Call for Session Proposals

Deadine Extended Until July 11, 2011!

The National Council for Science and the Environment is currently accepting proposals for its 2012 conference, Environment and Security.  All proposals must be submitted by July 11, 2011 to Caley Corsello at ccorsello@ncseonline.org or by fax at 202-628-4311. 

Click HERE to access the proposal form.

All proposals must address one of the conference's five themes or a combination of two or more themes:

1) Climate Disruption & Security

2) Food Security

3) Energy Security

4) Water Security 

5) Environment & Public Health Security

Once accepted, proposals will be used for either symposia or breakout sessions.  Symposia will take place Wednesday afternoon, January 18th (each of the two sets, 1.5 hours) and will provide focused discussion on critical cross-cutting topics.  The concurrent symposia are mini-plenary sessions comprised of coordinated presentations by 3-5 diverse experts who provide insightful perspectives on the topic at hand, followed by moderated discussion among the speakers and a question-and-answer period and open discussion with all session attendees.  Unlike the participants of the breakout sessions, symposia participants do not develop recommendations for action.

Breakout sessions will take place Thursday afternoon, January 19th (up to 3.5 hours).  Breakout session participants will develop recommendations for using science and education to address the prominent security issues related to a changing climate.  Each session will be organized around a specific topic and will involve a combination of very brief opening comments from invited experts in the field, followed by facilitated participant group discussion to develop a set of ~8 outcomes - a new initiative, a new partnership or collaboration, recommendations for action, or a "follow-up" activity.  These outcomes will be synthesized and distributed to the Obama administration, Congress, state and local government, business, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and others.  Follow-up activities will be supported and facilitated if possible.