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Dear COSPAR colleagues: 
On behalf of the Executive Committee for the COSPAR Assembly of 2008, and indeed all Canadian space scientists, we welcome you most warmly to Montréal, July 13-20, 2008. Canada is pleased to host COSPAR after a long absence; our last Assembly was in 1982 in Ottawa. Although our population, at 32 million persons, is not so large, we are spread over a vast territory, the second largest in the world. For that reason, communications, particularly in the Arctic, has always been a priority, and our early space pioneers, Balfour Currie, Frank Davies and Donald Rose were already experts on the aurora and the ionosphere in 1958, when COSPAR was founded. Four years later, following the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A., Canada became the third country to enter space with the launch of the Alouette I satellite in 1962. We are particularly happy that the 50th Anniversary of COSPAR will be celebrated at the 37th Scientific Assembly in Montréal where Canadian space scientists will be able to interact with their many international space partners. During this first half-century of COSPAR, Canadian interests in space have expanded and now include Earth Observations, the Space Environment, the Atmospheric Environment, Space Astronomy, Planetary Science, Microgravity Science as well as a thriving Life Sciences and Astronaut Program. Situated on the St. Lawrence River, Montréal is still an historic gateway to Canada. First Nations peoples lived here for thousands of years before Jacques Cartier arrived in 1535. Ever since, it has been an important focal point of Canada, from which one can have a perspective view of the entire country. This is its aerospace centre, home of the Canadian Space Agency, an academic city of universities, and a critically important part of the multi-cultural fabric of the country. You will find much to experience within walking distance of your hotel and the venue, the Palais des Congrès. Further afield are Québec City to the East and the capital of Canada, Ottawa, to the west. A short distance to the north are the beautiful Laurentian mountains and lakes. Most of all, Montréal is a lively city of culture, where you will find marvelous restaurants, performances and exhibits. Since these are nearby the Assembly, it will be easy to take a few moments from your scientific activities to explore them. But the primary reason for your visit is for the scientific interactions. Whether you are a regular participant in COSPAR Assemblies, or this is your first event, we know that the 2008 Assembly program will meet its customary high standards, with an opportunity to meet old and new space science colleagues from around the world. The Palais des Congrès is a superb meeting place; all the conference rooms are on the same floor, making it ease to change sessions and find colleagues in the hallway. Thus we invite your participation in this important meeting, and again welcome you most sincerely to Canada, and to Montréal in 2008 for COSPAR's 37th Scientific Assembly and 50th Anniversary Celebration. With very best wishes, Gordon Shepherd, Chair |
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