Practical information
The 2007 Public Forum
will be held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva — Centre William
Rappard. Learn more about the
history
of the WTO Building.
WTO's address:
Centre William Rappard
Rue de Lausanne 154
CH-1211 Geneva 21
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 739 5111
FROM GENEVA AIRPORT:
The Geneva International
Airport (GVA-Cointrin) is located about 5 km from the centre of
Geneva. Public transportation is easily available from the
airport.
By taxi:
Taxis can be found directly outside the arrival hall.
Approximate fare for one-way to the WTO address should be no
more than 40 francs.
By train and bus:
To get to the WTO, the best way is to take the train from the
airport to the main station (Gare Cornavin), which takes
approximately six minutes. At the airport, follow the train
signs to the platform. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket
desk located on the level above the train platforms or at the
electronic booths next to the platforms. A one-way fare costs 3
francs for second class.
> Train schedule can be
found
here
Upon arrival at
the train station, take bus number 1 in the direction of
Jardin Botanique, which is also the WTO stop and the last one
on the bus line. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Tickets can
be bought at electronic dispensers next to bus stand and cost
3 francs for a one-hour validity. The WTO Building is across
the street from the Jardin Botanique stop. Please note that
your train ticket is valid on the bus within the hour of
purchase.
> Bus
schedule can be found
here
Participation at the Forum is free of
charge. Travel and accommodation costs are borne by the participants. Please
note that the WTO does not deal with visas.
BADGES: We urge you to ensure that all staff and speakers involved in
your workshop are registered. The on-line registration remains open until Friday
28 September. Please note that all participants must be registered to ensure
that a badge will be available upon their arrival at the WTO headquarters.
Please note that badges can be collected at any time throughout the forum. In
case people want to attend the opening plenary at 10 am on 4 October, they are
advised to collect their badge early, as strict security controls will be in
place. We will open the badge collection as from 7.30 am.
SECURITY: According to security
measures at the WTO's headquarters, please inform your speakers to bring a valid
ID (passport or identity card) to collect their badge. A badge will only be
handed over upon exchange of a valid ID. At all times during their presence at
the WTO premises, the WTO badge has to be carried visibly.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Please remind your audiences not to leave any
personal belongings in the meeting rooms after the workshop has finished, as all
rooms will be locked after closing hours.
PROGRAMME: An updated version of
the Forum's programme has been made available on the
Forum's dedicated webpage.
E FORUM: Please note that an
E Forum is expected to be operational during the
course of next week to discuss the different topics that many of you have raised
and that will be addressed during the Public Forum.
MEETING ROOMS: Parallel meetings are scheduled to take place throughout
the duration of the Public Forum, except for the morning of the first day when
the opening will take place. The total capacity of each of the meeting rooms
that will be used for the sessions is identified below.
|
CR |
CR I |
CR II |
W |
D |
E |
F |
B |
Floor |
New Building |
New Building |
New Building |
Ground Floor
Main Building |
3 rd Floor
Main Building |
3 rd Floor
Main Building |
3 rd Floor
Main Building |
Ground Floor
Main Building |
Total Capacity |
714
|
390 |
324 |
256 |
155 |
121 |
59 |
52 |
USEFUL
INFORMATION FOR YOUR STAY |
As the second largest
city in Switzerland, Geneva is home to people from all over the
world with over 40 per cent of its population being
international. Host to several inter-governmental organizations,
Geneva always has a variety of activities, conferences, talks
and meetings happening throughout the year. Its picturesque
landscape of the snow-capped Alps and the pristine lake offers
many an escape from daily routines. Although French is the
predominant language spoken in Geneva, English is widely
understood and most people speak at least one other language.
TRANSPORTATION IN
GENEVA
Getting around Geneva and travelling to nearby cities is quite
easy as the city is efficiently serviced by buses, trolleybuses
trams and train. Trains and buses have regular service to
neighbouring countries, with France being the nearest. Public
boat transport may also be taken to cities along the Lake shore
including Nyon, Yvoire, Thonon, Evian and Lausanne. Tickets are
available from dispensers located at each stop. You may also
inquire at the main train station (Gare Cornavin) ticketing
kiosk for more details.
While buses and trams are more popular among locals because of
their reasonable pricing, taxis are also available for travel
within Geneva. Taxi stands are located at the airport, train
station and a few points in the city. For more convenience, you
may also call for one at phone number 022 731 41 41.
The WTO Building is
conveniently serviced by three major bus routes going to
different points in the city. The following stops are located
outside the main gates of the WTO.
Bus 1: Direction “Rive”
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Useful Stops:
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Bus 11: Direction “Bout-du-Monde”
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Useful Stop:
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Bus 28: Direction “Hôpital-La Tour”
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Useful Stops:
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> For more information
on how to get around in Geneva please
click here.
Hotels in Geneva get
booked fast, so please make sure to arrange your accommodation
in advance. Websites like
Expedia.com and
Orbitz.com may be
helpful. For more reference, please check
www.genevashotels.com. Hotels walking distance to the WTO
include Hotel Eden
and Hotel Mon
Repos. A little further, but still within close proximity,
is the luxurious
Hotel
President Wilson.
Please also check the
Foundation
Mandat International, which offers facilities for
non-governmental organizations.
RESTAURANT
FACILITIES NEAR THE WTO |
A variety of options is available for
dining in or around the WTO.
Budget:
The HEI cafeteria adjacent to the WTO has many lunch options at reasonable
prices ranging from 10 to 15 francs. For a quick bite, the WTO café (Salle des
Pas Perdus) on the ground floor offers all sorts of beverages, sandwiches and
salads in a more relaxed setting. Across the street from the WTO (next to Bus 1
Jardin Botanique stop), there is a small supermarket which is also a popular
destination for those interested in fresh sandwiches and salad for reasonable
pricing.
Mid-Range:
If you are looking for sit-down dining, a Chinese buffet is available at the
Qing Dao Restaurant around the corner from the small supermarket. The buffet
costs approximately 22 francs and lunch menus cost around 15 francs. Restaurants
at the Hotel Mon
Repos (131-133 rue de Lausanne) and
Hotel Eden (135
rue de Lausanne) further up on the street offer Swiss/French/Italian eating.
Like most restaurants in Geneva, a more reasonably-priced lunch menu or “Plat du
Jour” may be found here.
Top-end:
Close to the WTO with a scenic view of the Lake, restaurant La
Perle du Lac
offers exquisite cuisine if you are interested in splurging a bit. Be sure to
call and reserve especially if you plan to go as a group.
Address: 126, rue de Lausanne ¦ Tel.: +41(0)22 909 10 20 ¦ Fax: +41(0)22 909 10
30
The currency in
Switzerland is the Swiss Franc, often written as CHF or SFr.
While the Euro is accepted at most shops and businesses, it is
better to exchange your money in advance so as to avoid paying a
higher rate. Cash is the most popular transaction method and
locals tend to carry substantial amount on them. Many smaller
stores and supermarkets do not accept credit cards and those
that do may ask to see a photo ID.
ATMs are conveniently
dispersed throughout the city; the WTO Building also has two UBS
ATMs next to the visitor's entrance.
Geneva Tourism:
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/
Weather:
http://www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch/web/en/weather.html
Bus Schedule:
http://www.tpg.ch
Train Schedule:
http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisen.htm
Geneva Airport:
www.gva.ch
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