Norway Conference

[System Dynamics Society]

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM
Bergen, Norway -- August 6 - 10, 2000
The Eighteenth International Conference of the System Dynamics Society
Celebrating over forty years of advancing policy simulation

*****Conference Information and Registration Brochure*****
(new information included)

PROGRAM

The main theme of this years conference is "Sustainability in the Third
Millennium." Plenary and parallel sessions will consist of high-quality
presentations that deal with the application of system dynamics to the
main theme, as well as a number of other themes addressed in social and
natural sciences. The conference will consist of plenary and parallel
sessions with deliberate opportunities for relaxed social and professional
interaction.

Plenary sessions will feature refereed presentation of current
developments in system dynamics and exemplary applications of system
dynamics and systems thinking. Parallel sessions will cover a range of
work carried out by system dynamics practitioners worldwide. The main
theme of the conference is not exclusive and a number of other themes to
which system dynamics has been applied will be covered. Numerous exhibits,
demonstrations, workshops, tutorials, System Dynamics Society meetings,
and other meetings of interest will round out the conference.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Jorgen Randers is a professor at The Norwegian School
of Management, Oslo. Dr. Randers specializes in management, environmental
issues, and futures research. He served as Deputy Director General of the
World Wide Fund for Nature in Switzerland. Dr. Randers sits on the Board
of Directors of a global recycling firm, as well as a handful of small
Norwegian start-up firms. He acts as advisor on management and
environmental issues to several international organizations. Dr. Randers
has published numerous scientific papers and co-authored several books,
including The Limits to Growth, Beyond the Limits, and The Dynamics of
Growth in a Finite World, and edited the volume, The System Dynamics
Method. The theme of his talk will be "From Limits to Growth to
Sustainability."

Tentative Conference Schedule: Please visit the conference website at
www.albany.edu/cpr/sds/ and click on "2000 Conference." Scheduled
presentations include excellent plenary sessions, high-quality and wide
ranging topics for interesting parallel sessions, as well as, select
poster sessions covering the range of work being done by system dynamics
practitioners worldwide. In addition to paper presentations, a handful of
different level workshops are planned. Workshop topics include:

- Systems Thinking/Systems Changing: an Interactive Tool for Leaders of
Learners
- Starting a System Dynamics Program in Your School for Students in Grades
7 Through 12
- Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling
- Systems Thinking Stories Workshop
- Workshop: Dynamics of Strategy

OTHER EVENTS

The PhD STUDENT COLLOQUIUM will meet on Sunday, August 6 to discuss PhD
research proposals with senior researchers in the field. The colloquium is
organized and hosted by student members of the Society.

The CONSULTANTS ROUNDTABLE, hosted this year by PricewaterhouseCoopers is
scheduled for lunch time on Monday, August 7. The Roundtable theme is
"Using a Simple Classification Framework to Share Benefits of Different
System Dynamics Modelling Approaches." An introduction to the framework
will be followed by presentations from the consulting community using case
studies. Participants will be encouraged to contribute and debate. The
main objective of this years Roundtable is to facilitate learning about
the benefits of different modelling approaches.

Also available in conjunction with the conference will be the SD CAREER
LINK, a volunteer-organized job exchange to promote awareness of positions
in the field and to facilitate the exchange of information between
individuals seeking positions and organizations seeking candidates. For
more information on these and all conference topics, please visit the
website.

The Social Program includes an informal gathering on Sunday night, the
Welcome Reception at the Bergen Castle on Monday night. A concert at the
home of Edvard Grieg, and the conference banquet at the Floyen Restaurant
overlooking the City of Bergen, are both on Wednesday night.

Dress Code: Dress will be casual, except for the Conference Dinner on
Wednesday evening which will require tidy (not black tie) dress.

Updated conference information: Please visit the conference website at:
http://www.albany.edu/cpr/sds/

TENTATIVE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Sunday, August 6
09:00 - 15:00 - All Day Student Colloquium
15:00 - 17:30 - Registration
18:30 - Informal Gathering

Monday, August 7
Registration - all day
08:45 - 09:00 - Morning Announcements and Schedule Changes
09:00 - 10:30 - Conference Opening and Plenary Sessions
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee/Tea Break
11:00 - 12:30 - Parallel Sessions
12:30 - 14:30 - Consultants Roundtable (lunch provided)
- Lunch/Business Meetings/Guided Walks in Bergen
14:30 - 15:45 - Parallel Sessions
15:45 - 16:00 - Coffee/Tea Break
16:00 - 16:30 - Poster Sessions
16:30 - 17:30 - Plenary Sessions
18:30 - Welcome Reception at Bergen Castle

Tuesday, August 8
Registration - all day
08:45 - 09:00 - Morning Announcements and Schedule Changes
09:00 - 10:30 - Plenary Sessions and Award Ceremony
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee/Tea Break and Award Reception
11:00 - 12:30 - Parallel Sessions
12:30 - 14:30 - Lunch/Business Meetings/Guided Walks in Bergen
14:30 - 15:45 - Parallel Sessions
15:45 - 16:00 - Coffee/Tea Break
16:00 - 16:30 - Poster Sessions
16:30 - 17:30 - Plenary Sessions

Wednesday, August 9
Registration - all day
08:45 - 09:00 - Morning Announcements and Schedule Changes
09:00 - 10:30 - Plenary Sessions
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee/Tea Break
11:00 - 12:30 - Parallel Sessions
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch (one hour only)
13:30 - 15:00 - Parallel Sessions
15:00 - 15:45 - Coffee/Tea Break and gather for buses
15:45 - Scenic drive to concert and conference banquet

Thursday, August 10
08:45 - 09:00 - Morning Announcements and Schedule Changes
09:00 - 10:30 - Plenary Sessions
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee/Tea Break
11:00 - 12:30 - Plenary Sessions and Closing Ceremony
12:30 - 13:30 - Coffee/Tea Break
13:30 - 14:30 - Society Business Meeting
End of Conference

The conference organizing committee reserves the right to change the
program without notice.

VENUE

The conference venue is the University of Bergen, hosted by the Department
of Information Science, School of Social Sciences. The sessions will be
held in The Law Faculty Building , Jussbygget. The street address is
Dragefjellet, Magnus Lagarbotesplass 1.

The campus is located within easy walking distance of the heart of Bergen.
(Since the conference will be held at the University campus, participants
must make room reservations with the areas hotels or hostels. Bergen is a
beautiful port city, compact and attractive. Bergen has been granted the
status of European Culture City 2000. A broad variety of cultural events
will take place in the city before, during, and after the conference.

Bergen has excellent restaurants and great opportunities for shopping and
outdoor adventures, making it an ideal destination for companions and
children who accompany conference participants.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Bergen is easy to access and has an international airport. By air,
connections are made through London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or Oslo. By
train, connections are made through Oslo, and by ferry via Newcastle,
Great Britain.

Travel and accommodations may be made through the travel agency:

NSB Reisebyra AS
Postboks 663 - 5807 Bergen, Norway
Telephone: +47 55 33 66 32/+47 55 33 66 00
FAX: +47 55 33 66 01
E-mail: nsbr-reise@bergen.nsbr.no
Contact person: Ms. Edith Beyer

Hotel prices will typically range from US$80 to US$200. Please see the
conference website for the list of hotels and the hotel reservation form -
http://www.albany.edu/cpr/sds/

There is also a student hostel located approximately 18 minutes away from
the campus by bus. For information please contact:

Fantoft studentby
Fantoftveien 14 - 5075 Bergen, Norway
Telephone: + 47 55 27 6000
Booking: + 47 55 27 6010
FAX: + 47 55 27 6030

Airport: Taxis and Shuttle Buses are readily available from the airport to
city center, and taxis usually accept credit cards. (about a 20-minute
drive)

Approximate costs from airport to City of Bergen are:
Taxi: approximately NOK 200
Shuttle Bus: approximately NOK 40

Sightseeing: An unstaffed desk full of travel brochures will be on-site at
the conference. The conference travel agents, NSB Reisebyra AS, will be
available by phone, or you can visit their office, which is located within
walking distance of the conference venue. There is also a large tourist
office in the center of the city that is a great place to obtain local
tourist information.

Please make your reservations early since August is peak tourist season.
NSB Reisebyra can also assist with advice and bookings on daily, pre- or
post-conference tourist activities.

LOCAL INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS

Weather: In August the temperatures will range from 18 degrees C (64
degrees F) to 28 degrees C (83 degrees F). Most hotels and the conference
venue will be air conditioned. You may need some light warm clothing for
outdoors and evenings. Rain is common, but does not usually last all day.
It is recommended to bring an umbrella, although in most hotels you may
borrow umbrellas.

Local Currency: Norwegian Kroner, NOK. Most major credit cards are
accepted. (If you are interested in the approximate currency exchange
rate, there is a site on the Internet that gives currency conversions:
http://www.xe.net/ucc/)

There are a large number of ATMs and banks in the center of the city,
close to the conference venue, as well as currency exchange facilities at
the airport.

Tipping: Tipping or gratuities are not expected in Norway. If you would
like to leave a tip, generally add ten percent.

Visa requirements: To visit Norway you may need to apply for a visitors
visa or permit. See the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website for
preliminary information on whether you need to obtain a visa.
www.udi.no/english/

Updated conference information: For updated information on the conference,
please visit the conference website at: http://www.albany.edu/cpr/sds/

REGISTRATION FORM (When replying, please send only the registration
information, not this entire message. Thanks.)

Please send registration form and payment to:
E-mail: system.dynamics@albany.edu (not secure)
FAX: + 1 518 442-3398
Post: Roberta Spencer, Conference Manager
System Dynamics Society, Milne 300 - Rockefeller College
University at Albany - SUNY, Albany, NY 12222 USA
Telephone: + 1 518 442-3865

Please type or print CLEARLY your details in the form below.
First Name: _______________
Family Name: _______________
Salutation (Dr., Ms, Mr. etc.): _______________
Name to appear on badge: _______________
Position or job title: _______________
Organization: _______________
Postal Address: _______________
City/State: _______________
Country: _______________
Postal Code: _______________
E-mail: _______________
Telephone: _______________ (country code - area code - local number)
FAX: _______________ (country code - area code - local number)

In case of emergency, please contact:
Name: _______________
Relationship to you: _______________
Telephone: _______________ (country code - area code - local number)
FAX: _______________ (country code - area code - local number)
If you have a special dietary requirement, please advise: _______________

Payment Details:
__ check enclosed (in US$ drawn on a US bank payable to System Dynamics
Conference)
__ credit card:
__ MasterCard
__ Visa
__ American Express
credit card number: _______________
expiration: _______________
signature: _______________

REGISTRATION FEES:

*before July 1*

member (1) US$325 __
non-member US$375 __
full time student US$200 __
lunch in hall (maximum 3)
(per day/optional) US$25 __
extra concert ticket (2) US$15 __
extra banquet ticket (2) US$60 __
TOTAL PAYABLE: US$_____

(1) Member discounts are for members of the System Dynamics Society. For
membership information please contact the conference manager, Roberta
Spencer <system.dynamics@albany.edu>.
(2) For anyone attending the banquet but not registered for the
conference.

*after July 1*

member (1) US$375 __
non-member US$425 __
full time student US$225 __
lunch in hall (maximum 3)
(per day/optional) US$25 __
extra concert ticket (2) US$20 __
extra banquet ticket (2) US$60 __
TOTAL PAYABLE: US$_____

*after August 1 and on-site*

member (1) US$425 __
non-member US$475 __
full time student US$250 __
lunch in hall (maximum 3)
(per day/optional) US$25 __
extra concert ticket (2) US$25 __
extra banquet ticket (2) US$65 __ (if available)
TOTAL PAYABLE: US$_____

REGISTRATION PROCESS

Please complete the conference registration form, including payment
information, and e-mail, fax or post it to address indicated.
Registrations can also be made by telephone. Upon receipt of the completed
registration form, a confirmation will be sent by mail.

The registration fee includes attendance for one person at all regular
conference functions (welcome reception, coffee breaks, the concert, and
banquet). You may invite a guest to the welcome cocktail reception at no
additional cost. A copy of the printed abstracts and the CD proceedings
are included. The only meal included is the banquet, as you may want to
experience some of the many wonderful restaurants in Bergen.

Cancellation policy: Any cancellation or change in registration must be
advised in writing to the Conference Manager. Cancellations advised before
July 20, 2000 are subject to a cancellation fee of 50%. Thereafter, no
refunds will be given; however, registrations may be transferred to a
substitute participant.

CONFERENCE SPONSORS

A.T. Kearney Ltd.
Andersen Consulting
City of Bergen
Global Strategy Dynamics
High Performance Systems, Inc.
HVR Consulting
Intel Corporation
John Wiley & Sons
McKinsey & Company
Pegasus Communications, Inc.
Powersim
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Pugh-Roberts Associates, Inc.
SDSG, LLC/The Strategic Decision Simulation Group
University of Bergen
Ventana Systems, Inc.
Vestec AS

CONFERENCE CONTACTS

Conference Chair:
Pal Davidsen
University of Bergen
Bergen, Norway
Telephone: 47 55 58 4134
FAX: 47 55 58 4107
E-mail: davidsen@ifi.uib.no

Program Co-Chair:
Ali Mashayekhi
Sharif University of Technology
Tehran, Iran
E-mail: SD2000program@ifi.uib.no

Program Co-Chair:
David N. Ford
University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
E-mail: SD2000program@ifi.uib.no

Conference manager:
Roberta L. Spencer
System Dynamics Society
Milne 300 - Rockefeller College
University at Albany, State University of New York
Albany, NY 12222 USA
Telephone: 518 442-3865
FAX: 518 442-3398
E-mail: system.dynamics@albany.edu

We look forward to seeing you in Norway!