IBA 2014: 23rd International Conference on Bear Research and Management

In ancient Greece bears were revered as mythical creatures and were associated to the goddess Artemis and the resurrection of nature. It is therefore quite symbolic and fitting that Greece will be the next host of an international conference on bears.

Greece is currently struggling to revive its economy in order to overcome the effects of the worst financial crisis in its modern history, to protect its unique biodiversity and ultimately redefine its place as a nation in the 21st century.

For the conservation of brown bears in Greece the main challenge during these troubled times will be to identify and effectively mitigate the negative interactions between humans and bears.

The proposed theme of the Conference will be “Bears and humans in the 21st century: challenges and solutions for a peaceful coexistence”. With this theme we aim to draw attention to the problems bears are facing in Greece, and hopefully garner public interest and support for their effective solution.

The Conference theme is also representative of one of the major challenges for bears around the world: in midst of an enduring global financial crisis, national economies are reshaping and restructuring themselves in order to become more competitive and resilient in the new world of the 21st century.

These structural changes have significant effects on the conservation of global biodiversity, including bears. From the effects of global warming on polar bears to the problems arising from bears living in the proximity of humans in Europe and North America, all bear species are affected by the new realities of the 21st century.

Identifying these conflicts in a world that is changing rapidly will be the major step towards finding the solutions that will ultimately secure the survival of these species on a world-wide scale.

The 23rd International Conference on Bear Research and Management aims to be a forerunner in this process by providing a meeting point and becoming the public outlet for the most experienced specialists in the field of bear research, conservation and management.

www.iba-greece-2014.com