Presidents' welcome

Dearest Colleagues and Friends,

Margaret Redelman M.D., MPsychotherapy President of the Congress - President 18th World Congress of Sexology

It gives me so much pleasure to invite you all to my beautiful city of Sydney for the 18 th WAS Congress and the 1 st World Congress for Sexual Health. Australia is a young vibrant country, enthusiastic in actively pursuing improved knowledge.

WAS, in its international position straddling all the world's continents, is ideal for hosting a truly integrative Sexual Health Congress. The Sydney Organising Committee has chosen "Achieving Health, Pleasure and Respect" as its theme. We will include all the topics that lead toward a happy healthy sexual individual /couple, and society, and all the scientific research that gives us the knowledge and skills to help our patients/clients achieve this state. We want to include "Sexual Pleasure" as a valid entitlement for all those who want it and ask for research on this area. And we want to keep improving the social structures around the world to allow people to live in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Montreal Declaration. Respect for individuals, no matter how different, and for people of different cultures, is crucial for a civilised world.

Is it too much to want to bring these following elements together in Sydney ? Is it too much to ask you to put together your best papers and research, your ideas and philosophies and submit to them for Sydney 2007? Is it too much to ask you to participate in a truly international experience? Is it too much to ask you to make a little more effort than usual and travel that bit further to come to Sydney ?
I sincerely hope not!

Please submit new material so we can share our knowledge. The scientific program of any conference ultimately depends on you for the submissions. Together, lets make the Sydney congress fantastic for scientific content, camaraderie and lets not forget, a great holiday.

Warmest Best Wishes

Dear Colleagues,

usebio Rubio-Aurioles M.D., Ph.D. President World Association for Sexual Health

Sexual health is coming of age. Sexual health represents the crystallization of many disciplines goals, objectives and activities: From the researcher working in the relative isolation of a laboratory doing the basics of sex research with molecules or animal models, to the clinician dealing with daily sexual concerns of patients, to the educator working to better prevent problems in his/her students future lives or to the social researcher trying to understand societal dynamics that determine social wellbeing.

The recent advances in the field of sexual medicine have created both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity comes from the fact that the powerful therapeutic tools developed represent a real form of help for many people. The challenge is to prevent, with these powerful tools at hand, an oversimplification of the complexity of human sexuality. This could create more harm than good. Sexual health is multidimensional and needs a multidisciplinary approach.

The 18 th World Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) (formerly World Association for Sexology) is a great opportunity for all interested professionals to increase their understanding of the fascinating interactions that characterize human sexuality. With the fantastic venue offered by the almost mystical country of Australia , in the super modern City of Sydney , this will certainly be a not-to-miss opportunity.

I invite you all to join us in Sydney for our Congress.

Fees and general information

Please find below general information and useful resources to help make your stay
in Sydney a success in every way.

Congress Venue

SYDNEY CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
Darling Drive
Darling Harbour
Locked Bag 14 Pyrmont
NSW 2009
Australia
Tel + 61 2 9282 5000
email: info@scec.com.au
www.scec.com.au
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is only a 20 minute drive from Sydney's international airport. The Centre can be accessed by monorail, lightrail, road or sea, with lightrail and monorail stations right outside the main doors of the venue. Ferries and water taxis also provide a memorable journey between the Centre and the city's many harbourside attractions.

Congress Dates and Hours

Dates : From Sunday, April 15, 2007 to Thursday, April 19, 2007
Opening Hours : from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Opening Ceremony : Sunday, April 15, 2007, at 5.15 pm
Closing Ceremony : Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 5.00 pm

Registration Info

Cancellation Policy

General Information

Sunny, sexy and sophisticated, Sydney basks in its worldwide recognition as the shining star of the southern hemisphere. The white-sailed Sydney Opera House, caught mid-billow over the waters of Sydney Cove, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy, but there's far, far more on offer.
Voted World's Best City eight times in 10 years, by Travel + Leisure magazine, no other destination can match Sydney's combination of breathtaking beauty, world-class facilities and exceptional reputation.

Shopping

Sydney's shopping offers everything your heart could desire. The City Centre is home to major retail centres offering a range of boutiques and specialty stores, and international designers including DKNY, Versace and Gucci. Find Australian designers such as Morrissey, Collette Dinnigan and Alannah Hill in Oxford Street, Paddington. Visit the Sydney Rock's Market for a very Australiana Shopping experience.
Shops in Sydney open from 0900 to 1730 during the week with late night shopping until 2100 on Thursday. On Saturday, most shops open from 0900 to 1600. On Sunday major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 1000 to 1600.

Attractions

Sydney has a wide range of attractions including art galleries, museums, theatres, opera and music as well as parks, gardens, sparkling beaches and the harbour side Taronga Zoo. Sydney life is synonymous with outdoor pursuits. It is a city that takes full advantage of its natural environment. Soak up Sydney life on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, just one of many on offer. Challenge yourself by climbing Sydney's Harbour Bridge or enjoy a thrilling jet-boat jaunt.
Gain an insight into Sydney harbour's history on a cruise, or board a yacht to explore the harbour's hidden coves. For further relaxation experience the holiday feel of Sydney's Northern Beaches stretching from Manly to Palm Beach. Escape to Outer Sydney to explore areas steeped in history and rich in natural beauty.

Food & Wine

he personality of Sydney's dining scene is as distinctive as the city itself, reflecting its multicultural diversity and willingness to embrace new things. Find a fresh approach to flavour combinations at numerous gourmet restaurants, many of which are on the harbour and enjoy outstanding views. While highend dining experiences are plentiful cafe society thrives in Sydney's inner precincts and beaches. Paddington and Balmain has flourishing pub-dining scenes and quality food is also on offer at historic pubs in The Rocks.

Art & Culture

The rich and diverse cultural aspects of New South Wales (NSW) include natural and built heritage as well as significant historic places. An outstanding network of art galleries and museums features the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Australian Museum in Sydney , The New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale and The Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery , home of the National Art Glass Collection. Our cosmopolitan city offers cultural attractions, arts and crafts, performing arts in venues such as the Sydney Opera House, historic parks and monuments and significant sports facilities including Sydney's Olympic Park.
The best way to see Aboriginal rock art and engravings is to book a local tour with Aboriginal guides, just part of the impressive network of heritage and cultural tours and trails, self-guided walks and self-drive tours available in every region.

Climate

Sydney's climate is pleasantly moderate. At the time of the congress, it will be Autumn when the average daily temperature ranges from 15°C to 24°C (59°F to 77°F)

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATE INFORMATION

Dress

Business dress in Australia is relatively formal, and suits are worn by both men and women. Elsewhere, casual clothing is worn, although some restaurants and clubs have strict dress codes.

Smoking

In Sydney and New South Wales (NSW), the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 prohibits smoking in a wide range of enclosed public places.
Examples of enclosed public places that are smoke-free under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 if they are:

• Shopping centres, malls and plazas
• Restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, dining areas and other eating places
• Schools colleges and universities
• Professional, trade, commercial and other business premises
• Community centres or halls and places of public worship
• Theatres, cinemas, libraries and galleries
• Trains, buses, trams, aeroplanes, taxis and hire cars, and ferries and other vessels
• Common areas in hostels
• Common areas in motels
• Fitness centres, bowling alleys and other sporting and recreational facilities
• Childcare facilities
• Hospitals.

Passports and Visas

A valid passport and visa are required by all nationalities to enter Australia. The type of visa needed depends on the length of stay and reason for visiting. Business visas allow for a number of visits over a set period of time. Visas are available from most travel agents or the Australian High Commission.

Immigration and Visa Requirements

Please contact your local travel agent or your closest Australian embassy or high commission in relation to visa requirements. You may like to visit www.immi.gov.au for further information. Letters of invitation are not required for Visa applications as generally applications can be done online at www.immi.gov.au

Airport Transport

Sydney is served by the domestic and international Kingsford Smith Airport, located 10 km south of downtown Sydney. Major airlines from all over the world fly into Sydney. There are also frequent flights from every major Australian city.
Domestic air travel discounts will be negotiated by the organisers and announced shortly.
Approximate flying times are 24 h from Europe, 14 h from the west coast of the USA and 10 h from Japan.
The conference venue (the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre) may be reached from the airport by

• Taxi, taking about 20 minutes, longer in rush hour. Approximate cost $A30.00
• Take the airport link train ( www.airportlink.com.au ) to Central Station and take the light rail ( www.metromonorail.com.au ) service direct to the Convention Centre. Approximate cost $A12.00

If you intend to hire a car, remember that:

• We drive on the left!
• Traffic in downtown Sydney is very congested and parking is expensive

Customs

Non-residents over the age of 18 are allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes, 250g of cigars, one litre of spirits and up to A$400 worth of taxable goods. Animals are subject to quarantine, and any foodstuffs must be declared. Australia has strict laws concerning endangered species. It is illegal to purchase, import or export products made from a protected species, such as orchids, turtles and hard coral.

Language

English is spoken throughout Australia, although Australian English includes terms and expressions not used elsewhere. Slang terms commonly used include 'tucker' - slang for food, 'cobber' - meaning friend, 'barbie' - which means barbeque, and 'tinny' - which is a can of beer. A number of indigenous languages are also spoken by Aborigines.

Newspapers and Magazines

Australia has a number of quality daily papers, including The Australian and The Australian Financial Review . Newspapers specific to Western Australia include The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun Herald . Foreign newspapers and magazines are available from most large newsagents in Sydney.

Electricity

Electrical current is 240/250V, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in many countries, so you will need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

Currency

Australian currency operates on a decimal system, and the dollar is the basic unit. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c denominations. Current exchange rates can be obtained from your bank.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia.

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

All prices quoted on the website are inclusive of GST, unless otherwise specified. The rate of tax that applies to taxable products and services is 10%.

Banks

Changing money at banks will normally ensure the best rate of exchange. Banks in Australia are open from 0930 to 1600 Monday to Thursday and 0930 to 1700 on Fridays. Banks are closed all day Saturday and Sunday. Automatic teller (ATMs) facilities are available at a wide variety of outlets.
The following banking facilities are located near the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Post Office

Pyrmont Post Shop - 183 Harris St, Pyrmont
Sydney City BC Post Business Centre - 48-58 Druitt St

Tipping

Tipping is less common in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. It is not obligatory and is up to the individual whether he or she wishes to reward good service. Restaurants do not add a service charge, and a tip of around 10% is appropriate for waiters or waitresses. Taxi drivers would not expect to be tipped, although do appreciate small change.

Useful Related Links

Tourism Australia www.australia.com
Tourism NSW www.sydneyaustralia.com
About Australia www.about-australia.com
Welcome to Australia Online www.australia-online.com
Travel Australia www.atn.com.au
Whereis Street Atlas www.whereis.com.au
Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au
Parliament of Australia www.aph.gov.au
Australian Federal Government www.fed.gov.au
Australian Government migration and immigration website www.immi.gov.au
Australian Customs www.customs.gov.au
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade www.dfat.gov.au