UWE Conference 2017
Invitation to the UWE Conference 2017 in Graz, Austria 24-27 August
We are pleased to invite you to the next Annual General Meeting of the University Women of Europe in Graz. As usual, the AGM will be combined with a two-day conference. This year, the conference theme is: “Changing Cultures”. The large number of refugees from Islamic countries present a challenge for Europe and are sometimes perceived as a threat to women. Our focus will be on the issues and chances arising from the current situation of refugees in Europe.
What does this process of migration mean for the women fleeing their home countries, but also, what does it mean for the women in the countries accepting refugees? How does the social climate change? How do the traditional and arriving cultures interact with each other? What impact does all this have on women?
We will try to find ideas on how to deal with encountering different cultures and different values, while also being concerned with equal rights and respect for women. In addition to this, we will investigate possible ways in which refugee women can become part of the European society.
We are looking forward to meeting you, exchanging ideas and continuing to be engaged in the work towards an improvement of women’s lives in Europe and all over the world.
The conference is open to all members of the University Women of Europe and their friends.
WELCOME TO GRAZ
The Austrian Federation of University Women (VAÖ) is happy to host the UWE Annual General Meeting 2017 in Graz. The city of Graz is located in southern Austria and is known for its Mediterranean atmosphere and relaxed life style. With about 300.000 inhabitants and over 50.000 students, it is a very lively city with lots of interesting things to do and to see. The conference will take place in the city’s historic center, a UNESCO world cultural heritage. You will find magnificent Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture as well as romantic inner courtyards and hidden alleys all over the city. There are numerous museums, churches, theaters and an opera house, countless cafés and restaurants.
TRANSPORTATION
Graz can be reached easily by various means of transport: The city has an international airport with several daily flights to Vienna and many other large European transport hubs. If you fly to Vienna, you can take a direct bus (from the airport or the city center) to the center of Graz (www.flixbus.at) or use the national railway service (www.oebb.at). Within the city, the public transport system is well-structured with trams and busses – a three day ticket can be purchased online for 12 € prior to your arrival (https://ticket.holding-graz.at).
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
- Thursday 24 August: Arrival and registration, welcome reception.
- Friday, 25 August: Welcome notes, keynote speeches and workshops followed by a country evening with traditional Austrian music and food. On this evening we will also celebrate the 95th anniversary of the VAÖ.
- Saturday 26 August: UWE Annual General Meeting; Gala Dinner in the evening.
A detailed schedule of the conference programme will be available on the UWE website.
WORKSHOPS
We welcome proposals for workshops on the conference theme. If you are interested in leading a workshop, please send us a proposal consisting of a ten-line summary (max. 300 words) about the workshop. Workshops should take no longer than 60 minutes, including a presentation of approximately 20 minutes. Please submit your proposal no later than 30 April 2017 to boarduwe@gmail.com.
CONFERENCE VENUE
The Franciscan monastery in the city center of Graz will serve as our conference location. It is a historic site with beautiful architecture and a long, interesting history. The buildings were recently renovated and were turned into a modern conference center.
OPTIONAL TOURS
23 August 2017 (pre-conference tour):
Tour 1 – An afternoon in Vienna
An afternoon in Vienna with a guided city tour through the city’s historic centre. This tour is ideal for participants arriving in Vienna and wishing to explore Austria’s capital before travelling on to Graz. (Approx. 20 €) You can either spend the night in Vienna or go to Graz by train or bus the same evening.
27 August (post-conference tours):
Tour 2 – Graz city tour
Guided city walking tour of Graz, showing beautiful hidden treasures and historical highlights of the city. Duration: approximately 2 hours. (11 €)
Tour 3 – Western Styria
A bus tour to the western part of Styria, visiting the Lipizzaner stud (the white Lipizzaner horses bred there perform in the renowned Spanish Riding School in Vienna) and a church designed by the celebrated Austrian artist F. Hundertwasser. Lunch will be provided. Duration: approximately 6 hours. (Approx. 70 €)
Tour 4 – Wine Country
A bus tour of the wine country in the southern part of Styria, often referred to as “Austrian Tuscany”. This tour includes a traditional Styrian lunch (“Brettljause”) at a typical local restaurant and a wine tasting. Duration: approximately 6 hours. (Approx. 70 €)
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Weitzer: www.hotelweitzer.com, just across the bridge (200 m) from the conference location.
Double/single room: 80 € per night (+15 € for optional breakfast)
Reservations: hotel@weitzer.com
Hotel Daniel: www.hoteldaniel.com, next to the main train station, 10 minutes by tram from the conference location.
Double/single room: 69 € per night (+ 15€ for optional breakfast)
Reservations: hellograz@daniel.com
When making a reservation in one of the hotels, please use the following code:
UWE Conference 2017
For people who need barrier-free access, there are some single rooms (35 € per person, no breakfast) available in the monastery/conference location. There will also be a limited number of single rooms available in the VAÖ dorm (20 € per person, incl. light breakfast), located approximately 20 minutes from the city centre by tram. If you are interested in staying at one of these two accommodations, please write to club@graz-vaoe.at as soon as possible.
CONFERENCE FEE
The conference fee includes conference registration and documents, all lunches, coffee/tea and the Austrian evening (95th Anniversary of VAÖ). Registration deadline: June 30.
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REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
FULL CONFERENCE |
FRIDAY 25 August |
SATURDAY 26 August |
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Members |
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Early bird fee |
20 May 2017 |
185 € |
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Regular fee |
30 June 2017 |
210 € |
150 € |
100 € |
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Young member fee |
30 June 2017 |
170 € |
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Gala dinner |
45 € |
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Non-members |
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Early bird fee |
30 April 2017 |
210 € |
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Regular fee |
30 June 2017 |
240 € |
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Gala dinner |
55 € |
Click here to register online your participation!
Please pay your fees to the following Austrian bank account:
Verband der Akademikerinnen Österreichs
BIC: STSPAT2GXXX
IBAN: AT41 2081 5020 0010 1374
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For any additional inquiries about the conference, please contact VAÖ: club@graz-vaoe.at and use the subject line: UWE CONFERENCE 2017 |
University Women of EUROPE 