News
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Preserving traditional crops and livestock breeds
An agreement on plant genetic resources is to come into force in nine EU member states on 29 June, with only Germany featuring among alpine countries. The agreement is designed to secure the use of gene pools and free access to seed stocks and propagating materials for key agricultural crops.
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Conference on "Cities in the Mountains"
The French mountain organisation Montanea is organising an international conference on "Cities in the Mountains" together with the Alpe magazine. It is to be held at the Chambéry Conference Centre on 29 June. Admission is free. The registration deadline is 22 June. The conference will offer simultaneous interpretation in French, German and Italian.
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Ministers of alpine countries: More road safety and alternatives to road traffic
At a meeting in Switzerland the transport ministers of alpine countries underlined their commitment to improve road safety in cross-alpine HGV traffic in a joint and concerted effort adapted to the needs of the alpine countries, and to bolster the policy of transporting HGV traffic by rail. The meeting was attended by representatives from Germany, France, Italy, Austria and the EU Commission.
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K2: Environmental impact of anniversary treks
To mark the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of the K2 summit in the Himalayas the Italian Alpine Association is organising several treks to the mountain's base camps. Up to 60,000 people are expected to pass through some of the intermediate camps this year. The problems this causes include the insufficiently rapid degradation of biological waste at high altitude, the pollution of rivers, or damage to the vegetation through the gathering of firewood. A number of expeditions are also to make greater use of helicopters.
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7th CIPRA Summer Academy: Last opportunity to take part
There are still a few places left for the Summer Academy organised by the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA). The final deadline for registration, which can be made at www.cipra.org (de/fr/it/sl/en), is 30 June; the web site has details of this training and education event, including the course programme.
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Invitation to compete for the International Environment Award
Exemplary environmental protection projects from all over the world that are closely linked to tourism are eligible for the International Environment Award. The Award is presented each year by the German Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators.
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Alpine Week: Four organisations that operate throughout the Alps join forces
This year the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA), the International Scientific Committee for Alpine Research (ISCAR), the municipality network Alliance in the Alps and the Network of Alpine Protected Areas (Alparc) are organising a joint conference in the form of an "Alpine Week". It is to be held in Kranjska Gora/SI from 22 to 25 September. The conference has elected as its theme: "The Alps of the Coming Generation - From Forecasts to Action".
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Project launch: Study of persistent organic pollutants in the Alps
Very little is known to date about the actual extent of the threat to the Alps caused by persistent highly toxic environmental pollutants, also known as POP chemicals. However initial studies suggest that they do represent a burden on the Alps, especially since POPs tend to deposit in cold areas such as mountain regions.
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European Mountain Forum launches Mediterranean co-ordination agency
The European Mountain Forum has launched its new Mediterranean co-ordination agency at Les Planes de Son/E on 16 and 17 June as part of the international conference on "Sustainable Development in Mediterranean Mountain Regions: Past, Present and Future". Its aim is to promote the idea of sustainable development and its implementation in the Mediterranean region, and to raise the awareness of the significance of Mediterranean mountain regions not just among the local population but throughout Europe and the world.
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Italy: MOMO project for the development of new technologies in mountain regions
The EU MOMO project, which focuses on applied research benefiting small and medium-sized companies, was recently unveiled in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Plastic materials for nanotechnology for example are to be developed at the Centre for Technological Innovations in Amaro.