This year s theme Coming of Age represents the maturation of the Symposium. This will be a time to reflect on our accomplishments through the adolescence of the Symposium and look to the future of its adulthood. What started out as a small workshop of about 50 people has grown into a major international meeting of almost a thousand. We are faced with the challenge of meeting the requirements of a major meeting while recapturing the informal and personal touch of the original workshop. We will try to do both by focusing on the human dimension of sea turtle biology and conservation in a leadership panel that discusses past, present and future challenges, by focussing on the future in a series of sessions and workshops on environmental education and children, and by bringing more music into the Symposium.
Music plays a central role in all cultures and in the growth process from child to adult.
We will enjoy two nights of great music and dancing with fantastic local bands, but we will have more. Bring your musical instrument for a series of jam sessions in the evenings. Let s write a sea turtle song. We will have music for the auction. Get ready to sing as your money floats away for a great cause.