1st Arab Conference for Science Journalists (ACSJ1)

Conference Objectives:

1 - Providing Arab science journalists an opportunity to network and exchange experiences

2 - Providing Arab science journalists an opportunity to meet with, exchange experiences with, and learn from experienced science journalists from other parts of the world

3 - Enhancing the skills of Arab journalists in covering science issues

4 - Capacity building of Arab journalists to have a deeper understanding of one particular science topic yet to be determined(

5 - Providing Arab science journalists with an opportunity to discuss the current status of Arab science journalism, how to move forward, and what ethical issues face our Arab science journalists today.

6 - Since ACSJ1 precedes SRO V by one day, ACSJ1 participants wanting to stay for a few more days will have the opportunity to mix with some of the most prestigious Arab scientists in the world and cover their work.

Outcomes:

1 - Presenting awards to five journalists who have covered Arab science as part of the 2008 Arab Science Journalism Award.

2 - Convening of the General Assembly of the Arab Science Journalists Association and conducting elections in order to choose its new board of directors.

3 - Arab science journalists meet, discuss, exchange experiences, learn, and enhance skills.

Conference Scopes:

1 - Tricks of the trade: how to make science interesting

2 - Reporting on research: evidence-based science journalism

3 - Finding science stories in the Arab world

4 - The ethics of science journalism

5 - Roundtable discussion on the status of science journalism in some Arab countries

Abstracts Submission & Registration:

All abstracts should strictly comply with the style and format as provided in the SRO submission style.

Abstracts submitted in other types of formats or styles will not be considered for presentation.

All abstracts will be peer-reviewed and acceptance decisions will be made by the technical program cochair

Dr. Nadia El-Awady. All accepted abstracts will appear in the conference proceedings electronically and will be published on ASTF’s website. Presentations of extended abstracts at the conference will be automatically eligible to enter competition for the Best Paper Presentation Award. Criteria for the presentation award will be available on ASTF’s website.

For submitting your abstract, please send it to elawadi.sro@astf.net.

For registration, kindly arrange to fill the registration form and send it to sro@astf.net, or visit our website at: www.astf.net/sro/sro5 and follow the instructions.

Arab Science & Technology Foundation

P.O.Box 27272 Sharjah, UAE

Tel: +971-6-5050551 Fax: +971-6-5050553

E-mail: sro@astf.net Web site: www.astf.net/sro/sro5

Scholarships:

Limited scholarships are available for some speakers and participants. In order to apply for a scholarship, please send your CV and a cover letter that explains why you think the organizers should support your attendance of ACSJ1 and what benefits you or others will gain from your attendance. Also include information on whether you need a full scholarship )covering all travel and accommodation costs(or if you only need a partial scholarship )covering part of your travel and/or accommodation costs(Scholarship applications must be sent to Dr Nadia El-Awady at elawadi.sro@astf.net before June 15, 2008. Announcements of scholarship winners will be made in August.

Working Languages:

Official Language: Arabic

Second Language: English

Deadline for Submissions:

Abstract Submission: June 15, 2008

Acceptance Notification: August 15, 2008

Date & Venue:

25 October 2008, Fez -Morocco

Visas:

Participants are kindly requested to inquire at the Moroccan Embassy/Consulate in their country of residence about obtaining an entry visa. Upon individual request, a letter of invitation from the organizers to participate in SRO5 will be provided to facilitate procedures for obtaining a visa into Morocco. If needed, kindly email your request for your individual invitation letter to sro@astf.net.

Hotel Reservation:

The organizing committee has obtained special rates for hotel accommodation of the conference participants, but to qualify for these rates, reservation should be made through the conference organization committee. You are kindly requested to make your reservation as soon as possible, as the number of room available at this rate is limited.

Please visit the conference web site at www.astf.net/sro/sro5 where special hotel rates will be available soon.

Arab Science & Technology Foundation

P.O.Box 27272 Sharjah, UAE

Tel: +971-6-5050551 Fax: +971-6-5050553

E-mail: sro@astf.net Web site: www.astf.net/sro/sro5