GENERAL CONSTITUTIVE CONFERENCE
Karrimjee Hall-Former Parliament House
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, November 27- December 2, 2002

NEWS

1. The General Constitutive Conference of the Forum of African Parliamentarians for Education (FAPED) will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 27 to December 2, 2002 at Karrimjee Hall-Former Parliament House.

2. The Conference Secretariat will function at the Conference venue from 23 November 2002. As from that date, all communications, including private mail, should be addressed to:

3. Up to 15 November 2002, correspondence and enquiries, except requests for hotel reservation, should be addressed to :

4. During the Conference, participants will be able to receive their mails at the Conference reception desk.

5. All participants are requested to register at the Conference reception desk at Karrimjee Hall-Former Parliament House on 26 November 2002 from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. and on 27 November 2002 as from 7.30 a.m. Participants are advised to register, if possible, on 26 November 2002.

6. During the conference, the reception desk will be open from 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Participants will receive a complete set of Conference documents, a name badge and any other documentation that may be required. They are requested to wear their badges throughout the period of the Conference so as to facilitate identification and their contacts with other participants and members of the Secretariat.

7. In collaboration with other partners, UNESCO/BREDA will bear the air fare costs and per diems of the two representatives of each participating country.

8. The opening ceremony of the Conference will take place on November 28, 2002 at 9.30 a.m. Karrimjee Hall-Former Parliament House. Participants are requested to be in their seats by 9.15 a.m. at the latest. A special session-roundtable-Ministers of Education/Parliamentarians as well as the closing ceremony of the conference will be held on Monday 2 December. Delegations are encouraged to plan their travel to allow participation in these meetings.

9. The proposed organization of work will be considered by the Bureau at its first meeting (scheduled for nov. 27, 2002) and submitted to the Conference for approval.

10. Working meetings will normally be held at the following times:

Morning: from 9.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Afternoon: from 3.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

11. Participants will be notified of any change in this schedule.

12. Conference documents will be sent in advance to participants. Additional copies will be available in Tanzania. Working and information documents will be distributed in the working languages of the Conference (English and French). Conference documents, including the statement of commitments made at the end of the Conference, will be issued in English and French. The final version of the report will be published in English and French after the Conference.

13. Participants are reminded that the secretariat will not be in a position to undertake the typing, translation or reproduction of documents other than official papers of FAPED. Heads of delegation and other participants are consequently requested to submit typed copies of their principal statements in order to facilitate the work of the Secretariat.

14. The working languages of the Conference will be English and French. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in these two languages.

15. A UNESCO information and press liaison office will operate at the Conference venue. The necessary facilities will be made available to representatives of press agencies and radio, cinema, television and photographic services to enable them to follow the Conference proceedings.

16. This office will provide journalists with Conference documents, background material and press releases. It will also be responsible for organizing press conferences, if and as required, and for assisting journalists in arranging press, radio and television interviews with key officials and delegates.

17. Fax and telephone services will be available. The costs will be borne by the users. A bank, travel agency, medical service, cafeteria and newspaper kiosk will also be available to participants. Tanzanian shillings may be withdrawn in the city centre at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) by holders of International VISA credit cards.

18. All participants travelling to Tanzania must be in possession of a valid passport. An entry visa is required.

19. Participants are requested to contact the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate in their own country for any information on this subject

20. Participants are advised to consult their travel agency or airline for any information they may require.

21. Participants will find a reception service at the Dar es Salaam International Airport. Transport will be available from 25 November 2002 to take them to their hotel.

22. Transport will be provided, as appropriate, for official activities linked to the Conference.

23. Customs formalities will be kept to a minimum. Assistance will be provided to facilitate entry formalities into the host country.

24. There is no limit on the amount of currency visitors to Tanzania may bring into the country. The monetary unit is the Tanzanian shilling.
Notes: Tanzanian shillings
Coins: Tanzanian shillings

25. The official exchange rate into Tanzania Shillings in July 2002 is as follows:

United States dollar ($1): 947 Tsh.
Euro (Euro 1): 944 Tsh.
Pound Sterling (£1): 1,469 Tsh.

These rates are liable to fluctuation and may be modified without prior warning.

26. The United Republic of Tanzania is on the Indian Ocean. The heat can be heavy and humid, especially in December. Participants are advised to bring appropriate clothing, including a raincoat. The average daytime temperature is 29C°.

27. The electricity supply in Tanzania is generally 240 volts. Participants should bring an adapter.

29. Rooms have been provisionally reserved in the following hotels:

LIST OF HOTELS (BED AND BREAKFAST) FAPED

Participants wishing to reserve hotel rooms are requested to complete the enclosed hotel reservation form. It should be sent directly to UNESCO Dar-es-Salaam by fax or mail by 31 August 2002 at the latest.