WELCOME TO THE 25th INTERNATIONAL PAPILLOMAVIRUS CONFERENCE MAY 8-14 2009, MALMÖ, SWEDEN

General information

Sweden is located in the northern part of Europe with an area of about 450,000 sq.km, ranging 1.574 km from north to south and with a majestic coastline of no less than 2.700 km reaching from the Finnish border in the northeast to the Norwegian in the southeast.

     

The area is roughly the size of California or Spain and twice that of the United Kingdom and the third largest in Western Europe. Although Sweden is the largest country among the Nordic countries, there is only about nine million inhabitants so there is plenty of space for everyone! In the far south is Skåne, Sweden’s richest farming region, with endless plains, gently rolling hills, long sandy beaches, soughing groves and blazing meadows.

     


Malmö - in the middle of northern Europe

 

Unlike most other European nations, Sweden has plenty of priceless luxuries to offer, such as clean air, fresh water and vast areas of virgin wilderness – open and accessible to all.

Sweden is a modern, well functioning, friendly and secure society, where travelling and managing professional affairs is swift, safe and efficient.

The population is virtually bilingual as most Swedes also speak English, and many also speak a third language.

     

Malmö – Lund: a mixture of cultures and education
Malmö is the hub of the Skåne region and Sweden’s third largest city and the commercial centre of southern Sweden. Approximately 270.000 people live in Malmö at the centre of the new Øresund Region with around 3.5 million inhabitants.

The Danish capital Copenhagen is less than half an hour away and connected by a mighty bridge which opened in 2000.  Malmö is situated only 20 minutes by train from Copenhagen Airport in Denmark. The airport is connected to Malmö by the Øresund Bridge and trains run around the clock between Malmö Central Station and the airport. Yet you are close to beautiful beaches and areas of unspoiled nature in which you can enjoy all the benefits of open-air life.

Right next to Malmö there is the ancient university city of Lund. When the university was founded in 1666 there had already been a rich tradition of knowledge in Lund. As long ago as the year 1085, a Cathedral School for the education of priests was started.

Lund University is the largest university in Scandinavia
Today, Lund University is the largest centre for research and higher education in Scandinavia with seven faculties, science centres and special university colleges. More than 34,000 students are enrolled at the University, of which 3,200 are graduate students.

At the undergraduate level 60 different programmes of education and about 850 courses are offered. About 6.000 people are employed by the University. Malmö is a mixture of many different parts. More than one in four residents in the city are of foreign origin and speak some 100 languages and belong to 164 different nationalities.

You will find an old historical centre with a commercial mix of old and new. Malmö was given municipal privileges in 1352. In those days, Malmö was a part of Denmark and the inhabitants were fisherman and farmers.

The region of Skåne (Scania), to which Malmö belongs, did not become a part of Sweden until 1658. The modern development of the city dates from the late 18th century, when a proper harbour was constructed in Malmö. Since then the city has been growing constantly.

Malmö University is Sweden’s latest venture in the field of higher education.

Outdoor restaurants surrounding Lilla Torg in the centre of Malmö

 

The city offers a variety of old buildings and places. At Stortorget (the Main Square) you will find Malmö Town Hall, the 16th century home of a former Danish mayor.

The equestrian statue, also at Stortorget, is of king Karl X Gustav, who made Malmö a part of Sweden. The majestic church of St Peter dates back to the 14th century and the days of the Hanseatic League.

Lilla Torg (the Little Square) boasts many beautifully restored houses as well as a vibrant night-life.

For more information, visit www.malmo.se

Average temperature in May is +14ºC and it is daylight 17 hours.

 

Travelling to Malmö

Malmö is situated only 20 minutes by train from Copenhagen Airport in Denmark.

The airport is connected to Malmö by the Øresund Bridge and trains run around the clock between Malmö Central Station and the airport.

Copenhagen Airport is served by more than 60 carriers, operating services to and from 125 cities world-wide.

 


Getting here, as example (source:
Copenhagen Airport)

  • 1-2 daily non-stop connections from New York with SAS.
     

  • 3 connections a week from Rio de Janeiro with one stop (London) with Varig.
     

  • 1 daily non-stop connection from Tokyo with SAS.
     

  • 1 daily non-stop connection from Beijing with SAS.
     

  • 1-2 daily non-stop connections from Bangkok with SAS and Thai.
     

  • More than 20 daily direct flights from London Heathrow.
     

  • More than 10 daily direct flights from Frankfurt. Example of price: May 15 – May 22 2004, economy class, 193.72¢.
     

  • More than 10 daily direct flights from Paris.
     

  • More than 10 daily direct flights from Amsterdam.


Badges
Each participant will receive a name badge upon registration. For security reasons all participants are requested to wear their badge during all the Congress activities and social events.

Certificate of participation
Certificate of participation will be issued on request to those who are properly registered. Available at the registration desk on departure.

Electricity
The electrical current in Sweden is 220V/50 Hz. Round, european style two-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate in 110/120 V need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.

Language
The official language of the congress is English.

Disclaimer & insurance
The Organising Committee and Destination Öresund accept no liability for any injuries/losses incurred by participants and/or accompaying persons, nor loss or damage to any luggage and/or personal belongings. Participants are advised to
take out their own personal insurance.

Passport & visa
Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering Sweden.

Venue
The 25th International Papillomavirus Conference and Clinical Workshop will be held at
Malmö Exhibition & Convention Center

Regional information about Skåne

Area
11 027 km2 (of which 10.983 km2 land area). 102 inhabitants per km2

Banks and Post Offices
Banks are open between 09.30 and 15.00 weekdays.
Some banks in central Malmö are open 09.00-17.00.

Climate
The average daily temperature in May is 14° C, warmer during the day and a
little cooler during nights. Information about the weather forecast can be found on weather.cnn.com
  Search for Malmo, Sweden

Country
For information about Sweden see
www.sweden.se or www.visit-sweden.com

Currency
The official currency in Sweden is Swedish Krona (SEK). Currency rate on www.forex.se

Largest cities in Skåne: 
Malmö (270.000 inhabitants)
Helsingborg (120.000 inhabitants)
Lund (100.000 inhabitants)
Kristianstad (75.000 inhabitants)

Malmö City
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden with 270.000 inhabitants. The history of Malmö goes back almost a thousand years. Before 1658 Malmö was a Danish city. Now Malmö is a part of a dynamic region with Copenhagen and Malmö as the largest cities. A new bridge connects Malmö city and Copenhagen airport and city centre, with highway and railway. Read and see more about Malmö on www.malmo.se

Population
Region Skåne has more than 1 million inhabitants.

Shopping
On weekdays, shops usually are open between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm, on Saturdays between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm. Some department stores stay open until 8.00 pm daily.

Time zone
The time zone in Malmö is GMT + 1 hour. Daylight Saving Time is used during the summer (end of March - end of October).

More information about Skåne: www.positionskane.com