National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)

SARCS Secretariat

National Science Council, Taiwan

Previous studies have demonstrated that global warming would alter the regional climatic patterns, jeopardize ecological system, and affect public health in the form of heat stress associated mortality and morbidity, air pollution associated diseases burden, extreme weather associated mental health, inadequate water and food associated malnutrition, and distribution and epidemic of various infectious diseases. With all the recognized impacts, issues of adaptation strategies are also become top priorities both in terms of research needs and strategic exercises. As part of Taiwan’s contribution to the SARCS capacity building program, this workshop is focused on illustrating the health impacts and possible adaptations under climate change, especially with the southeastern Asia scenarios as examples of exercises. The event is open to experts from SARCS member countries and other territories of interest. The main objective is to promote climate change and health-related research programs among SARCS member countries, and to provide advanced training on understanding the health impacts and related adaptations in relation to effects of climate change, as well as to develop a climate change and health research collaboration team across SARCS memberships and others. It is funded by the National Science Council of Taiwan and hosted jointly by the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) with partial support from SARCS Secretariat.

• To assemble fact sheets and current statistics concerning regional or national status in responding to the challenge of global climate change 

• To develop skills and knowledge needed for engaging in studies or investigations regarding impact assessment and adaptation formulation for young researchers of the southeast Asia region

• To facilitate the communication and interaction among diverse disciplines involved in constructing the adaptation strategy and action plan of various localities

• To build a network and platform for coordinating interests and professionals of southeastern Asian countries related to climate change adaptation endeavors.

The workshop is scheduled to take place from December 3-9 at the National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan. It is aimed to keep participants informed of the adaptation for impacts of global climate change on public health and to future act as a valuable forum to share views with academic and scientific experts. The 5 lecture series are going to focus on the regional impact of climate change and methodologies and technologies to evaluate vulnerability and to develop adaptation strategy. Each lecture will be divided into two parts: presentation and panel discussion. Panel discussions are designed to exchange the regional challenges and share experience from disciplines of all related fields.

The workshop is open for up to 15 researchers and junior faculty from SARCS member countries with background and interest related to climate change and health research. A doctoral degree in related field and academic background is preferred, but not required. However, people from South Asia may also apply. Air travel expense of coach fare and accommodation are provided for selected participants. English will be the official workshop language throughout. Interested persons should send the application package to workshop organizer by August 31, 2010. Admission will be announced by October 1, 2010.

Application package is only accepted in an electronic file attached to an e-mail, including:

(A) A letter of intent

(B) Curriculum vitae (academic background, research interest and recent publications)

(C) The application form, downloadable from the website.

All materials (in PDF format) should be sent to Ms. Emily Tsai at the following

e-mail address: z9806082@email.ncku.edu.tw

For more information and inquiry, please visit our website

(http://conf.ncku.edu.tw/sarcs) or contact: