Dear IPSA members and Congress participants,

 

The COVID-19 situation has rapidly escalated in a way that few had predicted. The fight against this pandemic confronts us with enormous challenges and imposes difficult measures on all of us. IPSA has been monitoring public health measures taken across the globe very closely, and even if the future is highly unpredictable, the responsibility towards our members and everyone involved requires an alternative for holding the Congress this year. 

 

The IPSA Executive Committee, in consultation with the Local Organizing Committee in Portugal and the Program Co-chairs, has therefore decided to postpone the 2020 IPSA World Congress to July 2021. The Congress venue, Nova University in Lisbon, will remain the same. The main theme of the Congress, New Nationalisms in an Open World, will not change and all accepted panels and papers will be maintained.

 

Although we were looking forward to getting together in Lisbon in 2020, IPSA’s main concern is to guarantee the health and well-being of our delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and local partners. Postponing the IPSA World Congress to July 2021 will ensure a fruitful and safe Congress experience for everyone. In the meantime, we would like to thank all of you who invested time and effort into this Congress, and express our appreciation for your ongoing commitment in the upcoming months.

 

 

All accepted papers and panels remain in the 2021 Congress program. We encourage all our delegates to keep their paper and panel submissions in the program. From the enthusiastic response we received, we were expecting a historic record number of delegates in July. We hope to see you all in Lisbon in 2021, in what promises to be a prominent and successful IPSA World Congress. 

 

More information will be posted by 30 April 2020 on the IPSA Congress website and social media accounts. 

 

Congress Registration 

 

Current registrations to the 2020 World Congress will remain valid for the 2021 World Congress. All registered participants will receive an email regarding the status of their registration by 30 April 2020, providing information on how to confirm or cancel their current participation to the Congress in July 2021. 

 

In the meantime, please note that registration will be suspended temporarily until 30 April 2020. 

 

Please understand that this situation poses enormous challenges for our organization. Currently, the IPSA Congress team is working very hard on developing new procedures and timelines for 2021. Therefore, we appreciate your patience in waiting for the next update on 30 April. 

 

Travel Arrangements 

 

Flights - Please check with your airline for options on change of dates or cancellations. Your credit card provider may also offer travel insurance. 

 

Hotel Reservations - If you have already booked your hotel in Lisbon, please notify your hotel immediately to change your dates or to cancel your reservation. If you booked your hotel through the IPSA World Congress website, please email wchotels@bnetwork.com. 

 

Note: IPSA is unable to compensate for any cancellation fees or non-refundable reservations made by participants.

 

 

We encourage our members and Congress participants to remain vigilant in these challenging times and extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you for your understanding. We hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.