*STREAM A: The Emerging "New Central Europe"*
Themes: Our Changing World
Central Europe: A Search for a New Identity
Reconstruction of Central Europe: Problems and
Prospects
Migration and Refugee Problems *STREAM B: Environme
Themes: Environment and Society in a Geographic Perspective
Society and Landscape, Landscape Ecology
Geography and Nature Conservation
Environmental Policies, Planning and Management
*STREAM C: The GIS, Cartographic Systems and Remote Sensing*
Themes: Geographic Information Systems in Action
Mapping the Environment
Remote Sensing for the Environment
*STREAM D: The Domain of Physical Geography* Themes: Genera
Dynamic and Engineering Geomorphology
Climatic and Hydrological Changes
Natural Disasters, Hazards and Risks
*STREAM E: The Domain of Human and Economic Geography*
Themes: Mainstreams of Geographic Thought
Environment and Society
Economic Restructuring
Urban, Regional and Local Restructuring
*STREAM F: Geographic and Environmental Education* Themes:
Training
Becoming Aware
Becoming Professional
Public Awareness Upgrading
*Venue*
The Conference will take place in Prague's Palace of Culture,
a major convention facility providing a large number of
meeting rooms, an extensive exhibition area and state of the
the metro line just a few stops from the city centre and
provides a fascinating panoramic view of Prague.
*Accommodation*
A variety of lodging opportunities close to the city centre
will be offered, ranging from rather inexpensive but
comfortable modern student hostels (up to 30 USD) through mid
category hotels (circa 70-90 USD) up to luxury hotels (150 and
more USD) in Prague's outstanding locations. Please indicate
interested in.
*Languages* English and French will be the Conference offi
used during all formal parts of the programme without
translation.
*Excursions*
Three types of excursions will be scheduled prior to, during
and after the Conference. These excursions are meant to
provide participants with a balanced opportunity to discover
by themselves the beauties and problems of Prague, the Czech
Republic, Slovakia and other parts of Central Europe. Longer
more complex, combining scientific elements (prepared in
cooperation with geographic and environmental departments of
the concerned regions) with more general views, while shorter
(1-2 days) ones will be more specifically geared towards
Conference-relevant issues (environment, border effects, urban
development, protected areas etc.). Local short excursions
will be organized during the Conference for both participants
and accompanying persons.
*Exhibitions*
Due to the Palace of Culture extensive exhibition area, both
commercial and non-commercial exhibitions are planned, and all
institutions concerned, university departments, research
institutes, publishers, companies, industries et al. are
welcome to indicate their interest in taking part in
exhibition activities.
*Social programme*
A variety of social events for both Conference participants
guided tours of Prague and its surroundings, "steamboat
parties" on the Vltava river, concerts in Prague's famous
medieval gardens, pantomime performances as well as meetings
with politicians in informal round-table discussions.
*Registration fee*
The estimated registration fee (not including excursions,
charged social events, accomodation and food) is 280 USD. Late
payments and on site registrations will be charged circa 330
rate. A system of grants will encourage the participation of
students and seniors, as well as potential delegates from
developing countries and "countries in transition".
*Organization and Secretariat*
The Conference is organized by the Faculty of Science,
Charles University of Prague, under the patronage of the
University and in cooperation with a number of other
institutions. The Conference Organizing Committee, nominated
bodies has been carrying out preparatory task for over two
years. Main geographic departments from both the Czech and
Slovak Republics are represented in the Organizing Committee,
which is chaired by Dr. Jan Kara. Domestic organizers are
significantly supported by the International Programme
Committee composed of Central European countries IGU
representatives and of other renowned scholars.
The coordinates of the Conference Secretariat are:
*IGU RC 1994*
*Albertov 6, 128 43 PRAHA 2*
*C Z E C H R E P U B L I C* *Phone: +42-2-24912060 (+42-2-2
*Telefax: +42-2-24915817 (+42-2-296025)*
*E-mail: KUCERA@PRFDEC.NATUR.CUNI.CZ*
Detailed information will be included in second
Conference circular to be distributed in the end of 1993.