1. Pre-Conference Information
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Q: Where and when will the 2008 IGF Meeting be held? A: The 2008 IGF will be held in Hyderabad, India at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) on 3 - 6 December, 2008. A programme for the 2008 IGF will be made available in due course. |
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Q: How do I find my way after I arrive in Hyderabad? A: Information is available on the Host Country's Web site. |
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Q: When can I register for the 2008 IGF Meeting in Hyderabad? A: Online registration is now open. The registration will close on 21 November 2008. On site registration will begin on 1 December 2008. However, participants are strongly encouraged to register beforehand using the online form. Q: How do we get our security badges? A: There will be a badge desk at the main entrance of the HICC. To avoid queues, participants are encouraged to get their badges in advance of the opening day. Participants must present their registration confirmation letter and passport or government issued picture ID at the desk to receive their badge. Q: How much do I pay to attend the conference? A: Conference attendance is free. |
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Q: Do I need a visa to attend the IGF meeting in Hyderabad? A: Yes. Q: How and when do I get a visa for India to attend the IGF meeting? A: Please refer to the Host Country Web site for more information on visas. Q: How can I get a support letter for my visa if I need it? A: The official confirmation of registration sent by email to every registrant will be accepted as enough proof for visa requests. For those who have been told they will need an additional letter, please write to Dr. Govind, Senior Manager of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of India at drgovind[at]nic.in. You will need to provide your full name, nationality, profession and passport number, and the letter confirming your registration for the IGF meeting in Hyderabad. Q: How much will the visa cost me? A: The visa will be issued for free, as mentioned also on the host country's website: http://www.igf2008.in/Travel.aspx |
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Q: How do I get accommodation as I attend the conference? A: The Host Country has made information on various accommodation options available on our Web site. [pdf] [ppt] You are responsible for making bookings and paying for your accommodation. Q: What is the hotel booking procedure? A: The Host Country has details of hotel booking available on their Web site. The hotel booking procedure will be managed by the Host Country. |
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Q: Is there funding for some participants? A: Canada has made funds available through the ITU for participants from developing countries. Preference will be to those who have a role to play (e.g. panellists in workshops). Requests for funding can be submitted to strategy [at] itu [dot] int. |
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Q: What deadlines are set? A: The following deadlines are set:
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2. Venue / Conference Facilities
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Q: How do I get to and from my hotel to the conference venue? A: Information is available on the Host Country's Web site. Q: What other forms of transportation are available to get to and from the venue? A:Information will be available on the Host Country's Web site. |
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Q: What arrangements are there to ensure security of delegates? A: Standard UN security will be provided within the meeting premises. Only registered participants and staff with conference badges will be allowed into the conference venue. The Indian authorities will take care of security outside the premises. |
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Q: Will food be provided at the HICC? A: Moderately priced food will be available at food courts at the venue. More information is available on the Host Country's Web site. |
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Q: Is the venue in Hyderabad accessible for people who require wheelchair accessibility? A: Yes. All meeting areas of the venue will be accessible to people with wheelchair needs. Participants with special needs should notify the secretariat as soon as possible, but not later than 21st November, 2008. [updated] Q: Will there be first-aid facilities on the premises of the venue? A: Yes, these facilities will be available and information on the same can be obtained at the venue. |
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Q: Is there going to be a room available for adhoc meetings? A: Yes. Some rooms are available for adhoc meetings on first come first serve basis. Q: Can the IGF Secretariat provide private business rooms throughout the day with computers and a printer? A: No. There is a cybercafe and a business center at the conference venue available for all participants. |
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Q: Will there be Internet access? Will access be free of charge? A: Yes. Internet access will be made available to all participants free of charge at the conference venue. Q: What type of electricity outlet is in use in Hyderabad? A: Information about electricity outlets in India can be found here. Q: How can participants make photocopies? A: There will be a designated UN official responsible for printing documents. Participants wishing to make copies must submit them in person at least 3 hours in advance. |
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Q: Can participants put up commercial logos, flags or advertisements? A: Commercial logos, flags, banners or printed publications are not allowed in the Main Meeting Halls. Q: Are there any other ways for participants to disseminate promotional materials? [NEW] A:Yes. A welcome tote bag will be given out to all participants on the first day of the IGF Meeting. Any materials that participants wish to include in the welcome tote bag must be sent in advance to the following address: Novotel & HICC Complex (Near Hitec City), We are targetting 1500 totebags, but this may increase or decrease depending on the number of people who will register for the IGF meeting.
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Q: When will the booths be set up and taken down? A: Set up will begin on 2 December 2008. The booths will be taken down immediately following the closing ceremony. Q: What type of booth will be made available, and its size? A: The size of the booths will be 3m X 3m and 2.5m height. Photos of the booths are available [ photo 1 ] [ photo 2 ] Q: What materials will be provided in the booth?[NEW]
Q: Will a projector and LCD screen be provided for the booths?[NEW] A: No. Q: Are there restrictions on the type of materials that can be posted on the booths? A: Materials and publications should be non-commercial, adhere to commonly respected standards of decency and be in accordance with UN practice and principles. Q: Who can we contact in India if we need to send materials for our booth in advance? A: Kunal Salooja |
3. The Conference
Comprehensive information on how the conference will be organised in terms of main sessions, workshops, dynamic coalition meetings and others can be obtained from the conference programme paper [rtf] [pdf].
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Q: What is capacity of the meeting rooms? A: There are eight meeting rooms in total:
Q: What is the set up of the workshop rooms? A: All workshop rooms will provide a podium facing the audience. Participants cannot rearrange the rooms to serve their own personal needs. Chairs cannot be moved in any of the rooms. Q: What type of viewing equipment will be available in each meeting room and what charges apply? A: All rooms will utilize standard viewing equipment: Computer, Powerpoint projector and screen, free of charge. |
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Q: Will there be speakers in the Main Session Debates? A: The goal of these debates is to bring as many participants into the dialogue as possible and allow for a debate with maximum interaction with participants. |
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Q: Will there be screens showing the schedule of meetings? A: Yes. Sufficient screens are installed at the Hyderabad International Conference Center (HICC) for this purpose. |
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Q: What is the working language of the IGF meetings? A: Interpretation will be provided in all 6 UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and Hindi for all sessions taking place in the Main Meeting Hall. Q: How will the interpretation services be used for the workshops? A: One room with booths for interpretation into two additional languages is available. This room has a capacity of 300. Workshop organisers will have to make their own arrangements for hiring the interpreters. Please email the IGF Secretariat for initial contact names. No interpretation will be available in all other meetings. |
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Q: How can remote participants remain up-to-date on forum proceedings? A: Both Main Session Workshops and Main Session Debates taking place in the main hall will benefit from Webcast, in both audio and video formats, and real-time transcription of verbatim written record of the proceedings that will be posted to the IGF Web site. All other sessions will be audiocast. Q: Will remote participants be able to submit questions and comments during the workshops? A: Yes, remote participants can submit questions and comments via email. A public remote chat capability will be provided for all main sessions and workshops. |
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Q: Will there be a media office to serve delegates and organizations? A: An official UN media center will be available for accredited journalists. Organizations wishing to hold a media conference are requested to go through the UN media staff. Q: Will the IGF have an official photographer? A: No. Q: Will there be an opportunity for delegates to pre-record prepared speeches? A: Yes. More information will be made available in due course. |
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Q: Will there be social events at the IGF and where can participants find information about those events? A: The Host Country will invite participants to a reception on 3 December. More information will be provided on the Host Country's Web site. There may also be some less informal social gatherings initiated by different groups. |
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Q: Can the reporting back session be done in writing? A: All workshop organizers are required to send in written reports after every workshop. Those reports are then compiled and will be posted to the Web site in due process. Q: Can new Dynamic Coalitions be proposed now and will they have a space for holding their meetings in Hyderabad? A:New Dynamic Coalitions can be proposed but must be registered by the IGF secretariat and active to have a space for holding their meeting in Hyderabad. All dynamic coalitions may request a listing on the IGF Web site by contacting the IGF Secretariat: [email protected]. |
| Getting Involved |
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Q: How can I be involved with the IGF? A: The IGF welcomes organizations and persons from diverse relevant expertise and geographical areas around the world. The meeting is open to all World Summit on the information Society (WSIS) accredited entities, as well as other institutions and persons with proven expertise and experience in matters related to Internet governance. The invitation to the third meeting in Hyderabad has more details. |
5. Contact Information
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Contact Addresses and Numbers
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Q: Whom do I contact for more information? A: Contact the IGF Secretariat at the following: Tel: +41 22 917 57 59 |