Plenary Session

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 

8:00-9:30 (CDT)

Our plenary session will set the stage for topics and issues concerning the central theme of this meeting: conservation of fragile karst resources. A panel discussion and featured presenters offer insights gained from working in management of karst resources and UNESCO programs designated to protect these environments. This session will closely reflect the format of plenary sessions at in-person events. We hope you will join us for these presentations and engage in brief discussion and questions afterwards.

8:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30 Special Message from George Veni, UIS President: 2021 International Year of Caves and Karst
8:45 Stronger Together: A Global Conversation (Panel Discussion)
9:30 Break

9:45-11:15 (CDT)

9:45	Bolger, Terry	Collaborative Management with Local Communities for the Conservation of Karst Resources at Him Nam No National Park, Laos
10:00	Gunn, John	How Well is Cave and Karst Geoheritage Protected by UNESCO Protected Area Designation?
10:15	Telbisz, Tamás	Karstic National Parks’ Roles and Potentials – Views and Opinions from Tara National Park, Serbia
10:30	Imecs, Zoltán	Karst Management in Apuseni Nature Park, Romania
10:45	Fakin Bajec, Jasna	Landscape Perception and Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Development of UNESCO Skocjan Caves Area, Slovenia
11:00	Younes Arrad, Taha	Moroccan Caves and Their Implications for Scientific, Geoeducational and Geotouristic Programs through Speleological Activities