SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
Transcription
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT World Psychiatric Association This Congress aims to provide a high-quality, comprehensive overview of all evidence-based treatments currently available for all mental disorders. It is the follow-up to the 2004 WPA International Congress “Treatments in Psychiatry: An Update”, which was the second most attended psychiatric congress worldwide in that year, with almost 7,000 participants. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS Congress Venue Fortezza da Basso Viale Strozzi 1 50123 Florence, Italy President of the Congress Mario Maj Scientific Secretariat Department of Psychiatry University of Naples SUN Largo Madonna delle Grazie 80138 Naples, Italy Phone: +39 081 5666502 Fax: +39 081 5666523 E-mail: [email protected] Organizing Secretariat Newtours S.p.A. Via Augusto Righi 8 50019 Osmannoro, Sesto Fiorentino Florence, Italy Phone: +39 055 33611 Fax: +39 055 3033895 E-mail: [email protected] CONGRESS TIMETABLE Wednesday, April 1 9.00 - 17.00 Advanced Courses; Section and Zonal Symposia; Sponsored Events 17.30 - 19.30 Opening Session (with Update Lectures) 19.30 Welcome Reception Thursday, April 2 9.00 - 10.30 ESI Top-Cited Scientist Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 10.45 - 12.15 Update Symposia; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia; Workshops; New Research Sessions 12.30 - 14.30 Poster Session; Sponsored Events 14.45 - 16.15 ESI Top-Cited Scientist Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 16.30 - 18.00 Update Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 18.15 - 19.45 Update Symposia; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia; Workshops; New Research Sessions 20.00 Sponsored Events Friday, April 3 9.00 - 10.30 ESI Top-Cited Scientist Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 10.45 - 12.15 Update Symposia; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia; Workshops; New Research Sessions 12.30 - 14.30 Poster Session; Sponsored Events 14.45 - 16.15 ESI Top-Cited Scientist Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 16.30 - 18.00 Update Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 18.15 - 19.45 Update Symposia; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia; Workshops; New Research Sessions 20.00 Congress Dinner Saturday, April 4 9.00 - 10.30 ESI Top-Cited Scientist Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 10.45 - 12.15 Update Symposia; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia; Workshops; New Research Sessions 12.30 - 14.30 Poster Session; Sponsored Events 14.45 - 16.15 Update Lectures; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia 16.30 - 18.00 Update Symposia; Regular Symposia; Section and Zonal Symposia; Workshops; New Research Sessions ESISM TOP-CITED SCIENTIST LECTURES These lectures will be delivered by the scientists who attracted the highest total citations to their papers in indexed journals of psychiatry & psychology over the past 10 years (according to the Essential Science IndicatorsSM). TL1 RONALD C. KESSLER (USA) The treatment gap in psychiatry TL2 KENNETH S. KENDLER (USA) Psychiatric genetics: a current perspective TL3 MICHAEL RUTTER (UK) Environmentally mediated risks for psychopathology: research strategies and findings TL4 ROBIN M. MURRAY (UK) The causes of schizophrenia: neurodevelopment and other risk factors TL5 JOSEPH BIEDERMAN (USA) Childhood antecedents of bipolar disorder: recognition and management TL6 STEPHEN V. FARAONE (USA) Diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD TL7 HAGOP S. AKISKAL (USA) Clinical management of bipolar disorder based on pathophysiologic understanding TL8 SUSAN L. McELROY (USA) Management of binge eating disorder associated with obesity TL9 PAUL E. KECK (USA) What is a mood stabilizer? TL10 MICHAEL E. THASE (USA) Long-term management of depression: the role of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapies UPDATE LECTURES These lectures will provide a comprehensive update on some of the most significant aspects of current treatments in psychiatry. UL1 ROSS J. BALDESSARINI (USA) Disorders, syndromes, target symptoms: how do we choose medications? UL2 PETER FONAGY (UK) Psychotherapies: what works for whom? UL3 GRAHAM THORNICROFT (UK) Steps, challenges and mistakes to avoid in the development of community mental health care UL4 PATRICK D. McGORRY (Australia) Early intervention in psychiatry UL5 MICHAEL F. GREEN (USA) Improving cognitive performance and real-world functioning in people with schizophrenia UL6 EDUARD VIETA (Spain) Evidence-based comprehensive management of bipolar disorder UL7 KENNETH W.M. FULFORD (UK) Evidence and values in psychiatric practice UL8 SANDRA G. RESNICK (USA) Recovery and positive psychology: an update UL9 ROBERT E. DRAKE (USA) Management of patients with substance abuse and severe mental disorder UL10 MICHAEL STONE (USA) Comprehensive management of borderline personality disorder in ordinary clinical practice UL11 WOLFGANG W. FLEISCHHACKER (Austria) Comparative efficacy, effectiveness and costeffectiveness of antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia UL12 PETER J. WEIDEN (USA) The art and science of switching antipsychotic medications UL13 GIOVANNI A. FAVA (Italy) Combined and sequential treatment strategies in depression and anxiety disorders UL14 KATHERINE A. HALMI (USA) Multimodal management of anorexia and bulimia nervosa UPDATE SYMPOSIA These high-quality symposia will focus on specific treatment issues, with an active interaction between speakers and participants. US1 The future of psychotherapies for psychoses Chairperson: PAUL BEBBINGTON (UK) US2 Brain imaging in psychiatry: recent progress and clinical implications Chairperson: LARS FARDE (Sweden) US3 Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pharmacological treatments in psychiatry: evidence from pragmatic trials Chairperson: JEFFREY A. LIEBERMAN (USA) US4 Intermediate phenotypes in psychiatry Chairperson: DANIEL R. WEINBERGER (USA) US5 Advances in the management of treatment-resistant psychotic disorders Chairperson: HANS-JÜRGEN MÖLLER (Germany) US6 Advances in the management of treatment-resistant depression Chairperson: SIEGFRIED KASPER (Austria) US7 Advances in the management of treatment-resistant bipolar disorder Chairperson: GIOVANNI B. CASSANO (Italy) US8 Patterns of collaboration between primary care and mental health services Chairperson: VIKRAM PATEL (UK/India) US9 Genomics and proteomics in psychiatry: an update Chairperson: NICK CRADDOCK (UK) US10 Managing comorbidity of mental and physical illness Chairperson: NORMAN SARTORIUS (Switzerland) US11 The evolving science and practice of psychosocial rehabilitation Chairperson: RICHARD WARNER (USA) US12 ICD-11 and DSM-V: work in progress Chairperson: MARIO MAJ (Italy) US13 Violence, trauma and victimization Chairperson: ALEXANDER C. McFARLANE (Australia) US14 Cognitive impairment: should it be part of the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia? Chairperson: RICHARD KEEFE (USA) US15 Management of medically unexplained somatic symptoms Chairperson: OYE GUREJE (Nigeria) US16 Partnerships in mental health care Chairperson: BENEDETTO SARACENO (Switzerland) US17 Outcome in bipolar disorders: new findings and methodological challenges Chairperson: MAURICIO TOHEN (USA) US18 Suicide prevention: integration of public health and clinical actions Chairperson: ZOLTAN RIHMER (Hungary) US19 Novel biological targets of pharmacological treatment in mental disorders Chairperson: GIORGIO RACAGNI (Italy) US20 Prevention and early intervention strategies in community mental health settings Chairperson: SHEKHAR SAXENA (Switzerland) US21 Anxiety disorders: from dimensions to targeted treatments Chairperson: JOSEPH ZOHAR (Israel) US22 Cultural issues in mental health care Chairperson: PEDRO RUIZ (USA) US23 The challenge of bipolar depression Chairperson: JOSEPH CALABRESE (USA) US24 Current management of mental disorders in old age Chairperson: CORNELIUS KATONA (UK) US25 Prevention of substance abuse worldwide Chairperson: MARIA ELENA MEDINA-MORA (Mexico) US26 Treatment advances in child psychiatry Chairperson: HELMUT REMSCHMIDT (Germany) US27 Gender-related issues in psychiatric treatments Chairperson: DONNA STEWART (Canada) US28 Mental health care in low-resource countries Chairperson: PARAMESHVARA DEVA (Malaysia) ADVANCED COURSES In each of these courses, a well-renowned expert will interact with no more than 50 participants. A preliminary list follows. AC1 Interacting with families of people with severe mental disorders Director: CHRISTINE BARROWCLOUGH (UK) AC2 Management of the suicidal patient Director: DANUTA WASSERMAN (Sweden) AC3 The therapeutic alliance in psychiatric practice Director: ALLAN TASMAN (USA) AC4 Management of mental disorders during pregnancy and post-partum Director: IAN BROCKINGTON (UK) AC5 How to organize a comprehensive community mental health service Directors: GRAHAM THORNICROFT (UK), MICHELE TANSELLA (Italy) AC6 Prevention and management of burnout in mental health professionals Director: WULF RÖSSLER (Switzerland) AC7 Measures of outcome in schizophrenia Director: RENÉ KAHN (The Netherlands) AC8 Consultation-liaison psychiatry: learning from experience Director: FRANCIS CREED (UK) AC9 Relevance of phenomenological psychiatry to clinical practice Director: GIOVANNI STANGHELLINI (Italy) AC10 The psychiatrist in court Director: JULIO ARBOLEDA-FLOREZ (Canada) AC11 Management of the “difficult” child Director: SAM TYANO (Israel) AC12 The public health approach: what psychiatrists need to know Director: HELEN HERRMAN (Australia) REGULAR SYMPOSIA A limited number of high-quality symposia will be accepted for inclusion in the scientific programme. Each of them should consist of no more than four presentations. Proposals should be submitted by e-mail to the Scientific Secretariat by April 30, 2008. They should contain the title of the proposed symposium, its rationale, and the abstracts of all the presentations (prepared following the instructions on the last page of this announcement). NEW RESEARCH SESSIONS These sessions will offer to psychiatrists of all countries of the world an opportunity to share the results of clinical and basic research efforts. Abstracts should be submitted by email to the Scientific Secretariat by May 31, 2008. They should be prepared following the instructions on the last page of this announcement. POSTER SESSIONS SECTION AND ZONAL SYMPOSIA WPA Sections and Zones are welcome to submit Symposia. Proposals should be sent by e-mail to the Scientific Secretariat by May 31, 2008. They should contain the title of the proposed symposium and the abstracts of all the presentations (prepared following the instructions on the last page of this announcement). WORKSHOPS A limited number of high-quality workshops, dealing with specific treatment issues, will be accepted for inclusion in the programme. Proposals should be submitted by e-mail to the Scientific Secretariat by April 30, 2008. They should contain the title of the proposed workshop, its rationale, and the abstracts of all the presentations (prepared following the instructions on the last page of this announcement). These sessions will provide an alternative opportunity to present research findings in a very visible way. Abstracts should be submitted by e-mail to the Scientific Secretariat by May 31, 2008. They should be prepared following the instructions on the last page of this announcement. Posters should be 0.90m wide and 1.20m high; the title and authors should appear in bold lettering; the text and illustrations should be readable from a distance of 2 meters. SATELLITE SYMPOSIA AND OTHER SPONSORED EVENTS Industries are welcome to propose Satellite Symposia and other Sponsored Events by contacting the Scientific Secretariat. A preliminary list of Platinum Sponsors (Official Partners) includes AstraZeneca, BoehringerIngelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Pfizer, Servier, and Wyeth. GENERAL INFORMATION Opening Hours of the Registration Desk Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Thursday, April 2, 2009 Friday, April 3, 2009 Saturday, April 4, 2009 14.30-18.30 8.00-19.30 8.00-19.30 8.00-19.30 8.00-14.30 Official Language The official language of the Congress will be English. Simultaneous translation into Spanish and Italian will be provided for ESI Top-Cited Scientist Lectures, Update Lectures, and selected Symposia. butions to the field, such as publications and other innovative activities; 5) plans for and likelihood of future significant contributions to psychiatry and public mental health, nationally and internationally. Submissions should be accompanied by a nomination letter signed by the President of a WPA Member Society, indicating the candidate’s strengths, and by a one-page statement by the candidate, covering the above items 2 to 5. They should be received by the Scientific Secretariat no later than September 30, 2008. Social Programme CME credits will be provided by the relevant American, European and Italian accreditation bodies. This will include the Welcome Reception (on April 1, free of charge), an organ concert in a famous church (on April 2, free of charge), three Museum Tours (on April 2, 3 and 4, see the Registration Form) and the Congress Dinner (on April 3, see the Registration Form). Exhibition How to reach Florence A commercial and non-commercial exhibition will be organized. Companies and organizations wishing to obtain information should contact the Organizing Secretariat. The Florence and Pisa airports are served by several international airlines. The distance between the Florence airport and the city centre is 4 km (the cost of a taxi ride is about Euro 25).The distance between the Pisa airport and the Florence centre is about 90 Km (a shuttle train operates every hour; the trip lasts about one hour). Eurostar trains connect Florence with Rome (1 hr and 35 min) and Milan (2 hrs and 45 min). The main railway station in Florence is located just in front of the Congress Centre. Continuing Medical Education Fellowships Thirty fellowships (covering the registration fee, accommodation for the nights from March 31 to April 4, and a contribution to travel expenses) will be made available. The selection criteria for fellows will be: 1) being nominated by a WPA Member Society of the country where the candidate currently resides; 2) age under 40 years and no more than five years elapsed since completion of the first three years of psychiatric residency training; 3) superior educational and professional record; 4) documented contri- REGISTRATION Registration fee (in Euro, including taxes) Up to October 31, 2008 From November 1 to March 27, 2009 On site Participants from high income countries • 605 715 790 Participants from upper-middle income countries • 495 580 640 Participants from lower-middle income countries • 350 410 450 Participants from low income countries • 250 300 330 Participants from any country who are trainees or students •• 250 300 330 Accompanying persons 190 220 240 • See list on the following two pages. •• A copy of the student card or a certificate by the chairperson of the Department is requested. For registration to each course, an additional fee of Euro 60 is required. The fee for participants includes: How to register • Access to the Opening Session and the Welcome Reception • Access to the scientific sessions • Access to the exhibition area • The bag with the Congress materials • Three lunches (on April 2,3 and 4) • Coffee during breaks • The concert on April 2 Registration should be made through the Congress website (www.wpa2009florence.org) or by sending the Registration Form to the Organizing Secretariat. The fee for accompanying persons includes: • Access to the Opening Session and the Welcome Reception • The City Centre Tour on April 1 • The Uffizi Gallery Tour on April 2 • The Florentine Hills Tour on April 4 • The concert on April 2 Cancellations All cancellations must be addressed to the Organizing Secretariat. Postmarked by October 31, 2008: 50% refund. Postmarked after October 31, 2008: no refund. High income countries Andorra Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belgium Bermuda Brunei Darussalam Canada Cayman Islands Channel Islands Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Faeroe Islands Finland France French Polynesia Germany Greece Greenland Guam Hong Kong, China Iceland Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Japan Korea, Rep. Kuwait Liechtenstein Luxembourg Macao, China Malta Monaco Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Norway Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar San Marino Saudi Arabia Singapore Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Trinidad and Tobago United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Virgin Islands (U.S.) Kazakhstan Latvia Lebanon Libya Lithuania Malaysia Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Montenegro Northern Mariana Islands Oman Palau Panama Poland Romania Russian Federation Serbia Seychelles Slovak Republic South Africa St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Turkey Uruguay Venezuela Djibouti Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Fiji Georgia Guatemala Guyana Honduras Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic Iraq Jamaica Jordan Kiribati Lesotho Macedonia, FYR Maldives Marshall Islands Micronesia Fed. Sts. Moldova Morocco Namibia Nicaragua Paraguay Peru Philippines Samoa Upper-middle income countries American Samoa Argentina Belize Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Chile Costa Rica Croatia Dominica Equatorial Guinea Gabon Grenada Hungary Lower-middle income countries Albania Algeria Angola Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Cameroon Cape Verde China Colombia Congo, Rep. Cuba Sri Lanka Suriname Swaziland Syrian Arab Republic Thailand Tonga Tunisia Turkmenistan Ukraine Vanuatu West Bank and Gaza India Kenya Korea, Dem. Rep. Kyrgyz Republic Lao PDR Liberia Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mongolia Mozambique Myanmar Nepal Niger Nigeria Pakistan Papua New Guinea Rwanda Sao Tomé and Principe Senegal Sierra Leone Solomon Islands Somalia Sudan Tajikistan Tanzania Timor-Leste Togo Uganda Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen, Republic Zambia Zimbabwe Low income countries Afghanistan Bangladesh Benin Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Central African Republic Chad Comoros Congo, Dem. Rep. Cote d’Ivoire Eritrea Ethiopia Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti ACCOMMODATION Hotel rooms with advantageous prices and of various categories have been booked for the Congress. Most of the hotels are at walking distance from the Congress Centre. Rooms will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit via cheque, bank transfer or credit card. Single room Min/Max Double room Min/Max Double room for single use Min/Max Deposit required 5 stars 230/260 355/400 340/365 400 4 stars 140/180 180/240 165/220 240 3 stars 100/120 155/170 135/150 170 2 stars 75/90 120/140 100/120 140 Not available 65/90 45/65 90 Hotel category Unexpensive accommodation All rates are in Euro, including taxes and breakfast. For hotel reservation, please compile the Hotel Reservation Form. All cancellations must be addressed to the Organizing Secretariat. 100% of the deposit will be refunded for cancellations postmarked by October 31, 2008; 50% of the deposit will be refunded for cancellations postmarked between November 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009; no refund will be made for cancellations postmarked after January 31, 2009. MUSEUM TOURS ACCOMPANYING PERSONS’ PROGRAMME The following tours will be organized on April 2,3 and 4 from 13.15 to 14.45. A professional English speaking guide will be available. For reservations, please compile the Registration Form. 1 These are tours for registered accompanying persons only (minimum 20 people per tours). A professional English-speaking guide will be available. For reservations, please compile the Registration Form. The Uffizi Gallery Euro 40.00 per person (On April 2, free of charge for registered accompanying persons) 1 April 1, from 9.30 to 12.30 Euro 40.00 per person The Uffizi Gallery is one of the greatest museums in the world. It contains masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists from the 13th to the 18th century, including Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Beato Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Raffaello, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Durer, Goya and many others. 2 The Dominican Monastery of San Marco is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. It contains many paintings by Beato Angelico, including the Annunciation. In the nearby SS. Annunziata Square, one can admire the Foundling Hospital by Brunelleschi, the very first building of the Renaissance. The Academy Gallery Euro 40.00 per person The Academy Gallery contains Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, his unfinished statues called “The Captives”, one of his four Pietas, and an extremely interesting collection of paintings from the 13th to the 16th century. 3 San Marco Museum and Foundling Hospital The Pitti Palace Euro 40.00 per person The Pitti Palace was the last, really sumptuous, residence of the Medici family. It was later the residence of the Austrian Grand Duke and of the King of Italy, thus becoming richer and richer in decoration and a model for European royal palaces. Fully furnished and lavishly decorated, it contains paintings by Raffaello, Tiziano, Rubens and many other great masters. 2 City Centre April 1, from 15.00 to 18.00 Free of charge The 11th century Baptistery and its famous “Doors of Paradise”, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (il Duomo), with its famous dome raised by Filippo Brunelleschi, and Giotto’s 14th century bell-tower (il Campanile) are the most outstanding monuments in the Cathedral Square, which represents the religious centre of the city. The political centre is Piazza della Signoria, with Palazzo Vecchio, which is the town hall of Florence. Quite impressive is the incredible series of original statues (Perseus, Neptune, the Rape of the Sabines, etc.) which stand there, so that the square can be considered like an open air museum. Ponte Vecchio, with all its famous jewellery stores, is one more world famous monument of Florence. It is the only bridge which is still original and dates back to the 14th century. 3 Boboli and Castello Gardens Gimignano, a charming little town perched on a hilltop and preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages, with its famous towers, precious frescoes and other art treasures. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant in Siena. April 2, from 9.30 to 12.30 Euro 40.00 per person If you have been in Florence without visiting the Boboli Garden or the Castello Garden, you have missed one of the essential aspects of Renaissance philosophy. The desire to understand and venerate nature was one of the grounding tenets of the new way of thinking. In addition, the gardens were a way to show power and prestige. The Boboli and Castello Gardens, which include restored Roman statues, fountains, busts, and grottoes, were laid out for Cosimo I and were designed by the famous Tribolo. 4 6 April 3, from 9.30 to 12.30 Euro 45.00 per person Santa Croce Church is one of the most important monuments of Gothic architecture, enriched with impressive mural paintings by Giotto and his followers. It is also the burial place of several great italian personalities, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini. Part of its Monastery is now a museum, with suggestive cloisters, a monumental refectory, and the ancient chapter room, designed by Brunelleschi. Cathedral Museum and Restoration Laboratory April 2, from 15.00 to 18.00 Euro 50.00 per person The Cathedral Museum contains several art works which cannot stay outside because they could get damaged, including the original, perfectly restored panels of Ghiberti’s Paradise Doors. The Restoration Laboratory provides a unique opportunity to see the old tools used to shape the Cathedral’s marble decoration. 5 Siena and San Gimignano April 2, from 8.30 to 18.00 Euro 115.00 per person Through the Chianti wine area, we will reach the medieval town of Siena, where we will visit the Cathedral, the Town Hall (with masterpieces of Italian painting and sculpture) and the Church of San Domenico, and observe other fine specimens of medieval architecture. We will then visit San Santa Croce Church and its Monastery 7 San Lorenzo Church and Medici-Riccardi Palace April 3, from 15.00 to 18.00 Euro 45.00 per person This is a tour focusing on the Medici family, which ruled Florence for three hundred years. In San Lorenzo Church, built by Brunelleschi, one can admire the Medici tombs by Michelangelo. In the Medici-Riccardi Palace, the first residence of the Medici family and the first palace of the Renaissance, the private chapel contains fabulous paintings by Benozzo Gozzoli. 8 Medici Villas April 3, from 9.00 to 17.00 Euro 105.00 per person The Medici villas of La Petraia and Poggio a Caiano are two outstanding examples of country residences. Both were later inhabited by the kings of Italy and most of their rich furniture dates back to that time. The Ferdinanda in Artimino villa was originally a hunting residence. It is immersed in the most typical Tuscan countryside, with gently rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. 9 Pisa and Lucca April 3, from 8.30 to 18.00 Euro 115.00 per person Pisa is famous for its Piazza dei Miracoli, with the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and the Camposanto, one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture and sculpture. Lucca is admirable not only for its architectural masterpieces - the Cathedral, the Church of San Frediano - but also for its roads, buildings and squares, such as Piazza del Mercato, which has kept the original oval shape of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant. Santa Maria Novella, its Cloister 10 and the Pharmacy April 4, from 9.30 to 12.30 Euro 45.00 per person The Dominican friars settled in this area in the 13th century and built there the purest Gothic style church of Florence. Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi and many other artists embellished it with spectacular works of arts. The monks distilled herbs and flowers and made essences which became worldwide famous over the centuries. This tradition is still alive thanks to the owners who, nowadays, keep working in the ancient rooms decorated with paintings, statues, precious furniture. 11 Florentine Hills April 4, from 15.00 to 18.00 Free of charge Piazzale Michelangelo provides an unforgettable view of the city, but the view one can enjoy from San Miniato Church is even more enchanting. This church, with its green and white marble façade, is one of the most important examples of Florentine Romanesque architecture, surrounded by the typical Tuscan countryside. On the hills overlooking Florence to the north, the small historical town of Fiesole, of Etruscan origin, later a Roman town, provides a marvellous panorama of Florence, the Arno river valley and the Tuscan hills. 12 Chianti Area April 4, from 9.00 to 17.00 Euro 110.00 per person This will be a relaxing drive through the Chianti wine area amidst lovely, ever changing scenery of vine clad hills, dotted with olive and cypress trees, little country churches, farmhouses, villas and castles. A stop in one of the best Chianti wine estates will give the possibility to taste the local wines with country snacks and to visit the wine cellars. All cancellations must be addressed to the Organizing Secretariat. Postmarked by December 15, 2008: 100% refund. Postmarked between December 16, 2008 and January 31, 2009: 50% refund. Postmarked after January 31, 2009: no refund. SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS Abstracts should be sent by e-mail to the Scientific Secretariat ([email protected]). For deadlines, please see the text of this announcement. Abstracts should be submitted in English. They should be no longer than 250 words. No figure or table can be included. The first line of the abstract should contain the title (capitalized); the second line should include the initial of the first name and the family name of each author; the third line should contain the affiliation(s) of the authors. Below the text of the abstract, please provide the following information on the presenting author: family name, first name, ordinary mail address, phone and fax number, e-mail address. Please specify the type of session for which your contribution is proposed.