Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

A fundamental frame of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development. Addressed to governments, the travel industry, communities and tourists alike, it aims to help maximize the sector’s benefits while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe.

Adopted in 1999 by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, its acknowledgement by the United Nations two years later expressly encouraged the Organization to promote effective follow-up of its provisions. Although not legally binding, the Code features a voluntary implementation mechanism through its recognition of the role of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), to which stakeholders may refer matters concerning the application and interpretation of the document.

The Code’s 10 principles amply cover the economic, social, cultural and environmental components of travel and tourism:
Article 1: Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies
Article 2: Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment
Article 3: Tourism, a factor of sustainable development
Article 4: Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its enhancement
Article 5: Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities
Article 6: Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development
Article 7: Right to tourism
Article 8: Liberty of tourist movements
Article 9: Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
Article 10: Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

http://ethics.unwto.org/

Visit the Conference’s web site

Protection and Restoration of the Environment XI

July 3-6, 2012

First announcement and call for papers

"Protection and Restoration of the Environment" is a well-known series of international conferences, which started in 1992, in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since then they have been organized jointly by one American and one Greek University every two years. In 2012, which marks the twentieth anniversary of the Conference series, it will take place in Thessaloniki again. Organizers are the Stevens Center for Environmental Engineering of the Stevens Institute of Technology, USA and the Division of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering, together with the Environment Council of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Thessaloniki is an inspiring place for an environmental conference: It is a large city, facing many environmental problems, but, at the same time, it is situated in the middle of an area of undisputable beauty, which exhibits the environmental quality that we have to preserve for future generations. Moreover, it is located in a rather small distance from Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle, and Mount Athos. Aristotle contributed decisively to the formation of scientific thought, while Mount Athos represents the spirit and the moral discipline, which are indispensable for the restoration of the environment.
The conference is timely, too. In the middle of a financial crisis, it serves as a reminder that protection of the environment is not a luxury, that could be temporarily disregarded, but a basic prerequisite for a viable future.

Main topics

Air quality and contamination control
Cultural and social issues
Ecotoxicology
Environmental economics
Environmental education
Environmental fluid mechanics
Environmental geotechnology
Environmental health
Environmental Informatics
Environmental impact assessment and risk analysis
Environmental law and policy
Global environmental changes
Indoor air pollution
Natural treatment systems
Protection and restoration of ecosystems
Protection and restoration of coastal zone and open sea waters
Sediment transport and erosion control
Soft energy sources
Solid waste management
Sustainable architecture, planning and development
Transport and fate of pollutants in the environment-mathematical and numerical modeling
Waste minimization and pollution prevention
Wastewater treatment and management
Water resources management and contamination control

Important deadlines

Abstract submission: Monday October 17, 2011
Provisional acceptance of abstracts: Monday October 31, 2011
Full paper submission: Monday January 30, 2012
Reply with review comments/acceptance: Monday March 12, 2012
Final paper submission: Monday April 2, 2012

For more information:

Christodoulatos C., Stevens Institute of Technology

e-mail: Christos.Christodoulatos@stevens.edu

Katsifarakis K.L., Department of Civil Engineering, A.U.Th., Greece

e-mail: klkats@civil.auth.gr

Koutsospyros M, Stevens Institute of Technology

e-mail: AKoutsospyros@newhaven.edu

Theodossiou N., Department of Civil Engineering, A.U.Th., Greece

e-mail: niktheod@civil.auth.gr