Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 25-27, 2009 BALGEOS

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1 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 25-27, 2009 BALGEOS BALkan GEodetic Observing System A SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGE FOR THE BALKAN COUNTRIES WORKSHOP in Sarajevo THE FIRST CIRCULAR BALGEOS as a contribution to GGOS

2 Welcome to the First Circular of the Second Workshop on BALGEOS Project to be held in the Olympic city of Sarajevo from February 25-27, We are pleased to invite you to participate to this meeting. Objective of this first circular is to inform, to invite and to define the procedures regarding Registration, Accommodation, Social Events, Excursion, Accompanying Persons Program, Venues, Travelling information, and Application for the travel grants. The program and agenda will be available on-line and If you need further information or have any requests and comments, Please feel free to contact us at: Geodesy Department of Civil Engineering Faculty Sarajevo Street Patriotske lige 30, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Contact person: Medzida Mulic, E mail: mmulic@yahoo.com, medzida_mulic@gf.unsa.ba Mobile: Tel: Fax: , or or: Central Laboratory of Geodesy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia contact: Dr. Lyubka Pashova, lpashova@clg.bas.bg Website: E mail: balgeos@clg.bas.bg

3 LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) consists of: Members from Geodesy Department Sarajevo Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Sarajevo Bosna and Herzegovina: Mr.sci. Medžida Mulić, dipl.ing.geod. Mr.sci. Džanina Omićević, dipl.ing.geod. Tuno Nedim, dipl.ing.geod. Member from Central Laboratory of Geodesy Sofia Dr. Lyubka Pashova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Sofia Bulgaria Chairpersons coordinating Project BALGEOS: Prof. Dr. Harald Schuh, Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, Vienna University of Technology AUSTRIA

4 OBJECTIVE OF WORKSHOP AND BALGEOS PROJECT The Scientific Program of the Workshop will be available on the web-site and will be described in the Second Circular. Objectives of the BALGEOS project are briefly described as following: The BALGEOS project aims to strengthen the scientific co-operation between Austrian, Bulgarian, Bosnian and Herzegovina and Macedonian institutions, as well as the relevant geodetic scientific institutions from other South-East European countries, to further partners integration in the GGOS (Global Geodetic Observing System), as a main component of the IAG. The BALGEOS project will contribute to the regional implementation of GGOS by developing national and regional capacities for coordinating, using and sharing geodetic data and information. The objectives of the BALGEOS project include an evaluation of the possibility to extend the EUREF Permanent Network (EPN) in Southeast Europe, testing the models for space geodetic observations processing, and integration of the obtained results from previous geodetic studies for the regions of Central and Southeast Europe in a unified frame. The research consortium planned and organized two workshops, which were supposed to cover top priorities of the GGOS in Europe, as well as to suggest a way for regional implementation in the Balkans for consideration by the responsible IAG institutions. It is foreseen to disseminate the results by publications in international specialized journals and at geodetic meetings. The project results would contribute to the geodetic strategy for the development of Earth observation systems in Southeast Europe. The expected impact of the joint project is an effective collaboration among partners to successfully initiate activities in the EU 7FP - Theme 6: Environment (including climate change) and other European initiatives.

5 VENUES The workshop will take place at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Sarajevo, street Patriotske lige 30, Sarajevo. A poster session could be organized if interest will be shown. Social events will take place in the historical center of the city Bašćaršija. SIGHTSEEING AND DAILY EXCURSION The Local Organizing Committee has planned an interesting social program and one-day Excursion. This Excursion will take place to the beautiful old town Mostar, Počitelj a Unesco heritage and the spring of the river Buna (pictures show Mostar, Buna, and Počitelj) Another excursion to the Olympic Mountains: Igman, Bjelašnica, and Jahorina could be organized if interest will be shown.

6 ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS Various standards of accommodation have been made available in Sarajevo. Accommodation ranges from tourist class hotels e.g. hostels, bed and breakfast to 5 stars rating. We recommend the moderate but good, three stars hotel Hecco ( The hotel management provides a special offer and discount prices for the WORKSHOP BALGEOS participants. Single room price with breakfast would cost 72 BAM, (approximately 36 Euros (1EUROS= BAM)). Hotel Hecco is built in Bosnian post-modern architecture and modern interior with an international atmosphere. It is located in the old part of Sarajevo, in a quiet area, but at just a 5-minute walking distance from the cultural centre Bašćaršija. The address of the hotel is Street Medrese 1, Sarajevo. Lunch and coffees will be served at the faculty during the breaks. Dinners will give the opportunities to try excellent local foods and enjoy the atmosphere. ACCOMPANYING PERSONS PROGRAM A varied social program can been defined and made available for accompanying persons. The wonderful cultural and natural resources of the Sarajevo city and its surrounding towns (Visoko, Ilidža, Mostar, Travnik, Jajce) could be some of the destination sites, as well as Olympic Mountains, which are on a short distance from Sarajevo Center, with very nice skiing facilities. The program will also include cultural activities and typical gourmet enjoyments. A traditional cultural event, the International Festival Sarajevo Winter will take place in Sarajevo at the same time. The figure below shows posters of the festival.

7 International Festival Sarajevo Winter 2009 is dedicated to the promotion of European Year of the Innovation and Creativities under the motto: Imagine. Create. Innovate Details of Sarajevo cultures and touristic destination can be found out on the web sites:

8 REGISTRATION Please, send your registration to the LOC represented by: Medzida Mulic There is no registration fee. Deadline for registration: February 15, (on-site registration might be possible upon request) APPLICATION FOR TRAVEL FUNDS (for colleagues outside the BALGEOS project) Colleagues who are not yet involved in the BALGEOS project but who are interested in the topic of the Workshop are very much welcome to attend our meeting. During the meeting the BALGEOS partners will discuss the future collaboration beyond the project and of course this discussion is open to geodetic experts from neighbor countries. For a limited number of these colleagues travel expenses (train, bus, or low cost flight) can be reimbursed from project BALGEOS. Unfortunately, accommodation and other costs cannot be covered from the project. Those who are interested should send an informal request to the project coordinator: Prof. Dr. Harald Schuh (harald.schuh@tuwien.ac.at) VISA Most of European citizens do not need a visa to enter B&H. If an invitation letter is needed for visas, please inform LOC.

9 CLIMATE The temperature in Sarajevo during the period of the workshop may range from -20 to 15 C. More data about this important matter will found in the third circular. CURRENCY EXCHANGE BAM (Bosnian Mark) is the currency in use, accepted at regular stores and restaurants. Credit cards are widely accepted at almost all hotels, restaurants, and shops. You can exchange money at banks and other authorized money exchange upon presentation of your passport. Be aware that banks are open Monday to Friday 8: a.m. to 18:00 p.m. but the cash machine are available 24 hours per day. CREDIT CARDS VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express are widely accepted credit cards at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants. ELECTRICITY The electrical current is V, AC, 50 Hz throughout B&H. The LOC and the coordinators of project BALGEOS hope to see many of you at the Workshop in Sarajevo