The Institute for Organic Understanding, an advocacy initiative of European Union-based, and non-profit, Intercontinental Open University, established in 2009 by noted interdisciplinarian, C. A. Constantopoulos, Ph.D., is pleased to announce a three-day Forum to be held Tuesday through Friday, October 21-23, 2014, in the Peter Kaye Room of the Central Library at the Library Square Conference Center in downtown Vancouver, BC, and, on Saturday, October 25, 2014, in the Fireside Room of the Burnaby Art Gallery in the nearby municipality of Burnaby.

The event will feature selected works commissioned by emerging Vancouverite photographic artist, Victoria Prevot, whose emotive images express the themes articulated above by internationally prominent self-hypnosis educator, Michael Ellner, within a context bequeathed to us by legendary Canadian photographer, Yousuf Karsh.

The invited keynote speaker, globally recognized within the world of photography, will be announced on March 1, 2014.

Local thought leaders, each distinguished for having innovatively addressed concerns germane to the themes, will be present at the informal viewing as the artist herself responds to philosophically disparate papers that will have been chosen after double-blind review in order to assure that they reflect an ivory-tower zeal that has down-to-earth appeal. Given the key stakeholders expected to be present at the event, it is
anticipated that much food for thought and action will be served.

Those interested in presenting a paper are invited to submit, upon thoughtful consideration of the themes, an Abstract in response to any one of them, in .pdf format, not exceeding 250 words in length, to presenter@iou.edu.gr no later than February 15, 2014. Notifications will be emailed on March 15, 2014, with a list of presenters and their Abstracts, and the biographies of both the artist and the keynote speaker being
emailed on April 15, 2014.

The registration fee is 240.00 CAD or any equivalent currency.

Given the economy, the Institute has aimed to keep Forum costs as minimized as possible. Considering the relatively small size of the event, it has decided not to engage any Vancouver establishment for a group rate package as such would be more costly than the less expensive, individualized options readily available near the venue.

The Forum registration fee covers the following:

- 3 days, at 4 hours per day access, which includes up to 18 presentations, 6 informal viewings, and interface with the artist

- 1 day at 3 hours access, which includes transportation, the reception, the formal viewing, interface with the artist, and the keynote address

- If selected as a presenter, an assigned day and time to present the paper before an audience of up to 60 people

- Online publication of the paper on the Institute's website, at no cost

- Life membership in the Institute, at no cost, and, upon request, provision of unlimited professional letters of reference, at no cost

- Up to 1 hour per week of academic consultation at www.iou.edu.gr ) Meet Now, at no cost

- Through the Institute, a personal email address redirect, formatted [username]@iou.edu.gr, at no cost

A non-refundable, 50% deposit is payable by May 1, 2014, with the balance being payable by July 1, 2014. The registration fee is payable through PayPal™ to register@iou.edu.gr. Other arrangements can be made subsequent to approval from, forum@iou.edu.gr.

Presenters receive a discounted registration fee if the Abstract is received by the deadline date. Address questions to conancon@umich.edu.