This is the latest digest update for Madness, Citizenship and Social Justice: A Human Rights Conference, an event hosted by the Simon Fraser University Institute for the Humanities and scheduled for the SFU downtown Harbour Centre campus in Vancouver, Canada on June 12th-15th, 2008.

Following are a few points to bear in mind as we advance into May:

Early Registration Rates End Friday:
Take note that the May 2nd deadline for early registration (and corresponding ‘early-bird’ fees) is now just four days off. If you have not already done so, please do consider taking advantage of these discounted rates by completing the on-line registration form http://www.sfu.ca/madcitizenship-conference/register.htm by the 2nd.

Instructions for Presenters and Chairs:
For those of you presenting panel papers, please recall that the majority of sessions will run for 105 minutes. Presenters in regular panels should prepare talks of 20 minutes duration (plus discussion time). Where applicable we will supply a-v equipment and technical support, including computers and projection equipment. If you are intending to use PowerPoint software, you should plan to bring your file(s) on a flash drive/usb key (preferred) and/or cd/dvd. In mid-May we will be distributing information (including presenter contacts) and programming/formatting suggestions to all session chairs. If you are presenting in a panel session, please let me know if, for any reason, you do not wish your email address to be distributed to your session moderator.

Frames of Mind Mental Health Film Festival:
A programme note for locals (and those who might happen to be in the Vancouver area next week): The Frames of Mind film festival (Dr Harry Karlinsky, Festival Director; Caroline Coutts, Associate Festival Director) will be playing from May 8th through 11th at the Pacific Cinémathèque theatre (the same location as for our June 13th Titicut Follies / Juvenile Justice screenings). The full slate of films comprising this exciting festival programme, with contacts listed, is available at: http://www.psychiatry.ubc.ca/teaching/CME/film/filmfest.htm

Airport Shuttle / Shared Rides:
By way of forward planning for visitors to Vancouver, the best means of transiting from the Vancouver International Airport to the city downtown are taxi or shuttle bus. The Vancouver Airporter shuttle is a reliable option, with several stops around the downtown area (@30-40 minutes travel time) and fares of $13.50 CAN (one-way) and $21.00 CAN (return). You might also wish to consider ride-sharing. Currently, Don Weitz (who arrives from Toronto via WestJet at 12:30 pm on Thursday, June 12th) is seeking a ride-share from another incoming traveller, or a lift from someone local. If you can assist, please let me know and I will put you in touch with Don. More generally, we would be glad to use the listserv as a clearing-house for anyone else who might be looking for (a) taxi partner(s).

More conference information will follow within the next 2-3 weeks.

Best for now,

Bob Menzies