Program

The themes of the conference will cover a broad range of topics and have been tentatively scheduled over the three-day event which will have three concurrent sessions over Days 2 and 3.

Social Program

Social events are an important part of a conference, providing opportunities to strengthen networks within a social context, while providing conference delegates with a chance to simply unwind. A number of evening social events are planned, thanks to the generous support of all our sponsors.

Sunday 2 September 2007

The conference will formally open with a cocktail party and wine tastings at Aspects of Kings Park on the beautiful grounds of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Delegates are encouraged to attend and bring along wine from their home country to share with others. Befitting it's location within one of Western Australia's premier tourist attractions, Aspects of Kings Park has outstanding views overlooking Perth and the Swan River. Inside, you will find a showcase venue for the highest quality of contemporary Australian fine craft and design that reflects the unique qualities of our natural environment. This is a Friends of Kings Park sponsored event.
This welcome reception is included in full conference (standard and student) registration fees.

Monday 3 September 2007

Unwind after the conference sessions with drinks and nibbles during the Poster Display at the University Club. Student posters will be judged with awards to be presented at the conference dinner.
If you still have energy after this event, you may have time to catch up with friends.

Tuesday 4 September 2007

Option 1:
Come on an evening spotlight walk and see if you can spot some of our unique, yet threatened, mammals. A bus will be provided to transport you to and from the Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of Perth. This will be a special event and experience given that many of the mammals are rarely seen in the wild. For further information about the Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary, please visit the Australian Wildlife Conservancy website. This is an Australian Wildlife Conservancy sponsored event.
This event is limited to 60 delegates only and will be included in full conference (standard and student) registration fees. When registering for the conference, please nominate your preference to attend this evening event.

Option 2:
Professor Stephen Hopper, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom, will present a public address at 7.30pm, theatre auditorium, University Club of Western Australia:

"Plant Diversity and Living with Global Change" With growing public and political awareness of climate change, botanic gardens and other organisations focussed on plant life are well-placed to demonstrate and inspire use of plant diversity to help deal with global change. Some 18% of global carbon emissions are due to deforestation and altered land use - more than that due to the world's transport systems. Consequently, a global moratorium on further destruction of wild vegetation is urgently needed. Moreover, repair and restoration of damaged wild plant communities needs to be expanded where there is a will to do so. This is an important message of hope. The use of locally and culturally appropriate plant species in agricultural, urban and suburban lands is a third key strategy if we develop new landscape ethics and are willing to change long-standing behaviours. This combination of strategies will improve the amount of atmospheric carbon absorbed by plants in coming decades, and also help mitigate the coming plant extinction crisis should the world persist with a "business as usual" approach.

This public address is a WWF-Australia and MEDECOS XI hosted event. All are welcome. Entry is by nominal donation to the "charity box" with any proceeds after costs to go to WWF-Australia. Bookings are essential as seating is limited. To book a seat for this public address, please contact Lynda Green at WWF-Australia by email lgreen@wwf.org.au or telephone +61 8 9387 6444. Further information is available in pdf.

Option 3:
Alternatively, use this night to catch up with friends, view the city lights from Kings Park, walk through Northbridge, or visit the historic port city of Fremantle. This is your free night!

Wednesday 5 September 2007

A conference banquet at the Royal Perth Yacht Club will conclude the MEDECOS XI social program. Student prizes and other awards will be presented. A local band, the Zydecats, will provide the night's entertainment, so bring your dancing shoes - we want everyone on the dance floor!
This conference dinner is included in full conference (standard and student) registration fees.

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