Alexandria, Egypt
The 15th Conference on Environmental Protection is a Must was held on May 3-5, 2005 in Alexandria, Egypt. The aim of this annual initiative is to open a discussion among scientists in many different countries on a wide spectrum of environmental problems. Some of the diverse topics addressed at the conference were: recent environmental changes and pollution; updates on the present knowledge of the impact of chemical pollution of soil, water and air on wild life and man; the evaluation of freshwater and marine pollution; legal and technological measures to reduce pollution levels; and recommendations and suggestions for concerned authorities. The conference was held under the auspices of the Ministers of Petroleum, Electricity, Health and Population, High Education and Scientific Research, Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, and the President of Ain-Shams University.
The B.I.O. President participated in the Scientific Committee of the conference and delivered a keynote address at the opening session. Her address focused on biopolicy as the needed vision for improving quality of life and for every sector of society and every profession to engage in environmental appreciation and action. Other distinguished speakers at the opening session included:
Samy El Gindy, Secretary General of the Conference, Member of the Egyptian Parliament, and Vice President of the Euro-Arab Cooperation Center; Professor Mourad Abdel Kader, Vice President of Aim Shams University; Mohammed Halil, Deputy Minister of Environment; Mohamed El Gazzer, Director, Ministry of Energy; Mohamed Abdella, President of Alexandria University and former President of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee; Mohamed Abdel-Salam El Mahgoub, Governor of Alexandria; and Dr. Osman Assal, Governor of El Behara.
During the conference, the B.I.O. President was also honoured with one of five Environmental Prizes conferred to personalities of international acclaim for their contribution to environmental appreciation and preservation. Dr. Vlavianos-Arvanitis was honoured for promoting the environment and bio-diplomacy as a vehicle for peace.
