SCB welcomes proposals symposia, workshops, discussion groups, and short courses for Conservation: Harmony for Nature and Society, which will be held from 11 - 16 July 2009 in Beijing, China.

All proposals must be submitted by 31 October 2008.

We expect to make decisions by 26 November 2008.

The selection of symposia, workshops, discussion groups, and short courses is a highly competitive process because time available for presentations at the meeting is limited. We encourage organizers to carefully read and adhere to the following material.

Criteria for selection

We encourage proposals from individuals or groups involved in cutting edge conservation science or practice who can demonstrate an alignment with the goals of the SCB, which are

- Conservation Science: The scientific research and knowledge needed to understand and conserve biological diversity is identified, funded, completed, disseminated and applied to research, management and policy.
- Conservation Management: Conservation practitioners and managers are provided the scientific information and recommendations needed to conserve biological diversity at all scales.
- Policy: Policy decisions of major international conventions, governments, organizations, and foundations, are effectively informed and improved by the highest quality scientific counsel, analysis, and recommendations so as to advance the conservation of biological diversity.
- Education: Education, training, and capacity building programs are identified, strengthened, and developed to inform the public, education leaders, and support current and future generations of conservation scientists and practitioners.

Individuals may not submit more than one proposal, and, as a general rule, no individual may give more than one presentation in the following categories: symposium, contributed paper, or poster and speed presentation.

SCB would like to emphasize that reviewers have access to all information contained in the proposal and that proposals are reviewed by at least two individuals. To increase the probability that your proposal will be selected for presentation, please consider the following criteria carefully:

1. scientific merit of the proposal
2. application to conservation management
3. financial support (external support or self-funded participants)
4. relevance to the meeting theme
5. relevance to the host region
6. novelty of the topic (preferably not covered in recent conferences (last 1-3 years)

Author registration deadline

All accepted proposal organizers, symposium, workshops, discussion group and short courses speakers, as well as invited participants must register by the early deadline of 30 April.

Financial support

It is the responsibility of organizers of symposia, workshops, and discussion groups to obtain funding for their own expenses and the expenses of their invited speakers or invited participants. SCB and the Local Organizing Committee are not responsible for obtaining funds to support speaker travel to the meeting and cannot guarantee that any support will be available. Preference may be given to proposals for which organizers can demonstrate that funds are likely to be available.

Choosing the category of your proposal

Please think carefully about the category that best meets your goals. Your proposal will only be considered for the category you choose.

- Symposia
Symposia tend to present information to an audience, with limited opportunity for interaction. Symposia are generally included in the four primary days of the meeting (main scientific program) and are scheduled concurrent with contributed papers.
- Workshops
Workshops, whether geared toward students or professionals, are more interactive than symposia and often have an educational component. To minimize conflict with symposia and contributed paper sessions, workshops will be scheduled for the day before the main scientific program begins (11 July) or during lunch breaks.
- Discussion groups
Discussion groups are participatory and may be relatively informal. To minimize conflict with symposia and contributed paper sessions, discussion groups will be scheduled for the day before the main scientific program begins (11 July) or during lunch breaks.
- Short Courses
Short Courses offer training in topics of key relevance to the practice of conservation for students or any other interested professionals. Preference will be given to proposals that address tools or concepts that course participants can easily share with others.

Meeting theme

Conservation: Harmony for Nature and Society

Since ancient times, Chinese philosophy believes that the harmony of development rests on its relationship with conservation of the environment. Humankind cannot progress without a healthy and diverse nature. Nature and society, diversity and mankind, those connections are critical for achieving the goals of conservation.

FORMAT FOR SYMPOSIUM PROPOSALS

SCB will accept proposals for two-hour (up to eight presentations) or four-hour (up to sixteen presentations) symposia.
Presentation length must be in multiples of 15 minutes (e.g., 15 minutes or 30 minutes) so that the timing of symposium presentations can be coordinated with contributed paper sessions. The last 15 minutes of the symposium may be left open for discussion, thereby reducing the number of presentations by one. The total length of the proposal may not exceed 1200 words. The description of the theme and justification may not exceed 230 words. Proposals must contain the following information:

1. Symposium title
2. Length (two or four hours)
3. Topic areas associated to the symposium
4. Proposed theme and justification (why the topic is appropriate and significant for presentation at Conservation: Harmony for Nature and Society)
5. Expected outcomes and, if appropriate, plans for communication of results
6. Whether any necessary funding for organizer and speaker expenses has been secured (for example, are funds available for speaker travel?)
7. A tentative list of speakers, presentation titles, and whether each speaker has agreed to participate
8. Organizer(s) name, affiliation, and complete contact information, including email address

FORMAT FOR WORKSHOP AND DISCUSSION GROUPS PROPOSALS

Workshops and discussion groups will be scheduled the day before the main scientific program begins or during lunch breaks. All organizers of workshop and discussion group must register for the meeting by the early registration deadline of 3 April.

The total length of the proposal may not exceed 1200 words. The description of the theme and justification may not exceed 230 words. Proposals must contain the following information:

1. Workshop or discussion title (specify whether workshop or discussion)
2. Maximum number of participants that can be accommodated
3. Length and preferred location in program (pre-meeting or lunch). Pre-meeting workshops and discussions may be proposed for a maximum of eight hours. Lunch sessions may be a proposed for a maximum of 1.5 hour.
4. Format of workshop or discussion and any special logistic requirements (e.g., a room with internet access)
5. Proposed theme and justification (why the topic is appropriate and significant for Conservation: Harmony for Nature and Society)
6. Expected outcomes and, if appropriate, plans for communication of results
7. Method of selecting participants (invited, open registration, or a combination). If any participants will be invited, include a tentative list of individuals and indicate whether each has agreed to participate.
8. A tentative list of speakers, presentation titles, and whether each speaker has agreed to participate
9. Organizer(s) name, affiliation, and complete contact information, including email address.

FORMAT OF SHORT COURSE PROPOSALS

One-day short courses will take place on 11 July. Longer courses will take place from 10-11 July (scheduling as per logistics and travel constraints, but dates finalized on course acceptance). Short courses should be aimed at development of professional skills in topics of key relevance to the practice of conservation.

The total length of the proposal may not exceed 1200 words. The description of the course's content and relationship to the meeting theme and SCB goals may not exceed 230 words. Proposals must contain the following information:

1. Short course title
2. Whether any special instructional or audiovisual equipment beyond that which the instructor(s) will provide is needed
3. Description of the course content and explanation of how it relates to one or more of the themes of the meeting and the goals of SCB
4. Expected Outcomes
5. Itemized budget for the short course (in dollars) and a description of any funds available to cover costs. Please describe space requirements and that internet access may require extra cost). SCB is unable to provide a stipend for the instructor(s). However, free meeting registration will be provided for a maximum of two instructors per course.
6. Length of the course: one or more days, with dates proposed
7. Minimum and maximum number of students that can be accommodated
8. Instructor(s) name, affiliation, and complete contact information (including email addresses)

HOW TO SUBMIT