Ottawa declared Canada's official knowledge destination as 13,000 researchers and students gather at local universities in May
Ottawa, May 11, 2009 — The City of Ottawa has officially declared the National Capital as Canada’s knowledge destination for May, an initiative applauded by both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, under the banners of the Association franophone pour le savoir (Acfas) and the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (CFHSS).
The Acfas conference and the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, which will be held at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University respectively, are the two most important academic events in Canada, bringing together more than 13,000 academics, scholars, researchers and students. In addition to their research and scholarly importance, the events will have a tremendous economic impact on the region, generating more than $10 million in economic activity.
"The University of Ottawa is proud to host the Acfas conference which starts today," says Allan Rock, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. "The research output conducted at the University of Ottawa, ranked among Canada’s top 10 research-intensive universities, has a repercussion on the daily lives of Canadians everywhere in the country and many people in the entire world.”
“Carleton welcomes today’s declaration by the City of Ottawa on the eve of the 78th Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences,” adds Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University. “As a research-intensive, interdisciplinary university, Carleton is committed to innovation and developing solutions to real-world problems. It’s time for Canada to focus attention on the humanities and social sciences; they generate research that improves the quality of our lives and makes them worthwhile.’’
From May 23 to 31, Carleton will host more than 8,000 scholars at the largest multidisciplinary academic gathering in North America. For nine days, some of the world’s most renowned researchers will share their innovative ideas and debate issues of major cultural and social importance, such as international development, violence, immigration, youth issues and much more.
More than 5,000 researchers from around the world are also expected to attend the 77th Acfas conference, held from May 11 to 15 at the University of Ottawa. A launching pad for the diffusion of research results and a forum for debate and exchange, the annual Acfas conference is the French-speaking world's marquee multidisciplinary, interuniversity and intersectorial scientific event. Some 3,000 communications and 160 seminars from hundreds of fields will be offered. Lecturers from about 30 countries will be present. The 2009 edition of the conference, whose theme is La science en français, une affaire capitale ! (Science in French, a Capital Affair), is designed to showcase both the vitality and the immense contribution of the Francophonie's longstanding scientific tradition.
“Research is an ongoing endeavour; a project involving the whole of society,” explains Acfas president Pierre Noreau. “Having a better understanding of society and the surrounding world is essential to the future of our communities. The University of Ottawa is contributing to achieve this in several areas of research excellence and that is what is being showcased by Acfas during its conference. ”
“Holding the conference in Ottawa is an opportunity to demonstrate the importance and relevance of social sciences and humanities research, and to sustain the dialogue between the university research community and federal decision makers,” said Nathalie Des Rosiers, president of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. “Congress brings together the best researchers in their respective fields and offers an exceptional environment to nurture new generations of researchers who will contribute to Canada’s cultural, social, political and economic life. ”
The two large-scale academic meetings confirm Ottawa’s position as a centre of knowledge and learning. In addition to the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, the Ottawa-Gatineau region is home to other institutions such as the University of Québec in Outaouais, major research centres like the National Research Council, as well as the main Canadian organizations responsible for research funding.
University of Ottawa: HYPERLINK "http://www.uOttawa.ca" www.uOttawa.ca
Carleton University: HYPERLINK "http://www.carleton.ca" www.carleton.ca
Acfas : HYPERLINK "http://www.acfas.ca" www.acfas.ca
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences: HYPERLINK "http://www.fedcan.ca" www.fedcan.ca
INFORMATION
Nadine Saint-Amour
Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
613-562-5800, ext. 3149
613-724-8326 (cell)
nadine.saint-amour@uOttawa.ca
Julie Tanguay
Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
613-562-5800, ext. 3137
613-724-8290 (cellulaire)
jtanguay@uOttawa.ca
Caitlin Kealey
Manager of Communications
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
613-513-9756
ckealey@fedcan.ca
Lin Moody
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600 ext. 8705
lin_moody@carleton.ca
FACTS and FIGURES
Hosting both conferences will permit net incomes for the region of the National Capital:
• The arrival of more than 13,000 participants will gross more than $10 million.
• An estimated 35,000 spaces in campus residences and hotels will be needed.
• A wide range of products and services will be required from local suppliers, such as audio-visual and exposition services, caterers, furniture and transportation.
• Many institutions and restaurants in the Byward Market and downtown area will benefit from an increased number of clients,
• Hosting both conferences will require hiring more than 200 students for approximately two weeks.
The Acfas conference and the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, which will be held at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University respectively, are the two most important academic events in Canada, bringing together more than 13,000 academics, scholars, researchers and students. In addition to their research and scholarly importance, the events will have a tremendous economic impact on the region, generating more than $10 million in economic activity.
"The University of Ottawa is proud to host the Acfas conference which starts today," says Allan Rock, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. "The research output conducted at the University of Ottawa, ranked among Canada’s top 10 research-intensive universities, has a repercussion on the daily lives of Canadians everywhere in the country and many people in the entire world.”
“Carleton welcomes today’s declaration by the City of Ottawa on the eve of the 78th Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences,” adds Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University. “As a research-intensive, interdisciplinary university, Carleton is committed to innovation and developing solutions to real-world problems. It’s time for Canada to focus attention on the humanities and social sciences; they generate research that improves the quality of our lives and makes them worthwhile.’’
From May 23 to 31, Carleton will host more than 8,000 scholars at the largest multidisciplinary academic gathering in North America. For nine days, some of the world’s most renowned researchers will share their innovative ideas and debate issues of major cultural and social importance, such as international development, violence, immigration, youth issues and much more.
More than 5,000 researchers from around the world are also expected to attend the 77th Acfas conference, held from May 11 to 15 at the University of Ottawa. A launching pad for the diffusion of research results and a forum for debate and exchange, the annual Acfas conference is the French-speaking world's marquee multidisciplinary, interuniversity and intersectorial scientific event. Some 3,000 communications and 160 seminars from hundreds of fields will be offered. Lecturers from about 30 countries will be present. The 2009 edition of the conference, whose theme is La science en français, une affaire capitale ! (Science in French, a Capital Affair), is designed to showcase both the vitality and the immense contribution of the Francophonie's longstanding scientific tradition.
“Research is an ongoing endeavour; a project involving the whole of society,” explains Acfas president Pierre Noreau. “Having a better understanding of society and the surrounding world is essential to the future of our communities. The University of Ottawa is contributing to achieve this in several areas of research excellence and that is what is being showcased by Acfas during its conference. ”
“Holding the conference in Ottawa is an opportunity to demonstrate the importance and relevance of social sciences and humanities research, and to sustain the dialogue between the university research community and federal decision makers,” said Nathalie Des Rosiers, president of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. “Congress brings together the best researchers in their respective fields and offers an exceptional environment to nurture new generations of researchers who will contribute to Canada’s cultural, social, political and economic life. ”
The two large-scale academic meetings confirm Ottawa’s position as a centre of knowledge and learning. In addition to the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, the Ottawa-Gatineau region is home to other institutions such as the University of Québec in Outaouais, major research centres like the National Research Council, as well as the main Canadian organizations responsible for research funding.
University of Ottawa: HYPERLINK "http://www.uOttawa.ca" www.uOttawa.ca
Carleton University: HYPERLINK "http://www.carleton.ca" www.carleton.ca
Acfas : HYPERLINK "http://www.acfas.ca" www.acfas.ca
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences: HYPERLINK "http://www.fedcan.ca" www.fedcan.ca
INFORMATION
Nadine Saint-Amour
Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
613-562-5800, ext. 3149
613-724-8326 (cell)
nadine.saint-amour@uOttawa.ca
Julie Tanguay
Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
613-562-5800, ext. 3137
613-724-8290 (cellulaire)
jtanguay@uOttawa.ca
Caitlin Kealey
Manager of Communications
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
613-513-9756
ckealey@fedcan.ca
Lin Moody
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600 ext. 8705
lin_moody@carleton.ca
FACTS and FIGURES
Hosting both conferences will permit net incomes for the region of the National Capital:
• The arrival of more than 13,000 participants will gross more than $10 million.
• An estimated 35,000 spaces in campus residences and hotels will be needed.
• A wide range of products and services will be required from local suppliers, such as audio-visual and exposition services, caterers, furniture and transportation.
• Many institutions and restaurants in the Byward Market and downtown area will benefit from an increased number of clients,
• Hosting both conferences will require hiring more than 200 students for approximately two weeks.
