Panel on Ageing in Developing Countries (2004-2006)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Meeting venue
The “Seminar on Ageing in Developing Countries: Building Bridges for Integrated Research Agendas” will take place on 23 to 24 April 2007. The meeting will be held in Conference Room Raúl Prebisch, at ECLAC located on Avda. Dag Hammarskjöld 3477
Vitacura, Santiago
Chile
telephone (56-2) 210 2000
fax (56-2) 208-1946; 208-0252

On the 25th we have planned a tour through the wine region nearby Santiago.

Registration of participants
Participants should ensure that their personal information is accurate please login with your email and password to view/modify your personal details. Badges and other important documentation will be distributed in Santiago at the site of the meeting on Monday April 23th, from 8:30 a.m. on, in the hall outside the Conference Room.

Inaugural Session
The Conference will be inaugurated at 09:00 a.m.

Languages
Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and English will be provided.

Hotel reservations
Requests for hotel reservations should be addressed directly to the Hotel Director before 17 April 2007. You can download the hotel reservation form in Word format or PDF . After 17 April, the hotel reserves the right to alter the rate offered and will not guarantee availability.

Hotel Director , Avda. Vitacura 3600, phone: (56 2) 389 1956; fax: (5 62) 246 00 88

Single/double room: US$ 62,00 (breakfast included)
Atn.: Andrés Benitez, Groups and Events Coordinator
e-mail: reservas@director.cl
Phone: (56-2) 389-1956
Fax: (56-2) 246 00 88

Participants are responsible for their own hotel reservations. It is advisable to check that the hotel has processed your reservation and to request a reservation number or code for confirmation. Those of you who do not have or cannot use a credit card to secure the reservation are kindly requested to contact Vicki Sekel to ensure that the reservation is made. vsekel@ssc.wisc.edu

These prices do not include the 19% value added tax (VAT). If travelers pay in dollars, traveler checks or with an international credit card, they are exempted from paying the VAT. To ensure that you are not charged the VAT make sure you show to the hotel desk employee the entry permit you will be issued at your arrival at the airport.

NOTE: The prices offered by the Hotel are group rates, so when making the reservation directly please mention the code “ECLAC group” in order to get the special rates.

Currency
The currency used in Chile is the peso ($). The average exchange rate is 530 pesos to the U.S. dollar. Make sure you have enough local currency for the taxi to the hotel (U$25-30). ECLAC has a local Bank (Banco Chile) with favorable exchange rates so it would be advisable to change a small amount at the airport and the rest in ECLAC.

Additional information
For additional information please contact Mr. José Miguel Guzmán, Chief of Unit, Population Division – CELADE/ECLAC, telephone (562) 210 2087, Fax (562) 208 0196; e-mail: josemiguel.guzman@cepal.org.

Questions regarding the operational aspects of the meeting, must be directed to Ms. María Teresa Donoso, Population Division, CELADE/ECLAC, telephone (5 62) 210 2093, Fax (562) 208 0196; e-mail: mariateresa.donoso@cepal.org

Transportation
There are special minibuses to transport the passengers from the airport to the different areas of the city. The best known are Transfer and Delfos. They carry 10-12 people with a cost of approximately US$ 10.00 per person. A normal taxi rate from the airport to ECLAC and the vicinity of the Hotel is about Ch$ 14.000 (US$ 25 to 30).

General Information on Santiago
Santiago, a city of about five million people, is the capital of the Republic of Chile. It has a Mediterranean climate and well-defined seasons, from rainy winters with temperatures as low as 0º C (May to September) to dry summers, when daytime temperatures over around 30º C (November to March). The relative humidity is low. Springtime starts on September 21st, with temperatures from 20-25ºC.

The capital is one and a half hour from seaside resorts such as Viña del Mar. Cultural activity is at its peak from March to December and includes concerts, opera, theatre and historical and art museums. There are five local television channels. A wide variety of cable channels, such as CNN, HBO and MSTV, are also available.

Buses, taxis and three subway lines serve the city's transport needs. Taxi fares are metered and, in general, drivers do not accept tips.

It is suggested that visitors drink bottled mineral water, since tap water, although drinkable, sometimes affects those who are not accustomed to it.

Santiago is quite a safe place. However, like in other big cities, it is necessary to use common sense. It is advisable not to go downtown at night alone, to avoid badly illuminated or isolated streets and to be careful with expensive jewelry and handbags.

Helpful hints: Electric current in Chile is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Airport tax US$ 18 (normally included in air ticket fare)

FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT ECLAC

Travel To make travel arrangements you should contact Ms. Vicki Sekel (vsekel@ssc.wisc.edu). If you are being funded directly through IUSSP please contact Mr. Paul Monet monet@iussp.org and, if you are funded through the University of Michigan you should contact Laura Neff (laureln@umich.edu). If you are taking care of the cost of your airfare, you can make your own arrangements if you wish or, alternatively, contact Vicki Sekel.

Restaurants
ECLAC has a cafeteria, located on the third floor, which is open from 8.45 a.m. until 5 p.m. The VIP Restaurant, on the fourth floor, is open from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Meals must be paid for directly by the participants.
Dinners will be up to participants. We will provide a list of recommended restaurants in the area. Lunch and dinners will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts. Maximum limits of reimbursement vary depending on your funding sources.

Tour
If you are interested in participating in a tour of Casablanca, a wine growing region, you must let Vicki Sekel know before February 28th. The lunch, transportation and wine tasting associated with the tour will cost around U$120.00 per person and must be defrayed by the participants.

Medical Service
The ECLAC Medical Service is available to participants requiring medical assistance. It is located on the main floor (Z-210), telephone extension 2333, and is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Bank
A branch of Banco de Chile is located on the first basement level. It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Foreign currency may be changed from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Mail
There is a post office next to Banco de Chile which is open from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Shops
The "Tutti Shop" offers gifts, crafts, newspapers, magazines and other items. It is located to the left of the main entrance to the building and is open from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Additional Information
Additional information regarding the operational aspects of the meeting, must be directed to Ms. María Teresa Donoso, Population Division, CELADE/ECLAC, telephone (5 62) 210 2093, Fax (562) 208-0196; e-mail: mariateresa.donoso@cepal.org