24th Population Census Conference
Changing Patterns of Utilization and Analysis of Population Census Data
Hong Kong, China, 25-27 March 2009
Hosted by
Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong, China
Organized by
Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong, China and the East-West Center
in cooperation with
Association of National Census and Statistics Directors of America, Asia and the Pacific

MEMORANDUM OF ARRANGEMENTS

Revised: August 25, 2008

MEMORANDUM OF ARRANGEMENTS

Note: This Memorandum of Arrangements (MOA) will be updated from time to time on the ANCSDAAP website. Instructions on how to access the ANCSDAAP website are described later in this MOA.

We look forward to your attendance at the 24th Population Census Conference, which will be held 25-27 March 2009 (Wednesday-Friday) in Hong Kong, China.

All participants are requested to read all the items in this memorandum carefully in order to facilitate arrangements for your participation in the conference.

Participation in the conference is by invitation only. In most cases invitations are sent to census/statistics offices, who then inform ANCSDAAP who will come from their office.

I. Conference-related Information

The Conference is organised by the Association of National Census and Statistics Directors of America, Asia, and the Pacific (ANCSDAAP) in collaboration with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) of the Government of Hong Kong, China, and the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

The theme of the conference is "Changing Patterns of Utilization and Analysis of Population Census Data." Although this is the general theme, there will be room for papers and presentations on planning for the 2010 round of censuses, as well as on improvements in data processing and other topics that do not fit directly into the general theme.

Contact information

For information regarding the conference agenda, participants should contact Mr. Robert Retherford, Secretary of ANCSDAAP:

Robert D. Retherford
ANCSDAAP Secretary
East-West Center
Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601, USA
Phone: (1-808) 944-7403 or 7566 (Secretary)
Fax: (1-808) 944-7490
E-mail: retherfr@eastwestcenter.org

Robert Retherford will be assisted by Ms. Ann Takayesu:

Ann Takayesu, Secretary
East-West Center
Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601 USA
Phone: (1-808) 944-7566
Fax: (1-808) 944-7490 or 944-7970
E-mail: TakayesA@EastWestCenter.org

For information on local logistics arrangements in Hong Kong, participants should contact Ms. Amy Yu, the Conference Coordinator at the C&SD in Hong Kong, China:

Ms. Amy Yu
Senior Statistician
Census and Statistics Department
Room 1703, 17/F, Skyline Tower
39 Wang Kwong Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon,
Hong Kong, China
Phone: (852) 2716 8001
Fax: (852) 2716 0231
E-mail: pop_conf@censtatd.gov.hk

Venue and opening session

The 24th Population Census Conference will be held at The Mira Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China from 25 to 27 March 2009:

The Ballroom One, 18/F
The Mira Hong Kong
118-130 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon
Hong Kong, China
Phone: (852) 2368 1111
Fax: (852) 2369 1788
Website: www.themirahotel.com

The opening session will be convened at 0900 hours on Wednesday, 25 March 2009. All conference sessions will be held in Ballroom One, as indicated above.

Registration and identification badges

To facilitate C&SD in arranging the local logistics for the conference, participants are requested to register in advance by filling out the Conference Registration Form and e-mailing it (as an attachment) to the Conference Coordinator, Ms. Amy Yu (pop_conf@censtatd.gov.hk), with a copy to Ann Takayesu (TakayesA@EastWestCenter.org).

We would appreciate receiving the Conference Registration Form no later than November 15, 2008.

The Conference Registration Form can also be downloaded from the ANCSDAAP website (a subsequent section of this MOA describes how to access this website).

After arrival in Hong Kong, participants are requested to check in at the Registration Counter at the entrance to the conference venue (Ballroom One) between 0800 and 0845 hours on 25 March 2009 to pick up the conference materials and name badge.

For identification and security reasons, participants are requested to wear their name badges at all times during the Conference.

Registration fee

Each participant must pay a registration fee of US$115. We request that the registration fee be paid in advance by credit card on the ANCSDAAP website.

When you click on Pay Now, you reach a standard PayPal screen. If the type face on the screen is too large, go to the View menu in your browser and set Text Size to Medium. Unless you already have a PayPal account, please disregard the right-hand side of the PayPal screen, which is only for persons who have PayPal accounts. Use the left-hand side of the PayPal screen to pay by credit card.

If you are not able to pay by credit card, please contact Ann Takayesu (TakayesA@EastWestCenter.org) to make other arrangements for advance payment (e.g., international money order).

Payment at the conference venue at the time of the conference is discouraged. The registration fee will be US$135 if payment is made at the conference venue.

E-mailing the Registration Form and paying the registration fee are two separate actions. Please e-mail us the Conference Registration Form before you pay the registration fee. The two actions can be done one right after the other if you pay the registration fee by credit card through the website.

ANCSDAAP website

You can access the public part of the website at www.ancsdaap.org. Instructions on how to access the participants-only password-protected part of the website will be sent directly to participants and ANCSDAAP members by e-mail.

Working language of the meeting

The working language of the Conference will be English and all documentation will be English. No translation/interpretation services will be provided.

Lunch and morning and afternoon teas

Lunch and morning and afternoon tea will be provided to all participants at the conference venue.

II. Travel and Accommodation Arrangements

Visa requirements

Participants should check with the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission on visa requirements (please visit http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm to check out the information). Participants who need to stop over in other countries should also obtain appropriate visas for those countries. Please obtain visas well in advance of the conference.

If you have questions regarding entry to Hong Kong, China, please contact Ms. Amy Yu at pop_conf@censtatd.gov.hk.

Travel and hotel arrangements

Conference participants should make their own arrangements for travel to and from Hong Kong, China.

Participants are expected to arrive on Tuesday, March 24, and depart on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

Participants are also requested to make their own hotel arrangements, with a copy of the hotel booking confirmation to the Conference Coordinator, Ms. Amy Yu. The room rental and all expenses will be charged on the participant's own account and settled upon departure. The recommended hotels accept payment by credit card. Hotel reservation forms are also attached at the end of the MOA.

Participants are responsible for travel, hotel, and per diem costs associated with conference attendance. ANCSDAAP cannot subsidize these costs.

Participants are requested to fill out the Travel and Hotel Information Form and to send it back by e-mail (as an attachment to your e-mail) to the Conference Coordinator, Ms. Amy Yu (pop_conf@censtatd.gov.hk), with a copy to Ann Takayesu (TakayesA@EastWestCenter.org). We would appreciate receiving your form no later than January 15, 2009.

Important note: The Travel and Hotel Information Form is only for the conference organizers' information. The form will not get you registered at a hotel. You must make your travel and hotel reservations on your own.)

A special package is available for participants who stay at The Mira Hong Kong where the conference will take place:

Information on Other Hotels near the ConferenceVenue

You can also visit the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/accommodation/index.jhtml) for more information on hotels in Hong Kong.

III. Other Information

Health clearance

No health clearances are required. Participants are advised to sign up for a traveller's medical insurance policy before arriving in Hong Kong, China.

Foreign exchange

Participants are advised to exchange home-country currency to Hong Kong Dollars either within your own country or at the money exchange facilities in Hong Kong International Airport. The current exchange rate is approximately HK dollar 7.8 to one US dollar. International credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Master Card are accepted at most of the hotels and shops.

Clothing and weather

March in Hong Kong is comfortably warm. The average outdoor temperature is around 20-22 degrees Celsius. The conference room is temperature controlled and air-conditioned. However, it is suggested that you bring along a jacket and jersey/pullover.

Sightseeing opportunities

Some of you may be accompanied by a spouse or other person who may be interested in sightseeing during the conference.

Others of you may wish to stay on one or more days after the conference for sightseeing. Visitor information can be obtained from the Hong Kong Tourism Board at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/login.html. Each hotel also has information on things to do and see around Hong Kong.

Transportation in and around the city

There are taxis, rental cars, mass transit railway, trains, trams, buses and ferries that you can choose to travel around the city or commuting between your staying hotels and the conference venue. Driving in Hong Kong is on the left side of the road.

Information on taxi fares in Hong Kong can be obtained at the link: http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/taxi_fare_of_hong_kong/index.htm#1.

Internet and e-mail services

Internet service will be available at no charge at the conference venue.

Electrical system in Hong Kong

Voltage for all electric appliances is 220 volts AC at 50 hz. Most electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged flat blade plug.

Tipping

Most hotels and restaurant in Hong Kong add a 10 per cent service charge, marked on the bill. An additional five per cent may be given as a tip. When a service charge is not included, tipping 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to service workers. For taxi drivers, just round up to the nearest dollar.

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