Dimitris Emmanouloudis and George Zaimes were invited speakers to the International Workshop on Environmental Conservation and Ecotourism hosted in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, 15-17 January, 2019. Dimitris Emmanouloudis presented at the workshop the “Man and Water and Analysis and Management of Natural and Anthropogenic Disasters. Two Innovative Master Programs” and “A New Tool for the Protection of the European Union: Preparing and Raising Population Awareness in the case of Natural and Technological Disasters.” George Zaimes presented on "Riparian areas their importance, uniqueness, & ecotourism opportunities" and "Recent and future projects of the UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect."

During this workshop an MoU was signed between the UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect and Municipality of Nova Friburgo. During the second day of the workshop, field visits to different ecotourism operations and discussion with owners and managers on how to improve their operations were done.  In addition, Dimitris Emmanouloudis and George Zaimes visited the University of Rio de Janeiro. Specifically, meetings were held with Geotourism and Geo-hydrology laboratories of the University. A tour of the facility and a meeting with the personnel from the Petrobas were also done. During these visits potential future collaborations and partnerships were planned.

Overall, through this visit the UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect established collaborations in South America, further expanding its international character and activities.