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[[Image:EDUGraphicBig.jpg|center]]
<BR>
<center><big>'''First International Conference on the'''</big><BR>
<big><big><big>'''Evolution and Development of the Universe'''</big></big></big><BR>
'''Wed - Thu, 8 - 9 October 2008, Paris, France'''<BR>
'''Host Institution: [http://www.ens.fr/index_en.php Ecole Normale Supérieure],''' in collaboration with [http://ecco.vub.ac.be '''ECCO, the Evolution, Complexity and Cognition group''']<BR>and [http://www.vub.ac.be/CLEA/ '''CLEA, the Center Leo Apostel''']at the [http://www.vub.ac.be/english/index.php '''Vrije Universiteit Brussel'''].</center>
[[Image:EDU2008 attendees.JPG|800px|center]]
<center>[[EDU2008-silhouette| '''Click for a Silhouette Picture, With Attendee Names''']]</center>

__TOC__
'''Evo Devo Universe''' is a global scholarly research community exploring and critiquing models, hypotheses, and questions relating to the extent and interaction of evolutionary (or quasi-evolutionary) and developmental (or quasi-developmental) processes in the universe and its subsystems.

'''EDU 2008''' provides an opportunity for those working across these topics to get together and exchange ideas, results and resources. The conference will present and discuss a selection of current work in the field, highlight new directions for investigation and provide small group and open space time for special interest group interaction and collaboration.

=== '''Publication content''' ===


{| class="prettytable"
| [[Image:Edu2008frontthnb.jpg‎|140px|link=http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.5508 ]]
| The '''full''' EDU 2008 Special Issue, with commentaries and responses (4mb). Contributions are available for '''download separately''' from the table of contents below. 


[http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.5508 '''The Evolution and Development of the Universe''']. 355 pages, to appear in ''Foundations of Science'', Special Issue of the Conference on the Evolution and Development of the Universe, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris 8-9 Oct., 2008. 

|}

{| class="prettytable"
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/FoS_Special_Issue_General_Intro.pdf Preface]
| 5

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/FoS_Special_Issue_General_Intro.pdf List of contributors]
| 7

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/FoS_Special_Issue_General_Intro.pdf Introduction], [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10699-010-9176-9 (DOI)]
| 9

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/FoS_Special_Issue_General_Intro.pdf Acknowledgements]
| 14

|-
|<big>'''Part I - Physics and Cosmology'''</big>
| 

|-
|[http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/NottaleSRTheoryApplicationsEDU2008.pdf Scale Relativity and Fractal Space-Time: Theory and Applications], [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10699-010-9170-2 (DOI)]<BR>''Laurent Nottale ''
| 15

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Nottale_Commentary_by_Auffray-Noble.pdf Scale Relativity: an Extended Paradigm for Physics and Biology?]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Charles Auffray and Denis Noble''
| 80

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Nottale_Response.pdf Multiscale Integration in Scale Relativity Theory]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Laurent Nottale''
| 83

|-
|[http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/HeylighenSOTimeCausalityEDU2008.pdf The Self-organization of Time and Causality: steps towards understanding the ultimate origin], [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10699-010-9171-1 (DOI)] <BR>''Francis Heylighen''
| 87

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Heylighen_Commentary_by_Longo.pdf Symmetries and Symmetry-breakings: the fabric of physical interactions and the flow of time]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Giuseppe Longo''
| 100

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Heylighen_Response.pdf Symmetry, Potentiality and Reversibility]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Francis Heylighen''
| 102

|-
|[http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/GrebenEConservVacuumEinEvolofUnivEDU2008.pdf The Role of Energy Conservation and Vacuum Energy in the Evolution of the Universe], [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10699-010-9172-0 (DOI)]<BR>''Jan Greben''
| 104

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/DurtAnthropomorphicQuantumDarwinismEDU2008.pdf Anthropomorphic Quantum Darwinism as an explanation for Classicality], <BR>''Thomas Durt''
| 131

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;  [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Durt_Commentary_by_Lori.pdf On definitions of Information in Physics]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Nicolás Lori''
| 154

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Durt_Response.pdf Competing Definitions of Information versus Entropy in Physics]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Thomas Durt''
| 157

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/LoriBlinQuantumDarwinismCosmicInflationGodelEDU2008.pdf Application of Quantum Darwinism to Cosmic Inflation: an example of the limits imposed in Aristotelian logic by information-based approach to Gödel’s incompleteness]<BR>''Nicolás Lori and Alex Blin''
| 160

|-
| <big>'''Part II – Biology'''<big>

| 

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/JagersHierarchicalDefinitionofLifeEDU2008.pdf Towards a Hierarchical Definition of Life, the Organism, and Death]<BR>''Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis''
| 169

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Jagers_Commentary_by_Van_Straalen.pdf The Issue of "Closure" in Jagers op Akkerhuis's Operator Theory] <BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Nico van Straalen''
| 186

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Jagers_Commentary_by_Hengeveld.pdf Definitions of Life are not only Unnecessary, but they can do Harm to Understanding] <BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Rob Hengeveld''
| 188

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Jagers_Responses.pdf Explaining the Origin of Life  is not enough for a Definition of Life]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis''

| 190

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/EkstigComplexityEvolutionEDU2008.pdf Complexity and Evolution:a study of the growth of complexity in organic and cultural evolution]<BR>''Börje Ekstig''

| 193

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/ChalineSpeciesEvolutionandScaleLawsEDU2008.pdf Does Species Evolution Follow Scale Laws ? First Applications of the Scale Relativity Theory to Fossil and Living-beings]<BR>''Jean Chaline''
| 212

|-
| <big>'''Part III - Philosophy and Big Questions'''<big>

| 

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/SaltheDevelEvolUniverseEDU2008.pdf Development (and Evolution) of the Universe]<BR>''Stanley Salthe''
| 248

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Salthe_Commentary_by_Fairlamb.pdf Must Complex Systems Theory Be Materialistic?]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Horace Fairlamb''
| 260

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Salthe_Commentary_by_Van_de_Vijver.pdf Friends of Wisdom?]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Gertrudis Van de Vijver''
| 263

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;  [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Salthe_Responses.pdf Materialism: Replies to Comments from Readers]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Stanley Salthe''

| 266

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/CranePossibleImplicationsQuantumGravityEDU2008.pdf Possible Implications of the Quantum Theory of Gravity:An Introduction to the Meduso-Anthropic Principle]<BR>''Louis Crane''
| 269

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;  [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Crane_Commentary_by_Vidal.pdf Two Purposes of Black Hole Production]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Clément Vidal''
| 274

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;  [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Crane_Response.pdf From Philosophy to Engineering]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Louis Crane''
| 277

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/VidalBiologicalComputationalAnalogiesFineTuningEDU2008.pdf Computational and Biological Analogies for Understanding Fine-Tuned Parameters in Physics]<BR>''Clément Vidal''
| 280

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;[http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Vidal_Commentary_by_Greben.pdf On the Nature of Initial Conditions and  Fundamental Parameters in Physics and Cosmology]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Jan Greben''
| 305

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;[http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Vidal_Commentary_by_Vaas.pdf Cosmological Artificial Selection: Creation out of something?] <BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Rüdiger Vaas''
| 307

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Vidal_Responses.pdf Fine-tuning, Quantum Mechanics and Cosmological Artificial Selection]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by Clément Vidal''
| 310

|-
| [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/StewartMeaningofLifeinDevelopingUniverseEDU2008.pdf The Meaning of Life in a Developing Universe]<BR>''John Stewart''
| 324

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Stewart_Commentary_by_Rottiers.pdf What and that Humans do: Participating in the Meaning of life,  a Contributor's Critique]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Franc Rottiers''
| 341

|-
|&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;  [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Stewart_Commentary_by_Vidal.pdf Analysis of Some Speculations Concerning the Far-Future of Intelligent Civilizations]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Commentary by Clément Vidal''
| 344

|-
| &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; [http://evodevouniverse.com/EDU2008Papers/opencommentary/Stewart_Responses.pdf The Future of Life and What it Means for Humanity]<BR>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; ''Response by John Stewart''
| 349

|-

|}

=== '''Scientific Committee''' ===

* [http://www.biocosm.org/about.htm James N. Gardner], complexity theorist with a background in '''philosophy''' and '''theoretical biology'''. (Portland, OR, USA)

*[http://homepages.vub.ac.be/~cgershen/ Carlos Gershenson], complexity theorist studying '''self-organization''', '''evolution''', '''ALife''', and '''cognition'''. (Boston, MA, USA)

*[http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/radiology/stafflist/rgordon.html Richard Gordon], embryologist and theoretical biologist exploring '''development''', '''genetics''', and '''evolution'''. (Manitoba, Canada)

*[http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html Francis Heylighen], systems theorist and cyberneticist focusing on the '''evolution of complexity'''. (Brussels, Belgium)

* [http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/math/profile04/scientists/holcman-prof04.html David Holcman], mathematician and computational biologist modeling '''microstructures in biological systems'''. (Paris, France)

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurent_Nottale Laurent Nottale], cosmologist and pioneering theorist in '''scale relativity''' and '''fractal space-time'''. (Paris, France)

* [http://evodevouniverse.com/wiki/index.php/John_Smart#.27.27.27John_Smart.27.27.27 John Smart], systems theorist studying '''accelerating change''' and '''evolutionary development'''. (Mountain View, CA, USA)

* [http://evodevouniverse.com/wiki/index.php/Cl%C3%A9ment_Vidal Clement Vidal], philosopher and systems theorist studying '''evolutionary cosmology'''. (Brussels, Belgium)

* [http://www.bordalierinstitute.com Peter Winiwarter], transdisciplinary researcher in '''complex systems''', '''neural networks''' and '''evolution'''. (Boursay, France)


=== '''Submission Options''' ===

'''Extended Abstracts''' and '''Papers''' are the two options for initial submission to the scientific committee, to be considered for conference presentation.<BR>
Please use the [http://evodevouniverse.com/eval/myreview/myreview/ '''online submission system'''] to upload your abstract or paper. 

* '''Extended Abstracts''' are '''500-1000 words''' (with brief References, not included in the word count).
* '''Papers''' are '''5000-15000 words''', with a brief (100-500 word) Abstract and References (both not included in word count).

You will be notified by '''August 15th''' whether your abstract or paper are accepted. If your abstract/paper is accepted, you will have until '''September 29th''' to write the paper (abstract accepted) or do any recommended improvements (paper accepted). '''All those who are accepted are expected to attend the conference to present their papers''' and to receive in-person feedback. There are no conference fees for presenters, but lodging (a conference hotel is available) and travel costs are your own. Partial lodging dispensation funds may be available for some presenters, please apply only as needed.

=== '''Research Questions and Themes''' ===

Abstracts and papers considering evolutionary or developmental aspects of the universe and its subsystems are welcome in areas including: cosmology, biology, complexity theory, nonlinear mathematics, information theory, computer science, systems theory, philosophy, culture studies, and related disciplines. Please review [[EDU_Research_Questions#General_questions|'''Research Questions''']] to understand the scope and focus of research questions in the EDU community. Papers are significantly more likely to be accepted if they clearly address one (or more) of these general questions. 

Papers may address any of the following topical '''Themes''', with implications for the '''universe as a system'''. 

* Anthropic bias and observer selection effects.
* Anthropic, fine-tuning, and multiverse/ensemble models in cosmology.
* Acceleration studies at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Astrobiology, Fermi paradox, and SETI.
* Complexity, emergence, ergodicity, and nonlinear science models with organic and computational features.
* Computational and artificial life inspired models and analogies applied at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Cosmology with organic features, such as cosmological natural selection (CNS) and CNS with intelligence (CNS-I).
* Directionality, macrodevelopment, and convergent evolution in biological systems.
* Evolutionary and developmental processes in evo-devo and theoretical biology.
* Evolutionary and developmental processes in non-biological systems (physical, chemical, cultural, technological).
* Hierarchy theory, modularity, and self-organization at the universe and subsystem scales. 
* Information theory of evolution and development, intelligence theory at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Network theory and neural networks as a paradigm to explain self-organization of complex networks.
* Non-equilibrium dissipative structures at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Philosophy and systems theory with organic and computational features at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Philosophical and epistemological status of cosmological and speculative theories.
* Probability distributions, power laws, and statistical predictability at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Scale relativity, scale invariance and self-similarity models at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Self-reference, iteration, and recursion models at the universe and subsystem scales.
* Systems models relating physical, chemical, biological, cultural, and technological (PCBCT) subsystems

Themes outside the scope of the conference and its community:
* Non-naturalistic orthogenesis or teleology, intelligent design, supernaturalism, and theology.

=== '''Important Dates''' === 

* <strike>'''30th July'''</strike> – Deadline for the submission of initial abstracts and paper proposals (extended from 15 July).
* <strike>'''15th August'''</strike> – Notification of acceptance (accepted abstracts to be expanded to papers after 15 August)
* <strike>'''29th September'''</strike>  – Deadline for the receipt of final papers
* <strike>'''8-9 October'''</strike>  – EDU 2008 Conference, Paris, France.

=== '''Keynote Speakers''' ===

* James N. Gardner, a complexity theorist and science essayist, with a background in philosophy and theoretical biology.
* Francis Heylighen, a systems theorist and cyberneticist focusing on the evolution of complexity.
* Laurent Nottale, a cosmologist and pioneering theorist in scale relativity and fractal space-time.
* John Smart, a systems theorist and scholar of accelerating change.
* John Stewart, an evolutionary thinker, author and evolutionary activist.
* Clement Vidal, a philosopher and systems theorist studying evolutionary cosmology.

=== '''Program ''' ===

Please see the [[SO-EDU2008|'''EDU 2008 Conference Program Page''']] for the detailed daily agenda, and the [[Media:EDU2008Program.pdf|'''PDF Program Guide''']] with conference abstracts.

EDU 2008 is two days of presentations and Q&A, panel Q&A, coffee breaks and catered lunch, afternoon special interest groups and open space activities, and optional offsite no-host dinners and after-dinner conversation. List of talks:

* '''An Algorithmic Info Theory Approach to Emergence of Order Using Simple Replication Models''', ''Sean Devine'' ([[SeanDevineAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/DevineAlgorInfoTheoryEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Application of Quantum Darwinism to Cosmic Inflation''', ''Nicolas Lori, Alex Blin'' ([[NicolasLoriAbstracts|Abstract]]|Slides Private)
* '''Are Particles Self-Organized Systems?''', ''Vladimir Manasson''  ([[VladimirManassonAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/ManassonParticlesasSOSEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Complex-Dynamic Cosmology and Emergent World Structure''', ''Andrei Kirilyuk'' ([[AndreiKirilyukAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/KirilyukComplexDynamicCosmolEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Complexity and Evolution''', ''Börje Ekstig''  ([[BorjeEkstigAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/EkstigComplexity@EvolEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Complexity and Energy Density in Big History''', ''Fred Spier''  ([[FredSpierAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/SpierComplexity@EnergyDensityBigHistoryEDU2008.ppt Slides])'
* '''Computational and Biological Analogies for Understanding the Fine-Tuning of Parameters in Physics''', ''Clément Vidal''  ([[ClementVidalAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/VidalComputationalBiologicalU&FineTuningEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Does Species Evolution Follow Scale Laws ? An App. of the Scale Relativity Theory to Fossil Living Beings''', ''Jean Chaline''  ([[JeanChalineAbstracts|Abstract]]|Slides Private)
* '''Evo Devo Universe? A Framework for Speculations on Cosmic Culture''', ''John Smart''  ([[JohnSmartAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/SmartEvoDevoUniverseEDU2008v2.ppt Slides])
* '''Foundations of Physics''', ''Tom Gehrels''  ([[TomGehrelsAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/GehrelsFoundofPhysicsEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Information Organization and Knowledge Evolution: The Case of Pharmaceutical Innovations''', ''Carl Henning Reschke''  ([[CarlReshkeAbstracts|Abstract]]|Not Presented)
* '''Integration as a Fundamental Process in Cosmic Evolution and Science Development''', ''Kris Roose''  ([[KrisRooseAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/RooseIntegrationEDU2008.pps Slides])
* '''Quantum Mechanics and Environment-Induced Superselection Rules''', ''Thomas Durt''  ([[ThomasDurtAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/DurtQMandSuperselectionEDU2008.pdf Slides])
* '''Scale Relativity and Fractal Space-Time: Theory and Applications''', ''Laurent Nottale''  ([[LaurentNottaleAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/audio/2008/EDU2008D1.2-Nottale55min.mp3 '''Audio1(55min)''']|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/NottaleScaleRelativityEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''The Meaning of Life in a Developing Universe''', ''John Stewart''  ([[JohnStewartAbstracts|Abstract]]|No Slides)
* '''The Role of Energy Conservation and Vacuum Energy in the Evolution of the Universe''', ''Jan Greben''  ([[JanGrebenAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/GrebenEConserv&VacuumEinEvolofUnivEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''The String Landscape as Genetic Alphabet: The Subtle Virtues of a Non-Unique Cosmic Code''', ''James N. Gardner''  ([[JamesGardnerAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.evodevouniverse.com/2008/GardnerStringLandscapeGeneticAlphabetEDU2008.ppt Slides])
* '''Towards a Hierarchical Definition of Life, the Organism, and Death''', ''Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis''  ([[GerardJagersAbstracts|Abstract]]|Slides Private)
* '''Universal Evolutionary Hierarchy: A Unified Network Approach''', ''Peter Winiwarter''  ([[PeterWiniwarterAbstracts|Abstract]]|[http://www.bordalierinstitute.com/index.html Website]|[http://www.popularreview.com Review])

Pre-prints of these papers are '''available for download''' in the '''Files section of EDU-Talk listserve.''' If you are a scholar interested in these issues, and/or will be a presenter or attendee at EDU 2008, please complete the very brief seven question [[EDU-Talk_subscription_form|'''EDU-Talk Subscription Form''']] to join EDU-Talk and download presenter's papers.

=== '''Organizing Committee''' ===

* Alain Prochiantz (chair), [http://www.ens.fr/index_en.php Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris]
* Clément Vidal, [http://www.vub.ac.be/english/index.php Vrije Universiteit Brussel]
* John Smart, [http://accelerating.org Acceleration Studies Foundation]
* Arnaud Blanchard, [http://www.feelix-growing.org Feelix Growing Research Group]

Organized in collaboration with the [http://ecco.vub.ac.be Evolution, Complexity and Cognition group] (ECCO) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

=== '''Venue''' === 

'''Dussane Room,''' [http://www.ens.fr/index_en.php Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris], [http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=45+Rue+d%27Ulm,+Paris,+France&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title 45 Rue d'Ulm, 75005 (Île-De-France), Paris, France]. Continental breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks will be provided to attendees on both days. EDU 2008 is an academic event, closed to press. Journalists are welcome to attend, but no writeups please.

Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city has a global influence on education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts. Attendees will be warmly encouraged to spend '''Friday, Oct 10th''' sightseeing in self-convened, self-hosted groups. Lists of local options will be provided.

=== '''Fees''' ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Presenters'''
| Free
|-
| '''Students (<100)'''
| Free*
|-
| '''Students (>100)'''
| 40 euros (60 USD)**
|-
| '''General Attendees &nbsp; &nbsp;'''
| 80 euros (120 USD)
|}

'*' Current valid Student ID required at the door for free Student Rate, lunches and coffee breaks included.<BR>
'**' Rate for student registrants beyond 100, or without current ID to present at the door is 40 euros.

=== '''Lodging and Transport''' ===

A [[Car-room-sharing|'''Car- and Room-Sharing Page''']] is available for any attendees who wish to post '''carshare or roomshare offers or requests''' to economize lodging and travel at EDU 2008.

* The '''primary conference hotel''' is [http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1803/fiche_hotel.shtml '''Hotel Ibis Place d'Italie'''] 25, avenue Stephen Pichon 75013 PARIS. Metro: Place d'Italie, (Lignes 5, 6, 7). Tel : (+33)1/44249485 Fax : (+33)1/44242070. See also the [http://tinyurl.com/5d5nt3 map]. Rates begin at 100 euros per night. Hotel Ibis is 3.4 km (8 mins) by car or 2.3 km (25 mins) by foot from the conference venue (Ecole Normale Superiere). The metro is also close by, and at 2 metro stations distance from the [http://www.ens.fr/ecole/plan.html ENS] (Ligne 7, Censier Daubenton). 

* The alternate conference hotel, 1 km farther from the venue, is [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/for/5010/fiche_hotel.shtml '''Accor's Formule 1, Porte de Chatillon''']. Rates begin at 50 euros per night. Formula 1, Porte de Chatillon is 3.4 km Formule 1 is a chain, so if this hotel is booked, others may be found by Google Maps (search "Hotel Formule 1 75005 Paris"). The easiest way to come to the ENS from there is to take the bus 38 at "Porte d'Orléans", direction "Gare du Nord" and to step out at "Val de grace" and walk a few minutes.

See also a [http://www.ens.fr/ecole/plan.html map of the area of the ENS] with nearby transportation options.

For information about public transportation from the Airports to Paris or within Paris (bus and subway lines), visit the [http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php RATP].

=== '''Registration''' ===

'''All EDU 2008 attendees must register online at:'''

=== [http://www.regonline.com/EDU2008 '''www.regonline.com/EDU2008'''] === 

'''EDU 2008 can accommodate a maximum of 200 attendees. Please register as soon as possible to secure your space!'''<BR>Registration takes just a few minutes, and allows us to generate your badges, attendee list, send email updates, etc.<BR>

'''Non-EU Attendees Please Note:''' Due to the international epidemic of attempted visa, entry permit, and conference registration fraud, the conference organizers reserve the right to question any registration request, and to honor it only on receipt of valid proof of active research or industry participation in the technical field of the conference.

'''We look forward to great presentations, conversations, learning, and socializing with you in Paris this October!'''

=== '''Contact''' === 

For questions, please contact [mailto:johnsmart@accelerating.org John Smart] and/or [mailto:clement.vidal@philosophons.com Clement Vidal].

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