It is important to us to involve the BR and its inhabitants as much as possible in the conference. Furthermore, we want to try to combine theory and practice more closely. In order to achieve this, we would like to try a new workshop format: about half of the workshops will be organised as excursions connected to a regional example of implementation. The participants will be brought to a location where stakeholders will present and explain e.g. a “best-practice example” or even a problem that fits the workshop topic. For instance, discussion themes could be, e.g.
- BR school programs / partner schools
- various educational and visitor programs
- University cooperation
- Partnerships with regional producers
- Tourism cooperations
Afterwards, the workshop will also be held on site. The timetable for a workshop could look something like this:
Workshop Outdoor
| 8.30 am 9.30 am 10.30 am 12.30 am 1.30 pm 4.30 pm 7 pm |
Bus transport to the workshop locations Guided tour, presentation of a best-practice example (or a problem) Workshops start Lunch Workshops resume Arrival at the the hotel Event |
Workshop Indoor (Hotel)
| 9.00 am 10.30 am 11.00 am 12.30 am 1.30 pm 4.30 pm 7 pm |
Workshops start Coffee break Workshops resume Lunch Workshops resume Workshops end Event |
We kindly ask you to decide in advance for a maximum of two workshops from the draft list of workshops below. These two workshops must then be indicated during the registration process. Should anyone wish to serve as Session Chair, please contact the organizing team (
List of planned workshops (modifications possible)
| Workshop | Proposed moderators | Day | Location |
| Cooperation between BRs across national and regional borders |
Chair: Barbara Engels (Germany) |
Wed. 14/09 | indoor |
| Transboundary BRs Why and how? Governance; Partnerships among cross border BRs; TBBR of the future? |
Chair: Friederike Weber (Germany) |
Thu. 15/09 | indoor |
| Large carnivores in BRs - challenges and conflicts Challenges; How to deal with it? Methods for herd protection |
Chair: Anatolie Risina (Moldawa) |
Wed. 14/09 | outdoor |
| Neobiota in BRs Challenges; How to deal with it? Methods for prevention/ removal / coexistence |
Chair: Angelika Abderhalden (Switzerland) |
Thu. 15/09 | outdoor |
| Status of Mountain BRs Challenges; Partnerships; Research strategy |
Chair: Pam Shaw (Canada) |
Wed. 14/09 | outdoor |
| Sustainable agriculture and food in BRs (Re)use of traditional knowledge for agricultural production and preparation of food; Agrobiodiversity; BRs and new EU Strategies (Farm to Fork Strategy; EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030); Biocultural heritage |
Chair: Hildegunn Opdal (Norway) |
Thu. 15/09 | outdoor |
| Renewable energies in BRs Challenges and opportunities; Possible conflicts with nature conservation |
Chair: Kari Natland (Norway) |
Wed. 14/09 | indoor |
| Urban sprawl/settlement development and land use in BRs | Chair: Katharina Gugerell (Austria) | Thu. 15/09 | indoor |
| Mobility in Biosphere Reserves Challenges, solutions (good practice examples) and the role of Biosphere Management |
Chair: Andy Bell (United Kingdom) |
Wed. 14/09 | outdoor |
| Demographic change in BRs Challenges; Perspectives; Solutions |
Co-Chair: Alicia May Donnellan Barraclough | Thu. 15/09 | indoor |
| booked out BR products and services Branding/labelling; Role of entrepreneurs |
Chair: Eve Ferguson (Canada) |
Wed. 14/09 | outdoor |
| Promoting research in BRs Partnerships between BRs and Universities; How to promote the benefit of research for both BRs and Universities? |
Chair: Petr Cupa (Czech Republic) |
Wed. 14/09 | indoor |
| BRs as living laboratory for combating climate change |
Chair: Gaëlle Tavernier (Luxembourg) |
Thu. 15/09 | outdoor |
| booked out Responsible Tourism in BRs Code of practices; Visitor management and monitoring; How to measure whether people visit an area because it is a BR? Role of ecotourism; Role of BRs as resource for human health and well-being |
Chair: Simone Beck (Luxembourg) |
Thu. 15/09 | outdoor |
| Female Bee Keepers | Chair: Ivana Kovacˆevic` | Thu. 15/09 | outdoor |
