Information Sheet: Briefing for Participants
International Workshops in RBM, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space;
Participatory Development; and PM & E, Ottawa, Canada
Using PRA tools in the field, in Haiti
The workshop promises to be truly international with participants coming from all over the world and various organizations. Past participants have come from Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, Yugoslavia, Bosnia, El Salvador, Venezuela, Mexico, France, Ghana, Jamaica, Haiti, Mali, the United States, Sweden and Canada, representing an array of organizations: Alberta Grand Council of First Nations, UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, the World Bank, CARE, Oxfam, Winrock International, CECI, African Development Foundation, Plan International, CIDA, North-South Institute, Health Canada, Environment Canada, Nunavut Literacy Council, Christian Children's Fund, Peace Corps, World Vision, World Neighbors, Cowater International, Coastal Resources Centre, Canadian Bureau for Intl. Education, Partners for Rural Development, Plan:Net, SIDA, International Centre for Research on Women, Engender Health, Habitat for Humanity, Johns Hopkins, University of Texas, Cornell University, Michigan State University, Kentucky University, Bringham Young University, UCLA, Carleton University, Queen's University, St. Mary's University and many more.
This information sheet provides participants with detailed information on visas, health insurance, hotels, weather and transportation.
For international participants:
1. Visa. Visa requirements will depend on your nationality. The following web site will tell you whether or not you need a visa to come to Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
For the location of the nearest Canadian consulate please consult: http://w01.international.gc.ca/cra-rce/index.aspx
If you need a visa, you will require a letter from Mosaic.net International. Please let us know well in advance and we will prepare this for you. In most cases, you should allow up to two months for processing your visa. You should also bring with you a letter from your employer that you intend to return to your country upon completion of the workshop to resume your work and how this workshop will contribute to building your capacity. Attaching a copy of the workshop description, from the web page, to your visa application is also helpful.
2. Health Insurance. All US and international participants should carry valid international travel insurance when travelling to Canada in case of an accident or injury. This is the full responsibility of participants. Mosaic.net International is not responsible for covering any health expenses incurred by the participant.
3. Airline Reservations. Many airlines offer discount rates for travel in the summer. Reserving well in advance for discounts on flights to and from Ottawa is recommended. Ottawa is served directly by the following US cities: Atlanta, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Newark, Dulles Airport. From Europe, there are direct flights from London. Major airlines flying into Ottawa include: American Airlines, USAir, Delta, Air Canada, and . For participants flying through Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Luftansa), London (British Airways), Paris (Air France) passengers are routed through Montreal. The major and closest Canadian cities to Ottawa are Toronto and Montreal.
We recommend that out-of-town participants arrive at least one day before the workshop, and book their return flight for Saturday afternoon after 4:00 p.m. or Sunday. Flights can be significantly cheaper with a sleepover on Saturday night, so keep this in mind.
1. Visa. Visa requirements will depend on your nationality. The following web site will tell you whether or not you need a visa to come to Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
For the location of the nearest Canadian consulate please consult: http://w01.international.gc.ca/cra-rce/index.aspx
If you need a visa, you will require a letter from Mosaic.net International. Please let us know well in advance and we will prepare this for you. In most cases, you should allow up to two months for processing your visa. You should also bring with you a letter from your employer that you intend to return to your country upon completion of the workshop to resume your work and how this workshop will contribute to building your capacity. Attaching a copy of the workshop description, from the web page, to your visa application is also helpful.
2. Health Insurance. All US and international participants should carry valid international travel insurance when travelling to Canada in case of an accident or injury. This is the full responsibility of participants. Mosaic.net International is not responsible for covering any health expenses incurred by the participant.
3. Airline Reservations. Many airlines offer discount rates for travel in the summer. Reserving well in advance for discounts on flights to and from Ottawa is recommended. Ottawa is served directly by the following US cities: Atlanta, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Newark, Dulles Airport. From Europe, there are direct flights from London. Major airlines flying into Ottawa include: American Airlines, USAir, Delta, Air Canada, and . For participants flying through Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Luftansa), London (British Airways), Paris (Air France) passengers are routed through Montreal. The major and closest Canadian cities to Ottawa are Toronto and Montreal.
We recommend that out-of-town participants arrive at least one day before the workshop, and book their return flight for Saturday afternoon after 4:00 p.m. or Sunday. Flights can be significantly cheaper with a sleepover on Saturday night, so keep this in mind.
Hotel Reservations and Meals in Ottawa:
Accommodations and meals are the responsibility of the participants. The Sandy Hill area, the neighbourhood in Ottawa where the workshop will take place, offers a variety of excellent restaurants. All are in walking distance. Depending on your tastes and appetite you can expect to spend on average $30-45/day on restaurant meals in the city.
The following accommodations in Ottawa are some suggestions. We have sought to give you a range of bed and breakfasts and hotels depending on comfort and budget. All are in walking distance from the workshop site and priced in Canadian dollars (taxes extra). Please reserve early to avoid disappointment. Please note all prices are approximate and can vary from season to season. Remember that for the Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation workshop, in particular, you will be residing with your team Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night of the workshop week in accommodations reserved by Mosaic. You will need to cover the cost of your room on these nights but we will take care of the reservations for you. Plan on spending about $55/night + taxes (13%).
Contact any of the following accommodations to make your reservation:
University of Ottawa residence, 90 University Street. Conveniently located in the same building as the workshop. Take the suite for AC if price is not an issue. Tel: 1-888-564-4545 or (613) 562-5885. Email: reserve@uottawa.ca. When you reserve, mention the Mosaic workshop. Cost: CAD $40 for a single, $169.50 for a two bedroom suite (Type/Area: 90U on webpage) with kitchen and air conditioning. Internet free, WiFi available. Taxes extra. See: https://www.accommodation.uottawa.ca. Click on English tab if website switches to French if needed.
Ottawa International Hostel. Inexpensive, unique, international, an experience to remember! These are dorm style or comfortable family rooms accommodations. Free breakfast. Ottawa, CAD $45 - $165.00 (Small apt) for non-members. 75 Nicholas St., Tel: (613) 235-2595; Toll Free 1-866-299-1478 Fax: (613) 569-2131, Email: Ottawa.jail@hihostels.ca. See http://hihostels.ca/en/destinations/ontario/hi-ottawa WiFi.
Ottawa Backpacker's Inn. 203 York St. (613) 241-3402. Email: info@ottawahostel.com. Website: http://www.ottawahostel.com Rate:$30 for dorm style room or $75 CAD for a private room including tax. WiFi free + computer w/internet.
Gasthaus Switzerland. 89 Daly Ave. Tel: (613) 237-0335. Fax: 594-3327. Email: info@ottawainn.com. Cost: CAD $159 standard double. Breakfast included. www.ottawainn.com. Free internet.
King Edward B & B. 525 King Edward Drive. Tel: (613) 565-6700 or 1-800-841-8786 Email: kingedward525@hotmail.com. Costs: CAD $110 - $140. Breakfast included. Free Parking available. Wireless internet.
McGee’s Inn. 185 Daly at Nelson. Tel: (613) 237-6089 or 1-800-262-4337. Rooms range from CAD $139 - $225.. All rooms have private bathrooms. Prices include breakfast. Email: contact@mcgeesinn.com. Website: www.mcgeesinn.com. Free parking. Wifi.
Quality Inn. 290 Rideau St. (corner of King Edward), Tel: (613) 789-7511; Fax (613) 789-2434. Rooms: $115 - $125 Govt. or Corporate Rate. Breakfast extra. www.choicehotels.ca/cn286. Email: cn286@whg.com. WiFi.
Holiday Inn & Suites. $184.00 for double with kitchenette. Humanitarian Organization rate. 111 Cooper St. Ottawa, Tel: 613-238-0772. www.hiottawa.ca. email: reservations@hiottawa.ca
Novotel Hotel Ottawa. 33 Nicholas St. Tel: (613) 230-3033 or 1-800-668-6835 Fax: (613) 760-4765. Email: novotelottawa@novotelottawa.com. Website: www.novotelottawa.com. Prices: CAD $159 and up. Breakfast extra. AAA or CAA discount of 10% off daily rate. Hi Speed Internet.
Accommodations and meals are the responsibility of the participants. The Sandy Hill area, the neighbourhood in Ottawa where the workshop will take place, offers a variety of excellent restaurants. All are in walking distance. Depending on your tastes and appetite you can expect to spend on average $30-45/day on restaurant meals in the city.
The following accommodations in Ottawa are some suggestions. We have sought to give you a range of bed and breakfasts and hotels depending on comfort and budget. All are in walking distance from the workshop site and priced in Canadian dollars (taxes extra). Please reserve early to avoid disappointment. Please note all prices are approximate and can vary from season to season. Remember that for the Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation workshop, in particular, you will be residing with your team Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night of the workshop week in accommodations reserved by Mosaic. You will need to cover the cost of your room on these nights but we will take care of the reservations for you. Plan on spending about $55/night + taxes (13%).
Contact any of the following accommodations to make your reservation:
University of Ottawa residence, 90 University Street. Conveniently located in the same building as the workshop. Take the suite for AC if price is not an issue. Tel: 1-888-564-4545 or (613) 562-5885. Email: reserve@uottawa.ca. When you reserve, mention the Mosaic workshop. Cost: CAD $40 for a single, $169.50 for a two bedroom suite (Type/Area: 90U on webpage) with kitchen and air conditioning. Internet free, WiFi available. Taxes extra. See: https://www.accommodation.uottawa.ca. Click on English tab if website switches to French if needed.
Ottawa International Hostel. Inexpensive, unique, international, an experience to remember! These are dorm style or comfortable family rooms accommodations. Free breakfast. Ottawa, CAD $45 - $165.00 (Small apt) for non-members. 75 Nicholas St., Tel: (613) 235-2595; Toll Free 1-866-299-1478 Fax: (613) 569-2131, Email: Ottawa.jail@hihostels.ca. See http://hihostels.ca/en/destinations/ontario/hi-ottawa WiFi.
Ottawa Backpacker's Inn. 203 York St. (613) 241-3402. Email: info@ottawahostel.com. Website: http://www.ottawahostel.com Rate:$30 for dorm style room or $75 CAD for a private room including tax. WiFi free + computer w/internet.
Gasthaus Switzerland. 89 Daly Ave. Tel: (613) 237-0335. Fax: 594-3327. Email: info@ottawainn.com. Cost: CAD $159 standard double. Breakfast included. www.ottawainn.com. Free internet.
King Edward B & B. 525 King Edward Drive. Tel: (613) 565-6700 or 1-800-841-8786 Email: kingedward525@hotmail.com. Costs: CAD $110 - $140. Breakfast included. Free Parking available. Wireless internet.
McGee’s Inn. 185 Daly at Nelson. Tel: (613) 237-6089 or 1-800-262-4337. Rooms range from CAD $139 - $225.. All rooms have private bathrooms. Prices include breakfast. Email: contact@mcgeesinn.com. Website: www.mcgeesinn.com. Free parking. Wifi.
Quality Inn. 290 Rideau St. (corner of King Edward), Tel: (613) 789-7511; Fax (613) 789-2434. Rooms: $115 - $125 Govt. or Corporate Rate. Breakfast extra. www.choicehotels.ca/cn286. Email: cn286@whg.com. WiFi.
Holiday Inn & Suites. $184.00 for double with kitchenette. Humanitarian Organization rate. 111 Cooper St. Ottawa, Tel: 613-238-0772. www.hiottawa.ca. email: reservations@hiottawa.ca
Novotel Hotel Ottawa. 33 Nicholas St. Tel: (613) 230-3033 or 1-800-668-6835 Fax: (613) 760-4765. Email: novotelottawa@novotelottawa.com. Website: www.novotelottawa.com. Prices: CAD $159 and up. Breakfast extra. AAA or CAA discount of 10% off daily rate. Hi Speed Internet.