Re-scheduling of the EuroSpeleo Forum 2020 in Burgos Spain, postponement of the 6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium and the General Assembly of the FSE in a different form due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
EuroSpeleo Forum
The Confederación de Espeleología y Cañones CEC and the local organisers of the EuroSpeleoForum 2020 in Cantabria and Burgos this year are very much concerned about the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic that we are currently experiencing worldwide and its impact on attendance at the congress next July in Spain.
As far as we can see, in this moment it is very difficult to predict the extent of the confinement measures in different European countries and the controls on domestic and international travels currently established in most of them.
The Spanish government’s immediate foresight is not to open the borders at this moment, and there is no clear date for when they could be opened. And the full reopening of tourist-type establishments will probably take even longer. Likewise, the measures adopted by the governments in the different European countries are very varied and this does not guarantee that people can leave their countries.
For this reason, the Confederation of Speleology and Canyons (CEC) has taken the decision to re-schedule the EuroSpeleoForum 2020 and the pre-camp and to move the event to a later date. As the 18th International UIS Congress is already planned in France in 2021 the EuroSpeleo Forum in Spain will be re-scheduled after 2021.
We hope to see you all at a later date in Spain.
6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the freedom of travel in
Europe the Symposium in September 2020 unfortunately has to be cancellled. In view of
the circumstances, we hope for your understanding.
But there is also good news. The new symposium date has already been fixed: the 26 – 30 October 2021.
The subject of the symposium and the location will remain the same: “Assessing, monitoring and protecting cave biotopes and geotopes through Natura 2000 or similar programs in Europe” at the BfN-International Academy for Nature Conservation on the Isle of Vilm in the Baltic Sea region in Germany.
Participants who already have registered did receive a seperate e-mail.
General Assembly of the FSE
As the General Assembly of the FSE was programmed to be held during the EuroSpeleo Forum 2020 in Burgos, the Bureau of the FSE has decided to cancel the General Assembly (GAM) in a physical form. The General Assembly will be organised in an electronic form, either per e-mail or in an alternative way. We will plan the electronic GAM during the month of September 2020.
We will contact all national organisations and delegates of the FSE member countries in due time about the way we will organise this GAM 2020.
The Bureau of the FSE wishes all cavers all the best in these difficult times. Please stay safe and healthy.