Background and Scope

ISDEHS 2006 is meant to be the first of a series of symposia intended to create an ongoing dialogue between researchers and policy makers from the Arab world with the global scientific community as well as to reposition the ongoing desertification debate within the context of human security.
This year’s discussions will address the theme "Regional Perspectives, Policy Responses and Sustainable Development in the Arab Region - Challenges and Opportunities" and will thus mainly focus on the progressive land degradation and its social consequences in the Middle East and North Africa. (MENA) However best practice examples and research from other semi-arid and arid  regions are certainly welcome! More info
The symposium will be based on an interdisciplinary approach, since especially sustainable development of drylands is a political, ethical, social issue as much as it is a technical concern. Therefore it is now an accepted aspect of the discourse that a special emphasis should be put on the ‘soft’ sciences - concerning norms, cultural values, political processes, and ‘institutions’ in the wider sense of the word. Interdisciplinary environmental research in the field of drylands research is of utmost importance, since it will provide the information and understanding needed to enhance development pathways that provide alternatives to economically costly and socially detrimental environmental degradation.
Finally in accordance with NDRDs principle objectives    this event will also focus on finding the interface between research and the reality of development practice. Therefore we acknowledge that research should be applicable in view of those social groups within whose domain the impacts of the implementation measures are intended to take place.

Call for Abstracts ....     

"Even thou the social consequences of desertification, such as a decline of productivity and an increase in poverty, have been recognized, desertification studies in the Arab world generally lack an analysis of underlying socio-cultural forces. The failure to act now will greatly compound the cost and complexity of later remedial efforts, and because environmental degradation is beginning to pose a major threat to human well-being, especially among the poor in the region."

For further information about any details concerning ISDEHS 2006, please contact us at:

NDRD