Turning waste into ideas

The ISWA/APESB 2009 World Congress invites you to discover the importance of creativity and the collective will in transforming waste into ideas for a better world. To participate in this debate, "Turning waste into ideas", around 800 guests are expected, from all over the world, and it is expected the presence of specialists from the most distinct sectors in our society, from governmental and political leaders to scientific researchers and technicians, who will lead the sessions and debates.

The Congress activities will include scientific and technical sessions where suitable time throughout the programme will be available for networking, dialogue and discussion, including a series of plenary sessions with progressive thinkers on sustainable development issues such as innovative waste solutions, political economy arguments, climate change, and public versus private debates. Moreover an Ibero-american symposium will be held as a parallel session, focusing on global waste sector approaches in Latin-American countries, from challenges to service organisation, through innovative and practical solutions.

There will be also an exhibition, technical tours, and social events that will allow the participants to enjoy the best of their stay in Lisbon.

A set of pre-congress Master Classes have been programmed in: emergency planning for solid waste management, biological waste treatment, sustaining landfilling, and waste thermal treatment. These events are dependent on minima interested participants.

The Congress and the Exhibition will take place in the Cultural Centre of Belém (CCB), highly prestigious Cultural Foundation that, as a complementary activity, offers a space for professional conferences. Located at a privileged area in the city, the CCB introduces itself as a modern architectural piece of work with almost 100 thousand square meters, gardens, lakes, streets and squares that makes it an exceptional place. CCB stays by the Tagus river, in Belém, a Lisbon quarter that hosts the biggest wonders of Portuguese discovers: the "Mosteiro de Jerónimos", the "Padrão dos Descobrimentos" and the "Torre de Belém".