The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the University of Miami (UM) announce the Second IAI/UM Summer Institute, to be held in Miami from July 16 to August 4, 2000. The theme selected for this year's Institute is "Environmental and social implications of land-use and land-cover change in the Americas". The Institute will explore the dynamics and interactions of land-use and land-cover change as both major inputs to, and consequences of, global environmental change. Land-use and land-cover changes have major implications for sustainable development and livelihood systems in the Americas. The Institute's theme will be explored from a multidisciplinary perspective, including both its natural and social dimensions. A preliminary program for the second Institute, as well as a list of instructors and guest lecturers will be released in late 1999. General background on the IAI/UM Summer Institute can be accessed through the WWW at http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/IAIUM.

Twenty applicants (approximately equal numbers of social and natural scientists) from IAI member countries will be selected to attend the Institute. Selected applicants will receive financial support covering travel to/from Miami, housing and meal expenses, and health insurance. Specific information on eligibility and selection criteria, as well as instructions on applying for participation will be available soon at the Institute's WWW site. In the meantime, potential applicants can register to receive further information as soon as it becomes available by filling out an electronic form at http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/IAIUM.