Meeting Location

The meeting will be held at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy. ICTP was founded in 1964, and operates under a tripartite agreement between the Government of Italy and two UN agencies, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Centre is located along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, in northeast Italy, about 10 kilometres from the city of Trieste.

Since 1964 the Centre has received about 100,000 visits from scientists worldwide. In 2006, it received some 6000 visitors from 126 countries: 4000 came to participate in ICTP-sponsored activities and some 2000 came to participate in activities organized by other institutions but hosted by ICTP. Approximately half of the scientists have come from the developing world.

Trieste

Trieste has a remarkable history and is a remarkable location. A most Italian city, it entertains close relations with the adjacent Slav and Germanic cultures. Throughout its history, Trieste has been a crossroad of different peoples and religions, and its churches still reveal its cosmopolitan heritage.

Trieste's setting is particularly beautiful with the combination of the shining whiteness of its rocks, the blue sea and the green hills that surround it. Its ancient history can still be seen from the Roman ruins on Capitol Hill, the San Giusto Castle and the Roman theatre. Memories and images of the past live on in the streets, from the little alleys that wind through the ancient suburbs with their old houses and ruined walls to the wide central streets that cross the new part of the town with its elegant neo-classical buildings.

This contrast gives rise to that particular atmosphere that so endeared Trieste to Umberto Saba, its favourite son, Scipio Slataper, Italo Svevo, James Joyce and many other illustrious poets - an atmosphere that is deeply felt by locals and visitors alike. The most precious gem that surrounds it is Miramare Castle, conjuring up the memory of an unfortunate love-story. Enshrined in the coastal rocks, it gives visitors the chance to admire the most enchanting sunsets.