Welcome to Alpbach

After Disentis (CH 1994), Chamonix (F 1996), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (D 1998) as well as Bergamo and Castione della Presolana (I 2000), Alpbach is the fifth venue of the Alpine Forum. On behalf of the International Scientific Commiteee for Alpine Research (ISCAR), the Austrian Academy of Sciences takes great pleasure in inviting you to Alpbach to reflect upon and discuss "The Nature of the Alps," and ultimately to take joint action.

We have chosen a very general yet fundamental theme which in the year 2002, the International Year of the Mountains, has the highest priority. In this Forum, we will chiefly focus upon the state of the environment, to be described as objectively as possible, as well as upon our perception, and the use and protection of the environment.
We will explore perspectives of Alpine research in a circle including not only researchers but also involving those directly implicated. Scholars, scientists and sociologists will therefore meet with artists, theologists, managers, politicians and anyone else who cares about the Alps.

The chief objective of Alpine Forum 2002 is to arrive at a common understanding of the state of the Alps and to generate implementable ideas. We will also concern ourselves with art and natural Alpine products in order to reach this objective more easily.


Roland Psenner,
President of the International Scientific Commiteee for Alpine Research (ISCAR)