[daip] International Planetarium and Astronomy Conference

[T.C Samaranayaka]

                Sri Lankan Skies & Sir Arthur 
                   Conference Secretariat
                 C/O, Sri Lanka Planetarium 
                 Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha 
                   Colombo 07 – Sri Lanka
                 _____________________________


Dear Sir / Madam

International Planetarium and Astronomy Conference - 
" Sri Lankan Skies & Sir Arthur - 2001 : A space
Odyssey " to be held in Sri Lanka from 19th - 24th
March 2001. 

We are pleased to inform you that the Sri Lanka
Planetarium is hosting an International Planetarium
and Astronomy Conference from March 19-24, 2001 on the
theme of "Teaching the Universe in the 21st Century"
with the assistance of the Ministry of Science and
Technology and the International Planetarium Society.

The Conference will feature a keynote address by Sir
Arthur C. Clarke CBE, the acclaimed space prophet,
writer, visionary and the author of the celebrated
book 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Sir Arthur bestowed a
singular honour on Sri Lanka by becoming one of its
distinguished citizens.

The Conference has multiple objectives aimed at the
international and local participants. The most
important objectives are the following:

(a)     Evaluate the accomplishments made thus far 
        and formulate and innovate modern methods 
        and approaches to astronomy education,      
        especially for the developing countries, 
        and identify ways to work together to     
        implement them.

(b)     Provide an opportunity for the members of 
        the International Planetarium Society and  
        other astronomy educators who will be 
        participants at the Conference to 
        understand the conditions and level of      
        astronomical education in developing 
        countries.

(c)     Create an environment for the astronomy 
        educators from the world over to work in 
        tandem with teachers and students of Sri  
        Lanka, which is classified as a developing 
        country, and to explore what practical ways 
        and means are available to promote the 
        objectives of furthering astronomical 
        education in developing countries.

(d)     Although astronomy is a subject widely 
        spoken of in the developed world, the 
        general population of Sri Lanka has very 
        limited knowledge of astronomy. The 
        conference and connected publicity will 
        help in creating an interest in astronomy 
        in Sri Lanka.

(e)     The Conference event will provide a grand 
        opportunity to learn and also reciprocate 
        knowledge amongst fellow astronomy educators  
        from different countries. 
        
The conference will open with two days in Colombo.
These days will include the keynote address, paper
sessions and panel discussions, and planetarium shows
and lessons.  The conference will then move to the
scenic interior of Sri Lanka.  We will go to local
schools, visit historic and cultural sites, observe
the night sky near the equator, enjoy breathtaking
scenery, and have plenty of time to continue informal
discussions of the conference theme as we travel 
together.

The inclusive registration fee of US $540 for Package
1, and US $ 450 for package 2, covers all expenses in
Sri Lanka, including accommodation, meals, travel, and
conference costs. 

In addition, Sri Lankan Airlines has agreed to offer a
10% rebate on the individual Economy Class Market
Practice Fare for overseas delegates traveling from
all Sri Lankan Air Lines on-line points except South
India.

A large number of planetarians and other professionals
interested in the field of astronomy are expected to
attend the conference. 

I write this letter to invite you to participate at
this unique conference to gain maximum exposure 
and to share your experience amongst the fellow
astronomers. 

We would appreciate very much if you could kindly pass
this message amongst your members. For further
information, you could visit our conference web site.

www.slnews.net/slplanet  or  www.slplanet.lgo.lk

Should you have any further clarifications, please do
not hesitate to contact me on the following email
addresses. 

planetsam2001 at yahoo.com
planetsam2000_1999 at yahoo.co.uk

Sir Arthur & I look forward to welcome you in 
Sri Lanka !


Thanking you 
Yours faithfully


T C Samaranayake 
Director, Sri Lanka Planetarium  


KD




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