Wednesday, March 14, 2007

2007 IPSC and Oxford Conference Details

We've received the following details from Ms. Katie Brock in London about this year's IPSC and Oxford events, and we're glad to share the details with you:

The 2007 ESU International Public Speaking Competition
Monday 14 - Thursday 17 May 2007

“Dynamic Earth”

The preparations for the 2007 International Public Speaking Competition are well underway, and we hope that a team from your country will be able to take part. Once again we are grateful to HSBC Holdings plc for its support of the Competition. Please read the below information and feel free to pass it on to any other interested party.

General points

Entry to the Competition
There are two different forms enclosed:
• The Preliminary Entry Form is to be returned to me by Friday 23 March 2007 or earlier by the competition organiser and is to register that you plan to enter one or two students to the competition. We do not require names or full details at this stage. You should also indicate whether you think your competitor(s) will take up the offer of a homestay. This must be confirmed by the student (see below). This means that we can organise accommodation, theatre tickets etc for the correct numbers. Please also indicate whether you plan to send any accompanying adults.
• The Participant Entry Form must be completed by each participant and returned to me by Friday 13 April 2007. This form must be completed in its entirety including flight details before we will accept it. Without it the participant is not considered as registered. If a homestay has already been requested by the competition organiser this must be confirmed by the participant in this form.

The Handbook
I am pleased to enclose the 2007 International Public Speaking Competition Handbook. Each participant must see a copy of the handbook before they attend the competition so that they are aware of the rules and structure of the competition.

Fees
• Fees must be paid in advance. Please ensure you complete the payment section of the entry form.
• The programme fee for participants is £180 and covers:
The cost of 4 night’s bed and breakfast accommodation in twin rooms (Monday 14 – Friday 18 May)
travel to and from their homestay (if requested)
Lunch
Teas and Coffee during the day
All visits outlined in the programme
This fee does not cover
Travel around London and from the airport
Evening meals
the costs of those accompanying the participant: the charge for this is £270 and covers bed and breakfast accommodation (in single rooms) and lunches. If you are sharing a twin room the cost is £180 per person.
• Participants and those accompanying them should bring money for their evening meals, travel costs on the underground or bus around London and any other expenses.

Please note the following points:
a. The theme is "Dynamic Earth” and speakers will be expected to address this theme (they may not, however, use it as their title)
b. Speakers must be between 16 and 20 years old on Thursday 17 May 2007 and be full-time students.
c. Competitors must be citizens of the country they are representing.
d. Each country may only enter two speakers.

Accommodation
Please see the handbook for details.

Homestays
Please read the guidelines in the handbook; it is very important that all participants are aware of these. Homestays are from Friday 18 May – Sunday 20.

A homestay must be requested by 23 March by the competition organiser when sending in the preliminary entry form and confirmed by the participant when they send in their final entry form. If the participant decides they would rather not take up the homestay the latest date they change their mind is 13 April 2007.

Please make sure that participants do not bring too much luggage with them. They should be able to move it across London ON THEIR OWN on public transport. Additionally some homestay hosts cars cannot accommodate large amounts of luggage as well as several students!

Visas and Insurance
Please ensure that all visa requirements are organised well in advance to allow us time to prepare any relevant paperwork from this end. It is advisable to investigate visa requirements as soon as possible. All participants MUST have comprehensive travel insurance.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

The English-Speaking Union International Relations Conference
Sunday 15th – Saturday 21st July 2007
Oriel College, Oxford


he ESU International Relations Conference will deal with a variety of issues relating to both International Relations and to Britain's international role in the world today. The aim of the Conference is to give participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Britain and to widen their outlook on world issues. It also offers a unique opportunity to make individual contacts with people from various fields, cultures and backgrounds. In 2006 31 delegates attended the Conference and they represented a total of 25 countries. The majority of delegates were young professionals from the fields of trade and industry, law, journalism, teaching and the diplomatic service.

During the week four main topics will be covered: International Relations; Law and Government, British Institutions and International Trade and Industry. Each session will take the form of a short lecture followed by a comprehensive discussion involving all delegates. There will also be a visit to a performance of Shakespeare.

The conference is an annual event and has taken place annually for over 40 years. The venue has traditionally been one of the colleges in Oxford and in 2007, as in the last fourteen years, it will be held in Oriel.


Previous speakers have included Sir Andrew Burns KCMG, International Governor on the Board of the BBC, Lord Watson of Richmond CBE, Chairman, Burson-Marsteller Europe; Mr Edward Gould, Deputy Chairman, The English-Speaking Union; Alan Lee Williams OBE, Director, The Atlantic Council; Mr Derek Wood, QC, Mark Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for International Development, Ralph Land CBE, Chairman of the Russo-Britain Chamber of Commerce and Martin Bell OBE, UNICEF Ambassador for Humanitarian Emergencies and Former Correspondent for the BBC

Conference fee per participant

ESU Members: £980.00
Non-Members: £1100.00

which includes lectures, accommodation, meals and excursions

Contact: Katie Brock
Head of International and Cultural Programmes
The English-Speaking Union
Dartmouth House
37 Charles Street
London W1J 5ED