Special announcements

First call for papers

4th Systems Science European Congress CES-4

(supported by the European SystemsScience Union-UES)

20-24 September 1999, Valencia- Ibiza, Spain

A number of symposia will be arranged and we are grateful to colleagues who have undertaken the task of preparing these events. As on earlier occasions, eminent speakers of international reputation will present their latest research results in the framework of daily plenary sessions.

Some already scheduled or suggested symposia:

• A.

  General systems theory and methodology

• B.

  Complexity, chaos and order

• C.

  Mathematical systems theory

• D.

  Social systems

• E.

  Ethical, political and juridical systems

• F.

  Uncertainty

• G.

  Living systems and environmental systems

• H.

  Artificial neural networks

• I.

  Cognition and artificial intelligence

• J.

  Data mining

• K.

  Cybernetics and autonomous systems

• L.

  Systems in management

• M.

  Information and communication

• N.

  Sustainable development

• O.

  The European city of the future

• P.

  Competitivity and quality

Patronage/sponsors:Fundació Cinc Secles de la Universitat de ValenciaUniversidad Internacional Menendez PelayoExcelentísimo Ayuntamiento de ValenciaConsellería de Medio Ambiente de la G.V.Generalitat ValencianaAFSCET (Association Française de Science des Systèmes Cybernetiques Cognitifs et Techniques)AIRS ­Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sui SistemiCOMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIESDirectorate-General for Science, Research and DevelopmentE.CO.N.A. Centro Interuniversitario de Ricercasull'Elaborazione Cognitiva nei Sistemi Naturali e ArtificialiFondazione Barberini e Centoni per la CorrelazioneOPPI Organizzacione per la Preparazione Professionale degli InsegnantiTREND S.p.n.UES (Union Européenne de Systémique)WOSC (World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics)

Submission guidelinesAcceptance of contributions will be determined on the basis of draft final papers. Each paper must explain clearly:

• what problem it is trying to address

• what has been tried before and why it is not good enough

• what you are doing and why it is better

• some proof that your method is sound (or reference to it)

• how it will help others/apply to other problems

• some results/proof that it works

Draft final papers must not exceed ten single-spaced A4 pages (maximum 43 lines, max. line length 160mm,12 point) in English or French. They have to contain the final text to be submitted, including graphs and pictures. However, these need not be of reproducible quality. They must carry the title, author(s) name(s), and affiliation (incl. email address if possible) in this order and must include an abstract. Please specify the symposium in which you would like to present your paper (only one). Please send four hard copies of the draft final papers to the Conference Secretariat (not to symposia chairpersons, and not by fax or e-mail).

Deadline for submission reception:30 January 1999

Notifications of acceptance/rejectionAuthors will be notified about acceptance or rejection no later than 30 March 1999. Successful authors will be provided by the Conference Secretariat,at the same time, with the instructions for the preparation of the final paper(also available on http://www.uv.es/~pla/sesge/ces4.html).

Final paperThe final paper will be due at the Conference Secretariat by 30 May 1999. Acceptance of the final paper will be based on compliance with the reviewers' comments.

PresentationIt is assumed that each accepted paper will be presented personally at the meeting by one of its authors.

Renseignements/informationSociedad Espa͂nola de Sistemas Generales, Escuela de Investigación Operativa, Av. Blasco Iba͂nez,13, 46010 Valencia (Spain); Phone: 34-6-3864269; Fax: 34-6-3864268; E-mail: Lorenzo.Ferrer@uv.es URL: http://www.uv.es/~pla/SESGE

PREP '99

New Student-centred Conferenceon Electronics, Photonics and Related Fields

University of Manchester,UK

5-7 January, 1999

This new student-centred conference on postgraduate research in electronics, photonics and related fields is appropriately called PREP '99 and is to be held at the University of Manchester,UK on 5-7January 1999.

The event will showcase the leading-edge research being undertaken by young scientists and engineers in the UK. In addition to technical sessions on physical electronics, communications and circuits, there will be a variety of transferable skills workshops that will enable PhD students to realise their potential in the job market.

Highlights of the conference include keynote speeches by:

• Helen Sharman ­ the first Briton in space

• Peter Cochrane ­ Head of research at BT

Full details of PREP '99 are available at:

www.iop.org/IOP/Confs/PREP99

World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics 11th International Congress of Cybernetics and Systems

Call for Papers

The 11th International Congress of Cybernetics and Systems will be held at Brunel University, Uxbridge,Middlesex (West London), UK, from Monday 23 August until Friday 27 August, 1999. This triennial event is supported by many international bodies concerned with computers, cybernetics, management, systems and technology. The Honorary Congress Committee consists of eminent scientists and technologists of world repute.

The 11th Congress,dedicated to the memory of the late Professor Frank H. George, a Fellow of WOSC and first Professor of Cybernetics at Brunel University, a renowned cybernetician and outstanding scientist, will comprise opening and closing sessions, as well as symposia and section meetings. Provision is also being made for poster sessions, book exhibition, equipment demonstrations and social events, including an official banquet.

Papers are invited for section meetings. The suggested topics involve the following domains:

Suggestions for other relevant topics are welcome.

Deadline for the receipt of abstracts (*) (ca. 80 words): 15 January 1999. Contact WOSC for further information about consultants.

Deadline for the receipt of abridged papers (ca. 600 words): 15 May 1999.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Professor R. Vallée Dir.-Gen. WOSC2, rue de Vouillé75015 ParisFranceTelephone and Fax: +33.1.45 33 62 46

(*) Maximum number: 2 per participant