Things to know

General

1. The 7th International Geography Olympiad (IGEO Carthage 2008) will be held in Carthage, Tunisia, from August 7 to 12, 2008, under the auspices of the International Geographical Union (IGU) Olympiad Task Force.

2. IGEO Carthage 2008 will be held in conjunction with the IGU Congress, August 12 – 15, 2008.

3. IGEO Carthage 2008 is being hosted by the Tunisian Association of Geographers. 

4. The aims of the International Geography Olympiad are to:

a)  Stimulate active interest in geographical and environmental studies among young people.

b) Contribute positively to debate about the importance of geography as a senior secondary school subject by drawing attention to the quality of geographical knowledge, skills and interests among young people.

c) Facilitate social contacts between young people from different countries and in doing so, contribute to the understanding between nations.

5. English is the official language of the International Geography Olympiad.

The Participants

6. Countries wishing to participate in 2008 IGEO should apply on the attached form by January 3, 2008. Countries which took part in one of the previous two IGEOs (Gydnia 2004 or Brisbane 2006), and which have selected their team through a national competition, have the right to participate in Carthage IGEO, August 2008, if they apply by the deadline. On January 3, 2008, other available places will be given to countries with a national competition who wish to participate, on the basis of the date of reception of their application forms. Around 30 countries will be accepted.

7. Each participating country will send a team of a maximum of three or four students. Countries will be advised whether a fourth student will be allowed at the time of the notification of the acceptance of their application.

a) They must be students of secondary schools (general or technical), or ex-students who finished school in the year of the competition and have not yet started regular education at university level.

b) Their ages must be between 16 and 19 years old (inclusive) on June 30, 2008.

c) Students must be selected through a national competition.

d) Students must answer the test questions independently. Violation of this provision will result in the student’s disqualification from the IGEO.

8. In addition to the students, two adult team leaders are invited.

a) They must be involved in geography teaching or geography education in their country.

b) Each of them must be able to speak and write the IGEO’s official language (English).

c) One of the two leaders will be a member of the International Board. S/he will maintain absolute security of the test contents until the students sit for it. S/he will be eligible to participate on one of the jury panels, vote on the Statutes, review-marking guidelines, translate geographical terms, etc.

d) The other leader will be the one who is in charge of the students.

The Competition

9. The Olympiad consists of three parts: a written test (40% of total marks), a multimedia test (20% of total marks), and a substantial fieldwork exercise (40% of total marks).

10. Students must complete the test assignments individually.

11. Students must produce their answers in the official language of the IGEO (English).

12. All students will receive a certificate. Approximately 50% of the participating students will receive a medal. Medals will be awarded in the approximate ratio of gold 1: silver 2: bronze 3.

Accommodation

13. Participants will be housed in the National Centre for Training Trainers in Education (Centre National de Formation des Formateurs en Education Carthage (C.E.N.A.F.F.E), or in a close-by hotel depending on the number of participants. The tests will be conducted at CENAFFE, a large well-equipped boarding institution within 15 kms from Tunis downtown.

14. Adults will be given the opportunity to stay at a close-by hotel at an additional cost.

Programme

15. Carthage, located in the north of Tunis, is a friendly Mediterranean city with a pleasant mild summer.

16. Following the IGEO’s tradition, a cultural function will be held, so teams should come equipped to give a performance distinctive of their mother country.

17. Teams are also invited to make a presentation on some geographical aspects of their countries. Because of the high number of participants, this task needs to be concise and precise. Further guidance on the format will be provided to participating countries later.

18. The medals will be awarded to students during the Opening Ceremony of the IGU Congress.

Financial aspects

19. Participating countries will pay all travel costs for the students and the team leaders that make up their country's team.

20. Countries must take out medical/travel insurance to cover their teams.

21. Countries are responsible for arranging and paying any visa costs to enter Tunisia.

22. Each participating country will make a contribution to cover the local costs.The fee for IGEO Carthage 2008 is 350 Euros per person. This must be paid in advance.

23. The local organiser will cover the other costs in providing accommodation, meals, awards and scheduled functions and excursions during the time of IGEO Carthage 2008.

Applications

24. Please apply as soon as posssible, but no later than January 3, 2008. Countries that did not participate in the 2004 or 2006 IGEOs will be allocated available places based on the date of reception of their applications.

25. Participating countries will be sent further forms for each of their students and team leaders.

26. For any further information, please contact the local organiser, Zouhaier HELAOUI

Faculté des Sciences Humaines et sociales de Tunis
94 Boulevard  9 avril 1938; Tunis (1007) Tunisie
email: tn_geo_olympiade@yahoo.fr;  Téléphone: + 216.98215255; fax: + 216.71567551
(c) www.geoolympiad.org - Onderwijscentrum VU - Joop van der Schee