- What criteria must workshops meet in order to be considered for the conference?
- Why do I have to include people from different sectors and countries?
- How do I submit a proposal?
- What responsibilities does a workshop organizer have?
- How are the workshops adjudicated? When will I know if mine is accepted?
- What format are workshops in? How long should presentations be? How many presenters should I have?
- Is there funding available to assist presenters? Do workshop organizers and presenters have to pay the registration fee?
- What audio-visual equipment is provided?
- How many workshops will there be?
- When will workshops take place? When will the schedule be available?
- How many people will attend each workshop?
- Do you publish conference proceedings? What happens to the presentations?
- Where can I get further information?
1. What criteria must workshops meet in order to be considered for the conference?
Workshops must examine a topic related to migration or diversity. They must include presenters from more than one country and more than one sector (e.g. government, academic, non-governmental). Workshops that look at a single project or case study will not be accepted. Additional information on the components of a successful session are included below.
2. Why do I have to include people from different sectors and countries?
International Metropolis Conferences are premised on cross-sectoral, comparative, policy-research discussion. We believe this kind of face-to-face interaction strengthens research, policy and practice in the areas of migration and diversity, and it is one of the distinguishing features of International Metropolis Conferences. In our experience, workshops that include cross-sectoral and comparative presentations are the most successful sessions.
3. How do I submit a proposal?
Workshop proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2008 using the proposal form available at: www.metropolis2008.org/call-for-workshop-proposals/.
Proposals should be e-mailed to erin.tolley@cic.gc.ca.
4. What responsibilities does a workshop organizer have?
The primary responsibility for the organization of the workshop rests with the individual workshop organizer(s). Organizers are responsible for determining the subject of the workshop, inviting and confirming presenters, determining the workshop's format, and ensuring that the criteria for workshops are met. Workshop organizers are responsible for providing their presenters with information related to logistics, registration and accommodations; this information will be provided by the conference organizing committee for dissemination to presenters. Workshop organizers must also canvass their presenters to determine if they are involved in more than one session so that scheduling conflicts can be avoided if at all possible.
Workshop organizers are not responsible for securing funding for their presenters, although they may choose to do so. If you are not able to provide funding to your presenters, you should make it clear to potential presenters that costs associated with participation in the workshop and the conference are the presenters' responsibility and will not be covered by you or the conference organizers. These costs include, but may not be limited to, travel, accommodation, and registration. Please note that there is a reduced registration for students and NGOs, and that the registration fee does include a number of meals.
Workshop organizers are also responsible for providing information to the organizing committee to assist them in (a) the adjudication of their proposal (b) the scheduling of workshop session and (c) the publication of workshop information on the conference website and program.
Over the course of July and August 2008, workshop organizers will be asked to participate in a teleconference that will involve organizers who have proposed similar workshops. These teleconferences are intended to ensure that all sessions are on track, that the conference criteria are fulfilled, and to provide logistical and other details. These teleconferences are also the basis for preparing the conference program. Workshop organizers must, by this time, be away of any presenters who may have a scheduling conflict or is involved in more than one workshop session so that this can be taken into account when the workshop schedule is prepared.
5. How are the workshops adjudicated? When will I know if mine is accepted?
The workshops are adjudicated by an international committee comprised of members of the conference organizing committee and other partners. Workshops that meet the conference criteria and are of a high standard will be accepted. Those that are generally strong, but lack a key element will be accepted with conditions, and the adjudication committee will provide guidelines for strengthening the session to ensure that it meets the conference criteria. This may include merging with another session on a similar topic. Workshops that do not meet the conference criteria will be rejected. Workshop organizers will be advised of the committee's decision by 1 May 2008. Organizers whose workshops are accepted with conditions will have until 20 May 2008 to respond to the conditions. A final list of presenters must be submitted for inclusion in the conference program by 15 September 2008.
6. What format are workshops in? How long should presentations be? How many presenters should I have?
Workshops are typically organized in panel format with a series of presentations, followed by a discussion period. The workshop should include a chair and approximately 4-7 presenters. Some workshops also use a designated discussant to introduce the discussion period. Presentations should be no more than 15-20 minutes in length, and at least 30 minutes should be set aside for the discussion period. Please note that there will be a break of 30 minutes in each 180-minute workshop session. Given that the aim of the session is to encourage dialogue and international comparisons, it is recommended that the discussion period take place after all presentations have concluded, so that linkages and comparisons can be made.
Although this is the typical format of a workshop session, other formats may be considered.
7. Is there funding available to assist presenters? Do workshop organizers and presenters have to pay the registration fee?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide funding to conference delegates. Registration, travel and accommodation costs are the delegates' responsibility. However, we do offer a reduced early-bird registration fee, as well as special registration fees for student and NGO participants. Please note that all conference delegates, including workshop organizers and presenters, must register for the conference and pay the conference fee.
8. What audio-visual equipment is provided?
All workshop rooms will be equipped with a laptop for PowerPoint presentations, as well as an LCD projector and screen. Additional audio-visual equipment must be requested and is subject to availability. Please note that presenters must upload their PowerPoint presentations prior to the commencement of the workshop. Workshop organizers will be provided with details to disseminate to their presenters.
9. How many workshops will there be?
We generally receive approximately 150 workshop proposals. The final program will include more than 100 sessions.
10. When will workshops take place? When will the schedule be available?
Workshops take place on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons of the conference (28 October, 29 October, and 30 October). Workshops will run from 14:30 to 18:00 for 180-minute sessions; 90-minute sessions will take place from 14:30 – 16:00 and 16:30 – 18:00. There will be a 30-minute break at 16:00 where shuttle service will be available to change workshop locations.
The schedule will be finalized by 31 August 2008, following the completion of all workshop teleconferences.
Please note: it is the workshop organizer's responsibility to canvass their presenters and let us know about any who will be presenting in more than one session. Many presenters will plan to speak in multiple sessions, which can result in a double- or triple-booking. If we are advised of these potential conflicts, we can take them into account when scheduling sessions. However, once the schedule is finalized, no further changes will be made.
11. How many people will attend each workshop?
Attendance at workshops varies, depending on the topic of the session, the quality of the description, its relevance to conference themes, and the range of presentations included. Overall conference attendance is also a factor. Generally, however, workshops attract an audience of 20 people, which is ideal for in-depth comparative policy-research discussion.
12. Do you publish conference proceedings? What happens to the presentations?
Conference presentations are posted on the conference website following its conclusion. For an archive of past conferences, visit http://www.international.metropolis.net/events/index_e.html.
13. Where can I get further information?
Please review the conference website for information on registration, accommodations, and the conference program. A list of key contacts is provided here
