To achieve the goals of the project, a series of five annual meetings have been planned. The meetings will take place alternatively in South America and southern Africa, and will always include: (a) a symposium to present the most recent research results; (b) field work in selected geological units; and (c) publication of an abstracts volume and/or full papers in a renowned journal. The meetings and planned activities are:

2003: First annual meeting at the “III. International Colloquium Vendian-Cambrian of W-Gondwana” in Cape Town (South Africa)

• Election of project leaders.
• Organization of key project activities.
• Publication of a special issue of “Gondwana Research” about the Vendian-Cambrian of W-Gondwana, with the latest results in all major research fields mentioned above.
• Field workshop on the Gariep Supergroup, Nama and Vanrhynsdorp Groups.
• Discuss possibilities of training and exchange of postgraduate students.

2004: Second annual meeting in Sao Paulo (Brazil)

• Field workshop and symposium on events in the Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic basins of SW- and SE-Brazil (A?ungui, Corumbá, Jacadigo, Eleutério, Pouso Alegre, Pico de Itapeva).
• Field visits to the A?ungui, Corumbá and Jacadigo Groups (Brazil).
• Presentation of results since the last meeting and related publications.

2005: Third annual meeting in Windhoek (Namibia).

• Field workshop and symposium on Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic events in the Damara Supergroup, Witvlei and Nama Groups.
• Field visits to the Damara Belt, Witvlei and Nama (Zaris Subbasin) Groups.
• Presentation of results since the last meeting and related publications.
• Publication of research results as a special volume of a renowned journal.

2006: Fourth annual meeting in San Miguel de Tucumán and Buenos Aires (Argentina)

• Field workshop and symposium on Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic events in the Río de la Plata Craton.
• Field visits to the Puncoviscana Formation and equivalents, Mesón Group, Sierras Bayas Group (Argentina) and Arroyo del Soldado Group (Uruguay).
• Presentation of results since the last meeting and related publications.
• Presentation of results of post-graduate student research projects.

2007: Fifth annual meeting in Stellenbosch (South Africa).

• Field workshop and symposium on Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic events in the Saldania Belt (South Africa).
• Field visits to the Kango Group and intrusions of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian age.
• Presentation of final results.
• Publication of a synthesis of the obtained results (as a book or journal special issue).

The described meetings only intend to be a catalyst, and will be complemented by various activities, such as: (a) creation of small working groups of researchers dealing with very specific problems (e.g. “distribution of biomats in time”); (b) complementary field works carried out by these working groups at their own expenses; (c) students exchange agreements between the institutions involved; and (d) cooperation regarding use of laboratory facilities.