News in 2020

FIG Working Week 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of this year’s FIG Working Week in Amsterdam due 10-14 May.

The local Dutch organisers, together with FIG have worked dedicated on the preparations for this Working Week for several years to give all the participants a special experience in Amsterdam. Several pre-events were prepared, special technical tours and dinners that should bring participants together. FIG Commisisons, Networks, Permanent Institution and Task Force Chairs have also put a great effort in the technical programme which was published not so long time ago.

The Dutch organisers had looked very much forward to welcoming all to Amsterdam. The large and efficient local organising committee with Paula Dijkstra competently in the lead as co-conference director have put uncountable hours, creative thoughts, many actions in the preparations for this Working Week and which until a few weeks ago were summing excitedly with the final preparations. The COVID-19 virus stopped this.

We know this cancellation comes as a disappointment also for those who had planned to attend. Each was looking forward to present, to network and to demonstrate research, projects and products to our FIG community. As well as to explore the vibrant city of Amsterdam and the unique countryside in the Netherlands. Now we must stay together - apart.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly and there are two overriding concerns that have caused us to make this decision at this time. 

First, the Dutch Government announced new measurements to control the COVID-19 outbreak. In the Netherlands all gatherings are prohibited until 1 June.

Second, our primary concern is always the wellbeing of all our participants, and we would not take on the responsibility, during these times, to bring so many surveyors from all over the world together.

We wish good health to all during this strange crisis.

 

Louise Friis-Hansen
Co-conference Director, FIG
25 March 2020