It is widely accepted that biodiversity loss and poverty are closely related problems, and all too often biodiversity loss is found along with economic growth. Agriculture remains the principal livelihood of rural poor and at the same time accounts for largest land use in developing countries. Due to population growth and agricultural expansion and intensification, conversion of forest land to agricultural land has resulted in a continuous degradation of the natural resources. This has caused an enormous threat to ecosystems and thus biodiversity. Degradation of soil and vegetative resources has in turn posed negative effects on agricultural productivity since natural vegetation regulates water, prevents soil erosion, and supports pollination of crops.

         Humankind benefits from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied by natural ecosystems. The provision of food, clothing, housing and medical care is directly related to the availability of natural resources in the ecosystems. The rural poor depend heavily on such goods and services on a daily basis for subsistence or income. The poor are therefore most affected when environments are degraded and biodiversity is lost, as this diminishes the quality and quantity of goods and services available for them. The importance of biodiversity conservation to achieving poverty alleviation has been recognized in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). However, The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) found that most ecosystems are being degraded or used unsustainably, and that biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate. It is said that the costs and risks of this loss are set to increase and fall disproportionately on the poor.

         This Sustainability Conference: Towards Safeguarding Biodiversity and Human Development, invites graduate students, stakeholder and researcher who are doing research in this topic area to present their paper examining these issues. The presenters are encouraged to come from various disciplines of knowledge.

         English and Indonesian

       Please submit your abstract minimum 300 words but not more than 500 words.

• The deadline of abstract submission  is extended from 3rd of September 2010 to 25th September 2010.
•  Announcement of accepted abstract is extended from 6th of September 2010 to 30th September 2010.
• Deadline for paper submission is 3rd of November 2010.

Remarks	Presenter	Participants (without paper)	Students
Early bird (before 1st October 2010)	Rp. 75.000	Rp. 100.000	Rp. 50.000
Regular	Rp. 100.000	Rp. 150.000	Rp. 75.000

       

        The presenters and participants could make their payment during the conference but are required to register by sending the Form of Registration before the 10th of November 2010.

        Please send your payment through this bank account:

            Syarifah Aini Dalimunthe

      The organizers will provide the seminar kit, certificate, and coffee breaks and lunch for the 2 conference days. The participants should arrange their own transport and accommodation.

        A two days confrence of about 30 scientific experts representing a range of disciplines and working on relevant research will be convened from 10 to 11 November 2010. Geography Faculty, Gadjah Mada University will host the confrence. Concessionary rates have been arranged for the adjacent Wisma University Center (UC) UGM, the contact details for which are:

       The confrence Steering Committee will help to make the local arrangements. Participants in the need of such assistance should express it clearly

        The conference is a collaborative work of LUPIS (Land Use Policies and Sustainable Development in Developing Countries) European Union and Geography Faculty, Gadjah Mada University Indonesia.

       For further information, please contact: