*The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation*
*Department of Environmental Studies*
* *
Annual Symposium
Call for abstracts:
Ecotourism:
Can tourism, biodiversity conservation and sustainable community
development be merged?
*Saturday, November 3th, 2012*
Antioch University New England
Keene, New Hampshire USA
Ecotourism, as defined by its proponents, aims to promote both
environmental conservation and the stability and resilience of the
surrounding communities. Inspired by environmentally and culturally
degrading effects of the mainstream tourism industry, ecotourism appeals to
the more ‘responsible traveler’ who wants to help promote conservation and
immerse in local culture. Despite these good intentions, closer
examination reveals that ecotourism, in many cases, has contributed to
social and environmental degradation. Rapid economic growth inspired by
ecotourism brings forth power dynamics, often resulting in the alienation
of local communities in the conservation of their own lands, as well as
increased visitation rates to fragile environments. Critically needed
capacity building, policies, education, and appropriate infrastructure for
such growth to enable local participation and stability are often ignored.
There are, however, successful ecotourism enterprises that have been able
to merge community development and sustainable growth with conservation.
The purpose of this symposium is to bring together professionals, scholars
and practitioners with differing backgrounds in economics, politics,
anthropology, natural sciences, business and management, as well as
students and educators, to explore how ecotourism can be a successful tool
in biodiversity conservation. We will examine the social complexities and
ethics of cultural and social impacts of ecotourism. This will allow for
participants to learn from the merging of different themes, such as
sustainable development, local empowerment, social equality, business
ethics and biodiversity conservation, all highlighting the intricate
dynamics of this growing industry.
* *
*Call for Abstracts*:
*The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (CTEC) at Antioch
University is currently accepting proposals for oral presentations and
posters that address the following goals: *
* *
ñ To give symposium attendees the opportunity to critically explore what
ecotourism means and the role of ecotourism in biodiversity and cultural
conservation.
ñ To explore how ecotourism can break free from the framework of the
mainstream tourism industry to truly work towards conservation of
biodiversity through support for sustainable growth of local economies and
culture
ñ To address how, in the complex web of stakeholders, the needs of local
communities can be protected and met, especially in areas of low employment
and/or poverty
ñ To explore the role of non-profit organizations as a bridge between
local community needs and the interests of other stakeholders
ñ To provide examples of successful ecotourism enterprises that work to
sustain biodiversity conservation and cultural integrity through the
inclusion and empowerment of local community
ñ To create a framework for understanding and evaluating ecotourism in an
effort to help society make responsible travel choices
*Submission Guidelines*:
For each submission (multiple submissions considered) please include:
1. The symposium goal(s) your abstract addresses
2. A 300 word or less abstract of your presentation
3. Indicate your preference for a presentation or a poster
4. Name, affiliation(s), address, phone number, and email
5. Submit two to three potential discussion questions related to your
submission. These may be used in the discussion to follow presentations
* *
*About CTEC*:
The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation
(CTEC)<http://www.centerfortropicalecology.org/>
, in the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch
<http://www.antiochne.edu/>University New England<http://www.antiochne.edu/>,
promotes the sustainable and just use of tropical ecosystems by training
conservation leaders, conducting conservation research with partner
organizations, and serving as an educational resource for the New England
region.
*All submissions should be sent electronically to the symposium coordinator:
*
*Emily Dark*
*[email protected]*
*Subject: Submission 2012 Symposium*
*Deadline: August 31, 2012 (until spaces are full)*
--
Beth A. Kaplin, Ph.D.
Program Director, Doctoral Program in Environmental Studies
Co-Director, Center for Tropical Ecology & Conservation
Antioch University New England
Keene, New Hampshire, USA
Office phone: 603-283-2328
Mobile in USA: 802-376-3800
Skype address: bethkaplin
http://www.antiochne.edu/directory/employee_detail.cfm?ID=7160065291
http://www.CenterForTropicalEcology.org/
Technical Advisor, Conservation Biology Education Project
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science
National University of Rwanda
Mobile in Rwanda: (250) 078 8664551
Address in Rwanda:
BP 512
Butare
