Questions & Answers, Archive

Q.: How do I do to get a letter of participation if I need one for getting a VISA or other similar reasons?
A: The project administrator of ESOF2004, Marianne Orhall will send you a personal letter of participation AFTER you have registered on-line AND paid the fee. Don't forget to mail her at mo@vr.se when you have registered and paid the fee!

Q: I would like to become a volunteer for ESOF2004. How do I get further information about this?
A: We welcome all kind of support from persons living within the Stockholm area. Stockholm Akademiska Forum is responsible for our Volunteer Organisation. For further information about how to become a volunteer, please contact Sofie Alvarsson: frida.andersson@chello.se.

Q.: Are there travel grants available for organizers of sessions and presentations?
A:Yes, the organisation Stifterverband (Donor´s Association for the Sciences and Humanities in Germany) offers grants and allowances for German convenors of sessions and workshops, poster-exhibitions, lectures etc. in its programme-scheme “PUSH goes Europe!”. The grants may also be used for international participants of a session. Go to Stifterverbands website for more information! There might also be other possibilities for travel grants from other organisations later on.

Q.: Are there travel grants available for young scientists from Central- and Eastern Europe?
A: Yes, the organisation behind ESOF2004, Euroscience, is together with Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, DaimlerChrysler Fonds and UNESCO-ROSTE offering a limited number of grants to support travel and accommodation expenses for the participation to ESOF2004 of young scientists from Central and Eastern Europe of all disciplines (age limit : 35).

Applicants are kindly requested to fill in the special ESOF2004 grant form with their personal information and motivation why they should receive a grant and send it by e-mail to Euroscience: office@euroscience.ws. Besides active participation in discussions, selected candidates will be invited to participate on a part time basis in common duties during the Forum such as reception, access control, document dispatching, "micro"/tape recording assistance. The deadline for the applications were set to 20 June, 2004!

Q: How can I/our organisation contribute to ESOF2004?
A: In many different ways:

• become a Partner, by giving financial support
• be an organiser of a session in the Scientific Program (deadline for submitting proposals was set to 15 September, 2003) or an Outreach Activity (deadline for submitting proposals was set to 1 November, 2003) s
• organise satellite meetings in Stockholm before or after ESOF2004
• become a volunteer at the venue
• come to Stockholm and join the forum
• be an ESOF2004-friend, by telling people in your network about the event
• become an individual or associate Member of Euroscience

Q: When will it be possible to register for EuroScience Open Forum?
A: It will be possible to register for the forum here, on-line, February 2004.

Q: I have submitted a Proposal to ESOF2004 and would like to know when I will be contacted about the final acceptance and the details for presentation, if that is the case.
A: The review process has been carried out and thte selection of session will be made by ESOF2004's committees mid December. Answers to all who have submitted proposals will be given by 15 January 2004.

Q: How will the proposals be judged and what are the important criterias?
A: The proposals of sessions for the Scientific Program are now being judged in a review process on which the Committees of ESOF2004 will base their selection. The import criteria's in the review process are:

• quality of the proposed content
• international perspective
• relevance to the objectives of the forum
• originality
• degree of interactivity
• potential to attract public/media interest

Q: What kind of session will be possible to suggest to the EuroScience Open Forum 2004?
A: The types of sessions you may propose are:

• “Pro” and “Con” Debate - Two speakers are involved. One is assigned to speak for a certain belief or view-point and the other speaker against. It is essential that there is a certain element of respectful dialogue in a session of this kind in order to bring the topic forward. The session should be moderated by a third person with strong communicative skills
• Workshops - Could be on any topic. It may be practically oriented or have a more theoretical content. It should be led by someone experienced from such undertakings and there should be a large degree of preparation including work material if necessary.
• Discussions - One to three speakers set the stage with brief (5 minutes) opening presentations. Thereafter the floor is open to an interactive dialogue with the audience.
• Interviews - An experienced interviewer has a dialogue in a personalised fashion with the interviewee. It can be quite informal but must of course be extremely well prepared.
• Seminars – A session involving two to four speakers and an interactive educational dialogue with a participant audience.
• Symposium - A session involving two to four speakers (if 1.5 hrs) or three to six speakers (if 3 hrs) with a broad audience addressed and a large attendance expected

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It is also possible to choose another stimulating format that suits your proposal. Please fill in proposal at our on-line form.

Q: When is the deadline to submit proposals for the Science in the Cityp programme?
A: We need your ideas and proposals as soon as possible but at the latest at the 1st of November.