ICA 2006 Pre-conference: Influencing Outcomes: Communications Research and Global and Regional Policy Transformations Date: June 16- 17, 2006 Venue: Central European University, Budapest, Hungary Sponsored by: ICA Philosophy of Communication Division, and Political Communication Division Organizers: The Project for Global Communication Studies, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, The Center for Media and Communication Studies, Central European University, Budapest, and the COST A30 European Media Scholars Network Description of the proposed conference: Given the theme of the Dresden ICA conference "Networking, Communication, and Research," it is appropriate and timely to offer a pre-conference that deals with the interplay between policymakers and the scholarly community. Globalization, internationalization, and a strong sense of inter-dependency as is documented by current political and economic realities has reinforced the need to understand how policy is made, what its impact is, who and how it influences, and whether local, national, regional or international laws and policies are called for and the most effect means of governance. The drive towards democratization and the many transitions that have taken place in the post-1989 period have cast a new light on the importance of creating meaningful and useful media policy. As one of the central pillars of a modern democracy, media institutions, comprising both traditional and new technologies, play a key role in the functioning of society. Against this backdrop, the Project for Global Communication Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, and the Center for Media and Communication Studies, Central European University, propose a two-day pre-conference that will discuss the relationship between research and policymaking, how the scholarly community can impact and influence the policy agenda and policymaking institutions, as well as engage in a critical dialogue that will produce an agenda for future research, especially on issues and questions related to how media laws and policies affect and impact democratization and social transition. The pre-conference has the added bonus of the inclusion of the COST A30 European Media Scholars Network, which will host a special meeting to coincide with the ICA Budapest pre-conference. CEU is the coordinating university for the COST A30 Action "East of West: Setting a New Central and Eastern European Media Research Agenda." The project brings together more than 40 outstanding scholars from 20 European countries. The main objective of the Action is to develop a cutting edge, joint European social science research agenda with a clear focus on newly emerging problems of Central and Eastern European media in a comparative perspective. Budapest, as one of the principal points of the post-communist transition, provides a fitting backdrop for a pre-conference of this nature, giving participants the opportunity to engage with Hungary's media law and policy reform leaders from academic, civil society, as well as commercial and industry sectors. The Annenberg-CEU pre-conference sessions will feature: � Participation from many of Europe's leading media scholars who are part of the EU COST A30 Action European media studies network; � two keynote addresses; � panel discussions; � a tour of Hungary's famous and beautiful Parliament building, with a guided tour by a former member of Parliament and leading figure of Hungary's media law and policy transformation; � a roundtable on contemporary issues of nationalism and ethnic identity; and � optional guided tours of Budapest's famous cafes and outdoor garden pubs, a trip to one of Budapest's relaxing mineral baths, and visit to one of many local music attractions, like the Hungarian Opera. Cost and registration details: Please see the ICA website for registration details (http://www.icahdq.org/) or contact Susan Abbott at the Annenberg School for Communication at sabbott@asc.upenn.edu. Costs associated with the Budapest Pre-conference will include: hotel, some meals and a conference registration fee. Participants of the Budapest Pre-conference are encouraged to arrange their travel such that they connect through Budapest en route to Dresden. The Pre-conference organizers will also assist with travel to Budapest, and depending on interest with either organize low-cost air travel or a group bus from Budapest to Dresden. Other Details: Registration and deposit due in advance, by May 15, 2006. Contact people: � Susan Abbott, Sr. Research Coordinator at the Project for Global Communication Studies, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania � E-mail: sabbott@asc.upenn.edu � Laura Ranca, Project Coordinator, Center for Media and Communication Studies, Central European University � E- mail: rancal@ceu.hu. Pre-Conference Registration Fee: $100 USD (payable to ICA, at the time of registering and paying for ICA Dresden Conference) Items included in this fee: 1. Meals, Materials and Entertainment Fee: $50 USD 2. ICA Administration Fee: $25 USD 3. Annenberg-CEU Administration Fee: $25 USD Budapest Costs � Accommodation and Travel Pre-conference participants can either book their travel directly to Budapest (roundtrip) or they can book their travel (roundtrip to Berlin) and transfer to Budapest. We suggest the following itineraries: Travel to Budapest for the Pre-conference Participants must arrange their travel to arrive in Budapest on Thursday, June 15, 2006 for arrival and check-in. The pre-conference starts on Friday, June 16, 2006 at 9 am. Option A: Budapest direct � Roundtrip ticket from your home city to Budapest. � Easyjet flight from Budapest to Berlin, with bus transfer to Dresden (We will arrange for bus transfer for those interested). Estimated cost of the Easyjet flight, and bus transfer is $100 USD roundtrip (Budapest to Berlin and back to Budapest) Option B: Berlin direct � Roundtrip ticket from your home city to Berlin � You arrange your own travel to Budapest � options include Easyjet or other low-cost airlines or going by bus or train. (We will not arrange bus transfer with this option, but can provide advice and suggestions for ways to get from Berlin to Budapest).
From the Budapest Airport there is a Shuttle Service into the city. You can buy a round trip ticket (good for your ride to your hotel and back to the airport) upon arrival in Budapest, just after you get out of baggage claim. The cost of the ticket is roughly $20 USD.
It is recommended that you change some money at the airport upon arrival or use the cash machines at the airport to get Hungarian Forints � the local currency. Budapest has a wide selection of banks, cash machines and change kiosks. Credit cards are accepted most places (mostly Master Card and Visa). English and German are widely spoken in Budapest, in addition to Hungarian, the national language. Accommodation We will do our best to help participants find the accommodation that meets their budget. We suggest the following: Hotel Options � You can choose from hotel rooms that start at 50 euros a night (around $60 USD). We will book your hotel for you, and will work with area hotels to find a rate that is suitable for your budget. Please email Laura Ranca (rancal@ceu.hu) to let her know your preferences. Hotel rooms can be shared, but you must indicate this before check-in. We will make the reservation, but you are required to pay the hotel bill at the time of checkout. Hungarian hotels accept Visa, and Master Card, and American Express, as well as cash. It is also possible to prepay your hotel bill with a wire transfer or credit card payment over the phone. The hotel fee is not included in the registration fee, so please plan ahead and get in touch with Laura Ranca to reserve a room. Youth Hostel Option � There are many Youth Hostels in Budapest to choose from. For a list of available hostels, please visit this website: http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/europeanrailguide.com/findabed.php?C... For people choosing to stay in a Youth Hostel, you must take care of reserving and paying for your stay on your own. The conference organizers are unable to do this for you. Hostels are an affordable option for accommodation in Europe, and are generally clean and safe and centrally located, with access to public transportation. The hostels closest to CEU are the ones situated in districts 5, 6, 7 and of Budapest (CEU is situated in district 5). Some of the near-by hostels are: � Mellow Mood Hostels (http://www.hostels.hu/about-us.html) � Marco Polo Hostel (http://www.backpackers.hu/marcopolo.php) � Aboriginal Hostel (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/AboriginalHostel-Budapest-4545) � Agape Budget Guesthouse (http://www.hostels.com/en/availability.php/HostelNumber.10040) Hostels fill up fast, so it is best to book in advance. CEU Dormitory Option (http://www.ceucenter.hu/ENG/index_eng.html) CEU operates a residential hall that is approximately 45 minutes from the center of Budapest and CEU by public transportation (bus + one Metro ride). The rooms are all wired with Internet access, and the hall has a swimming pool, tennis court, caf* and a dining facility. People from all over the world stay there and it is a nice way to meet people. For those interested in this option, please email Laura Ranca for more information and for reservations. Costs: 30 Euro � for single room 38 Euro � for shared room Rooms are subject to availability and space is not guaranteed. Student Guest-Stay Option � On a first-come, first-served basis, we will match interested graduate students with graduate students in Budapest attending CEU or other Budapest-centered universities. Space is limited. This option offers the budget-minded student traveler the opportunity to stay in Budapest for the pre-conference, without the worry of how to pay for accommodation, i.e. it is free, although we encourage you to bring a small gift for your host. It is recommended that you bring a sleeping bag or sheets and a blanket for the duration of your stay, although your hosts may already have bedding. We will facilitate email contact between ICA graduate student participants and their hosts in Budapest before the conference, so that you can know what to expect and how to best prepare. For those interested in this option, please email Laura Ranca at rancal@ceu.hu.