“International Eco-Health Assessment Law Panel Event & ‘Beyond the Barricades’ Book Launch
25 November 2005, Corrientes, Argentina

Fundacion Ecos, CIEDUR, the CISDL and other partners are developing a joint Concept Paper for discussion in an International Panel Event on “Innovative Instruments for Sustainable Development in the Americas: Assessing Health and Environment Dimensions of Economic Liberalization,” and for consultation with the Americas health and environment law research community. The International Panel Event is being organised subsequent to the Fourth Summit of the Americas Summit in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from November 4-5, 2005, and the Health and Environment Ministers of the Americas meeting in June, 2005. The Partners will also launch Beyond the Barricades: The Americas Trade and Sustainability Agenda, edited by Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger and Maria Leichner Reynal (600pp, Ashgate Press, 2005).

The International Eco-Health Assessment Law Panel Event, on November 25th from 2pm to 7pm, to be held with approximately 40 - 60 participants, will bring core partners, advisors and other potential collaborators together in a forum of where initial ideas and case studies can be shared, and a common base of information and knowledge can begin to be developed. Members of the IDRC Eco-Health Community of Practice, government and other delegates to the Summit of the Americas and the HEMA process, university researchers, health and environment experts, and civil society organisations operating in the region, and the media, are openly invited to participate in the event. All are also invited to download the Concept Paper, titled “Integrated Eco-Health Assessment in the Americas: Strengthening Health and Environmental Impact Assessment Laws and Policies in Americas to Address Economic Liberalisation” and send any comments or feedback to mbourdeau@cisdl.org, with copies to mcsegger@cisdl.org and marisol@ciedur.org.uy.

The discussions in the International Eco-Health Assessment Law Panel Event will serve to lay foundations for a new research project, potentially to be supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada. In particular, it will serve as a launching point for compilation of existing environmental impact assessment laws and guidelines in the Americas, with emphasis on the manner that they integrate health considerations and indicators, in order to better refine the proposal for comparative research and analysis. The Panel Event will also assist research partners from the Americas to identify further health experts, as well as professionals with expertise in health and environment impact assessment, who might be able to become involved in the project as either partners or advisors.

After the International Panel Event on Health and Environment Impact Assessment Laws, delegates and participants will also join the partners to launch their new book, 'Beyond the Barricades' (600pp, Ashgate Press, 2005), which was developed and published through a contribution from the IDRC.

To download the flyer for the new book:



To download the Concept Paper: Draft 1:




Para leer mas sobre este evento en Espanol, ver Fundacion Ecos