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General Practical Information
The 2008 Public Forum team is looking forward to welcoming
you to 揟rading Into the Future?held at the WTO headquarters
in Geneva ?Centre William Rappard.
Learn more about the
history of the WTO Building.
WTO's address:
Centre William Rappard
Rue de Lausanne 154
CH-1211 Geneva 21
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 739 5111
FROM GENEVA AIRPORT:
The Geneva International Airport (GVA-Cointrin) is located
approximately 5 km from Geneva Centre. Public transportation is
easily accessible from the airport.
By taxi:
Taxis can be found directly outside the arrival hall. One-way
fare to the WTO should be no more than CHF$40.
By train and bus: The Best
Way...
Taking the train right from the airport to Geneva's main train
station (Gare Cornavin) takes only 6mins. At the airport, follow
the signs to the train platform. Tickets can be purchased at the
desk located on the level above the platforms or at electronic
booths by the tracks. A one-way second class fare costs CHF$3.
> Train schedule can be
found
here
Upon arrival at the train station, take Bus 1 in the direction
of Jardin Botanique, which is also the WTO stop and the end of
the line. This should take approximately 15mins. A ticket valid
for one hour costs CH$3 and can be purchased at electronic
dispensers at the bus stand. The WTO Building is located across
the street from the Jardin Botanique stop. (Please note that
your train ticket is valid on the bus within the hour of
purchase).
> Bus
schedule can be found
here
Participation at the Forum is free of charge. Travel and
accommodation costs are to be borne by participants. Please
note that the WTO does not organise visa arrangements.
UPON ARRIVAL
REGISTRATION: We urge you to ensure that all staff
and panellists involved in your session are registered. The
on-line registration will remain open until Monday 15
September. Please note that all participants and accompanying
guests must be registered to ensure that a badge will be
available upon their arrival at WTO headquarters.
The on-line registration has now been closed.
BADGES: These can be collected at any time
throughout the Forum. Those planning to attend the Plenary
Opening at 10:30 am on Wednesday 24 September are advised to
collect their badge early, as strict security controls will be
in place. (On this day, badge collection will be available
from 7:30 am).
SECURITY: According to WTO security procedures, all
participants must have a valid piece of ID (passport or
identity card) in order to collect their badge.
Badges will only be handed over upon
exchange of a valid ID. The badge has
to be carried visibly at all times while on WTO premises.
To avoid delay, we request that staff and speakers arrive at
least one hour before their scheduled session.
ORGANISING YOUR SESSION
GENERAL INFORMATION: Each session will be held on
WTO premises and will be granted a strictly monitored two hour
time slot. Please recall that sessions are permitted no more
than four speakers and one moderator for a maximum of five
panellists.
MEETING ROOMS: Parallel sessions will be operating
throughout the length of the Public Forum following
Registration and the Plenary Opening on 24 September.
Simultaneous interpretation of all Forum sessions will be
provided in the WTO's three official languages ?English,
French and Spanish ?except for those convening in Room B
where only two languages can be offered and Room A where no
interpretation is available. The general location and total
capacity of each meeting room is outlined below.
|
CR |
CR I |
CR II |
W |
D |
E |
F |
B |
A |
Floor |
New Building |
New Building |
New Building |
Ground Floor
Main Building |
3 rd Floor
Main Building |
3 rd Floor
Main Building |
3 rd Floor
Main Building |
Ground Floor
Main Building |
Ground Floor
Main Building |
Total Capacity |
714
|
390 |
324 |
256 |
155 |
121 |
59 |
52 |
51 |
PRESENTATION FACILITIES: These sessions are designed
to function as lively and interactive discussions and although
we will accommodate PowerPoint presentations, we stress that
these should be used only to highlight key points. We can,
however, post a more detailed outline or PowerPoint text on
the Forum website in advance of your session, if received in
due time. Please send such documents as soon as they are
available or no later than Tuesday 16
September to
[email protected]. These will also help WTO
interpreters prepare for your session.
THE ROLE OF THE MODERATOR: Please advise your
moderator to structure the session as follows:
- Introduce the session (5mins) ?outline theme, topic and
main discussion points.
- Invite each speaker to present their case (maximum 10mins
each). It is essential that speakers finish within the
allotted time.
- Invite questions/comments from the panellists in response to
these statements.
- Open the session to questions/comments from the audience.
- Offer concluding remarks (5mins) ?highlight key points that
emerge during discussion. (Do not summarise the session).
NOTE: All sessions will be stopped at the end of the two hour
time limit. Good timekeeping is necessary to facilitate a
truly interactive discussion.
Moderators can encourage such discussion by commenting on the
content of the presentations and posing follow-up questions to
the audience. They should remind speakers from the floor to
introduce themselves and to limit their statements to brief
comments or questions. In sum, it is the moderator's role to
make the session as balanced, lively and interactive as
possible.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC FORUM:
We kindly draw your attention to the following guidelines for
the preparation of summaries of each individual session for
the Publication of the 2008 WTO Public Forum:
CONTENT: We urge organizers of sessions to ensure that each
report is organized in the following manner:
- Title of Session
- Author (name of organization or individual(s))
- Abstract (2-3 paragraphs): Please provide a short
abstract of the session including the main objective(s) of
the session; the relevant questions that were addressed; and
the main conclusions reached.
- First Part: Summary of the main points raised by each
panellist.
- Second Part: Detailed Summary of the discussions that
took place following the presentations.
- Conclusion/Recommendations/Follow-up actions: Please
state whether the objective(s) of the session were met, the
conclusions reached and include recommendations and/or
follow-up actions, to the extent possible, related to the
role of the WTO within the context of the overall theme of
the public forum and the specific subject matter(s)
discussed.
FONT: Times New Roman
SIZE: 12
LINE SPACING: Single
LENGTH: 8-12 pages (5000 ?8000 words)
DEADLINE: Please send your detailed summary in a word document
at the latest by Friday 24 October 2008 to the following
e-mail address:
[email protected]
PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Please remind audience members not to
leave any personal belongings in the meeting rooms at the end
of the day. All rooms will be locked after closing hours.
FORUM RECEPTION: All Forum participants are kindly invited to
a reception to be held in the CR Lobby on
Wednesday 24
September from 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm.
PROGRAMME: An updated version of the Public Forum Programme is
available on the Forum webpage.
E-FORUM: Please note that an
E-Forum is expected to be
operational during the course of next week to discuss the
topics that have been raised and that will be addressed during
the Forum in September.
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USEFUL INFORMATION FOR
YOUR STAY |
As the second largest city in Switzerland, Geneva is home
to people from all over the world. In fact, over 40 per cent
of its population is international. Host to several
inter-governmental organizations, Geneva always has a variety
of talks, meetings and conferences happening throughout the
year. Its picturesque landscape of the snow-capped Alps and
the pristine lake also offers many an escape from daily
routines. Although French is the predominant language spoken
in Geneva, English is widely understood and most people speak
at least one other language.
TRANSPORTATION IN GENEVA
Getting around Geneva and travelling to nearby cities is quite
easy as the city is efficiently serviced by buses,
trolleybuses trams and trains. Buses and trains also offer
regular service to neighbouring countries, France being the
nearest. Public boat transport may also be taken to cities
along the lakeshore, including Nyon, Yvoire, Thonon, Evian and
Lausanne. Tickets are available from electronic dispensers
located at each stop. Please inquire at the main train station
(Gare Cornavin) ticketing kiosk for more details.
While buses and trams are more popular among locals, taxis are
also available for travel within Geneva. Taxi stands are
located at the airport, train station and several other points
throughout the city. You can also call for one at Tel: 022 731
41 41.
NOTE: The WTO Building is conveniently serviced by three major
bus routes. The following stops are located outside the main
gates of the WTO:
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Bus 1: Direction 揜ive?
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Useful Stops:
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Bus 11: Direction 揃out-du-Monde?
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Useful Stop:
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Bus 28: Direction 揌魀ital-La Tour?
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Useful Stops:
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> For more information
on how to get around in Geneva please
click here.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels in Geneva book quickly, so please make sure to arrange
your accommodation in advance. Websites like
www.expedia.com and
www.orbitz.com may be helpful. For more references, please
check
www.genevashotels.com. Hotels in walking distance to the
WTO include
Hotel Eden and
Hotel Mon Repos. A little farther, but still within close
proximity, is the luxurious
Hotel President Wilson.
RESTAURANT
FACILITIES NEAR THE WTO
A variety of options are available for dining in or around the
WTO:
BUDGET
The HEI cafeteria adjacent to the WTO has many
lunch options at reasonable prices, ranging from CHF$10-15.
For a quick bite, the WTO Caf?(Salle des Pas Perdus) located
on the Ground Floor offers all sorts of beverages, sandwiches
and salads in a more relaxed setting. Across the street from
the WTO (next to the Jardin Botanique stop), there is a small
supermarket which is also a popular destination for those
interested in fresh sandwiches and salads at reasonable
prices.
MID-RANGE
If you are looking for sit-down dining, a Chinese buffet is
available at the Tsing Tao Restaurant (12 avenue de Secheron)
around the corner from the small supermarket. The buffet costs
approximately CHF$22 and lunch menus CHF$15. Restaurants at
the
Hotel Mon Repos (131-133 rue de Lausanne) and
Hotel Eden (135 rue de Lausanne) offer
Swiss/French/Italian eating. Like most restaurants in Geneva,
a reasonably-priced lunch menu or "Plat du Jour" may be found
here.
TOP-END
Close to the WTO with a scenic view of the lake, restaurant La
Perle du Lac offers exquisite cuisine, if you are
interested in splurging a bit! Be sure to call and reserve a
table, especially if you plan to go as a group.
Address: 126 rue de Lausanne, Tel: +41(0)22 909 10 20, Fax:
+41(0)22 909 10 30.
CURRENCY
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc, often written
as CHF or SFr. While the Euro is accepted at most shops and
businesses, it is better to exchange your money in advance so
as to avoid paying a higher rate. Cash is the most popular
method of transaction and locals tend to carry substantial
amount on them.
NOTE: Many smaller
stores and supermarkets do not accept credit cards and those
that do may ask to see photo ID.
ATMs are conveniently
dispersed throughout the city. The WTO Building has two UBS
ATMs next to the Visitor's Entrance.
Geneva Tourism:
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/
Weather:
http://www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch/web/en/weather.html
Bus Schedule:
http://www.tpg.ch
Train Schedule:
http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisen.htm
Geneva Airport:
www.gva.ch
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