New Partners, Strong Ethics: Striking a Balance Towards the Year 2000

The 6th OSEAS-Europe Regional Conference for Overseas Educational Advisers in Western, Eastern, and Central Europe and the New Independent States

Conference Registration Materials

The OSEAS-Europe Conference Planning Committee cordially invites you to register for the 6th OSEAS-Europe Conference, which will be held in the wonderful setting of Budapest, Hungary, at the Kerepesi Residence of the Central European University. This document provides:

- introductory information on exhibiting at the Conference
- an overview of the Conference program and special events
- information on Conference accommodation
- useful information for visiting Hungary
- details of registration procedures
- a Conference registration form.

Please read all information before completing the registration form.

In keeping with the changes occurring at many overseas advising centers in the region, the theme of the Conference will be 'New Partners, Strong Ethics: Striking a Balance Towards the Year 2000.' The last OSEAS-Europe Conference was held in Athens in 1995 and attracted over 200 educational advisers, plus colleagues from US universities and educational organizations. OSEAS-Europe conferences are only held once every few years and offer important professional development and networking opportunities for advisers from across regions and all types of advising centers. All European and NIS Advisers are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in this productive and exciting event.

International educators in the United States, educational advisers from other regions, and other staff at Fulbright Commissions, USIS Posts and related organizations are warmly invited to join European and NIS Advisers at what promises to be an extremely successful and enjoyable Conference.

The Conference is expected to play host to 300 or more participants, including advisers from Western, Central and Eastern Europe and the NIS, and Stateside colleagues, who will gather together for pre-conference workshops, conference sessions, a technology center, plenary lectures and a conference exhibition. The Conference offers excellent opportunities for networking and for enhancing professional knowledge and skills.

Further information on the Conference is available on the OSEAS-Europe Web site at <http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/europe.html>, including:

1. Conference Announcement

2. Call for Conference Proposals

3. OSEAS-Europe Conference Grants Announcement

4. Conference Registration Materials

In addition, you will find useful links to other Web sites on Budapest and Hungary.

The OSEAS-Europe Conference Exhibition Area offers the opportunity to network with advisers from across Europe and the NIS, representing over 180 advising centers and handling over 800,000 enquiries annually on US education. 35 exhibition stands will be available at the Kerepesi Center for interested colleges, universities and international education organizations.

For introductory information on exhibiting at the Conference please contact Mr. George Dariotis, Educational Adviser, US Educational Foundation in Greece <adviser@compulink.gr>.

Note: OSEAS PDP workshop participants will receive a certificate of completion from NAFSA. Thanks to Peterson's PDP Golden Benefactor sponsorship to NAFSA, 11 scholarships of $120 each will be available for USIA-affiliated European and NIS advisers wishing to attend this workshop. Please contact Veronica Malani, OSEAS liaison at NAFSA <veronicam@Nafsa.org> for further details, with copy to Evelyn Levinson, OSEAS Coordinator <evelynle@netvision.net.il>.

Workshop #2: Fundraising and Financial Management

Description: This workshop is designed to explore various fundraising methods and financial management strategies appropriate for Educational Advising Centers. Through presentations, demonstrations, case studies, and handouts, educational advisers will gain practical, step-by-step advice on designing, implementing, and managing a fundraising and financial management plan appropriate for their center.

Date/Time: morning, 6th August

Fee: $20 ($30 after 15th June, 1998)

Workshop #3: New Directions in Advising Center Management

Description: As funding support diminishes and the scope of their role increases, educational advisors face unique constraints and demands in terms of time, their centers and the profession. This workshop will assist the participants to identify common problems, learn effective management techniques, and strategize ways to maximize performance.

Date/Time: afternoon, 6th August

Fee: $20 ($30 after 15th June, 1998)

Sessions will also be offered in the OSEAS-Europe Conference Technology Center. These will include training in using e-mail, the WWW and useful office software, as well as US educational software demonstrations.

Educational advisers and Stateside colleagues are encouraged to submit proposals to organize and present sessions and workshops at the Conference. Please see the 'Call for Conference Proposals' on the OSEAS-Europe Web site, or contact Lydia Shevchik <shevchik@easynet.co.uk>, Chair of the Conference Sessions Subcommittee for further details. The deadline for submitting proposals is 18th March, 1998.

** Opening Reception **

Thursday, 6th August: Central European University, Budapest

The Conference will open with a food and drinks reception on the evening of 6th August, kindly hosted by the Central European University at their main building in the center of Budapest. Transportation to the event from Kerepesi Residence will be provided free of charge for those attending the Conference. The reception offers the ideal opportunity to relax and get to know others attending the Conference, and participants will then be free to explore Budapest for the remainder of the evening. Return transportation to Kerepesi is not provided.

Price: Included in Conference registration fee.

** Closing Reception **

Sunday, 9th August: Medieval Dinner Party, Visegrad

Departing by coach from Kerepesi, Conference participants will travel to the Danube Bend, 50 kilometres north of Budapest, to say farewell at the Conference Closing Reception to be held in the city of Visegrad. The evening will begin with cocktails at the top of Salamon Tower, with its spectacular panorama and view of the medieval Royal Palace. This will be followed by a knight show performed by members of St.George's Order of Knights. The evening will conclude with dinner at the Renaissance Restaurant where participants will taste the delicious food and wines of the period before returning by coach to Kerepesi.

Price: Included in Conference registration fee for European and NIS advisers at USIA-affiliated centers, $50 for all other Conference participants and guests. (Approx. 6 hours, dinner included, informal dress, flat shoes recommended.)

** Additional Excursions Available **

Participation in any additional excursions should be noted on the registration form below, and payment made to Contours.

Wednesday, 5th August: Pre-conference Tour to the Danube Bend

The Danube Bend is a beautiful area in the northern region of Hungary, some 50 kilometers from Budapest. There you will have the opportunity to visit the treasury in Esztergom, followed by a visit to the ruins of the 13th century citadel and 15th century Royal Palace in Visegrad where you will also enjoy a renaissance-style lunch. The last stop on the tour is Szentendre, which is a small town with picturesque old streets and 18th century houses and churches. As an artist settlement Szentendre houses several interesting museums, including the unique Kovacs Margit Museum of Ceramics.

Price: USD 43/person, lunch included.

Saturday, 8th August, 6-11pm: Sightseeing Tour in Budapest with Dinner

During a two and a half hour guided bus tour you will visit the most important sights of Budapest, including Heroes Square, Castle Hill and the Opera. The tour will conclude with an excellent dinner in the downtown area of the city.

Price: USD 32/person, dinner included.

All tours are operated by licensed coach operator with safe, luxury coaches and English speaking guides. The minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure is 20; the number of seats is limited.

** Accommodation Available **

The OSEAS-Europe Conference will take place at the Kerepesi Residence and Conference Center of the Central European University (CEU). Comfortable, modern and economic accommodation is available at the Kerepesi Residence, which is located approximately 15-20 minutes taxi ride from downtown Budapest, or rooms may be reserved at three downtown Budapest hotels: Hotel Atrium Hyatt (5 star), the Hotel Taverna (4 star) and the Hotel Astoria (3 star).

Please note that only a limited number of each type of room is available at the Kerepesi Residence and therefore those choosing to stay at Kerepesi should indicate both their first and second choices for room type. Educational Advisers from USIA-supported centers are encouraged to stay at the Kerepesi Residence, and all advisers awarded grants will be accommodated at the Kerepesi Residence in the most economic rooms available.

** Reservation Procedures **

Hotel reservations should be made through Contours Congress Bureau, as indicated on the Conference registration form below. Housing reservations should be received by Contours Congress Bureau no later than 4th July, 1998. After 4th July applications can still be accepted but no availability for any accommodation can be guaranteed.

Those reserving a room at the Kerepesi Residence can either make payment in full when registering for the Conference or pay a single night deposit and pay the remainder upon arrival (NIS and European advisers: see special instructions below). Those staying at the Taverna and Atrium Hyatt Hotels need only pay a deposit of one night's accommodation.

** Accommodation Rates **

Hotel rates per night are shown on the Conference registration form below. Kerepesi Residence rates for the different room types available are as follows:

• Twin room class A $54 per night
• Single room class A $40 per night
• Single room class B $33 per night
• Single bedroom apartment $88 per night
• Double bedroom apartment $105 per night

Class A rooms have a private bathroom, telephone and TV. Class B rooms are identical to class A rooms except that they do not have a telephone or TV in the room. There are 5 single and double bedroom apartments available, each with their own kitchen, bathroom, telephone and TV.

All rooms in Kerepesi are non-smoking; however, every other floor in the Residence has a lounge room where smoking is permitted. The Residence also has a cafeteria style restaurant, swimming pool, bar area and laundry facilities.

Below is some introductory information regarding traveling to Hungary. Further details will be provided prior to the Conference and upon arrival.

**How to Get to Hungary**

25 airline companies operate regular flights to Budapest. Railway connections are excellent with all European countries.

**Visas**

Entry visas are not required for citizens of most European countries. Citizens of other countries can obtain a visa at the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate in their country. A valid passport is necessary.

**Currency, Exchange, Credit Cards**

The official currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Exchange facilities are offered to participants at the airport, at the Kerepesi Residence, in hotels and at the exchange desks of banks.

American Express, Visa, Diners Card, Eurocard, MasterCard and JCB Card are widely accepted in hotels, first class restaurants and city stores, but you should ask whether credit cards are accepted before ordering a service.

**Insurance**

The Conference Planning Committee/OSEAS-Europe does not assume responsibility for injuries or losses occurring to persons or personal belongings during the Conference. Participants are therefore advised to carry the proper travel and health insurance.

**Weather**

The climate in August is pleasant with an average daytime temperature of around 25-30 degrees Celsius, but an umbrella might be useful.

** Conference Registration Form **

Conference registration is being administered by Contours Congress Bureau, a Budapest-based organization. A conference registration form can be found at the end of this document. Completed forms can be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to:

Contours Congress Bureau
H-1123 Budapest
Alkotas ut 47.
HUNGARY
Fax/Phone 36-1-356 6712
E-mail: contours@euroweb.hu

Any subsequent changes to a participant's Conference registration should be notified to Contours directly. Please note that all individuals attending the Conference must submit a separate registration form.

** Special Instructions for Advisers **

Advisers at USIA-supported centers in Western, Eastern and Central Europe and the NIS must indicate on their conference registration form whether they have applied for a USIA-funded grant to attend the Conference. To avoid complications with payment of registration and accommodation fees, advisers who have applied for a grant should not register for the conference until they have heard whether they have been awarded a grant, which will be in mid-April.

Advisers who have not already done so must contact their local USIS posts as soon as possible for further information about the Conference and funding, and for nomination for the Conference.

** Registration Fees and Deadlines **

The Conference registration fee is $100 up to and including 15th June, 1998, and rises to $150 after 15th June, 1998. The Conference registration fee includes access to all Conference sessions, the Conference Technology Center, the Conference Exhibition Area, sandwich lunch in the Kerepesi Restaurant and coffee breaks on 7th, 8th and 9th August, the Opening Reception, and for NIS and European advisers only the Closing Reception.

Additional pre-conference workshop fees are listed above and on the registration form. Workshop fees include coffee breaks on the 6th August, but not lunch.

Accommodation details are listed in a separate section above and on the registration form, but please note that no accommodation can be guaranteed for registrations received after 4th July, 1998.

** On-site Registration **

On-site registration at the Kerepesi Residence and Conference Center will be possible, but is not encouraged. In particular, conference accommodation cannot be guaranteed and is unlikely to be available for the Kerepesi Residence. The registration fee for on-site registration will be $200.

** One-day Registration **

One-day registration is possible, but is not encouraged. The registration fee for one-day registration is $40 ($50 after 15 June, and $60 on-site). Anyone wishing to attend a workshop(s) only will be charged the appropriate workshop fee. Please indicate which date and/or workshop you wish to attend on the Conference Registration Form.

** Payment Methods **

Payment can be made by bank transfer (see registration form for bank details), international money order, US dollar check, eurocheque in Hungarian Forints (please contact Contours Congress Bureau directly to determine the exchange rate to be used) or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Card only).

** Cancellation Policies **

Cancellations of conference registration and hotel reservations must be sent in writing to CONTOURS. All refunds will be made after the close of the Conference. To facilitate administration of cancellations, please send your full bank details with the written notification of cancellation.

Cancellation of Registration:

• - cancellations received by 10 July, 1998: refund less USD 15 processing fee
• - cancellations received after 10 July, 1998: no refund

Hotel Cancellations:

• - cancellations received by 10 July, 1998: refund less USD 15 processing fee
• - cancellations received after 10 July, 1998: cancellation fee equivalent to one night
• - no show without notification: no refund and cancellation fee equivalent to the total amount of the reservation

Tour Cancellations:

• - a seven day cancellation deadline applies to guarantee full refund
• - refund can be made less than one week before if seats can be resold to late bookers
• - no show without notification: no refund available

Please complete this form and return it by e-mail to: contours@euroweb.hu (or by fax/mail to: CONTOURS Congress Bureau, H-1123 Budapest, Alkotás ut 47, HUNGARY. Fax/Phone: 36-1-356 6712).

PERSONAL DETAILS:

Family name:

First name:

Title: Dr. ... Prof. ... Mr ... Ms ... Other ..............

Job Title:

Office/Institution:

Country:

Please note the above information will be used for your conference registration and badge.

Mailing address: Office ... Home ...

Country:

City, zip code or index:

Name and no. of street / P.O. Box:

Phone:

Fax:

E-mail:

Please check as many as apply: Adviser ...Presenter ...Exhibitor ...Sponsor ..

Europe/NIS advisers only: Are you applying for a USIA-funded grant? Yes ... No ...

IMPORTANT: Advisers applying for a grant should not register for the Conference until the list of grantees is announced in April.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

For on-site registration fees, see Registration Procedures section above.

(For details of pre-conference workshops please see Program above)

(Please indicate number of tickets required for Closing Reception)

ACCOMMODATION

All rates quoted are price per night, including tax and breakfast.

Budapest Hotels:

Please check your choice of room type below.

DEPOSIT FOR FIRST NIGHT IN HOTEL:

Kerepesi Residence:

For Kerepesi accommodation please note your FIRST AND SECOND choices of room type by indicating 1 and 2 next to the room rates listed below.

(For further details see Accommodation descriptions above)

KEREPESI ACCOMMODATION FIRST NIGHT DEPOSIT / TOTAL (delete as applicable*):

* If first night deposit only is paid, remainder of payment should be made on arrival at Conference site.

Male .... Female ....

I wish to share my room with:.......................................

(Please note due to limited availability Kerepesi accommodation is only available to those registering for the Conference. Exceptions can only be made for guests of Conference presenters or exhibitors.)

Date of arrival:...............Date of departure:...................

OPTIONAL SIGHTSEEING PROGRAM

(For further details see Special Events section above)

HANDLING FEE: Add $8 per registration

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE:

PAYMENT METHODS

Your Registration Form should be accompanied by the total registration fee and either a deposit equal to 1 night at the chosen accommodation or full payment for the chosen accommodation. Contours can confirm your registration and room reservation only if the deposit/payment arrives. All payments should be directed to CONTOURS Congress Bureau.

A confirmation will be sent by CONTOURS confirming your request and the money received. If you are making an accommodation deposit, the deposit will be deducted from the accommodation total, and the remainder should be paid upon arrival (in any currency at the applicable rate of exchange) at the CONTOURS Registration Desk at the Conference site (do not send payment to your hotel or the Kerepesi Residence).

Please indicate payment method used below:

... Net remittance international money order or registered bank cheque in USD made out to the order of CONTOURS, indicating your name and the name of the Conference (OSEAS '98).

... Eurocheque in HUF (Hungarian Forint), please contact Contours for exact exchange rate, the limit of one Eurocheque is HUF 30.000 made payable to: Contours

... Bank transfer to:

CONTOURS

Account no. 10200885-32613003-00000000

ABN-AMRO Bank (H-1539 Budapest 114, P.O.Box 624, Hungary)

Note: Bank transfers, international money orders or registered bank checks can only be accepted if the total net amount is transferred to Contours Congress Bureau and all charges are at the expense of the sender.

.. Credit card:

Please charge USD .......... to my:

VISA... EUROCARD/MASTERCARD... AMEX... DINERS...

Card No.:|_|_|_|_| |_|_|_|_| |_|_|_|_| |_|_|_|_| Exp. date: __/__

Billing address (address of the cardholder):

.....................................................................

.....................................................................

Date:................................................................

Signature:...........................................................