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2023 International Directors Forum- Practical Information

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The 2023 International Directors Forum is a unique opportunity for 200 senior leaders from science engagement institutions from ASTC, ASPAC, Ecsite, NAMES, RedPOP and SAASTEC to network and build relationships.

Information for all Networks

  1. What is the International Directors Forum?
  2. Key dates
  3. Programme
  4. Optional extra activities
  5. International Directors Forum venues
  6. Pricing
  7. Registration
  8. Accommodation options
  9. Before you travel
  10. Travelling around Helsinki
  11. Accessibility
  12. Legacy
  13. Proof of attendance

Network-specific Information

  1. ASPAC
  2. ASTC
  3. Ecsite
  4. NAMES
  5. RedPOP
  6. SAASTEC

1. What is the International Directors Forum 2023?

The 2023 International Directors Forum is a unique opportunity for 200 senior leaders from science engagement institutions from ASPAC, ASTC, Ecsite, NAMES, RedPOP and SAASTEC to network and build relationships. Leaders will hear from prominent speakers from across the globe discussing the challenges of Misinformation and the Planetary Crisis. Participants will then have the chance to share their expertise in seeking solutions and debate the field's response to these contemporary challenges.

2. Key dates

International Directors Forum + regional meeting 14-16 November
Local Tours and Cultural Experiences 17 November

The 2023 International Directors Forum is an in person only event

3. Programme

The programme takes place 14-16 November with the addition of optional tours on 17 November. Networking moments are included to get to know your colleagues from across the globe.

An excellent group of speakers have already been confirmed - read all about them here

The full programme can be found here

4. Optional Extra Activities

For those wishing to stay on to experience what Finnish culture is all about, the team from Heureka have pulled together a programme of extra activities after the forum. Please note there is an additional charge for these activities.

Thursday 16 November - Sauna and dinner at Hanasaari Cultural Centre in Espoo

Located a stone´s throw away from Helsinki, experience a true Finnish sauna and dinner with the beautiful Finnish archipelago just outside the window.

Registered participants will get more detailed information in the beginning of the Forum.

Cost: The fee for 16 November evening activities is 60€ and it should be paid to Tiedekeskusssäätiö Finland, FI93 2075 3800 0066 86 / SWIFT NDEAFIHH

Would you like to learn more about the ins and outs of sauna culture? Read our handy instructions here

18:00-20:00 Guided sauna sessions

There is bus transportation from Heureka to Hanasaari Cultural Centre. The bus will also take participants back to Helsinki City and Heureka after the dinner 22.00. The venue is also accessible by Metro (“Koivusaari”) with a 1km walk.

Note: Participants can wear a towel in the sauna which will be provided, changing rooms and showers are communal and participants should also bring their swimsuits to cool off in the indoor pool or if they are interested in having a dip in the cold sea.

18:00-19:15 Sauna session for women

19:15-19:45 Mixed sauna session

19:45-21:00 Sauna session for men

18:00-23:00 Buffet dinner - Before or/and after their sauna participants can enjoy really good food in an especially nice restaurant upstairs.

Friday 17 November 12:00-14:00 - Free walking tours in Helsinki

Participants can choose one of the four following options to sign up to:

  • Finnish Literacy and Literature: Ode, The new Helsinki City Library​
  • Between East and West: Cold War walking tour​
  • The Design District: Finnish Museum of Architecture and The Design Museum​
  • Open Air Museum: Seurasaari

Registered participants will get more detailed information in the beginning of the Forum.

5. International Directors Forum Venue

The 2023 International Directors Forum is hosted by and will take place at Heureka - The Finnish Science Centre just outside Helsinki in Vantaa

6. Pricing

The registration fee for this unique event is €719,20 including Finnish VAT at 24%

The following payment methods are accepted:

  • Pay online at time of registration with VISA, Mastercard or American Express
  • Pay via wire transfer/bank transfer

An invoice will be sent for all options

The €15 Carbon contribution Finnish Legacy donation is included in the price.

Please note: the cancellation policy is 50% cancellation until 26 October and no refund from 26 October onwards.

7. Register to attend

Total capacity for the International Directors Forum is 200 participants and tickets have been allocated between the 6 sister Networks.

Members should please apply through their own Network organisation.

8. Accommodation options

1. Sokos Original Hotel Vantaa, a short 6 minute walk from Heureka and right next to the local train station Tikkurila.

  • 160 EUR / 1 person room Standard or 191 EUR / 2 persons room Standard - breakfast included
  • There might be some lively night events, so rooms from upper floors recommended.
  • Reservations: Sokos Hotels Sales Services telephone +358 300 870 000 or online www.sokoshotels.fi

2. Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, downtown Helsinki next to the railway station, a 30 minute train journey to Heureka

  • 167 EUR / 1 person room Standard or 184 EUR / 2 persons room Standard - breakfast included
  • Reservations: Sokos Hotels Sales Services telephone +358 300 870 000 or online www.sokoshotels.fi

3. Glo Hotel Kluuvi, 5 minutes from the railway station in Helsinki, a 30 minute train journey to Heureka

  • Approximate rate: 140 EUR/ 1 person room - breakfast included
  • Reservations: Telephone +358 10 3444400 or online kluuvi@glohotels.fi

A general list of hotels in the area can be found here

9. Before you travel

The Visit Finland website contains lots of useful information about the "Happiest country in the world"

Up to date Covid information for Finland can be found here

November is known as a chilly month. The average maximum daytime temperature in Helsinki in November lies at 2.0°C (35.6°F). The average minimum temperature goes down to around -0.6°C (30.92°F). There are generally around 18 rainy days in November. You will hardly see any sun, with only appr. 37 hours of sunshine during the entire month. Finns nevertheless find November a cosy time to stay indoors with good company. Since you will walk a bit outdoors to get to the IDF23 venue, it is recommended to wear your waterproof winter clothes, caps and mittens and proper non-slippery shoes.

The team at Heureka have compiled a list of restaurant recommendations in both Helsinki city centre and Vantaa Tikkurila, which can be found here

Are you interested to learn more about Finland before you travel? Check out these helpful websites:

Finnish history

Finnish design

Finnish education

10. Travelling around Helsinki & Vantaa

Public transport is efficient and reasonably priced in Finland

  • Airport to Tikkurila (nearest station to Heureka, 5 minute walk)

By train - every 20 minutes, takes 25 minutes. Cost at time of publication 3,10€

By taxi - takes about 25 minutes. Cost at time of publication 30€

  • Airport - Helsinki City Centre

By train - every 10 minutes, takes 45 minutes. Cost at time of publication 4,10€

By taxi - takes about 50 minutes. Cost at time of publication 60€

  • Helsinki City Centre - Heureka (Tikkurila)

By train - every 10 minutes (fastest ones are R and Z take 19 minutes). Cost at time of publication 4,10€

Walking from Tikkurila railway station to Heureka should only take 5 minutes.

By taxi - takes about 45 minutes. Cost at time of publication 50€

More information on local transport can be found here

11. Accessibility

Information about accessibility at Heureka, the 2023 International Directors Forum location is available here

12. Legacy

We are pleased to announce that a donation of €15 per participant will be made to the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation an organisation which buys and permanently protects forests. Donations from the International Directors Forum will enable the purchase of 3000m2 of forest.

13. Proof of attendance

Participants requiring a proof of attendance certificate should email us stating your full name, organisation and country and you will be issued with a signed certificate.

Network-specific information

1. ASPAC

  • Members of ASPAC can find full details of how to attend the IDF via this link
  • ASPAC CEO members are welcome to register their interest in attending directly via this pre-registration form
  • Should a CEO not be able to attend but wishes to send a deputy, please contact the team via this email before you pre-register.

2. ASTC

  • Members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) may request registration details by emailing IDF@astc.org
  • Please include the name and contact details for the chief executive who would like to register for the event.
  • Registration is limited and will be provided to member chief executives on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Ecsite

All tickets have been sold for the 2023 International Directors Forum and we look forward to welcoming all participants in Vantaa.

Regional meeting: Ecsite will hold its regional meeting entitled the 'Ecsite Member afternoon', which will focus on institutional strategies and stakeholders' values, on 14 November from 13:00 - 17:00, details and RSVP will be included in the Pre-departure mail.

The Agenda for the Ecsite Member afternoon:

13:00 – 13:30 Coffee, tea and a welcome speech

13:30 – 14:15 Sharing news and networking

14:15 – 15:00 House of Commons warm-up debate

15:00 – 15:30 Break

15:30 – 17:15 World Café breakout group discussion

17:15 – 17:45 Closing remarks

18:00 – 21:00 IDF Welcome Reception

Want to RSVP? Contact Mario (info-at-ecsite.eu)

Ecsite Contacts:

Registration & Payment - Mario & Florence (info-at-ecsite.eu)

Communications - Nicola & Roxanne (communications-at-ecsite.eu)

4. NAMES

  • Members of the North Africa and Middle East Science centers network (NAMES) may request registration details by emailing namesnetwork@bibalex.org
  • Please include the name and contact details of the chief executive who would like to register for the event.
  • Registration is limited and will be provided to member chief executives on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • A member chief executive could nominate an alternative for them from among the member institution senior directors

5. RedPOP

  • Members of the Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (RedPOP) may request registration details by emailing: idf.redpop@gmail.com
  • Please include the name and contact details of the chief executive who would like to register for the event.
  • Registration is limited and will be provided to member chief executives on a first-come, first-served basis.

6. SAASTEC