The paramos of the world provide extremely important environmental services such as the continuous provision of quality and quantity of water, the storage of atmospheric carbon that helps control global warming, the diversity of landscapes and the flora and fauna that are very important for both modern and traditional societies.

 

For the second time, organizations and people related to the paramos of the world, have joined efforts in order to carry out the event PARAMUNDI, 2nd Paramos World Congress, whose aim is to position paramos as an strategic ecosystem within the international, national and local areas, and to promote the definition of joint commitments and action strategies for their preservation and sustainable management.

 

It will be an event in which the exchange of information, knowledge, practices and know-how will be promoted, as well as the discussion and establishment of conclusions and recommendations through conferences, discussion panels, community forums and workshops about several issues related to the management and conservation of the paramos, all organized within four mayor symposiums:

The transversal thematic axles that will guide the treatment of the above mentioned topics are:

 

Water:	Capacity of paramos for the regulation of the quantity and quality of water.
Soil:	The paramos as a great reservoir and a space for the fixation of carbon.
Biodiversity and ecosystems:	Wealth of species, structure and functions of the paramos ecosystem.
Cultural landscapes:	Paramos as territories and spaces of life, production and cultural expression of the local communities.

 

This, which will be the central dynamic of the event, will be accompanied by observation tours to paramo zones, as well as media, social, cultural and educational activities that will allow positioning the paramo as an ecosystem of great importance within the general public.

 

As an important part of the PARAMUNDI event, specific previous meetings will be held among key actors for the management of paramos, such as water provision enterprises, national park rangers and watchmen, the children that live in those regions, the technicians of both public and private organizations, and authorities. These events will allow stimulating the conformation of networks and concrete actions in benefit of the ecosystem and those communities that depend on its good conditions.

PARAMUNDI – life in the high lands, is an event open to the participation of academics and students, delegations and representatives of social organizations, authorities and decision makers, representatives of private enterprises related to the paramos of the world, and to all those who believe that the conservation of this vital ecosystem is an urgent matter for the planet.

 

 

 

TARIFF PER PERSON	Until May 10, 2009	From May 11, 2009
PROFESSIONALS	USD $60	USD $100
STUDENTS	USD $40	USD $60
LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN HIGH PLATEAUS ZONES	USD $40	USD $60

 

The final date to pay for your inscription as assistant is June 15th, 2009.

 

The inscription values for the congress include:

• Identification
• Folder with map of the location, central agenda of the event, brief summary of the presentations and a description of the parallel and additional activities.
• Poster of the congress.
• Notebook and pencil.
• Map of the city of Loja and an informative magazine about the Province of Loja and its tourist attractions.
• Invitation and participation to the inauguration event of the Congress.
• Coupons for three coffee breaks and four lunches.
• Participation in social and cultural activities.
• Information presented during the congress that has been organized in an interactive CD.
  

 
The inscription fee does not include transportation or lodging expenses. For information about the available options and to make reservations please click here .

If you cancel the inscription to the congress 30 days before the inauguration date, you will receive a 50% refund of the total amount paid once the congress has ended. After this date, no refund will be made. Any cancellation has to be notified in writing by fax or e-mail, to the general secretary of the congress: Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla Fax: (593-2) 2444603.

Once you have successfully paid the inscription, the system will issue an electronic payment receipt with a number for the payment confirmation, which you must present at the congress inscription table. This will allow us to verify the payment and confirm your inscription.
 

 

 

PARAMUNDI has created a fund for the payment exoneration of the inscription fee for those participants that are members of indigenous community and rural organizations of the regional Andean paramo zones. The scholarships will be assigned by order of inscription until the total amount assigned to the fund has been granted. In order to apply for this exoneration, please fill in the corresponding spaces within the inscription form. You will be notified about the assignment of the scholarship through e-mail, together with the confirmation of your inscription.

If you were not selected for the exoneration, you will have to pay the respective value for your inscription, until June 15th, 2009, to be able to participate in the event.
 

 

 

Payments can be made with credit card or through a bank deposit.
 
In order to pay with credit card, you must fill in the on-line inscription form. To make your payment through a bank deposit, please click here.

 

Your participation in the congress must be registered within one of the following three categories.  Please choose the corresponding category to display the instructive and fill in the corresponding inscriptions form(s).

1.    ASSISTANT (Inscription deadline June 15th, 2009)

• on-line inscription form

2.    ORAL PRESENTATION (Inscription deadline April 15th 2009)

3.    POSTER (Inscription deadline April 15th 2009)