International Association

They are well over $1000, sometimes upwards to $2000 just to attend. Not to mention travel and lodging. What is the benefit for being a PRSA member if you have to break the bank just to attend these, supposedly helpful and beneficial, conferences??

It costs a lot, but def go, did you go to Philly last year at the national level? I did and it was great we met Tim Russert so when he died last week i was really sad it was great, Mia Farrow spoke about Darfur and then Tim Russert’s speech was amazing too. I went with a few girls from my PRSSA chapter. I am hoping to be able to afford going to Detroit this year too, even though I have graduated so I guess I’ll become a PRSA member. I think its worth it, I met girls from Hawaii, there are HUGE networking advantages too I’m sure for PRSA members, I only know from PRSSA point of veiw but our advisor had cool things to go to during the conference too and she’s a PRSA member.

Geneva

"Several hundred people sat in a fifth-floor ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square on Monday eating pasta and trying hard to prove that they had unraveled the established science showing that humans are warming the world in potentially disruptive ways…but after the luncheon, when an organizer made an announcement asking all of the scientists in the large hall to move to the front for a group picture, 19 men did so."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/science/earth/04climate.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Here are the bios of the conference speakers:

http://www.heartland.org/NewYork08/ConferenceBios.pdf

You’ve got theologians, economists, geographers, botanists, biologists, right-wing policy strategists, statistical consultants, TV weathermen, petroleum engineers…it’s hard to even find a name on here with any climate science experience.

Why do you think so few climate scientists attended this conference?
Particularly since the entire purpse of the conference was "to generate international media attention to the fact that many scientists believe forecasts of rapid warming and catastrophic events are not supported by sound science, and that expensive campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not necessary or cost-effective"?
Sorry, the question should say ‘Heartland Institute’, not ‘Heritage Foundation’. I got one right-wing think tank mixed up with another.
willow – actually they would have been paid to speak at the conference.

If they had to pay people to attend and the only people they were willing to pay were skeptics, it stands to reason that only a few scientists would attend. The few, the proud, the brave, the paid.

The true test of relevance of a conference like this is whether or not a proceedings volume is published. I suspect there will be none because the conference was a PR stunt rather than a true scientific exchange. All of the talks are given by senior people, there is no ongoing research presented by graduate students or post-docs (those of you who have been to an actual national/international meeting will recognize the significance of that). There are no poster sessions, no break-out discussions. It’s all froth and no substance.

In short, this is the hallmark of senescent science. Maybe stillborn is a better term.

I’d always thought conferences were designed to allow people to air different viewpoints and debate them – http://madeleinefoundation.org/main/2009/08/2nd-international-conference-on-madeleine-mccann/ – am I missing something?

Your thoughts?
I’d suggest it was more of a caucus – http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caucus

No point at all, any dissenter will be removed very quickly.
it’s just a mutual backslapping affair when they can all congratulate one another and then leave the conference to continue screwing things up again.

I am a govt. school’s teacher and research scholar of Peace and non-violence department- JVB university Ladnun.
I am also a member of an International NGO which is working for prevant the violence against women
what is visa process and which documents required for visa
I received a invitation from USA for it

Basically, it is just a tourist visa. Your invitation is a supporting document. Other documents may be proof of funds to be able to finance your travel and stay to and from India. A proof of employment from your school including a note authorizing/allowing you to attend. If they are sponsoring (paying for your trip) you, include this statement in the letter as well.

Together with your passport, visa application, and photos, go to the nearest US embassy on your appointment date.

even though just released emails prove top scientists faked the measured temperatures to hide the fact that the earth actually cooled down in the last ten years.

We don’t need an international agreement to deal with the fraud called man made global warming.

And why aren’t the mainstream news organizations reporting this story. Liberals complain about Fox News but you have to watch FOx to find out what is going on because the rest of the news only broadcasts official, approved, Obama White House propaganda.

So he can try to screw AMERICA, While we are not looking ! LIBS HAVE NO INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, The are sheep !

i have this conference in a few months (my first ever) i have to organize. got to invite folks from over 6 countries. got a very limited budget. finally got my u.s. speaker (3rd on my list of DREAM SPEAKERS). in the beginning i was thrilled. but from the get-go, he’s acting diva-esque (though "politely). first, he asks if we can pay for him AND his family. i politely say no, telling him we have a very small budget. apologize profusely. next he asks if he can have an EXTRA day (for "jet-lag") again, i say no politely. after he’s filled out his registration info, i tell him to go ahead and buy his ticket–all the while subtly suggesting him to keep it affordable. i budget $1500-$1600 MAX for him. he ends up buying a ticket at $2000 AND he wants us to reimburse his parking fees! this guy is needy as hell and always emailing me about this or that. i’m already annoyed with his lack of tact esp with the ticket price but i he’s still coming. but i have to "act" polite-i hate that. any advice?

Much of this situation depends on the intent of your organization. If it’s for charity or of a similar goodwill nature you may have the wrong candidate for your conference. If this individual feels you are possibly using him for profit or solely name recognition of course he’s not going to feel as obligated to suffice your requests. However if this is not the case you may need to reconsider who you have invited regardless of his status. Many high profile individuals are treated like royalty when it comes to making a speech or appearance, so it may just be the case of what he is used to. Unfortunately you may already be obligated to compensate him at least for his ticket and parking. From what you are describing I personally feel you may have chosen an individual who does not understand or care so much about your situation. I’m not sure why if this person is so highly regarded he would need you to pay his parking fees. Al I can say is it sounds like you personally really would like for this person to show regardless of this situation. If its for your personal gain or you feel it will just actually really help to have him your going to have to bite the bullet. Nothing is free and maybe you can use this opportunity to really learn something here… GOODLUCK

Geneva or Zurich?

Geneva is widely regarded as a global city, mainly because of the presence of numerous international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It is also the place where the Geneva Conventions were signed, which chiefly concern the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war.

I am currently seeking Internships in Washington DC for programs that could provide transfer to Japan, but I’m not interested in English teaching jobs as a permanent life style. After the fact that I would teach English what other doors might be open to me once I have a basic knowledge of Japaneses?
My experience consist of coordinating international conferences, humanitarian and development aid in the Carribean, and managing people overall.

http://careers.state.gov

It’s the US State Department, they’re always looking for Foreign Service personnel. It might be a decent way into the International Community.

Since America does not allow people who are HIV+ or those infected with full blown AIDS to step foot on American soil, how can we ever host an International AIDS Conference?

It would be nice to have it hosted here as it would bring much needed attention to this plague. I wonder if it were held here if it would make those who have casual sex think before they act. Many think that AIDS happens to "other" people. This is a disease that doesn’t discriminate.