The 6th Science Centre World Congress will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 4-8 September 2011. Enjoy stimulating congress sessions, challenging workshops and lively debates. And enjoy all that Cape Town and South Africa have to offer - whale watching, wine tasting, a unique floral kingdom, big game safaris, beautiful beaches, unparalleled scenic beauty, and a friendly and diverse culture.

Your hosts the Cape Town Science Centre, the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres, and the North Africa and Middle East Science Centers Network look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town.

With the theme "Science Across Cultures", the 6th Science Centre World Congress will encourage reconciliation between different cultures and a greater appreciation of the role that science centres can play in highlighting each culture's unique contributions to science, technology and science education.

Since its inception in 1996 the Science Centre World Congress "system" has followed some standard practices which distinguish it. These include:

• Science Centre World Congresses are held every three years on alternating continents and are open to science centre and museum professionals from all over the world. The congress organisation consists of a Local Organising Committee, set up by the host institution, and an International Program Committee, set up by the various science centre networks as detailed below.
• The Local Organising Committee is responsible for practical arrangements of the congress (logistics, arrangements) and its finances.
• An International Program Committee works with the host institution and is responsible for the content and program of the congress. The committee takes decisions on themes and subject areas of the program, session formats and speakers, and invites guest speakers within the congress budget or resources made available to it by the Local Organising Committee.
• The International Program Committee consists of the head of the host institution as Chair of the Committee, the previous congress Chair and three representatives each designated by the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology Exhibitions, and two representatives each designated by the Red-Pop network and the Asia-Pacific Association of Science Centres. In addition to this, one representative from China, India and Africa is to be designated by appropriate bodies or invited by the Committee.
• The International Program Committee selects the venue of the next congress. The committee defines the criteria for selecting a venue in the invitation to compete. The selection procedure is open and invitations are limited to one region at a time for a particular conference.
• Parallel Sessions include representatives from at least three continents.
• Ample time is provided between sessions and in the evenings for delegates to connect informally.

The organisers say that: “There is definitely something for everyone, whether you work in a science centre or in a traditional museum, outdoor park, zoo, aquarium, visitor centre, botanical garden or the corporate exhibitions environment. We predict that you will have some difficult decisions to make as to which sessions to attend, but we have no doubt that you will have an inspiring and enjoyable time at the 6SCWC!”

Book your 4 star accommodation including breakfast, FREE internet and parking now!