CRISIS MANAGEMENT & DISASTER RESPONSE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

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1 CRISIS MANAGEMENT & DISASTER RESPONSE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

2 PREFACE The Interagency Interaction in Crisis Management and Disaster Response is a core task that requires common efforts and advanced knowledge to collaborate the skills of many actors governmental, non-governmental, regional, local etc. The last decade has changed the socio-political environment globally and we have experienced some of the most hazardous crises, natural and man-made disasters in the history of our civilization. Therefore we have to increase the focus on means of crisis management and disaster response as to build better understanding for comprehensive approach and combine efforts in this aspect. In such context the CMDR COE has an ambition its seminar to play as a venue of bringing together the expertise from all NATO and Partners countries. Living in a world in which crises and disasters can strike from a number of fronts we all have an obligation to build proper knowledge and training in order to be prepared to face and overcome any unexpected situation. Just to make the world a bit safer for generations ahead! Crisis Management and Disaster Response COE Annual Seminar aims to promote ideas in a way that will advance the common understanding as well as gain points of view that might not have been otherwise considered. It is a goodwill venue for all those who work in and around crisis management and disaster response from the civilian and military communities that wish to share opinion and experience, learn from, and meet with interlocutors from around the world. NATO Security Clearance not required (NATO Unclassified, Releasable to Partners)

3 I GENERAL INFORMATION Here is some useful information to assist your stay during the seminar. PLACE OF EVENT: Boyana Residence Club & Hotel, 16 Vitishko Lale Str., Sofia Located 9 km southwest from the Sofia s downtown, Boyana is a neighbourhood of the Bulgarian capital, part of the Vitosha Municipality and in the foot of Vitosha mountain massif. The famous Boyana Church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, is located in the neighbourhood and other landmarks include the Boyana Waterfall and the National Historical Museum. The Boyana Residential Club is a governmental residence with free access for individuals, surrounded by a large park at the foot of the mountain. The building was constructed in 1974 and since then it has hosted a number of high-ranking guests. The club offers a conference center with 9 differently sized meeting halls, the largest having 150 seats. The vast park is excellently maintained, providing unique recreation and walks among magnificent flora. Seminar taxes: 40 per attendant For lecturers the conference is for free. POC: Director of Seminar: Col. Milen MILKOV, Chief of Education and Training Branch CMDR COE office: cell: milen.milkov@cmdrcoe.org Maj. Stoyan Stoyanov, senior expert E&T Branch CMDR COE office: cell: stoyan.stoyanov@cmdrcoe.org The working language will be English and interpretation services to and from other languages will not be provided. No limitation for participants by nation, no security clearance is required (non-classified information will be shared). Additional information will be provided during registration.

4 Arriving in Sofia A valid passport is required for entry to Bulgaria. Participants from EU countries can use ID cards instead. It is required non-eu citizens to obtain a visa and is kindly recommended to contact with the Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Bulgaria in their respective country. (more details ) There are direct flights to Sofia from the biggest European airports. Generally, the international flights land at Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport. The drive from there to the city downtown is short and should not take more than minutes. The Central Rail Station and the International Bus Station are located close to the downtown. SOFIA has an area of 1310 sq. km and population of inhabitants. This year the weather in June`2015 is expected to be warm and the day temperatures to vary between 15 C in the morning to round C at noon. Bulgaria s unit of currency is the Lev (pl. leva), code BGN. It is in fraction of 100 stotinki (singular: stotinka). The denomination is coin of 1 Lev and banknotes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Levs. The exchange rate against the euro is fixed at BGN for 1 as in 1999 the Lev`s value was pegged to that of the German Deutsch-mark, which was replaced by the euro in Since then due to the Currency Board it is easy to calculate the rate it lasts BGN to as 2:1. Many international banks and Foreign-Exchange Offices operate in Sofia. Currency exchange at the airport on arrival or departure, and in the hotels, is also possible. Do not exchange money in the streets or outside financial offices despite the bargain rate offered: you risk being cheated! Most of Foreign-Exchange Offices are open until 6 PM, and some around the clock. For more information on the actual rates it is better to consult with the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) website: Most of the banks have very friendly web portals where can find concerning information as well as the location of their ATMs. International direct-dialing access code for Bulgaria: 359, for Sofia: Cell phones are widely available where mobile services are provided by three operators M-tel, Telenor and Vivacom. Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink but not always pleasant in taste or appearance. Bulgaria's vast supplies of mineral water are widely available in 0.5 and 1.5 litre bottles. Stick to well-known brands such as Gorna Banya, Devin, Bachkovo or Bankia and check that the bottles are properly sealed.

5 Electricity: Main voltage 220 V/50 Hz, round two-pin plugs. Motoring: Drive on the right, overtake on the left, cross only when the traffic light is green, give right of way to vehicles approaching from the right at crossroads and to buses in urban areas, carry your International Driving Permit, ride with lights on at all times. The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers, except pregnant women. EMERGENCY: CALL 112. Local Transport: The taxi services in Sofia are cheap and reliable and there are a small percentage of frauds, but if you check the prices before you enter the car to avoid the usual lies you won t be overcharged. However, please check out the taxi companies in Sofia that CMDR COE recommend and call them directly to order a cab. The taxi should not be more than BGN for a ride to the most central parts of Sofia. The payment should be made in Bulgarian currency only (you can change a small amount of money at the airport or use the ATM). All taxis should be colored in yellow and operate by meter it s worth checking if the meter is on. The reputable companies are OK Supertrans, Eurolease, Yes and Yellow333, and the CMDR COE strongly recommends their services. Their cabs are recognizable by their call-centers always well shown on vehicle s sides. The public transport in Sofia is composed of buses (using an increasing number of CNG vehicles), trolleybus and tram networks and an underground as well. The city is amply covered by an interlocking network with services running from about 05:00 to 23:30 and a single-journey ticket costs 1.00 BGN. The CMDR COE will provide a shuttle bus for all participants who claim transport and duly apply the seminar s registration form with details of their arrival

6 II AGENDA The Seminar consists of three panels as: 1. The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Policies and Interactions is for the purpose of presenting and sharing different policies and practices. Furthermore it is to engage participants in discussions of the subjects and enable better understanding for interaction among institutions and entities. 2. The Future Operations in Urban Environment examines the impact of disasters and crises on urban zones and the consequences of urbanization on crisis response operations at the horizon up to 2035, granted on the fact that the population in cities grows at blazing speed worldwide. 3. The Best Practices in CMDR Education and Training aims to present modeling and simulation capability innovations in CMDR training as to facilitate work towards implementing the know-how in exercises. See annex Draft Agenda

7 III ACCOMMODATION CMDR COE has made a block booking at the Boyana Residence Club & Hotel and Festa Sofia Hotel Festa Sofia Hotel**** Situated in a modern business district of South Sofia, the hotel is 18 km away from the airport (T2) and 5 km from the downtown. The Boyana Residence can be reached in a 5-minute drive. All rooms offer panoramic views of the city or Vitosha Mountain. Festa Sofia Hotel offers elegant atmosphere with free WiFi connection and satellite TV. It features a spa center and a beauty salon, as well as 2 restaurants and 3 bars and 4 conference rooms. CMDR COE will provide a shuttle from Festa Sofia Hotel to the seminar hall in the Boyana Residence Please note the deadline for hotel booking is: MAY 18 th, 2015 Note: The Registration Form (below) is sufficient for accommodation purposes. Please address all accommodation issues to POCs Terms & Conditions: Your reservation is absolutely secure. All personal data is encrypted and will be processed in a secure manner. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT OUR POC