-----Original Message----- From: Sergei Stafeev [mailto:gard@gard.spb.org] Sent: Friday, May 02, 2003 9:53 AM To: mgurst@vcn.bc.ca Subject: BIC2003 Update (Saint-Petersburg, June 30 - July 02, 2003) Dear Colleagues, After the intensive preparatory process for the Conference "Building the Information Commonwealth: Informational Technologies and Prospects of Development of the Civil Society Institutions in CIS Countries" (BIC2003) which will take place in Saint-Petersburg on the June 30 - July 02, 2003 we are delighted to inform you that all needed arrangements connected to the Conference have been made and we encourage you to renew all preparations for your participation in the Conference. The main purpose of this conference is to achieve a critical understanding of the current state and prospects for using modern Information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support the formation of civil society institutions within the CIS territories. Also the conference will be focused on the creation of a networking structure for non-profit and civil society organizations currently undertaking ICT projects in the CIS countries; the creation of a research network in this field; and on planning common activities and positions within the frame of the WSIS preparatory process. At the updated Conference website: http://www.communities.org.ru/conference you can find all information you need concerning structure of the conference and practical matters concerning your participation. Travel The conference will take place in the town of Zelenogorsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg (Zelenogorsk is a famous formerly Finnish resort Terioki), 30 min. from St. Petersburg by bus or train. Please, visit our website to learn how to reach Saint Petersburg and the Conference place (buttons <Transportation> and <Travel tips>). The Conference' venue is located in a pine forest, 100 meters from the Finnish gulf. Also this has allowed us to suggest intensive after-hours program for our attendees during St. Petersburg+s magical "White Nights"+when the sun never sets+(for instance, we are going to celebrate the day of Ivan (Ivan-Kupala) with traditional Russian and Finnish rites. Accommodation Two hotels are located near the place where the conference will take place: Gelios Hotel (3 and 1/2 Stars) and Northern Riviera boarding-house. Click on the button <Accommodation> to learn the opportunities of accommodation and prices. We recommend you to reserve hotel rooms as soon as possible. Please, note the both hotels require prepayment when you book a room. Russian visa Click on the button <Russian visa> to learn about how to get Russian visa in the most convenience way. We recommend you to arrange the visa for tourists, because Russian business visa is expensive and is very time consuming. Registration Fee Please, take into your account that the payment of the registration fee is a principal condition for most non-CIS participants and also for participants from state institutions, business and international organizations in CIS countries to take a part in the Conference*. "Early bird" rates are valid until 17 of May 2003. There is an online system for payment of registration fees opened on the page "Registration". You can pay by credit card or bank remittance on our account. In exceptional cases you can pay the registration fee personally after your arrival . Please, contact organizers in this case and in case if you have any problems or questions as regards of fee payment. As an additional security feature, we would ask that as you are making your electronic remittance, that you also inform us of this by email to <bic2003@mail.ru> Please be aware that when you make your payment you should fill out a new registration form (even if you have sent us an email telling us that you are planning to attend). This makes sure that all your information is correct as well as your paper will be included in the conference proceedings (which will be published after the conference). The registration form is placed on the page "Registration" as well. *except the cases discussed individually. Your presentation at the BIC2003 We kindly ask our speakers whose papers were affirmed for presentation at the Conference to provide us the following information for logistic reasons if you haven't already done so: 1. The name and length of your presentation (to a maximum of 25 Minutes) 2. Any technical support you will need for your presentation.* *Please note that a limited number of LEDs, slide and overhead projectors, will be available. Internet access will be available for use in the plenary presentations. Other requirements should be indicated directly to the conference organizers at <BIC2003@mail.ru> The detailed program of the conference will be accessible through our website from the 25th of May. Looking forward to see you in St. Petersburg ! Best regards, BIC2003 Organizing Committee E-mail: <BIC2003@mail.ru> http://www.communities.org.ru/conference