Bridging the Gap: Conference Workbook [International Conference on AIDS (12th: 1994: Geneva, Switzerland)]

Currency
Foreign currency and travellers' cheques can be exchanged
in Switzerland at banks, exchange offices at the border,
railway stations, airports, and in travel agencies and hotels.
Fast-cash machines accepting the major international
credit cards are available at most banks and at Palexpo, the
Conference centre.
The monetary unit is the Swiss franc (CHF) consisting
of 100 centimes. (1 US$ = CHF 1.48 in March 1998.) All
official prices such as Conference fees, social events,
excursions, and accommodation are indicated in CHE
Departure
Shuttle buses from the airport to Palexpo will be provided
for departure from Palexpo to the airport on July 3. Further details, including a timetable, are available from the
Transportation Desk in the registration area in Hall 4.
Drinking Water
Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Switzerland. Bottled
water will be available at Palexpo.
Electricity
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is of 220
volts, A.C. 50 cycles. Be sure to check your equipment or
purchase an adaptor if you wish to use foreign electrical
appliances (computers, irons, hair-driers and so on).
Embassies and Consulates
An international crossroads, Geneva has a large diplomatic
community. Several embassies, consulates and permanent
missions are based in Geneva. Check the local telephone
directory for a complete listing. Details can also be found

on the Internet at http://www.itu.int/OTHER/diplomatic.
Computer access to the Internet is available at Palexpo.
Health Insurance
Conference participants do not need financial guarantees
to be admitted for hospital care in the event of a referral
from on-site physicians following a medical emergency
(the Conference badge acts as a guarantee). However, any
costs following admission to the hospital will be billed to
the patient's private health insurance where possible. If the
patient has no health insurance at all, the costs will be
covered by the Geneva Cantonal Hospital.
Health Requirements
You should have with you letters in English or French
from your consulting physician, certifying in full detail
what pharmaceutical products (including substitution
therapies such as methadone) or relevant material you may
be carrying on your person. Delegates should keep their
prescriptions with them at all times in case of problems
such as lost or stolen medication.
Language
The national languages in Switzerland are German (70%),
French (19%), Italian (10%) and Romansch (1%). Geneva
is in the French speaking part of Switzerland. English is
widely spoken and understood throughout the country.
Liability and Insurance
The Conference organisers cannot accept liability for
personal injuries, or for loss or damage to delegates'
property either during or as a result of the Conference.
Please check the validity of your own insurance.

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12th World AIDS Conference Geneva