International Sustainability Conference To Be Held
At University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
Sister Cities Association of Sarasota has teamed with the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to host a major three-day conference on “Sustainability Through Renewable Energy & Aquaculture” Nov. 13-15, 2013 in USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail.
The goal of the conference is to bring together both professionals and students from Florida and internationally with Sarasota’s Sister Cities in a forum based on Sustainability. “One of the major missions of Sarasota Sister Cities Association (SCAS) is to foster international relationships through exchanges in areas of business, culture and education,” stated SCAS President Beth Ruyle Hullinger. “SCAS’s objective is to develop respect, understanding and cooperation through citizen diplomacy.”
The conference will focus on three individual topics:
- Sustainability, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 13
- Renewable Energy Alternatives, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 14
- Sustainability of Ocean & Water Resources, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 15
Topics covered will include:
- Sustainability - exploring sustainability concepts; sustainable communities; sustainability management; sustainable agriculture, and water sustainability.
- Renewable Energy Alternatives - exploring new developments in solar energy; photovoltaics; fuels from biomass, and ocean wave technology.
- Sustainability of Ocean Resources - exploring closed circuit, non-polluting aquaculture, aquaculture practices and aquaculture of giant prawns, sturgeon, and caviar.
Attendance is open to the public, but requires registration. Full registration for the 3-day conference is $75. An option for attending select daily sessions is $30 per day. Lunch is included for those with paid registrations on Nov 13 and 14. College and high school students may register at no cost. Lunch will not be provided to college or high school students registered to attend the sessions at no cost. Details on registration will be available Oct 1 at:
sarasotasistercities.org or sarasotasistercities.us or sustainablesarasota.us
Information on speakers:
The conference will involve presentations by international universities from five of Sarasota’s Sister Cities (Dunfermline, Scotland; Merida, Mexico; Perpignan, France, Tel Mond, Israel and Xiamen, China); seven Florida universities or colleges; three regional businesses; plus the Florida Department of Energy; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Agency and Mote Marine Laboratory.
The introductory speaker for the Sustainability sessions Nov. 13 will be Patrick Sheehan, director of Florida’s Office of Energy in Tallahassee. Other speakers for this session will represent the Institute for Eco-Municipality Educations & Assistance in Cambridge, MA and Umea Sweden; The Walt Disney Company, Orlando; the Patel School of Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida (Tampa); State College of Florida; New College of Florida; the University of Florida; and Ringling College of Art & Design.
Keynote speaker for the Renewable Energy sessions on Nov. 14 will be Energy Consultant and Lecturer Michael Alexy. Other presentations will be made by representatives of the University of Perpignan of Perpignan, France; the Florida Solar Energy Center of the University of Central Florida; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the Brilliant Harvest Company, Sarasota; Carnegie College & Whitlock Energy Collaboration Center of Dunfermline, Scotland, and Safrema Energy of Lakewood Ranch.
Keynote speaker for the Sustainability of Ocean & Water Resources sessions on Nov. 15 will be Russell Dunn of the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). Other presentations will be made by representatives of the University of the Yucatan of Merida, Mexico; Jimei University of Xiamen, China; the Israeli Institute of Technology; Mote Marine Laboratories, and Florida Organic Aquaculture of Jupiter, FL.
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About Sarasota Sister Cities (SCAS)
We have friends in places you have never been
The mission of Sister Cities Association of Sarasota, Inc. (SCAS) is to foster international relationships between Sarasota and cities that have similar interests by creating exchanges in areas of culture, education, tourism, business and government. SCAS’s objective is to develop respect, understanding and cooperation through citizen diplomacy. To accomplish this mission we develop relationships with people in cities that have cultural, education, tourism and business environments similar to Sarasota’s. Working outside the realm of government, but with its support, we encourage and facilitate cultural and education exchanges, business opportunities and increased tourism.
About USF Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM)
USF Sarasota-Manatee is a comprehensive, four-year university for those interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. USFSM offers the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown location, including classes in North Port and Manatee County.
Media Contact:
Tom Halbert
Immediate Past President
Sister Cities Association of Sarasota
941-485-8596 (Primary)
941-4160-0486 (Cell)