Regional Workshop on the Sentinel Site Monitoring

Regional Workshop on the Sentinel Site Monitoring-

Recovery with the Human Face

28 June – 2 July 2010, Suva, Fiji

INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS

VENUE

Holiday Inn

Suva

FIJI

Telephone: +679 3301600

Facsimile: +679 3300251

Email:

REGISTRATION

1. Participants are requested to register upon arrival at the workshop and obtain identification cards at the Registration Counter located at the entrance of the conference room at the Holiday Inn, between 8:00am to 9:00am on Monday 28th June, 2010. Only the names of duly registered participants will be provided with ID cards and entry into the conference room.

2. If you have special needs, please advise the Secretariat at the earliest.

3. For identification and security reasons, all participants are requested to wear their identification cards at all times for the entire 5 day event.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH DOCUMENTS

5. Participants are to ensure that prior to departure from their home country, they have with them all the necessary travel documents including a valid passport and necessary visas to enable them to enter and remain in Fiji for the duration of the workshop and also to all countries through which

they will be transiting. The cost of a passport is the responsibility of each participant. A scanned copy of participants passport (full name, passport number, date of birth, date of issue, date of expiry, etc) should be provided to the Secretariat in advance of the workshop, as prior clearance from the Fiji Government is required.

IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

6. It is the responsibility of all participants to enquire within their respective country if a visa is needed prior to entry into Fiji. Participants transiting in other countries prior to entry into Fiji are to also make enquires if a visa is required for transiting countries.

7. Participants who do not require a visa prior to entering Fiji will be issued a visa on arrival provided that your names have been provided to UNICEF.

HEALTH, SICKNESS OR ACCIDENT

8. The UN discourages smoking therefore smoking will only be permitted in designated areas outside of the workshop venue. In case of accident or sickness during the workshop, participants should endeavour to notify the Meeting Secretariat immediately. Participants are advised to obtain insurance coverage, at their own expense for sickness, accident or temporary disability, death and third party risk for the entire duration of the workshop and for the journey to and from the host country. UNICEF accepts no responsibility or liability for such contingencies. It is essential that participants are medically fit to participate fully at the workshop.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

9. The following hotels are walking distance to the workshop venue. The Holiday Inn where the workshop is being held is also included in the list. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation reservations.

Holiday Inn
Ph: 3301600/Fax:3300251 / F$199 per night – single accommodation / Includes full American Buffet Breakfast.
Tanoa Hotels
Ph: 3312300/Fax:3301300 / F$169 per night – single accommodation / Accommodation only.
Town House Apartments
Ph: 3300055/Fax: 3303446 / F$60 per night – single accommodation
F$70 per night – double accommodation / Accommodation only.
Sunset Apartments
Ph: 3301799/Fax: 3300446 / F$60 per night – single accommodation
F$70 per night – apartment with 2 rooms, cooking facilities, lounge, TV. / Accommodation only.

PAYMENT OF HOTEL ACCOUNTS

10. Before departure from Suva, participants are required to settle directly with the respective hotels all accounts, including room charges and other expenses, such as local and long-distance telephone calls, Internet use, business center use, laundry, room and hotel transportation services, mini-bar items, as well as restaurant and bar services. Participants are also responsible for any charges incurred with respect to rooms remaining vacant owing to late or no arrival or rescheduled departure for which inadequate prior notice has been given.

TRANSPORT FROM/TO AIRPORT AND TO ATTEND SESSIONS

13. Airport transfers to and from your respective accommodation is the responsibility of each participant. Taxis are available at Nausori Airport upon arrival and charge between F$25 – F$30 for transfer to any of the above hotels. Transport to and from the workshop venue is the responsibility of the participant.

MEALS

14. As part of the conference package, lunch has been arranged for all participants for the 5 days of the workshop. Morning and afternoon teas will also be provided. Dinner will be at your own expense which will be accommodated by the payment of your Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA).

MEETING DOCUMENTS & LAPTOP

15. Meeting documents will be handed out during registration. Any additional documents will be handed out during the course of the workshop. Country participants are requested to prepare and present the 1st round sentinel site monitoring results during Day 1. Outline of presentation will be sent to you by the Secretariat. The participating country is also encouraged to bring their own countries’ latest National Development Strategy Plan and its Monitoring Framework (including those in draft stage) to assist in the group work.

16. Participants who join the technical workshop are encouraged to bring their own laptop for the hands-on exercise of EmeregncyInfo Module. The software will be installed onto your computer for exercise and further use in country at the workshop.

BANKING FACILITIES

17. Bank services are available at three commercial banks in Suva from Monday – Friday 9.30am – 3:00pm: ANZ Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation and Bank South Pacific (BSP) in Suva.

RECONFIRMATION OF RETURN FLIGHT

18. Participants are advised to ensure that their return bookings are confirmed soon after their arrival on the day of registration. The Secretariat will also reconfirm flights with the local UN travel agent.

DAILY SUBSISTANCE ALLOWANCE (DSA)

19. DSA, at the prevailing UN rates in Fijian Dollars (FJD) will be paid to all participants upon registration at the workshop on Monday 28th June. DSA will facilitate payment of dinner, hotel accommodation and any other miscellaneous costs. Terminal expenses (i.e. transportation allowance to/from the airport in your respective countries, in countries where an overnight is required; and in the host country) will also be paid as part of the DSA. Therefore, participants are required to bring some cash to cater needs anticipated to arise before workshop.

SECURITY BRIEF

20. Take heed of the following security tips:

(a) We advise you to be alert to your own security in Suva.

(b) Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour.

(c) It is your responsibility to organize your comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by UNICEF.

GENERAL INFORMATION

21. Exchange Rate:

The local legal tender is the Fiji Dollar though foreign currency is readily transacted. Most credit cards are accepted. Local banking hours are 0930-1500 hours (Mondays to Fridays). The Foreign Exchange of Bank South Pacific is also open on Saturdays from 9:00am – 2:00pm as are other Money Exchange Bureaus located in the city of Suva.

22. Liability:

All participants will be responsible for the following:

(a) All expenses in the home country incidental to travel abroad, including expenditure for visa, medical examination, inoculations and other such miscellaneous items;

(b) Costs incurred by delegates in respect of travel insurance, accident insurance, medical bills or hospitalisation fees in connection with attending the workshop;

(d) Any loss of or damage to personal property of delegates while attending the workshop or losses or damages claimed by third parties as a result of any negligence on the part of the participants;

(e) Any other expenses of a personal nature, not directly related to the purpose of the workshop.

23. Secretariat Information

UNICEF:

Policy Advocacy Planning and Evaluation (PAPE)

Reiko Miskelly, Social Policy Specialist

Email:

Telephone: +679-323-6102

Facsimile: +679-330-1667

Mereia Carling, Social Policy Specialist

Email:

Telephone: +679-323-6101

Facsimile: +679-330-1667

Karen Mannan, Programme Assistant, PAPE

Email:

Telephone: +679-323-6109

Facsimile: +679-330-1667

Patrick Shing, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer-Vanuatu Joint Presence Office

Email:

Telephone: +678-24655 (extension 12)

Facsimile: +678-27709