U of S to Host Largest-Ever Saskatoon Conference

Posted April 25, 2006


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, April 25, 2006
2006-04-12-OTHER

U of S to Host Largest-Ever Saskatoon Conference

The University of Saskatchewan will host the 2007 Congress of the Humanities
and Social Sciences -- Canada's largest annual multidisciplinary academic
meeting and the largest conference ever held in Saskatoon.

The eight-day Congress 2007 - May 26th to June 2nd -- is expected to attract
5,000 to 6,000 delegates, generating local economic impact in excess of $3.5
million and extensive national media attention.

"Congress 2007 is a rare opportunity for the U of S and it will be the
centerpiece of our U of S centennial celebrations," said U of S President
Peter MacKinnon.

"This major national event will showcase our university, our city and our
province and will have long-term economic, social, cultural and educational
benefits to Saskatoon and the province as a whole."

The Congress 2007 theme is "Bridging Communities: Making public knowledge -
Making knowledge public." Through a series of academic and cultural events
on campus, the Congress will place special emphasis on women, equity issues,
Saskatchewan's Aboriginal heritage and U of S partnerships with Aboriginal
Peoples.

The U of S has hosted Congress only twice before - in 1959 and in 1979.
Congress is hosted in co-operation with the Canadian Federation of the
Humanities and Social Sciences, an umbrella organization of 68 scholarly
associations and 73 post-secondary institutions and comprising more than
30,000 scholars, students and practitioners across Canada.

"We are delighted that the University of Saskatchewan put forward such an
impressive bid for the Congress," says Donald Fisher, the Federation's
President. "Linking Congress to the University's centenary celebrates two
uniquely Canadian institutions - both with esteemed traditions and great
plans for the future. We're looking forward to an extraordinary effort this
year."

The University's bid was supported by the Province of Saskatchewan, the City
of Saskatoon, Tourism Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority
(SREDA).

"People from around the world, who will gather for this prestigious
conference, will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of
not only the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon, but the
entire province," said Premier Lorne Calvert. "This event is a tremendous
opportunity for the university to highlight its centennial celebrations."

Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said he is extremely pleased that Congress
2007 will be held in Saskatoon. "I congratulate the University of
Saskatchewan for its efforts in bringing this prestigious academic gathering
to Saskatoon," he said. "Our exceptional facilities and services,
spectacular events and attractions, and warm prairie hospitality are sure to
guarantee a first-class conference."

Ted Mitchell, SREDA Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very excited to
have Congress 2007 in our community, and we were proud to have participated
in the bid. This multi-disciplinary event will have numerous academic,
cultural and economic spin-offs for our region."

The delegates, whose average length of stay will be three days, will present
scholarly papers, listen to prominent speakers, and take in a wide range of
cultural and artistic events arranged specifically for Congress.

"The congress will showcase our scholarly excellence alongside some of the
most influential Canadian and international thinkers. It's also an
opportunity to increase our outreach and engagement with our local
community," said Congress 2007 academic convener Hans Michelmann, noting
that the public will be invited to attend some of the lectures, cultural
events and the largest annual book fair in Canada with the purchase of a
community day pass.

"Staging this massive event will engage many sectors of our campus and will
provide more than 13,000 hours of student employment," Michelmann said.

Hosting this cross-campus event will require 165 classrooms and lecture
halls, as well as venues for social and cultural events, equipment required
in presentations, parking spaces, accommodation (in town and on campus),
security services, day care, and extensive signage.

More information about the Federation can be found at: www.fedcan.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Kathryn Warden, Research Communications Director
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research

Jody Ciufo, Associate Executive Director
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
(613) 238-6112, ext. 306
www.fedcan.ca


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