Conferences will provide information to Congressional caucus developing ocean policy
Washington, DC (July 7, 2000)-On July 17 and 18, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in conjunction with other organizations, will host two days of conferences to foster awareness of scientific findings and develop a policy agenda on ocean issues to meet national and international needs. The conferences will bring together experts from academia, the scientific community, Congress, government agencies and professional societies to explore issues important to both the general public and policymakers.
On July 17, AAAS, in conjunction with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Inc., will host International Ocean Science Day. Scientific experts will present the current understanding of issues in the three areas of fisheries, pollution and health, and gas hydrates. The House Oceans Caucus is considering the first two topics during the last quarter of the 106th Congress, and plans to study the last topic early in the 107th Congress. Speakers will provide multiple perspectives on the science of each subject.
On July 18, AAAS and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) will host a subsequent conference on Capitol Hill, entitled Oceans for the New Millennium - Developing and Implementing Ocean Policy. This forum will assist the caucus in developing a policy framework in the four areas of biology, pollution, national security and governance. Within each broad issue are targeted topics for discussion. Keynote speakers will include Robert Ballard, president of the Institute for Exploration, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, famed oceanographer and explorer.
The conferences will culminate in an evening reception and tour of the oceanographic military survey ship USNS Bruce C. Heezen in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Donald L. Pilling, will be providing a keynote speech at the reception. In addition, AAAS and AGU have extended invitations to Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush to speak in the evening.
Information is available on the AAAS website at: http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/oceans
WHAT:
Monday, July 17: International Ocean Science Day
Tuesday, July 18: Oceans for the New Millennium: Developing and Implementing Ocean Policy
WHEN:
July 17, 9:00-5:30
July 18, 8:00-5:30
WHERE:
July 17 -- Auditorium, American Association for the Advancement of Science 1200 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC
July 18 -- Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC
WHO:
July 17 -- Hosted by AAAS and supported by: IUCN and The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Inc.
July 18 -- Hosted by AAAS and the American Geophysical Union
Speakers for the July 17 conference will include:
Speakers and panelists for the July 18 forum will include:
AAAS, the world's largest federation of scientists, works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs and publications. With more than 138,000 members and 275 affiliated societies, AAAS conducts many programs in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. AAAS publishes the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science, as well as a number of electronic features on the World Wide Web.
EDITOR'S NOTE: To register for the conference, contact Laura Humphrey at 202-326-6431 or lhumphre@aaas.org
For more information, contact: Tiffany Ayers, 202-326-6781, tayers@aaas.org