How has environmental sociology developed over the past few decades and what contributions should it make in the future? Participants will reflect on the historical developments and current state of environmental sociology in different nations and regions as well as globally. Special attention will be given to comparisons of the origins and evolutions of environmental sociology between Eastern and Western nations and regions. In doing so participants will make assessments of the current state of the art in environmental sociology and discuss the prospects for the future directions in this academic field.

What are the major issues that environmental sociologists will need to address as we enter the next millennium? Participants will lay the theoretical and empirical foundations for the research directions that the field must address at the beginning of the twenty-first century, with particular stress on ecological issues of global relevance as well as ecological problems facing the poor in the grassroots.

What can or should be the role of environmental sociologists in achieving sustainability and designing innovative environmental policies in the twenty-first century? Participants will discuss the capability of environmental sociology for contributing to the development of sustainable societies, as agreed to at the "Earth Summit" at Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and for making possible sounder environmental policies for the twenty-first century.

What should be the role of environmental sociologists in achieving international cooperation? Participants will bring together experts from a variety of countries who represent a diversity of disciplines, roles, and views in order to strengthen global partnerships. In exploring all of the above conference themes emphasis will be placed on addressing cross-cultural comparisons, particularly the East-West commonalties and contrasts, and contributing to solutions to the South-North problems confronting our global society.