THE ICEVI 2002 CONFERENCE- UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
'New Visions: Moving toward an inclusive community'
I am very honoured to have been asked to be Chair of the Programme Committee for ICEVI 2002. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Heather Mason and until early retirement last October, I worked at the University of Birmingham, UK on specialist teacher education programmes. For over 12 years I was responsible for the distance education programmes for teachers of the visually impaired and have always had a very keen and active interest in all areas of special education.
I am pleased to be able to say that there is a highly experienced committee consisting of
Lucia Piccione, ICEVI Latin American Chairperson from Argentina
Ineke van Dijk from The Netherlands
Dr. Bhushan Punani from India
Larry Campbell, President ICEVI
Herman Gresnigt European ICEVI Chairperson
Larry and Lucia were involved in the organisation of the last world conference in Brazil so bring a wealth of relevant experience with them.
The Programme Committee met for the first time in The Netherlands at the end of May. During the two very busy days, we decided upon a framework for the conference, visited the conference centre, had discussions with the Host Committee and with Susanne Pauwels representing Van Namen & Westerlaken Congress Organization Services and deliberated long and hard over the title and theme for the Conference.
We were all very impressed with the Conference centre - the Leeuwenhorst Congress Centre, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands. There are excellent facilities for every type of presentation from large halls for keynote and plenary sessions to smaller rooms for workshops and lectures - all supported by the appropriate technologies. The good news is that there should be sufficient bedrooms to accommodate the majority of delegates and should there be time for relaxing, there are excellent leisure facilities including a swimming pool and bowling alley. Already we can visualise inter - continental competitions! We have no doubt that delegates and their partners will find this a memorable place to stay with easy access to the coast and Dutch towns and beautiful countryside. A warm welcome awaits us!!
The theme for the Conference is 'New Visions: Moving toward an inclusive community'. We are very excited about this as it will enable delegates to reflect upon good practice throughout the world. The call for papers and preliminary registration will take place early next Spring so it is not too early to be thinking about the contribution you can make to ICEVI 2002. It is anticipated, as for previous conferences, delegates who need financial support will be able to apply for assistance. However, we do urge you to make application to any local sources of potential support as soon as possible.
Heather Mason
Chair of the Programme Committee for ICEVI 2002