The next General Meeting (ICRI GM 27) will be held in Cairns, Australia, from July 16-19, 2012, just after the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS). The General Meeting will focus on the theme of Management Effectiveness: assessing the effectiveness of management actions in protected areas is about how well management is protecting the area’s values and to what extent management goal and objectives are being met. This theme will explore evolving management effectiveness tools, particularly the current IUCN framework, in developed and developing countries.
Latest news
- July 9th, 2012 – the agenda for the management effectiveness workshop and the field trip are now available
- June 25th, 2012 – First batch of working documents posted
- June 18th, 2012 – Draft Agenda is now available
- The member’s report template is now available: Word file
Key dates
- 27 April – Registration opens with initial draft of the agenda. – REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
- 15 June – Deadline for posting “motions” etc.
- 22 June – Deadline for registration, Members’ Reports (Word file), comments on draft Agenda
- 6 July – Final agenda posted
- 16 July – Meeting commences
Visa requirements
Visitors to Australia will require a visa. Details of the process and the type of visa that you will require can be found in a Department of Immigration and Citizenship factsheet at: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/_pdf/general-events.pdf.
Please read and follow the directions in the factsheet carefully. The passport which you hold determines whether you can apply online, or if you need to lodge a paper-based application. Should you need to lodge a paper-based application please contact the Secretariat ([email protected]) to obtain your “letter of invitation”.
All ICRI General Meeting participants should apply for a visa at least two months prior to the intended date of departure.
About Cairns
The city of Cairns is located on the northeast coast of Australia in the state of Queensland, about 2500km from Sydney and 400km from Townsville. Nestled on the coast, the city is tucked between the Great Barrier Reef to the east and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics and the lush rolling downs of the Atherton Tableland to the west. Cairns is home to more than 130,000 people. The region includes Queensland’s tallest mountain, Mr Bartle Frere,and two World Heritage-listed attractions – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforests. For more, please visit the Cairns Visitor Centre at: www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com/
Friday July 20 is the “Cairns Show Day” (a bit like the North American “County Fair”). Delegates should be aware that most shops in Cairns will be closed on this day, however, tourist facilities and outlets, including Reef operations, should all remain open.
Official language: English
Currency: Australian Dollar (currency convertor – www.xe.com )
Timezone: GMT/UTC +10
Communications: Country Dialing Code: 61 Queensland Dialing Code: 07.Mobile phones: Australia operates most Global Roaming carriers.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in all government offices (including schools and day care centres), all bars, nightclubs, restaurants, shops, shopping centres, casinos and hotel public spaces and most hotel rooms.
Electricity: 240V/50Hz (http://electricaloutlet.org/type-i)
Weather: July averages: max 26oC, min 16oC with a low chance of rain www.weatherzone.com.au/qld/nth-cst-and-tableland/cairns