Letter from Paal Davidsen Concerning the 2000 System Dynamics Conference

Dear Members of the Policy Council of the System Dynamics Society.

I am sorry that I do not have the opportunity to participate in the PC meeting in Cambridge this year. As I am sure you are aware of, the University of Bergen will, with the permission of the PC, take the initiative to host the International System Dynamics Conference in 2000. Our application to that effect will be presented at the conference in Quebec later this year.

I have been approached by members of the International Simulation and Gaming Association (ISAGA) with the proposal that the SD and the ISAGA conference be co-organized. Nothing has been said about the format, -- a full merger or two parallel or sequential conferences. To be honest, it seems too much to host two international conferences unless a significant synergy can be expected. Prof. Dennis Meadows indicated to me on the phone that a full merger would not work well, but that parallel conferences might be a good idea.

I leave it up to the Policy Council to discuss the matter and to come up with a recommendation. My contacts were not initiated by me and are very informal. If you find it best to decline, this will have not negative consequences for the relationship between the two organizations involved.

Bergen January 30. 1998,

Pål I.Davidsen,
Professor.

Enclosure: Resume on ISAGA

THE INTERNATIONAL SIMULATION AND GAMING ASSOCIATION

General Secretary:
Prof. Dr. Jan H.G. Klabbers
Oostervelden 59
6681 WR Bemmel - The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 (0)481 46 2455
Telefax: +31 (0)481 46 1828
E-mail jklabbers@kmpc.antenna.nl

ISAGA is an organization for scientists and practitioners developing and utilizing gaming and simulation methods.

The aim of the association shall be to further the development, application and use of methods of simulation and gaming in the social, human and technological domains throughout the world.

Fields covered by ISAGA are among others:

1. general methodology

2. focuses of interest

   1. collective competence

   2. individual competence

   3. (intra- and cross-cultural) communication

   4. learning & education

   5. management

   6. organizational change/development

   7. policy-development

   8. research

3. areas of interest

   1. business

   2. economy

   3. education

   4. environment (ecology)

   5. health care

   6. human/cultural resources

   7. human services

   8. international relations

   9. military

   10. natural resources

   11. religion

   12. technology

Annual conferences

1. The Association organizes annual conferences of at least three full days.

2. The Steering Committee may both receive or request proposals for organizing annual conferences.

3. An annual conference is prepared and realized by a Conference Committee, the chairperson(s) of that committee automatically being/becoming member of the Steering Committee, once the conference proposal has been approved.

4. The Steering Committee decides the location, and theme of the subsequent conference(s).

5. The Steering Committee plans the location and approves the theme of the annual conference at least three years in advance.

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Last modified: November 02, 2000