Apimondia 2001

Beekeepers meet Africa

a first for Africa

XXXVII International Apicultural Congress

2nd - 6th September 2001

Durban: South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA AS A VENUE

At the tip of Africa is a place where nations come together to forge alliances, business goals are achieved, information shared and friendships made. South Africa is becoming increasingly popular as an international congress venue - and the reasons are not hard to find. A combination of unspoilt wilderness, sophisticated facilities and legendary hospitality makes South Africa a unique travel destination. The country offers an excellent tourism infrastructure and internal communication network on land or by air and boasts a plethora of unique colourful cultures and nationalities. South Africa is, furthermore, known for its wide variety of fauna and flora and diverse wildlife.

DURBAN - THE CITY

Situated between the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean and the rugged Drakensberg Mountains lies the city of Durban, a melting pot of cultural diversity with its African, Asian and European influences creating a rich cosmopolitan society. Durban is surrounded on all sides by the mysteries of the African Continent on which it rests - the rhythm of African drums, picturesque mountains, lush subtropical forests and many game reserves, home to the much sought after “Big Five”. Durban is an ideal base from which to explore South Africa. Road networks are amongst the best in the world, and an international airport make travel fast and convenient.

DURBAN - THE VENUE

With a bustling metropolitan infrastructure, unlimited attractions and pleasant, year-round, balmy weather, this gateway to southern Africa is the ideal convention centre.

The International Convention Centre (ICC) is the finest convention centre in Africa, a place where Africa and the world meet. Centrally located and just a quarter-of-an-hour from Durban International Airport, ICC: Durban is minutes from hotels and beaches. It is a venue of multiple dimensions, flexible enough to meet any need, big or small, no matter how individual. State-of-the-art equipment, skilled technical support and attentive service are a feature of ICC Durban. Cuisine is of the highest standard, catering for all requirements. There is a bureau de change, a business centre, travel clinic, gift and curio shop all located on the premises.

THE CONGRESS

The congress will consist of plenary and parallel sessions, po papers and a full social programme. Over 400 papers will be presented orally or in poster form. A pageant will be presented depicting a general theme of beekeeping in South Africa. Extensive didactic and commercial exhibitions (ApiExpo 2001) covering 4.000 sqm of exhibition space will run alongside the congress. Delegates and their registerd companions are invited to enjoy the icebreaker reception and opening ceremony, a beach braai (barbecue) hosted by the Mayor of Durban and participate in honey-tasting and honey receipe competitions. In addition, a number of pre- and post-congress sightseeing/field trips are planned throughout southern Africa.

LANGUAGE

The official Apimondia languages are English, French, German and Spanish. It is the intention of the organisers to issue all announcements, the final programme and abstracts in each of these four languages. Please be kind enough to indicate your language preference on the reply form. Simultaneous interpretation will he provider the congress during the plenary sessions and during the opening closing sessions However, please note that correspondence with the organisers must be in English only.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The congress attracts a wide range of people: from the hobbyist beekeeper to the large-scale commercial beekeeper; pollinators, bee scientists, entomologists and academics, farmers, growers and their representatives. Representatives from the seed and fruit industries, Those in development programmes, trainers and extension workers.

CONGRESS THEMES

BEEKEEPERS MEET AFRICA. The topics will follow this general congress theme:

BEEKEEPING ECONOMY - Local and international trade in bee products

BEE BIOLOGY - Role of race characteristics in beekeeping.

BEE PATHOLOGY - Diagnosis and control of varroa disease, a new bee pest in Africa

MELLIFEROUS FLORA AND POLLINATION - Bee flora and pollination: apicultural resources

BEEKEEPING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT - appropriate technology for professionals and enthusiasts

APITHERAPY - The clinical applications of apitherapy

BEEKEEPING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT - Beekeeping against poverty: achieving beekeeping extension

PRE - AND POST-CONGRESS TOURS

A number of exciting tours will be offered ranging from game safaris (a chance to see “The Big Five” - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo!) to the Namaqualand wild flower wonderland a dazzling display of spring flowers . . . as well as the endless attractions of Cape Town.

EXCLUSIVE SOUTHERN AFRICAN TOURS has been appointed to the congress. The agency will arrange: sightseeing and technical tours, accommodation, airport transfers, domestic flights, car hire, fly-in safaris, luxury rail packages, the companions’ programme as well as personal itinerary planning:

E-mail: janetz@exsatour.com

COMPANIONS' PROGRAMME

A full companions’ programme will be organised . . . daily outings will be arranged to local places of interest, i.e. the Banana Express/ Oribi Gorge, Valley of a Thousand Hills (Zululand) including snake and crocodile farm, Shakaland, Sharks Board and Umgeni River Bird Park.

ACCOMMODATION

Durban boasts a vast selection of accommodation of a very high standard to suit all requirements, ranging from the luxury five star Hilton Hotel adjacent to the conference centre to self-catering apartments. Most hotels are situated along the Golden Mile beachfront within walking distance of the ICC.