10th European Skeptics Congress
will be held from 7th to 9th September 2001 in Praha, Czech Republic.
http://sisyfos.hyperlink.cz/10esc ***
As approved at the meeting of the Board of European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO) in Maastricht September 18, 1999, the Congress will be organised by SISYFOS, the Czech Club of Skeptics, under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
CONFERENCE SITE The Congress will be held in the building of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Lecture Hall 206, 2nd Floor, Nà¡rodnà 3, Praha 1, Czech Republic, in the very centre of Prague.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
Friday, 7th September
11.00 - 13.00 Registration 13.00 - 14.00 Opening Plenary Session J. Hert (Czech Rep.), Welcome Address C. De Jager (Netherlands), Congress Opening R. Zahradnàk (Czech Rep.), Word of Honorary President of the Czech Academy of Sciences B. Karr (USA), Reflections on CSICOP at 25th Anniversary 14.00 - 14.30 Coffee Break 14.30 - 17.00 Paranormal Scene in Europe, co-chaired by C. De Jager, B. Karr, and J. Hert C. De Jager (Netherlands), Delightful Delusions. The Wisdom of Folly A. Sarma (Germany), General Talk on Dealing with the Paranormal Experiences Over a Decade E. P. Kruglyakov (Russia), Pseudoscience in Russia Yesterday and Today N. A. Kutuzova (Belarus), The New Paranormal Situation in Belarus V. Mornstein (Czech Rep.), Czech "Researchers of Paranormal" Before and After 1989
17.15 - 19.45 Sightseeing Walk-in Downtown Prague 20.00 - 21.45 Welcome Reception (Restaurant Staroceskà¡ koliba, Nà¡rodnà str. 15, Praha 1)
Saturday, 8th September
10.00 - 12.30 Alternative Medicine, co-chaired by B. Beyerstein, P.J.D. Drenth, and P. Leme W. Betz (Belgium), Quality Assurance in Medicine: How To Circumvent the Rules B. Burkhard (Germany), Alternative Medicine in Germany. Trends, Facts and Health C. N. M. Renckens (Netherlands), Theory and Practice of Quackbusting: the Dutch Experience T. Natchev (Bulgaria), Growth of Alternative Medicine in Eastern Europe - Why Now? J. Hert (Czech Rep.), Alternative Medicine in the Czech Republic and Sisyfos
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 Alternative Medicine, co-chaired by W. Betz, B. Burkhard, and V. Mornstein B. Beyerstein (Canada), Why Do Bogus Medical Therapies Seem To Work? P.J.D. Drenth (Netherlands), Para-science and Pseudo-science in Psychology J. Gà¼nther (France), A High-tech Dowsing Device as Alternative Medicine Tool
15.30 - 16.00 Coffee Break
16.00 - 17.30 Alternative Medicine, co-chaired by R. Bate, T. Natchev, and K. Galus?cà¡k P. Leme (Czech Rep.), Big Boom of Healing Practices in Oncology in Czech Republic during Last Decade A. Inam (Turkey), How is Philosopho-therapy Possible? R. Bate (UK), How Environmentalism Kills the Poor - Malaria and the DDT Story
20.00 - 23.00 Congress Dinner
Sunday, 9th September
9.30 - 12.00 Miscellanea, co-chaired by E. P. Kruglyakov, F. S. Singer, and J. Grygar F. S. Singer (USA), On Climate Changes G.-R. Weber (Germany), Possible Causes of Climatic Warming in Europe During the Last Decades C. De Jager (Netherlands), Myths and Facts about the Origin of the Universe M. Wonner (France), Turmoil Around a PhD in Sociology for an Astrologer in La Sorbonne University J. Grygar (Czech Rep.), The UFO Phenomenon
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 15.00 Miscellanea, co-chaired by M. T. Beck, M. Wonner, and J. Zahradil
J. W. Nienhuys (Netherlands), Morfogenesis and Crystals M. T. Beck (Hungary), Bad Science and Parasciences are Social Constructions J. Zahradil (Czech Rep.), Arrogance of Blind Faith T. Trachet (Belgium), Historical Enigmas
C. De Jager, Closing Remarks
REGISTRATION The Registration will start on Friday, September 7, 2001 from 11 a.m.. in the room 205, adjacent to the Lecture Hall 206 (2nd floor of the building of the Academy of Sciences). The Registration and Information Desk will be then open according to the Congress programme. On Friday afternoon to 5 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be an Info-poster located in front of the Lecture hall where the up-to-date programme of the lectures, information on the Congress Social Programme and other organisational details will be hanged out.
LECTURES The lectures will take place in a building of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Lecture Hall 206 (2nd Floor). During the morning and afternoon sessions a small refreshment will be served (coffee breaks).
Official language of the Congress is English and no translation service will be provided. The lunches will not be provided by the organisers, but it is easy to choose among a number of restaurants in a close neighbourhood of the Academy Building.
SOCIAL PROGRAMME & TOURS
All up-to-date detailed information will be available on the info-posters in front of the Congress hall
Sightseeing walk-in downtown Prague on Friday afternoon, September 7, 2001. All the participants are invited to take part in a short walk through the historical centre of Prague. The guided walking tour will start from the Congress place at 5.15 p.m. Estimate duration is 2 hours.
Welcome reception will take place on Friday, September 7, 2001 from 8 p.m. in a restaurant "Staroceskà¡ koliba", Nà¡rodnà 15, Praha 1 (basement of the "Crystalland" house) Festive Dinner will be held on Saturday evening from 8 p.m. Price USD 35. The dinner takes place in a barn in the village Stredokluky not far from Prague and includes transport by bus, a folklore programme, dinner and unlimited consumption of Moravian wines. Bus transport will be secured by the organisers. For the detailed information, please, see the Congress Info-poster.
Special programme for accompanying persons as visits to historical monuments, sight-seeing, concert etc. will be organised according to interest. There are also travel agencies in the centre of Prague which offer various trips and sight-seeing tours and it is relatively simple to secure individually an excursion on site. You may get more information on the following web pages: www.prague-info.cz , www.a-zprague.cz , www.czechsite.com. We are ready to help you at this occasion.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN PRAGUE (see also the web site: http://www.dp-praha.cz) Prague is a compact city (at least from the sightseeing point of view) with a very good public transport system. The underground (metro) runs on 3 lines from 5 a.m. to midnight. The trams run on a similar schedule, after midnight night trams continue their service. There are also bus routes.
Tickets are usable on metro, tram and bus. You cannot purchase tickets on the trams or at the tram stops (however, there are some exceptions), you have to buy them in advance at the tobacconist's or at the metro stations. In a contrary, in the buses an additional sale of the tickets is possible. When you board the tram (bus) punch a ticket (validate it) into the yellow box near the entrance doors. Do the same at the entrance to metro stations.
The price of a "no-change ticket" is 8 CZK. This ticket is valid for 15 minutes only. In the metro, this ticket enables you to change from one line to another one, but it is valid for the distance of 4 stations only.
The price of a "change ticket" is 12 CZK (an additional sale in buses 15 CZK). This ticket is valid for 60 minutes (90 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays).
It is also possible to buy a short-term season ticket, e.g. in the metro entrance halls of some main stations (no photo needed): a 1-day ticket (70 CZK), a 3-day ticket (200 CZK), a 7-day ticket (250 CZK), or a 15 days ticket (280 CZK).
Taxi: The price is about 20 - 22 CZK for 1 km, but the prices are not fixed and can differ considerably. Ask for approximate price in advance - there is a danger of being overcharged. According to our information you may pay for a drive from the airport to the Narodni str. a maximum of 400 to 500 CZK. (The Airport of Prague is about 15 km from the city centre.)
Parking: Guarded parking places are available in the nearby underground parking at the National Theatre. One hour parking costs 30 CZK. One day fee for a car is approximately 650 CZK.
HOW TO REACH THE CONFERENCE CENTER (For orientation please consult with a map which is attached to this document in *.jpg format.)
· From the Airport: We recommend you to use the public transport Bus No. 119 (it is possible to buy a ticket in the Airport vestibule, it costs for a passenger CZK 12, for a luggage CZK 6). It takes about 20 minutes to reach the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡". There change to a metro line A and get off after approx. 8 minutes at the stop " Mustek ", exit "Mustek". Walk along short street 28.ràjna and long the Narodnà tràda str. until the National Theatre near Vltava River - the Academy Building is located opposite to the New Scene of the Theatre. Another possibility is to get off at the stop "Staromestskà¡" and change to the tram No. 17 or 18. Get off at the first stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" (5 min.).
· From the Main Railway Station (Hlavnà nà¡draz?à): Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" (10 min.) · From the Railway Station Holes?ovice: Take tram No. 17 and get off at the stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" The way by tram should take approx. 20 min.
ACCOMMODATION Hotel Address Phone Number (+420.2.) Meran Và¡clavské nà¡m. 27, Praha 1 2224 1343 Petr Drtinova 17, Praha 5 5731 4068-70 U staré panà Michalskà¡ 9, Praha 1 2422 8090 Junior hostel Senovà¡z?né nà¡m. 21, Praha 1 7175 1941
HOW TO REACH YOUR HOTEL
1/ from the conference site
Take a tram from the stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" right in front of the Academy Building. Please, check the direction properly! The Hotel Petr is located across the river Vltava (the near platform), the hotels Junior Hostel and Meran are in an opposite direction, departure from the ulterior platform). The detailed plan will be posted at the Info-poster.
MERAN Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Và¡clavské nà¡mestà" (8 min.).
PETR Take trams No. 6 or 9 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada" (5 min.).
JUNIOR HOSTEL Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Jindris?skà¡" (10 min.)
U STARE PANI Walk approximately 5 minutes.
2/ from the Prague Airport
More detailed information about the Prague Airport including the transport details, maps etc. you may obtain at the web page http://www.csl.cz/praha.
Take bus No. 119 and go to the stop "Dejvickà¡" (terminal), then:
MERAN Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop "Mustek", exit "Và¡clavské nà¡mestà".
PETR Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop "Malostranskà¡". Change to the tram No. 12 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada".
JUNIOR HOSTEL Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop "Mustek", exit "Và¡clavské nà¡mestà". Change to the tram No. 3, 9, 14, 24 and get off at the stop "Jindris?skà¡".
U STARE PANI Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop " Mustek ", exit "Mustek". Walk approx. 5 minutes
3/ from the Main Railway Station "Hlavnà nà¡draz?à"
MERAN Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum".
PETR Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada".
JUNIOR HOSTEL Walk 5-10 min.
U STARE PANI Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum". Change to metro line A (direction "Dejvickà¡") and get of at the stop "Mustek". Walk approx. 5 min.
3/ from the Railway Station "Holes?ovice"
MERAN Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum".
PETR Take tram No. 12 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada".
JUNIOR HOSTEL
U STARE PANI Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum". Change to metro line A (direction "Dejvickà¡") and get of at the stop "Mustek". Walk approx. 5 min.
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will be held from 7th to 9th September 2001 in Praha, Czech Republic.
http://sisyfos.hyperlink.cz/10esc ***
As approved at the meeting of the Board of European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO) in Maastricht September 18, 1999, the Congress will be organised by SISYFOS, the Czech Club of Skeptics, under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
CONFERENCE SITE The Congress will be held in the building of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Lecture Hall 206, 2nd Floor, Nà¡rodnà 3, Praha 1, Czech Republic, in the very centre of Prague.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
Friday, 7th September
11.00 - 13.00 Registration 13.00 - 14.00 Opening Plenary Session J. Hert (Czech Rep.), Welcome Address C. De Jager (Netherlands), Congress Opening R. Zahradnàk (Czech Rep.), Word of Honorary President of the Czech Academy of Sciences B. Karr (USA), Reflections on CSICOP at 25th Anniversary 14.00 - 14.30 Coffee Break 14.30 - 17.00 Paranormal Scene in Europe, co-chaired by C. De Jager, B. Karr, and J. Hert C. De Jager (Netherlands), Delightful Delusions. The Wisdom of Folly A. Sarma (Germany), General Talk on Dealing with the Paranormal Experiences Over a Decade E. P. Kruglyakov (Russia), Pseudoscience in Russia Yesterday and Today N. A. Kutuzova (Belarus), The New Paranormal Situation in Belarus V. Mornstein (Czech Rep.), Czech "Researchers of Paranormal" Before and After 1989
17.15 - 19.45 Sightseeing Walk-in Downtown Prague 20.00 - 21.45 Welcome Reception (Restaurant Staroceskà¡ koliba, Nà¡rodnà str. 15, Praha 1)
Saturday, 8th September
10.00 - 12.30 Alternative Medicine, co-chaired by B. Beyerstein, P.J.D. Drenth, and P. Leme W. Betz (Belgium), Quality Assurance in Medicine: How To Circumvent the Rules B. Burkhard (Germany), Alternative Medicine in Germany. Trends, Facts and Health C. N. M. Renckens (Netherlands), Theory and Practice of Quackbusting: the Dutch Experience T. Natchev (Bulgaria), Growth of Alternative Medicine in Eastern Europe - Why Now? J. Hert (Czech Rep.), Alternative Medicine in the Czech Republic and Sisyfos
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 Alternative Medicine, co-chaired by W. Betz, B. Burkhard, and V. Mornstein B. Beyerstein (Canada), Why Do Bogus Medical Therapies Seem To Work? P.J.D. Drenth (Netherlands), Para-science and Pseudo-science in Psychology J. Gà¼nther (France), A High-tech Dowsing Device as Alternative Medicine Tool
15.30 - 16.00 Coffee Break
16.00 - 17.30 Alternative Medicine, co-chaired by R. Bate, T. Natchev, and K. Galus?cà¡k P. Leme (Czech Rep.), Big Boom of Healing Practices in Oncology in Czech Republic during Last Decade A. Inam (Turkey), How is Philosopho-therapy Possible? R. Bate (UK), How Environmentalism Kills the Poor - Malaria and the DDT Story
20.00 - 23.00 Congress Dinner
Sunday, 9th September
9.30 - 12.00 Miscellanea, co-chaired by E. P. Kruglyakov, F. S. Singer, and J. Grygar F. S. Singer (USA), On Climate Changes G.-R. Weber (Germany), Possible Causes of Climatic Warming in Europe During the Last Decades C. De Jager (Netherlands), Myths and Facts about the Origin of the Universe M. Wonner (France), Turmoil Around a PhD in Sociology for an Astrologer in La Sorbonne University J. Grygar (Czech Rep.), The UFO Phenomenon
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 15.00 Miscellanea, co-chaired by M. T. Beck, M. Wonner, and J. Zahradil
J. W. Nienhuys (Netherlands), Morfogenesis and Crystals M. T. Beck (Hungary), Bad Science and Parasciences are Social Constructions J. Zahradil (Czech Rep.), Arrogance of Blind Faith T. Trachet (Belgium), Historical Enigmas
C. De Jager, Closing Remarks
REGISTRATION The Registration will start on Friday, September 7, 2001 from 11 a.m.. in the room 205, adjacent to the Lecture Hall 206 (2nd floor of the building of the Academy of Sciences). The Registration and Information Desk will be then open according to the Congress programme. On Friday afternoon to 5 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be an Info-poster located in front of the Lecture hall where the up-to-date programme of the lectures, information on the Congress Social Programme and other organisational details will be hanged out.
LECTURES The lectures will take place in a building of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Lecture Hall 206 (2nd Floor). During the morning and afternoon sessions a small refreshment will be served (coffee breaks).
Official language of the Congress is English and no translation service will be provided. The lunches will not be provided by the organisers, but it is easy to choose among a number of restaurants in a close neighbourhood of the Academy Building.
SOCIAL PROGRAMME & TOURS
All up-to-date detailed information will be available on the info-posters in front of the Congress hall
Sightseeing walk-in downtown Prague on Friday afternoon, September 7, 2001. All the participants are invited to take part in a short walk through the historical centre of Prague. The guided walking tour will start from the Congress place at 5.15 p.m. Estimate duration is 2 hours.
Welcome reception will take place on Friday, September 7, 2001 from 8 p.m. in a restaurant "Staroceskà¡ koliba", Nà¡rodnà 15, Praha 1 (basement of the "Crystalland" house) Festive Dinner will be held on Saturday evening from 8 p.m. Price USD 35. The dinner takes place in a barn in the village Stredokluky not far from Prague and includes transport by bus, a folklore programme, dinner and unlimited consumption of Moravian wines. Bus transport will be secured by the organisers. For the detailed information, please, see the Congress Info-poster.
Special programme for accompanying persons as visits to historical monuments, sight-seeing, concert etc. will be organised according to interest. There are also travel agencies in the centre of Prague which offer various trips and sight-seeing tours and it is relatively simple to secure individually an excursion on site. You may get more information on the following web pages: www.prague-info.cz , www.a-zprague.cz , www.czechsite.com. We are ready to help you at this occasion.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN PRAGUE (see also the web site: http://www.dp-praha.cz) Prague is a compact city (at least from the sightseeing point of view) with a very good public transport system. The underground (metro) runs on 3 lines from 5 a.m. to midnight. The trams run on a similar schedule, after midnight night trams continue their service. There are also bus routes.
Tickets are usable on metro, tram and bus. You cannot purchase tickets on the trams or at the tram stops (however, there are some exceptions), you have to buy them in advance at the tobacconist's or at the metro stations. In a contrary, in the buses an additional sale of the tickets is possible. When you board the tram (bus) punch a ticket (validate it) into the yellow box near the entrance doors. Do the same at the entrance to metro stations.
The price of a "no-change ticket" is 8 CZK. This ticket is valid for 15 minutes only. In the metro, this ticket enables you to change from one line to another one, but it is valid for the distance of 4 stations only.
The price of a "change ticket" is 12 CZK (an additional sale in buses 15 CZK). This ticket is valid for 60 minutes (90 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays).
It is also possible to buy a short-term season ticket, e.g. in the metro entrance halls of some main stations (no photo needed): a 1-day ticket (70 CZK), a 3-day ticket (200 CZK), a 7-day ticket (250 CZK), or a 15 days ticket (280 CZK).
Taxi: The price is about 20 - 22 CZK for 1 km, but the prices are not fixed and can differ considerably. Ask for approximate price in advance - there is a danger of being overcharged. According to our information you may pay for a drive from the airport to the Narodni str. a maximum of 400 to 500 CZK. (The Airport of Prague is about 15 km from the city centre.)
Parking: Guarded parking places are available in the nearby underground parking at the National Theatre. One hour parking costs 30 CZK. One day fee for a car is approximately 650 CZK.
HOW TO REACH THE CONFERENCE CENTER (For orientation please consult with a map which is attached to this document in *.jpg format.)
· From the Airport: We recommend you to use the public transport Bus No. 119 (it is possible to buy a ticket in the Airport vestibule, it costs for a passenger CZK 12, for a luggage CZK 6). It takes about 20 minutes to reach the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡". There change to a metro line A and get off after approx. 8 minutes at the stop " Mustek ", exit "Mustek". Walk along short street 28.ràjna and long the Narodnà tràda str. until the National Theatre near Vltava River - the Academy Building is located opposite to the New Scene of the Theatre. Another possibility is to get off at the stop "Staromestskà¡" and change to the tram No. 17 or 18. Get off at the first stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" (5 min.).
· From the Main Railway Station (Hlavnà nà¡draz?à): Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" (10 min.) · From the Railway Station Holes?ovice: Take tram No. 17 and get off at the stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" The way by tram should take approx. 20 min.
ACCOMMODATION Hotel Address Phone Number (+420.2.) Meran Và¡clavské nà¡m. 27, Praha 1 2224 1343 Petr Drtinova 17, Praha 5 5731 4068-70 U staré panà Michalskà¡ 9, Praha 1 2422 8090 Junior hostel Senovà¡z?né nà¡m. 21, Praha 1 7175 1941
HOW TO REACH YOUR HOTEL
1/ from the conference site
Take a tram from the stop "Nà¡rodnà divadlo" right in front of the Academy Building. Please, check the direction properly! The Hotel Petr is located across the river Vltava (the near platform), the hotels Junior Hostel and Meran are in an opposite direction, departure from the ulterior platform). The detailed plan will be posted at the Info-poster.
MERAN Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Và¡clavské nà¡mestà" (8 min.).
PETR Take trams No. 6 or 9 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada" (5 min.).
JUNIOR HOSTEL Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Jindris?skà¡" (10 min.)
U STARE PANI Walk approximately 5 minutes.
2/ from the Prague Airport
More detailed information about the Prague Airport including the transport details, maps etc. you may obtain at the web page http://www.csl.cz/praha.
Take bus No. 119 and go to the stop "Dejvickà¡" (terminal), then:
MERAN Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop "Mustek", exit "Và¡clavské nà¡mestà".
PETR Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop "Malostranskà¡". Change to the tram No. 12 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada".
JUNIOR HOSTEL Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop "Mustek", exit "Và¡clavské nà¡mestà". Change to the tram No. 3, 9, 14, 24 and get off at the stop "Jindris?skà¡".
U STARE PANI Take metro line A from the terminal stop "Dejvickà¡" and get off at the stop " Mustek ", exit "Mustek". Walk approx. 5 minutes
3/ from the Main Railway Station "Hlavnà nà¡draz?à"
MERAN Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum".
PETR Take the tram No. 9 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada".
JUNIOR HOSTEL Walk 5-10 min.
U STARE PANI Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum". Change to metro line A (direction "Dejvickà¡") and get of at the stop "Mustek". Walk approx. 5 min.
3/ from the Railway Station "Holes?ovice"
MERAN Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum".
PETR Take tram No. 12 and get off at the stop "Kinského zahrada".
JUNIOR HOSTEL
U STARE PANI Take metro line C (direction "Hà¡je"), get off the first stop "Muzeum". Change to metro line A (direction "Dejvickà¡") and get of at the stop "Mustek". Walk approx. 5 min.
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