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Venue stood the test
From 6th to 14th of August our conference venue in Lillestrøm outside Oslo hosted the 33rd International Geology Congress. 6,000 scientists from 113 countries attended the IGC, which turned out to be a success.
"We followed the 33rd IGC closely in order to learn all we could. The organisers have generously shared their experiences with us. Our conclusion is that the venue is very well suited for a conference of this magnitude", says Olav Orheim, Chair of the IPY-OSC 2010 Steering Committee. The 33rd IGC was the largest academic congress ever to be held in Norway.
Photo: Kristen Ulstein
King Harald of Norway in conversation with Secretary General Anders Solheim (left) and 33rd IGC President Arne Bjørlykke.
"We are particularly grateful to IGC Secretary General Anders Solheim. He has been very helpful and service minded from the first contact we made, and we will draw heavily on the solutions developed in the course of their four years of planning. Currently we are also negotiating with the PCO that were on contract for the IGC", Orheim says.
Participants content
"A fantastic experience", says Anders Solheim. "In general, almost all participants have been both positive and content, and have given very good feedback to us through the Congress committees. The lectures and scientific programme have been of high quality", he tells us.
The 33rd IGC began with the theme of the origins of life, while the theme for the final day took geology into outer space. Academics have discussed questions of climate change, natural disasters, medical challenges and the future energy mix. Excursions throughout the Nordic countries was arranged before, during and after the Congress. The recruitment of new academics is important for the future of geology, and the IGC offered stipends for young, promising researchers. The Geohost stipend made it possible for 571 people from the whole world to take part.
About IGC
The International Geological Congress is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization whose meetings are held in collaboration with, and under sponsorship of, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The IUGS holds its General Assemblies in conjunction with Sessions of the IGC.
The first International Geological Congress was held during the Paris Exposition of 1878, with 310 members from 23 countries participating. The 34th Session is planned for Brisbane, Australia, in August 2012. The main purpose of the Congress is to encourage the advancement of fundamental and applied research in the earth sciences world-wide.
Visit the 33rd IGC website
Photo: Kristen Ulstein
Gisela Jackson on stage during the opening ceremony - singing "The Circle of Life" from Lion King.
Photo: Kristen Ulstein
From the plenary hall.
Photo: Kristen Ulstein
Excellent expo facilities will be made available to institutions and commercial partners.
Last updated: 12.08.2009
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