Welcome to the second AlpWeek in L’Argentière-la-Bessée, France.

The first AlpWeek – on the subject of “The Alps of the Next Generation” – took place in Kranjska Gora/SI in 2004. The event attracted more than 200 attendees. The second AlpWeek is being held in L'Argentière-la-Bessée/F from 11 - 14 June 2008. The subject will be Innovation in the Alps, which is essential for a viable and sustainable future for the region.

The programme is divided into several sections, with conferences and discussion sessions run and chaired by the various partners of AlpWeek 2008. The social activities will comprise a number of excursions, exhibitions, cultural events and parties designed to bring together the attendees and the local populace and host region. The AlpWeek is a key event for sustainable development in the Alps. It unites the French, Italian, Swiss, German, Austrian, Slovenian and Liechtenstein actors of all the big networks for Alpine research (ISCAR), the municipalities (Alliance in the Alps), NGOs (CIPRA), protected areas (ALPARC) and the Alpine Clubs (CAA). The AlpWeek 2008 will be held at L’Argentière-la-Bessée in Le Pays des Ecrins. Le Pays des Ecrins was one of the first French members of Alliance in the Alps, which is co-organising the AlpWeek 2008. The area, with its wonderful but fragile natural environment, is facing up to the challenges of sustainable development with certain disadvantages in terms of accessibility, the need for economic diversification, natural hazards, etc. But it also has some convincing advantages relating to innovative test projects, partnership and governance strategies, protected areas and so on. The location, with its industrial heritage and cross-border problems, is a linking pole of great creativity. That is a product of its ambivalent character: mountain heights and valley flats, industry and tourism, sport and culture, ecology and economy, local and international, France and Italy, northern and southern Alps, etc.

With a full and varied programme and a wonderful setting on the fringe of one of the finest national parks in the whole of the Alps, AlpWeek 2008 is set to become an international event and exciting encounter you should not miss.

Organising Committee of AlpWeek 2008:

Alliance in the Alps, ALPARC, CIPRA France, CIPRA International, ISCAR, CAA