Association Affairs

Announcements

I. The Tahiti Inter-Congress: 2–6 March 2009

The 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress will be held in Tahiti, French Polynesia from 2 to 6 March 2009. The meeting venue will be the Sheraton Tahiti Hotel outside of Pape’ete. The main theme of the Inter-Congress is “Pacific Countries and their Ocean: Facing Local and Global Changes.” The Pacific Science Inter-Congress 2009 is a joint endeavor of France and French Polynesia in cooperation with the Pacific Science Association. The Inter-Congress is sponsored by the French Ministry for High Education and Research, the Secretary of State for Overseas Countries and Territories, the Permanent Secretary for the Pacific, and by French Polynesia.

The sub-themes for the Inter-Congress include:

1. 1. Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

2. 2. Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

3. 3. Health Challenges in the Pacific: Infectious Disease, Non-communicable Disease and Health Workforce

4. 4. Culture and Politics: The Cultural and Political Stakes of Modernity

5. 5. Economy: Economic Challenges for the Future of the Pacific

Planning for the Tahiti Inter-Congress is proceeding smoothly. The official Inter-Congress website was launched in February and online registration and abstract submission will be available by the time of this publication. English and French language versions of the First Circular were completed in May and were distributed electronically. An array of Keynote Speakers is currently being organized.

A grant program for younger scientists (under age 35) has been announced. See separate announcement below for details.

The goals of the Inter-Congress are: (1) To assess the knowledge status of local and global changes within Pacific countries; (2) To gather Pacific country scientists and other scientists working in the Pacific region; (3) To develop beneficial exchanges between all the countries of the Pacific region, and in particular with the scientific communities of French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and New Caledonia; and (4) To give young scientists in the Pacific region a stimulating exchange opportunity.

Critical Dates

• • Deadline for Abstract Submissions: 30 September 2008

• • Deadline for Grant Submission: 30 September 2008

• • Announcement of Abstract Submissions: 31 October 2008

• • Grant Announcements: 31 October 2008

• • Early Bird Registration closes: 31 October 2008

• • Accommodation Bookings close: Early February 2009 (date to be announced)

The most current information on the Tahiti Inter-Congress can be found on the official website (www.psi2009.pf) or the PSA website (www.pacificscience.org).

II. Travel Grants to Tahiti Inter-Congress for Young Scientists

The Inter-Congress organizers will award fifty grants of 500 euros each to selected young researchers from overseas and the Pacific region in particular to support their travel expenses. Grant applications will be submitted via the Inter-Congress website (www.psi2009.pf) Students are also exempted from registration fees by providing an ID to PSI2009 but will still receive the same benefits during the Inter-Congress (i.e. meals).

Activities

I. 2008 International Symposium on Global Mountain Biodiversity

The Pacific Science Association was pleased to co-sponsor the 2008 International Symposium on Global Mountain Biodiversity, which was held 7–10 June 2008 at China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan. The Symposium was organized by the College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Biodiversity at China Medical University.

The Symposium dealt with the biodiversity of the world’s mountain ecosystems. In addition to their intrinsic value, the ecosystem services these areas provide to human societies are a critically important aspect of global sustainability. The Symposium addressed the molecular and evolutionary bases of biodiversity; vulnerability assessments of mountain biodiversity to various threats; mountain biodiversity in fungi and animal populations; microbial and lake metabolism; and projected impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems and on public health in communities linked to those areas.

II. Climate Change and Biodiversity in Melanesia Project

The Climate Change and Biodiversity in Melanesia (CCBM) project has completed a series of White Papers on topics concerning the projected biodiversity impacts of climate change in Melanesia. These White Papers, along with various other data are posted on the project web-site (http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ccbm/). This information is being made freely available for use in conjunction with other analytical tools to form the core of...