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ABOUT
PBC
Hazardous
Waste in the Pacific Basin
Rapid
industrialization throughout the Asia Pacific region is being
accompanied by increases in the manufacture, transport, and
consumption of a variety of chemical compounds. Although highly
useful, these chemicals often pose risks to human health and
ecosystems because of their hazardous characteristics (toxicity,
flammability, corrosivity, and reactivity). At any stage from
manufacture to final disposal, hazardous chemicals may escape
containment, enter the biosphere, and become hazardous waste.
The scientific and
technological basis for managing hazardous waste is growing, but
both the cost and the effectiveness of available methods for
waste minimization, recovery, treatment, disposal, and cleanup
are not satisfactory at this time. Implementation of research
findings must be accelerated, and technology development
timetables must be shortened.
The Pacific Basin
presents special opportunities for technical collaboration.
First, it is the most rapidly developing region in the world.
Second, limited land areas, vulnerable coastal ecosystems, and
unique tropical climatic conditions exacerbate the problems of
hazardous waste treatment and disposal. Research cooperation is
being fostered by growing intraregional trade, new means of
technical exchange, and maturation of research institutions.
Purpose
of the Consortium
Taking
into account the above factors, a group of scientists and engineers
met in 1986 to form the Pacific Basin Consortium for Hazardous
Waste Research. In 1994, the Consortium's name was modified
to include the word "Management." The intent of this
change was to make it apparent that the Consortium was open
equally to those involved in managing hazardous waste as well
as to those involved in research and development. Last December
2001, the name of the PBC was changed to Pacific Basin Consortium
on Hazardous Waste: Environmental and Health Studies with the
view that the issue of hazardous waste is directly linked to
health and our environment. The objectives of the Pacific Basin
Consortium (PBC) are to:
The
aim is to speed the conduct of research and its application
and to reduce the cost of managing hazardous waste for all
members, including those at the forefront of this field.
Consortium
Activities
The Consortium is
involved in the following activities:
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Collaborative
research, which can include a coordinated study of parts
of a problem, a team effort on common topics, or an exchange
of technical staff among member institutions. The Consortium
Secretariat assists in proposal preparation and fundraising
for collaborative research initiatives.
-
Information
exchange, which emphasizes technical meetings, but also
involves publishing written reports and newsletters. The
Consortium convenes workshops and conferences and maintains
a reference collection of reports and documents relevant to
hazardous waste research and management in the Pacific Basin
for use by member organization staff. Available Consortium
publications include the proceedings of Consortium
conferences, research and technical reports, public
information brochures, and country survey information.
-
Training
courses, which are conducted as part of most
conferences. They are open to all qualified conference
participants, whether from member organizations or not.
Staff exchanges for training purposes are also promoted.
-
Professional
network of experts, maintained by participants who
belong to member organizations as well as participants who
are employed elsewhere in the hazardous waste research
community. Through peer review and approval processes,
members can receive authoritative advice on hazardous waste
issues, consultations with local governments, and
evaluations of reports and manuscripts.
Membership
Membership in the
Consortium is open to organizations and individuals from
locations either on the rim or within the basin of the Pacific
Ocean. The Consortium is not an intergovernmental activity;
there is no official governmental representation. Member
institutions and individuals represent their own perspectives
only.
The Consortium has
three types of memberships: Organization Membership, Individual
Membership, and Special Membership.
-
Organization
Membership is open to organizations involved in
hazardous waste research and/or management. These
organizations may be academic, industrial, or governmental.
Organization Members have voting privileges and receive
priority consideration for financial assistance for
participating in Consortium activities and in Consortium
arranged collaborative research programs.
-
Individual
Membership is open to individuals interested in
hazardous waste research and/or management. Individual
Members do not have voting privileges. However, they are
entitled to consideration for financial assistance or
participation in collaborative research programs, but at a
lower priority than Organization Members.
-
Special
Membership is open to organizations that would otherwise
qualify as Organization Members, but whose ability to
officially join the Consortium is constrained in some way.
Special Membership is determined on a case by case basis,
and Special Members do not have voting privileges.
All members
must agree to abide by the Charter
of the PBC, designate an individual as the principal representative
for the organization, and be willing to actively participate
in the Consortium's programs. Applications for membership are
subject to approval by the Consortium's Board of Directors.
Membership is limited -- no more than 30% of the membership
shall be from one location.
All members
are entitled to:
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Receipt of
Consortium newsletters and other regular correspondence
regarding hazardous waste management in the Pacific Basin.
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Reduced rates
for Consortium publications, conference fees, and training
programs.
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Participation in
Consortium arranged collaborative research programs.
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Access to
Consortium reference materials at the Secretariat.
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Notification of
special research and training opportunities.
Membership in the
Consortium is designed to provide institutions and individuals
with a network of professional contacts to enhance their
research and management efforts. To apply for membership, send a
completed membership application to the Consortium Secretariat.
(Use the address given on the back of this Prospectus.) An
invoice for dues will be sent upon membership approval.
Dues
Annual dues
are established by the voting membership. They cover a period
from July 1 through June 30 and must be paid by July 1. The dues
are based on the per capita gross national product (GNP) of the
area in which the organization or individual is located.
Click here
to view current dues.
Administration
The Consortium
Secretariat operates from the University
of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines. As the
communications center for the Consortium, the Secretariat
organizes and coordinates research projects, conferences,
training workshops, and other activities. The Secretariat is
supported by contributions of staff, funds, and resources from
several member organizations and other sponsors. Genandrialine
L. Peralta, P. Eng, Ph.D., Philippines, is the Executive
Secretary.
The PBC Coordinates
are as follows:
Mailing Address:
Pacific Basin
Consortium for Hazardous Waste Research and Management
c/o P.O. Box 336
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines 1101
Office Address:
Room 317 National
Engineering Center (NEC)
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines 1101
Telefax
: (632) 927-1745
Email :
pbchw@mozcom.com
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