Speeches at International Conferences

1. Speeches at International Conferences Huang Niangen PLA University of Science and Technology

2. Types of Meetings • Thousands of meetings are held worldwide every year.What is the difference? • Conference ( a specialized and academic event) • Symposium (exclusively for specialized academic discussions) • Congress (attended by representatives or delegates) • Convention(routine meeting held by a learned society,an academic institution) • forum(public meeting for people to exchange ideas and discuss issues) • seminar(class-like,discuss a particular topic) • workshop (a period of discussion and practical work on a particular subject with many relevant activities • colloquium (a large academic seminar like panel discussion,attended by invited speakers and professionals in a particular fields )

3. Conference Information • Specialized Periodicals • World Meetings(published monthly by Macmillan Publishing Co.,NY ) : Providing the information of forthcoming international conferences in various kinds of specialties in two years or even longer. • Publications of the Union of International Association (Brussels, Belgium): • Annual International Congress Calendar(conference information up to 10 years) • Year Book of International Organizations • International Associations • Forthcoming International Scientific and Technical Conferences (Published in Britain,for the next five years)

4. Conference Information • Specialized Periodicals • Forthcoming International Scientific and Technical Conferences (Published in Britain,for the next five years) • World Convention Dates and Scientific Meetings, • Travel News • Periodicals of classified specialties • World Calendar of Forthcoming Meetings of British Metals Society • International Conferences of Engineering Technology,published by Tianjin University

5. Conference Information • Professional Journals and Magazines • Conference information of a particular field is usually carried in such periodicals of specialties. • The information covers simply the name, date,location, and contact address. • Conference Documents • Meeting announcements, call for papers(abstracts),conference brochures, invitations and general information,etc.

6. Conference Information • Centers/Departments or other International Communication • They specialize in the organization of international conferences in each country. • Learned societies / Associations / Organizations / Institutions • Information Highway (Internet, WWW) • Private channels • Check and confirm before the effective contact and the actual participation

7. Conference Activities • Formal Meetings • General Assembly: • all participants,government officials and reporters • Opening ceremony,welcome speeches,general speeches,and closing ceremony. • No substantial paper presentations • Plenary Sessions • all participants,keynote speeches (presentations) and invited lectures

8. Conference Activities • Formal Meetings • Parallel Sessions • Simultaneous sessions at which participants of a particular research group present their individual papers on a special topic. • Poster Sessions • Papers posted and the authors waiting there to answer the readers’ questions • Informal Meetings • Free information exchange • Free paper presentation • Free communication

9. Conference Activities • Audio & Visual Presentations • Overhead projectors,slide projectors,videotapes,visual demonstrations and especially powerpoint • Teaching Services • Classes and lectures for young students and those who are not familiar with the subject. • Consulting Services • Experts provide consultations concerning application of technology, advice, and new concept interpretation

10. Conference Activities • Exhibitions and business talks • Scientific exhibition • Conference exhibition • Trade exhibition • Social activities • Visits to research institutes, universities,museums, manufacturing enterprises, construction sites

11. Conference Program • Simple, clear, concise, forcible,etc • Conference aims • Topic for discussion • Name,Date, location,materials, facilities • Sponsors and organizers: various committees(Organizing committee,Academic committee), Secretariat • Arrangement of paper presentation

12. Reading Manuscripts • Formulas Reading • Mathematical expressions, chemical formulas • Latin Abbreviations. • Punctuations: • Parentheses,brackets:that is, including... • Long and complex sentences • Stressed and unstressed syllables • Pronunciation/Intonation

13. Ways of Preparing a Speech • Speaking without references:ideal • Speaking with short notes • Speaking with audio-visual aids • Speaking form the text • Illustrating the themes by transparencies

14. Special Points for Preparing a Speech • Easy for the audience to remember • Complete and balanced coverage of the materials • Considerate : to meet the audience’s needs and scope of knowledge • Complete and satisfying finish

15. Actual Speech • Avoid the deadly monotone • Speak loudly enough • Don’t ignore the audience • Use larger letters for your manuscripts and double space • Speak slowly • Smile occasionally

16. Presentations • Opening Remarks • Patterns for developments • Ending remarks • Chairing a meeting • The Questions and Answers • Opening and Closing speeches

17. Assignments • Organizing into a group of 7 to 9 students according to your specialties • Read and Practice at home • Panel Presentation • Evaluation of the speeches by your classmates