Cambridge Publications |
|
The Conference Company |
April 8th - 12th, 2001 |
|
European Union of Geosciences |
Cambridge Publications |
|
The Conference Company |
April 8th - 12th, 2001 |
|
European Union of Geosciences |
The first EUG meeting was held twenty years ago. Initially it brought together geoscientists from all over Europe. Since then it has increased the number of participants and also the number of places from which they come. Although it is a truly global international meeting it still retains it original ideals: enabling free scientific communication between scientists (and especially young scientists) from many nations and from different disciplines. The other unchanging aspects are the delightful location, Strasbourg, and the time, Spring.
EUG recently has attracted over 2,500 people which makes organisation of the meeting a major task. For all previous meetings the programme has been organised successively by scientists of a single country, in liaison with the EUG Office in Strasbourg. Great Britain has been responsible for planning EUG XI. Recognising the changing scope of EUG, we have made some changes. Instead of having a chairman of the Organising Committee, we have shared this role amongst three of us. This spirit of sharing the work has extended to the way the Scientific Programme Committee has operated. For the first time, it has members from countries other than the organising nation, and some from outside Europe too. In addition, this is the first meeting at which we can celebrate the agreement with the American Geophysical Union (AGU) to cooperate on conferences. AGU co-sponsors each biennial EUG meeting and EUG will co-sponsor the AGU Spring Meeting in even numbered years. In these ways we have included a wider range of views and added an even greater international taste to the meeting.
Nevertheless, we have followed the successful pattern established previously and have included special symposia and open sessions to cover the widest range of the Geosciences. In all there are 89 Symposia running in 15 parallel sessions (it was the smallest number we could manage). We have grouped 75 Symposia into ten interdisciplinary scientific Themes, which are intended to integrate fundamental understanding of geological, geophysical and geochemical processes. There are also Special Symposia and Open Symposia which cover developments in other aspects of the geosciences. In addition there are many other activities for you to enjoy ranging from meetings of specialist groups to social events, some of which involve all of the participants.
A very important part of the meeting combines cutting-edge science and social activity. We refer to the Poster sessions which continue the oral presentations on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Poster Hall (marquee); entry adjacent to the main entrance to the meeting. The Poster sessions allow discussion (often passionate) of new findings, lubricated by the beer, provided freely to all participants. We consider the posters to be an integral part of all Symposia.
EUG XI will start with the Opening Session at 13.00 on Sunday 8th April, followed shortly after by the first papers of the Symposia. We will be together again on Monday after the afternoon sessions of the Symposia for the Presentation of EUG medals and the Presidential Lecture. This will be followed by the Wine Party to which we invite you all.
We wish you all a stimulating, informative and enjoyable meeting and offer a sincere welcome to EUG XI.
EUG XI Organising Committee
