IAMCR2010 - Final Remarks

IAMCR2010 begun as an idea formally put forward by Moisés Martins in Paris (2007). By then, the plan was to host a conference in Braga in 2011. When the proposal was finally accepted, a team of people begun interfacing with the organization and planning the event to the smallest detail. The project started to occupy larger and larger portions of working days of an also growing number of people since the beginning of 2009 and involved an amazing group of volunteers from early 2010.

It now seems appropriate to write a few words about them - the 'engine room' staff, the 'ask me people'.
During a very intense week they had to assist, direct, transport, and help entertain more than 1200 people from some 80 countries. They had to improvise. They had to be extremelly patient. They had to relly on each other.
Most of them will forever remember particular incidents, particular moments, particular people, but they will also remember the whole experience and the deep personal attachments that developed during this week.
In time they will also appreciate how rare that can be.

Thank you all!

(We can now focus on organizing something less demanding
...like the World Cup, or the Olympics...)

Closing ceremony

IAMCR2010's closing ceremony was a cheerful event, kicked off by the enthusiastic and witty performance of  Clarinetes ad Libitum (check out some of their videos HERE).

Istambul - the city where IAMCR2011 will take place - had the opportunity to present participants some details regarding next years' conference and the session drew to a close with informal words by Anabelle Sreberny and Hopeton Dunn on behalf of the organization, and Helena Sousa and Manuel Pinto on behalf of the local organizing comittee.

The ceremony ended with a giant applause to all those who have contributed to making IAMCR2010 a successful event.

(please click to see more photos)

Reception at Bom Jesus

 IAMCR2010 conference dinner took place at Bom Jesus. Food, drink, an amazing sunset and the musical contribution of Cees Hamelink and the Burgundian Combo.
When everyone had already enjoyed the view, the food and the wine, Manuel Pinto, Director of the Communication and Society Research Centre, made a positive balance of the Conference. He also took the chance to thank all the people in the organisation and all the volunteers.
After the dinner, everybody joined to see one of the professors of University of Minho playing the accordion with the band.
For most of the guests the night ended with the song "Menina estás à Janela", sung by a large group of volunteers.

Inês Espojeira



Video by Isabel Ferreira and José Miguel Carvalho

Tribute to Denis McQuail

The Communication and Society Research Centre hosted a tribute ceremony to Denis McQuail, in recognition of his work and long-standing contribution to the University of Minho.




The ceremony took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Auditorium B1 and registered a massive affluence. In fact, the room was too small for so much enthusiasm.
Manuel Pinto introduced the session referring the importance of McQuail’s book to his academic career: “he inspires people”. Helena Sousa also talked about his humanity and his interest in everybody’s work. “Despite his status he’s generous and friendly. He reads a lot, he knows a lot”, said Helena Sousa.

Peter Golding, a special guest of the IAMCR, stated that there’s a piece of Denis in each one of us and also remembered his importance to the society. “We are lucky to have Denis contribution to Communication.” Denis McQuail thanked the tribute and said he’s up to do more.”It’s not time for balances. I’m not retiring”, joked. McQuail revealed the secret to his success: “To work along with special people”. After his discourse, McQuail left the room under a standing ovation.

António Vieira and Pedro Nogueira




Video by Nuno Pereira and Mariana Santos

Opening ceremony - "IAMCR are us"

The opening ceremony gathered more than 600 participants at Theatro Circo. The president of IAMCR, Annabelle Sreberny, said that the “IAMCR are us”; "the organization needs all its members, with their imagination and creativity", she added.
António Cunha, Rector of the University of Minho, welcomed the participants to the city and to UM.
Manuel Pinto, Director of the Communication and Society Research Centre (CECS), highlighted the fact that the conference is taking place in a small town and that this peculiarity should be seen as an opportunity.
The keynote speaker, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and former portuguese president,Jorge Sampaio,focused on the importance of enhancing global media literacy - with the aide of new ways to share information, like You Tube, Facebook or Twitter - in order to uphold both a universal respect for human rights and an attachment to democracy.

Inês Espojeira and Sofia Gomes

Some photos of the ceremony (please click on the arrow to see the whole slideshow)

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of IAMCR2010 will take place at Theatro Circo (Avenida da Liberdade - city centre) from 18:00.

Conference participants wishing to register can do that at the foyer of the theatre from 15:00.

All are advised to be at Theatro Circo at 17:30.

The ceremony will end with a music concert by portuguese jazz musicians Maria João and Mário Laginha.

Photo by stukinha

Maria João and Mário Laginha - concert

The opening ceremony will end with a special show by portuguese jazz musicians Maria João and Mário Laginha.
Those wanting to get a glimpse of what might happen on stage please see this performance of Maria João with Bobby Mcferrin (Burghausen 2002).


...Bobby, unfortunately, will not be joining us on this particular occasion...

Conference kit

After registration - at Theatro Circo (city centre), from 15:00 on Sunday, or at the university's CP2 from monday morning onwards - all conference participants will get a ticket to pick up the conference kit.
Each kit has a conference programme, a survival guide, a conference fan, a usb pen drive with all the abstracts, paper, pencil, map of Braga, meal vouchers (4 luch, 1 reception, 1 dinner), and a badge (those who have, in due time, indicated their willingness to have vegetarian meals will get different - green - colour meal vouchers).
Please note that meal vouchers work as tickets to access not only lunch but also the planned evening events.

Final preparations

Final preparations under way...lost meals, some bruised fingers, aching muscles...and an amazing team spirit.
Let the conference begin!

More than 1000 participants

The 2010 conference will gather 1125 participants from at least 75 different countries. The announcement was made this tuesday by the organizing committee. Manuel Pinto and Helena Sousa have said that to organize the biggest IAMCR conference to date has been an enourmous collective challenge but they added that "all those who have worked very hard, especially in the last year, are now eager to welcome everyone to Braga".

Participants by continent: