Information Note. Summer School on Sustainability Transition Policies and Practices 22 July - 2 August 2013 in Incheon, Republic of Korea

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1 The Summer School Information Note Summer School on Sustainability Transition Policies and Practices 22 July - 2 August 2013 in Incheon, Republic of Korea Over the past 25 years, there have been impressive and global efforts for transitions towards sustainable development (SD). Such efforts have included the building of SD knowledge and capacity for policy-makers. Yet, transitions are still happening much too slowly to address overstretched planetary boundaries and multifaceted social crises. Beyond the technical knowledge and skills of economic, social and environmental sustainability, there remains a debilitating gap in understanding how technical knowledge gets, or not, deployed and scaled-up into strategies and implemented through concrete policies. In addressing this gap, the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) is offering a Summer School on Sustainability Transition Policies and Practices. This course will provide evidence and skills in sustainability planning, and is targeted at civil servants of developing countries that wish to improve their expertise in designing and advocating for sustainability transitions policies, and implementing them into development practices. Venue The Summer School will take place at the 7 th floor Conference Hall, Underwood Memorial Library, Yonsei University International Campus, Songdo-dong, Incheon, Republic of Korea. This is the new international YU campus, located in Songdo, Incheon - not the older campus in downtown Seoul. More information on transportation to the course venue is available on page 2 of this note. In case further assistance is needed, please contact UNOSD as provided on page 3. Accommodation UNOSD is providing single-occupancy rooms for all participants on reserved floors at the Yonsei University dormitory. Rooms are modern, clean and quiet, with free wifi and wired internet (RJ45 cables not supplied). Facilities include shared lounges with refrigerators and microwaves on each floor, coin-operated laundry and irons in the basement, a cafeteria and convenience stores. Tel: Address: Yonsei University International Campus 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon , Rep. of Korea In Korean: 기숙사 연세대학교 국제캠퍼스 인천시 연수구 85 송도과학로, Local Transportation A. Airport Transfer Kindly note that UNOSD is not providing transfer from and to Incheon International Airport. Public transfer to the Yonsei University International campus dormitory is easy and straightforward: Either take a cab from the international taxi counter, 1 st (ground) floor, exit 4. It takes 30 minutes, and costs about KRW 50,000 ( USD $45). Show the above Korean address to the driver. 1

2 Or take bus #6707B (KAL Limousine service), from either exit 4B or 11A, 1 st floor. Get off at Songdo Bridge Hotel (about minutes), and take a taxi to the Yonsei International Campus dormitory, showing the Korean version of the address above to the driver ( KRW 3,000, i.e. $3). Upon leaving from Incheon International Airport: NB: The KAL Limousine runs from 5:43 to 22:10, at 35 to 50 minutes intervals. Fare is 7,000 ( $7). If you land outside this schedule you may take a taxi to Songdo ( $50) or first take municipal bus line 303 or (from gates 2a or 9a, 2,500 payable to driver in small bills or coins), get off in Songdo (first or second stop after the 13km bridge, about 45 min from airport) then take a taxi within Songdo, as above. Yonsei University Dormitory Get off in front of the dormitory entrance, or at the main campus gate and walk up and turn left to the dormitory entrance. Get the keys from UNOSD Information desk at the lobby of dormitory. B. Moving within and around Yonsei International Campus The Yonsei University International Campus is located 1.5 to 2 hours from Seoul, either in taxi or public transport. If you are coming to the workshop venue from Seoul, the directions are as follows: Travelling by Taxi Please show the taxi driver the following address (YU International Campus): 연세대학교 국제캠퍼스, 인천광역시 연수구 송도동

3 Then, walking directions to the School venue: Get off at the main campus gate Travelling by Subway Walk up and turn right in central alley Enter Underwood Memorial Library at basement level Get off at Campus Town station exit 2, and walk straight towards Yonsei University International Campus, Underwood Memorial Library as shown below. Walking time is approximately 15 minutes. Campus Town Subway Station Yonsei University Int l Campus Underwood Memorial Library Yonsei University Int l Campus Dormitory How to Purchase Subway Ticket Single-journey tickets and electronic payment cards for the Seoul metropolitan public transit (usually T-Money cards) can be purchased from vending machines at any station (and most convenience stores for ecards). A card can be purchased with a pre-loaded amount of a few thousand won, and reloaded for any amount at the same vending machines. The unused balance of a card can be refunded from special vending machines (usually one per station, orange in picture below). When using the machines, start by pressing English, and follow the instructions. 3

4 Immigration Requirements Obtaining a visa is the responsibility of each participant. Please check the visa requirement for your nationality at the following site: Visa support letters can be issued by UNOSD upon request. In such case, please contact Ms Shelley Choi (choi9@un.org) as soon as possible. Health Travel Insurance All participants are strongly encouraged to buy health travel insurance before travelling. Emergency and hospital claims would not be covered by UNOSD or the public Korean health system would any emergency occur. Please contact your usual insurance provider or travel agency. Local Information Language: while airport and major hotel staff know English, this is not common in Korea, even among taxi drivers or restaurant workers with the exception of Seoul tourist areas. The working language of the Summer School and all its documentation is English. Time in Korea: GMT/UTC + 09:00 Currency: 1 USD is worth about 1,125 Korean Won (KRW or ), with normal market fluctuations. Currency Exchange Hours of Operation Location at Incheon Airport Shinhan Bank Currency Exchange 06:00 ~ 21:00 Tel: KEB Currency Exchange 06:00 ~ 21:00 Tel: Hana Bank Currency Exchange 05:30 ~ 23:00 Tel: Woori Bank 09:00 ~ 16:00 Tel: Cash Advance Service: Yonsei University in Sondgo Dormitory Building You can withdraw cash from the many ATMs, including on campus, for the usual fee. Click on Foreign card or English (often at the bottom right-hand side of the screen) and insert your card to proceed. Debit and Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, Master Card, and Visa are widely accepted at stores and restaurants in Korean cities. Weather: Late July to early August temperatures in Incheon range between a low of 21 C and a high of 30 C. There can be heavy rains at times, so please bring a compact umbrella. Dressing Code: we recommend casual clothes for the Summer School sessions, but beware of air conditioning in public places and vehicles. Electricity: 220V, 60 Hz, with the following outlets: 4

5 Dormitory Cafeteria and Stores Dining: A cafeteria operates in the basement of the campus dormitory. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day, including national holidays. You need to purchase a meal coupon ( 3,500, $3.2) from the counter or the coupon machine next to the counter. Opening hours are as follows: Breakfast: 7:30am~9:00am Lunch: 11:00am~2:00pm Dinner: 5pm~7pm Other shops at the basement of the dormitory include a café, bakery and convenience store. Contacts and Further Information For further administrative information, please contact: Ms Shelley Choi Ms Ilae Kim Team Assistant Administrative Assistant choi9@un.org kim23@un.org Please regularly visit the Summer School webpage for updated information 5