All visitors to The United Kingdom need a valid passport. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and some other countries do not need a visa to enter The United Kingdom. Applications for visas can be made at British Embassies or Consulates in major cities around the world. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU APPLY FOR VISA WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR DEPARTURE DATE (3 months in advance is recommended). Further information about entry visas, Embassy/Consulate locations and travel to The United Kingdom can be obtained in English at the following British Foreign Office webpage: www.ukvisas.gov.uk
The Congress Secretariat will be pleased to send an official letter of invitation upon request. It is understood that such an invitation is intended to help potential delegates raise travel funds or obtain a visa. It is not a commitment on the part of the Organizing Committee to provide any financial support. ISPCAN may require additional information from you before issuing a visa. ISPCAN reserves the right to determine legitimacy of request. Invitation letters must be requested prior to August 1, 2006. The Congress Secretariat will email, fax and post invitation via the standard mail service. Any express mail requests will require payment of £25.00.
The UK is not excessively hot at any time - September can be a very pleasant month with daytime temperatures often reaching in excess of 20 degrees. It is cooler in the evenings so delegates may like to bring a sweater or similar. It is always advisable to pack a showerproof jacket / umbrella.
The pound (£) is the official currency of the United Kingdom. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airports, hotels, banks or exchange offices. International credit cards are widely accepted. The exchange rate at the time of printing is £1.00 = US$ 1.8 (update by using the currency converter at http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi ).
Smart casual attire for all congress sessions and social functions
240 volts with three-pin plug
There are several different ways for delegates to connect to the internet. If they are staying in bedrooms with a phone line and have their laptops with them, they can purchase an internet phone card (min charge £5 for 3 hours) from their college reception and access the internet that way. Delegates can also use the University PC laboratory but need to pre-book a username and password costing £12 each. This gives unlimited online access.
English will be the official language of the Congress
Delegates are requested to use mobile phones with consideration for others, and to ensure that these are switched off during all sessions/social events.
All delegates should be aware that there may be members of the media attending the Congress. Only those specifically delegated can speak on behalf of ISPCAN or BASPCAN. All access to the Congress by members of the media must be agreed in advance with the Press Officer. All journalists will be issued with media badges which must be worn. For further information please contact baspcan@baspcan.org.uk or ispcan@ispcan.org
The wearing of identification badges is mandatory and will be required for admission to all sessions, the exhibition and social functions included in the registration fee.
Limited number of scholarships will be awarded to Developing Country (DC) scholars. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2006. Please click here for an application (2006 ISPCAN Congress Scholarship Application). For more information, please write to: events@ispcan.org. Priority will be given to professionals in nearby regions.
In order to promote the health and safety of all members, the University will endeavor to ensure that all its premises are free from tobacco smoke. To this end, the smoking of tobacco will not be permitted in any University premises (subject to the exceptions listed below).
EXCEPTIONS TO THE POLICY
The prohibition on the smoking of tobacco will be subject to the following exceptions. It will not apply to:
- University grounds and open spaces provided that smokers do not physically obstruct access to or egress from a premise.
-Licensed and social premises (bars and student common rooms) subject to the following conditions:
(a) In order to protect the health and safety of staff, smoking at bar and food serving areas/counters will not be permitted.
(b) Licensed areas also used as dining areas shall have areas designated as smoking and non-smoking. This will allow diners to choose the environment in which they wish to consume food.
Please note: all University residential accommodation is non-smoking.
Delegates with special requirements – dietary, access, accommodation, loop system etc should be advised with a booking.
Vegetarian options will automatically be offered for all meals taken at the University of York, consequently there is no need to specify this.
UK time in September 2006 will be British Summer Time (BST) i.e. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) + 01:00
In the UK tipping is not mandatory but at a customer’s discretion. It is usual to give taxi drivers a small tip (5%) and in restaurants, dependent on the bill, a tip of between 5 – 10%.
