In almost the decisions use of models are common that reflect the simplified understanding of the environment. Every model and every decision has uncertainties. Recent decline of environmental resources and the ecosystem services the environment provides are a consequence of managing a considerably complex system: the environment and the planet. The aim of the meeting is to enhance understanding of environmental processes and decision making by fostering the discussion and interchange of challenges, solutions, ideas, new methods and techniques, and future research lines in environmental modelling and software.

The Conference will take place to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. It is envisaged as a Conference at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives. The objective of the Conference is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and emerging challenges.

IIED will host a major international event in the run-up to Rio that will showcase the expertise and perspectives of practitioners and researchers from around the world working to make sustainable development a reality, and provide space for dialogue on challenges in moving towards a more sustainable future. Taking place immediately before the Rio+20 event, it will present a set of recommendations for action drawn from IIED’s 40 years of work on sustainable development and help develop alliances of willing actors to explore how they can work together towards agreed goals, benefiting from mutual learning and accountability.

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 envisions harnessing the opportunities and strengths and bringing together the commitment of the government, expertise and experiences of the organizations, aptitude and dynamism of the private sector and communities for further tourism development in the country. The campaign seeks to establish Nepal as a choice of premier holiday destination with a definite brand image, improve and extend tourism related infrastructures in existing and new tourism sites, enhance the capacity of service renders, build community capacity in the new areas to cater the need of the tourists, and promote domestic tourism.