University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada May 30, 1997

Learned Congress chooses U of A

By Folio staff

The University of Alberta along with the City of Edmonton will host the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities (formerly the Learned Societies Conference) in the year 2000.

Marcel Lauzier, executive director of Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada, organizers of the largest event of its kind in North America, says this is the first time since 1975 that the congress will be held in Edmonton.

President Rod Fraser said, "The awarding of this major, prestigious conference to the University of Alberta clearly demonstrates our stature as one of the country's preeminent universities.. I am delighted that we will again partner with the city and Economic Development Edmonton in such an exciting venture, reinforcing our 'smart city' designation and the enormous contributions made by the University to the city's economic well being."

The congress provides an occasion for the coming together of thousands of academics, experts and professionals in more than 100 disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The event will gather more than 7,000 delegates including an estimated 1,000 international participants.

All 15 member universities of the Federation in Western Canada were invited to enter the bid process in 1994. The short list included: UBC, University of Manitoba and the University of Regina.

Rick LeLacheur, president and C.E.O. Economic Development Edmonton, said, "the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities will be a huge boost to the local economy. It is estimated that the total economic impact will be nearly $9 million with more than $7 million of this total concentrated in the Edmonton area. The conference, one of the largest held in Edmonton, will account for approximately 20,000 to 25,000 room nights over a 12-day period.

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