1. Pre-Conference Information |
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. |
Q: How do I find my way after I arrive in Hyderabad? A: Information will be available on the Host Country's Web site. |
Q: When can I register for the 2008 IGF Meeting in Hyderabad? A: Online registration is now open. The registration will close on 15 November 2008. On site registration will begin on i1 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. |
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: Visa processes have not started yet, they will start soon after registration opens. Details about the visa requirements will be made available on the Host Country’s Web site shortly. 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. Q: How much will the visa cost me? A: A 90 day visa will be issued for free. |
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 will make available details on hotel booking on their Web site. All participants registered through the IGF Web site will be given preferential rates in the official conference hotels. The hotel booking procedure will be controlled by the Host Country. |
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 . |
Q: What deadlines have already passed? A: The following deadlines were on 30 June 2008 and have already passed:
Another deadline was on 15 August 2008 and has already passed:
Q: What important deadlines are coming up? A: The submission of final proposal for all workshops, best practice forums, open forums and dynamic coalitions meetings are due no later than 12 September 2008 |
2. Venue / Conference Facilities
Q: How do I get to and from my hotel to the conference venue? A: Information will be 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. |
Q: Will food be provided at the HICC? A: Moderately priced food will be available at food courts at the venue. More information will be available on the Host Country's Web site. |
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 well in advance of the meeting date. 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. |
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. 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. |
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? A:Yes. A 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 tote bag must be sent in advance to the following address: Novotel & HICC Complex (Near Hitec City), |
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: A final decision on booths has not yet been reached. The size of the booths may vary depending on demand but will be at least 2.5m(width) X 2.4m(depth) X 2.3m(height) and would offer space for at least 2 persons. More information will be made available on the IGF Web site, well in advance of the Hyderabad Meeting. Q: Can an organization have several booths? 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 |
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.
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. 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. |
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. |
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: No interpretation will be available for all other meetings unless their organisers make their own arrangements. Please email the IGF Secretariat for initial contact names. |
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 sessions held in the Main Meeting Hall and other facilities for remote access will be announced by the end of September 2008. |
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 the reception that is planned for 3 December. More information will be provided in due course. There may also be some less informal social gatherings initiated by different groups. |
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 |
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. |
Contact Addresses and Numbers |
Q: Whom do I contact for more information? A: Contact the IGF Secretariat at the following:
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