Congress on Risks for Public Health & the Environment

Context of the Conference

The current methods and institutions for  setting science agendas, funding research,  directing innovations and assessing their risks are not able to cope with the challenges posed by the complexities, uncertainties and ignorance about the systems that characterise our current environments. Understanding and managing our inter-linked  technological, biological, ecological and socio-political systems requires new approaches and paradigms.

It is essential that there are scientific concepts and research programmes which are  independent of  the interests and influence of the developers and promoters of current and new technologies. The choice of technological pathways and the assessment and management of their hazards should be opended up to wider groups of stakeholders from outside the narrow elites who currently define and dominate these activities.

Scientific data and knowledge is usually confined to closed networks. It is necessary to bring together the different types of knowledge existing in different networks and to promote better communication between scientists, professionals, public interest groups and policy makers. Solutions to the current social, economic and environmental  crises require transdisciplinary approaches that can embrace both complexity and the needs, knowledge and interests of  different societal groups.

Goals of the Conference

Increase public and political awareness of social, economic and environmental risks of current and new technologies and discuss effective means for e.g. technology and risk assessments, product approvals, and liability schemes.

Provide a forum for open public debate where experts from different fields can address the following questions and issues:

Create an Action Plan with concrete and realistic activities to support the changes needed, including changes in scientific paradigms and  practices and in the control of technological choices.

Organisers

ENSSER
The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) brings together independent scientific expertise to develop public-good knowledge for the critical assessment of existing and emerging technologies. The objective of ENSSER is the advancement of public-good science and research for the protection of the environment, biological diversity and human health against adverse impacts of new technologies and their products.

EEA
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union. Its task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. The EEA is a major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public. Currently, the EEA has 32 member countries.

FUNDACIÓN VIVO SANO-HDO

The Health Defense Organisation (HDO) aims to raise public awareness on the risks of technologies, substances and products that surround us and to strengthen European public policies to protect both people's health and the environment. It works with scientists, doctors, NGOs and other similar groups to achieve the democratization of science. We work with more than 27 organizations in 12 European countries.

CÁTEDRA UNIVERSIDAD, EMPRESA, SINDICATOS: TRABAJO, AMBIENTE SALUD

The Cátedra-Universidad-Empresa-Sindicato: Trabajo, Ambiente y Salud is the result of an agreement between the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and the technical Institute of Work, Environment and Health (ISTAS) from 1^st July 2004.

Its main function is to serve as a basis for technological and scientific aspects related to the use of healthy techniques for sustainable development, including the prevention of occupational hazards of workers and with the organization of work. The modalities of cooperation include, inter alia, cooperation in training programs, participation in projects, the creation of a monitoring technology in relation to occupational health and the environment and the promotion and support among graduate students to acquire required knowledge towards the creation of an innovative business that can generate added value to R & D.

Supporters

National Supporters

ISTAS (Instituto Sindical de Trabajo, Ambiente y Salud)

The technical Institute of Work, Environment and Health (ISTAS) is an autonomous foundation promoted by CCOO trade union. It aims to promote social programmes and activities to improve working conditions, the protection of the environment and the health of workers in Spain.

CiMA (Cientificos por el Medio Ambiente) 

'Scientists for the environment'’ is an independent association founded in 2003 statewide. It is composed of scientists, technicians and researchers who work in all disciplines of natural and social sciences. It focuses and analises our contemporary system of science and technology (Science and Technology), its enormous power, which makes everything - including ourselves – and its transforming capacity. CIMA partners we are bound by a common awareness of our socio ecological responsibility, and willing to protect the environment and diversity (both biological and cultural) as well as promoting public health and sustainability.

OSE (Observatory of Sustainability in Spain)

The Observatory of Sustainability in Spain (OSE) is an independent body, established on February 28, 2005, as a result of the collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Biodiversity Foundation and the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá. Its mission is to stimulate social change towards sustainability by providing the best information available and make it available to society, policy makers and the promotion of public participation.

European Supporters

HEAL (Health and Environment Alliance)

HEAL is the leading European not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects health in the European Union. We demonstrate how policy changes can help protect health and enhance people’s quality of life. As a diverse network of over 65 international and national not-for-profit organisations of citizens, patients, and health professionals, plus environmental groups and public health institutes, HEAL is the leading coalition of environment and health organisations working at the level of the European Union (EU). Our widespread membership allows us to also work at the international, national and local levels.

ClientEarth

ClientEarth is an organisation of activist lawyers committed to securing a healthy planet.We work in Europe and beyond, bringing together law, science and policy to create pragmatic solutions to key environmental challenges.

Programme

Day 1

11:30 - 13:30 Registration and Welcome buffet -  (Sala de Vinos)

13:30 - 14:00 Opening (Salon de Actos)

• Prof. Dr. D. Emilio Mínguez, Vicerrector of Academic Management, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Spain

• Prof. Dr. Antonio Notario Gómez, Director, E.T.S Ingenieros de Montes (UPM)  

Organisers

• Dr. Hartmut Meyer, Scientific Coordinator of ENSSER, Germany
• Peter Pärt, EEA, Denmark
• Irina Rodriguez de la Flor, HDO/Fundación Vivosano, Spain

14:00 - 14:15 Roundup Ready Agriculture in Argentina. Inherent logic of HT GE crops and bad policy choices?

• Dr. Angelika Hilbeck (Chairperson, ENSSER, Switzerland)

14:15 - 15:45 Roundup Ready Agriculture in Argentina

Analysing the ‘package’ of GE crops, soy bean production, pesticide sprays and export commodities.

Moderator: Dr. Hartmut Meyer, ENSSER, Germany

• Ecological and Economic implications after 15 year of transgenic soybean in the River Plate Basin. Prof. Dr. Ana Carolina Herrero, Area Ecología, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, Argentina
• Health implications of glyphosate and pesticide dominated agriculture – Medical research aspects. Prof. Dr. Andres E. Carrasco, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Health implications of Roundup and requirements for health safety testing  of HR crop plants – molecular and biosafety aspects. Nicolas Defarge, University of Caen, France

15:45 – 16:30  Coffee & Tea break (Sala de Vinos)

16:30 – 18:30  Roundup Ready Agriculture in Argentina. VIP Panel Discussion

Moderator: Irina de la Flor, HDO/Fundación Vivosano, Spain

• Simon Birkett, CEO of the Campaign for Clean Air in London
• Dr. Henry Dahl, Inter-American Bar Foundation
• Dr. David Quist, Genok-Centre for Biosafety, Norway

18:30 - 19:30 Discussion

19:30 - 20:00 Roundup Ready Agriculture in Argentina- Conclusions

• Christine von Weizsäcker, ENSSER & ECOROPA, Germany

Day 2

09:00 - 09:15 Introduction (Salon de Actos)

09:15 – 12:00 Horizontal Issues Session. Law and Policy Frameworks for Science and Technology Assessment. (Salon de Actos)

Moderator: Assistent Prof. Dr. Mercy W. Kamara, Roskilde University, Denmark

• Aarhus Convention: access to justice, access to participation & information.  Prof. Dr. Ludwig Kramer, ClientEarth, Belgium
• Patents and risk research: Access to material, corporate control & independent science.  Dr. Hartmut Meyer, ENSSER, Germany
• Risk Assessment under REACH and beyond: Scientific challenges and opportunities. Dr. José V. Tarazona, Scientific Chair, European Chemicals Agency, Finland
• Privatizing the scientific process - consequences for risk assessment, regulations and the public interest. Dr. Angelika Hilbeck, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
• EU debate on independent science and risk assessment. Claire Robinson, Earth Open Source, UK

11:25 - 12:15 Open Debate & Conclusions.

12:15 - 13:15 Lunch (Comedor)

(Optional: 30 min. visit of the Zoological Museum)

12:30 - 13:30 Press Conference with ENSSER and HDO/Fundación Vivosano (Sala de Juntas)

13:15 - 13:40 Coffee & Tea break (Salon de Vinos)

13:40 - 15:30 Vertical Issues Workshop 1 - Chemicals & Pesticides (Salon de Actos)

Moderator: Dolores Romano, ISTAS, Spain 

• Introduction into EU law and policy framework on chemicals & pesticides. Dr. Lisette Van Vliet, HEAL, Brussels
• (Eco)toxicological problems regarding pesticides, their chronological summary and main examples. Dr. András Székács, Academy of Sciences, Hungary
• Bisphenol A & other endocrine disruptors. Dr. Nicolas Olea, University of Granada, Spain
• Number of Persistent Organic Pollutants detected at high concentrations in the general population.   Dr. Miquel Porta, IMIM – Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain
  

15:00 - 15:30 Discussion

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee & Tea break (Salon de Vinos)

16:00 - 18:00 Vertical Issues Workshop 2 - Nanotechnology (Salon de Actos)

Moderator: Alex Swinkels, IEMFA, The Netherlands

• Introduction into EU law and policy framework. Vito Buonsante, ClientEarth, Belgium
• Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles - between Details and Pragmatism. Prof. Dr. Juliane Filser, University of Bremen, Germany
• Nanodialogues between NGOs and Nanoscientists: Co-creating Nano Knowledge and Realities in a Democratic Society. Assistant Professor Mercy W. Kamara, Roskilde University, Denmark.
• The Toxicology of Nanoparticles. Prof. Dr. Vyvyan Howard, University of Ulster, UK.

17:30 - 18:00 Discussion

18:00 - 18:30 Coffee & Tea break  (Salon de Vinos)

18:30 - 20:00 Vertical Issues Workshop 3 - Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs) (Salon de Actos)

Moderator: Diederick Sprangers, Genethica Association, The Netherlands

• The two-perspective risk-assessment system EMFs in Europe: New diseases might be linked to EMFs. Alex Swinkels, Board Member and one of the founders of the International Fields Alliance (IEMFA), The Netherlands
• Mobile communication and the health of the population: risk assessment, social and ethical problems. The Russian view. Prof. Dr. Yury Grigoriev, Chairman, Russian National Committee on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection, Russia  
• Biological Plausibility of Carcinogenesis due to Electromagnetic Fields: the fall of the theorem of impossibility. Dr. Livio Giuliani, International Commission For  Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS), Italy.

19:30 - 20:00 Discussion

Day 3

09:00 - 09.15 Introduction (Salon de Actos)

09:15 - 12:00 Policy workshops to develop Action Plan. Working groups on Vertical and Horizontal issues

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch (Comedor)

(Optional: 30 min. visit of the Botanic gardens)

13:00 - 13:30 Coffee & Tea (Sala de Vinos)

13:30-14:00   Presentation of the Draft Action Plan in Plenary Session by eight conference board members (Salon de Actos)

Presentation of some chapters of the EEA publication "Late lessons from early warnings. Volume 2"

14:00 - 14:15 Introduction: The challenges of the new publication

• Domingo Jimenez Beltrán, Former Director of EEA

14:15– 15.45 Chapter presentations

	Presentation	Commentator
Bisphenol A – contested science, divergent safety evaluations	Dr. Nicolas Olea	Dr. Lisette Van Vliet
Minamata disease: catastrophic food poisoning by methylmercury and a challenge for democracy and justice	Dr. José Tarazona	Dr. András Székács
Nanotechnology – early lessons from early warnings	Dr. Steffen Foss Hansen	Dr. Vyvyan Howard

15:45 – 16.:15 Coffee & Tea Break (Sala de Vinos)

16:15 – 17:45 Chapter presentations (Salon de Actos)

	Presentation	Commentator
Hungry for innovation in a world of food: Pathway from GM crops to agroecology	Dr. David Quist	Prof. Dr. Walter Pengue
The pesticide DBCP and male infertility	Dr. Nicolas Olea	Vito Buonsante
DDT-Fifty years since silent spring	Peter Pärt	tbc

17:45 – 19.15 Discussion and Finalisation of Action Plan

19.15 – 19.30 Closure

20.00 - 23.00  Conference Closure Dinner

Register information

Key Dates

• Registration Deadline: 4th May 2012
• Reduced fees Deadline: 16th  April 2012
• Early Registration Deadline: 16th  April 2012

Registration Fees

	Early (Friday 16th April)	Late (After 16th April)	On Site
Non Members	€350	€450	€475
Reduced fee (students)	€150	€175	€200
Organiser´s Members	€150	€150	€175

The registration fee includes:

• Attendance to all sessions
• Morning and afternoon refreshment breaks and lunch
• Attendance at the Welcome Reception
• The non member rates includes one year’s membership to HDO for 2012 at no additional charge (usual membership fee is €36 per annum for individuals).

*Registration does not include the Conference Closure Dinner. Tickets can be purchased for a fee of €35.00 per delegate at time of registration subject to availability. Accompanying person tickets can be purchased also for a fee of €35.00 subject to availability.

Please note that accommodation is not included in the registration fee. Register here

Terms and Conditions of Registration

Before proceeding with your registration, please read the following terms and conditions carefully:

Notifications of cancellations should be made in writing and sent to the conference organisers (Foundation Vivosano). Substitutions can be made at any time. If you have been invoiced but not paid the fees, you are still liable to pay the cancellation charges below:

Up to and including 1st April 2011 registration fee will be refunded less €35 administration fee.

After 1st April 2011 no refunds on registration fees will be made.

No shows will not be refunded.

Reduced fees will apply to Organisers members only.

Student fees will apply to full time students only that can provide evidence.

Travel Information

Venue

The Congress will take place in the Engineering School of Forestry, Polytechnic University of Madrid. Metropolitano is the closest metro station (5 minutes walk).

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Visa

All foreign nationals entering and staying on Spanish territory must be in possession of a valid passport/entry and/or Visa, unless you are EU citizen or exempt from this requirement. Please contact the Spanish Embassy in your country of residence for more information on Visa requirements for travelling to Spain.

Accommodation

Madrid offers a full range of hotels, in all categories. The conference takes place near the city centre, in the university area (Mocloa/Arguëlles/Ciudad Universitaria/Metropolitano).

Some hotels nearby the conference area:

• Hotel T3 Tirol ***   
• Hotel San Antonio de la Florida ***  
• Hotel AC Los Vascos *** 
• Hotel Mercure *** 
• Hotel NH Alberto Aguilera ***
• Aparthotel Rosales
• Aparto Suites Muralto
• More accommodation options in Madrid

Transport

Most international flights go directly to Madrid-Barajas International Airport. The city centre is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information: http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/Page/1049727006353/

Public transport

Madrid has an excellent public transport system. The conference venue can be easily accessed by underground and metro. For more information visit:

http://www.ctm-madrid.es/

http://www.metromadrid.es/es/index.html

Visiting Madrid

Madrid-Barajas Airport Tourist Office (Council and Regional Government of Madrid).
Terminal 1 (Arrivals hall), Terminal 2 (Arrivals hall) and Terminal 4 (Arrivals. Baggage reclaim 10 and 11), 28042 Madrid.
Telephone: 913 058 656 / 902 100 007.
Fax: 913 054 195.

Madrid city information: 915 881 636 (phone), 914 802 041 (fax).

Plaza Mayor Tourist Centre.
Plaza Mayor, 27 (Salón de Columnas de la Casa de la Panadería), 28012 Madrid.
Telephone: 915 881 636.
Fax: 914 802 041.
Opening hours: 9:30 to 20:30.
E-mail: turismo@madrid.es
Web: http://www.esmadrid.com

Tourism, leisure and sport. Region of Madrid:www.madrid.org

Madrid Leisure and Culture: www.munimadrid.es

Tourism in Spain: www.spain.info

Weather: www.aemet.es/en/portada

Language

All conference materials and scientific presentations will be in English. Roundtables will be conducted in English.

Contact Information

Fundación Vivo Sano-HDO
C/ Principe de Vergara 36, 6º D. 28001 Madrid.
Tel: 91 299 94 11
contacta@vivosano.org

Documentation

Click here to see studies, publications, latest work etc. of the participants