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Hybrid Congress Policy

WTC2023 - Hybrid Congress Policy

WTC2023 – Hybrid Congress Policy

By registering for WTC2023 Hybrid Congress, you acknowledge your registration is subject to the Congress GDPR Policy

All attendees of the Hybrid “WTC2023 Congress” must comply with its Hybrid Policy.

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact info@wtc2023.gr


Preliminary remarks

“WTC2023” strongly believes in attendees’ participation and in this respect intends to facilitate virtual access for attendees to WTC2023 Congress through the use of electronic means (a “Hybrid Congress”) next to on premises access.

“WTC2023” facilitates the Hybrid Congress by providing attendees the opportunity to follow the proceedings of the WTC2023 and to participate virtually during the Congress.

 “WTC2023” has used its best efforts to ensure that attendees are offered the best virtual experience, attendees may experience issues that are common to any innovative virtual application.


1. General

1.1 “WTC2023” aims to assist the WTC2023 Congress delegates who wish to attend the Hybrid Congress virtually by providing an adequate opportunity to participate electronically and real time during the Congress.

1.2 The platform for Hybrid Congress will be provided by “WTC2023”.

1.3 Virtual attendees must identify themselves electronically via “WTC2023” to enter the Hybrid Congress through a secured access, as set out in the Terms of Use of the Digital Platform.

1.4 Participation instructions for Attendees will be included in the relevant convocation of the Hybrid Congress.

1.5 “WTC2023” reserves the right at all times to modify, suspend, cancel or restrict the mechanisms for electronic participation when this becomes necessary or advisable for technical or security reasons.


2. Special Assistance

“WTC2023” is committed to diversity, inclusion, making the WTC2023 Congress website and other digital assets readily accessible to the interested parties, including to those with disabilities. We are continuously improving all digital assets to comply with all standard accessibility guidelines. If you have questions regarding accessibility of the site and content, please contact  info@wtc2023.gr


3. Meeting rights by Virtual Attendees in Hybrid Congress

3.1 Each Attendee may follow the program of the Hybrid Congress virtually and participate in real time electronically, provided that he/she timely selects this option via the on line Registration Form in accordance with the instructions provided in the convocation of the Hybrid Congress.

3.2 Virtual Attendees are strongly advised to logged in to the on-line platform facilitating the Hybrid Congress prior to the start of it.

3.3 Delegates attending the Hybrid Congress, either virtually, or in-person, are counted at the start of the Hybrid Congress as in-person attendees for calculating how many Attendees are represented at the Hybrid Congress.

3.4 Virtual Platform, including recorded sessions, will be accessible for 2 months after the Congress for all registered delegates


4. Cancellation

“WTC2023” reserves the right to switch to a purely virtual Congress if special circumstances forced us for such alteration as per the relevant Contingency Plan foresees.


5. Technical infrastructure

5.1 “WTC2023” ensures, to the extent reasonably possible, that the technical infrastructure for virtual participation in a Hybrid Congress is properly in place, secured and accessible for Attendees with compatible devices.

5.2 Virtual Attendees should be aware that there will always be certain residual risks in relation to the technical infrastructure used for Hybrid Meetings. These risks include, amongst others: any failure in virtual meeting equipment, software, network infrastructure, servers, internet or telephone connectivity, video or voice equipment, whether or not caused by an information security incident (which includes any unauthorized use, hacking, a Denial of Services attack, a denial of access, any failure or intrusion resulting from the theft or unlawful interception of a password or network access code and any other cyber-attack) or caused by any type of mechanical failure such as any electrical power outage during the Hybrid Meeting. The failure of technology can happen both on the side of “WTC2023 or on the side of Virtual Attendees.

5.3 “WTC2023” will make all reasonable efforts to keep technical support lines available for Attendees who attend the meeting virtually.

5.4 Attendees may inform “WTC2023” of any failure of the technical infrastructure via the technical support lines. Any failure in virtual meeting equipment, software, network infrastructure, servers, internet or telephone connectivity, an electrical power outage or similar events, including an information security incident (which includes any unauthorized use, hacking, a Denial of Services attack, a denial of access, any failure or intrusion resulting from the theft or unlawful interception of a password or network access code and any other cyber-attack), that might prevent virtual participation in the Hybrid Meeting, will in any event be at the risk and to the account of the attendee.

5.5 Any failure of the technical infrastructure that occurs during the Hybrid Meeting which comes to the attention of the Organizers and which affects significantly the course of the Hybrid Congress, shall be communicated by the Organizers to all Attendees who participate in-person or virtually in the Hybrid Meeting. The Organizers may decide at their own discretion, taking into account the potential impact on the decision making-process within the Hybrid Meeting, whether or not the Hybrid Meeting must be suspended or cancelled due to such failure, or proceed without the possibility for some or all Virtual Attendees to participate and/or follow the Hybrid Meeting virtually.


6. Authorization for use of image, name and other likeness

(Recording / Audio, Video, and still photography)

Copyright of the Congress program is owned by “WTC2023”.

“WTC2023” reserves all rights associated with the Congress, including (without limitation) the rights to all recordings or reproductions of presentations at this Congress.

By attending the Congress or logging into the Congress website or application(s) and engaging in any interactive features, you agree that “WTC2023”  and/or third parties authorized by “WTC2023”  may photograph or record your likeness, image, name, voice, and/or words, and may publish, display, reproduce, copy, and distribute your likeness, image, name, voice, and/or words for, educational, or membership activities worldwide in all forms of media now known or later developed, including but not limited to advertising, training, websites, and presentations materials.

You further acknowledge that “WTC2023” and/or third parties authorized by “WTC2023” shall have the right, but not the obligation, to identify you in connection with such media by name and/or affiliation. No royalties will be payable in connection with this authorization or these uses.

Any photography, filming, taping, recording, or reproduction in any medium, including via the use of tripod-based equipment or screen recording applications, of any of the programs presented at the Congress without the express written consent of “WTC2023” is strictly forbidden.

Exception: limited photography for, strictly personal, social, or noncommercial use, are permitted.


7. Hybrid Virtual Event Code of Conduct Policy

You are invited to come as you are and engage with data in a way that is meaningful and applicable to your own personal perspective. As such, we are committed to create an event that is diverse, inclusive, safe, and free from discrimination, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, physical appearance or any other classification / characteristics (“personal characteristics”) protected by law.

“WTC2023” expects individuals to uphold the professional and educational purposes of “WTC2023” and its congress by respecting the rights, privacy, safety, and dignity of all persons. “WTC2023” expects individuals to exercise professionalism, consideration, and respect in their speech and actions. “WTC2023” expects individuals to refrain from harassing speech and other harassing behavior.


Expected Behavior

  1. Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
  2. Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior and speech (both verbal and written).

Alert WTC2023 organizers if you notice any behavior that is not aligned with this code of conduct by emailing  info@wtc2023.gr 


Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behaviors may include but are not limited to:

  1. Unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact with another Participant
  2. Verbal or written comments, or visual images, that are sexually suggestive, or that denigrate or show hostility or aversion toward an individual, or group of individuals, or that create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, or that unreasonably interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in WTC2023 Congress;
  3. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other unwelcome physical, verbal, visual or other conduct of a sexual nature;
  4. Inappropriate, unnecessary or irrelevant use of nudity and/or sexual images;
  5. Intimidating, harassing, abusive, defamatory, profane, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech;
  6. Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to personal characteristics;
  7. Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
  8. Harassing photography or recording;
  9. Sustained or repeated disruption of talks or other events;
  10. Express or implied threat of physical or professional harm;
  11. Wearing clothing in video or photos that is not suitable for a professional work environment, that is provocative, inappropriate or otherwise potentially offensive.
  12. Possession of a weapon or any item that can be used as a weapon in your photos or video.
  13. Being intoxicated, as determined by “WTC2023”, in any event site or function. Please drink responsibly.
  14. Show casing or promoting any illegal substance in conversation, chat, photo, video, or text.
  15. Assembling for the purpose of, or resulting in, disturbing the peace, or committing any unlawful act or engaging in any offensive behavior.
  16. Any other illegal activity not already covered above.
  17. Failure to obey any of the rules or regulations of the event or instructions of the event staff.
  18. Sharing your event login credentials with other individuals.


How to report Unacceptable Behavior or Suspicious Person/Behavior

Remember: if you See Something, Say Something

If you experience or witness a life safety emergency, please contact local law enforcement immediately. 

If you have a complaint or concern about harassment, discrimination, bullying or any other conduct that violates the “WTC2023” Code of Conduct, we encourage you to contact us immediately. If you witness this happening to someone else, please report that, too.

You may request that your report remains completely confidential.

Contact via email: info@wtc2023.gr and someone will get back to you


Consequences of Reported Unacceptable Behavior

Upon receiving a report of unacceptable behavior, “WTC2023”’ first priority will be the safety and security of Participants. In order to preserve a safe, educational / professional environment, “WTC2023” reserves the right to temporarily suspend or terminate specific features available to a Participant or to suspend or terminate the Participant’s entire account. When facts are in dispute or cannot be fully established, “WTC2023” reserves the right to take the action most likely to safeguard safety and security of Participants, including termination of a Participant’s account for the remainder of the “WTC2023” Event.

A report of an adjudicated or officially confirmed history of a Participant’s prior unacceptable behavior, if impacting the experience of other Participants at an “WTC2023” Event may, in “WTC2023”’ discretion, be the basis for a response under this Policy.

Violation of this Policy, as determined by “WTC2023” in its sole discretion, is grounds for any action that “WTC2023” deems appropriate, including but not limited to:

– warning the offender,

– denying the offender access to WTC2023 Congress (including revoking or denying registration to the WTC2023 Congress),

“WTC2023” reserves the right to take whatever action it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, with respect to the investigation of any matters related to this Policy. 


Communication from “WTC2023”

“WTC2023” will communicate with an individual who reports unacceptable behavior if the individual chooses to submit an attributed report.

“WTC2023” will also communicate with an individual concerning whom a report has been made, to the extent that “WTC2023” is able to identify and contact that individual.

The nature, scope, and content of any such communication is in the sole discretion of “WTC2023”.

If warranted, “WTC2023” may communicate more broadly with Participants at an “WTC2023” Event.

“WTC2023” has the right to communicate about its responses under this Policy to the employers or sponsors of involved Participant’s vendors, local law enforcement, media, and the public as “WTC2023” deems reasonable and appropriate.


8. Scope and Application

The Hybrid Virtual Event Code of Conduct Policy, applies to WTC2023 Congress and all activities related to that, hosted by “WTC2023”.

This Policy applies to any and all participants in WTC2023 Congress, including but not limited to employees, members, volunteers, interns, guests, vendors, contractors, exhibitors, faculty, and other attendees (each a “Participant”). All participants of WTC2023 Congress must abide by this policy.


9. Contact Information

For questions regarding WTC2023 Congress, please contact info@wtc2023.gr

The Code of Conduct may be revised at any time by “WTC2023” and the terms are non-negotiable. This Code of Conduct is without prejudice to “WTC2023”s rights, all of which it expressly reserves.

Together, we can ensure WTC 2023 Congress and all activities related to that, hosted by “WTC2023”, are safe and welcoming.

 

Sample of the report “submission form”

(for Unacceptable Behavior or Suspicious Person/Behavior)

Introductory message:

Kindly note that the following information is needed to proceed with an investigation of the incident or behavior that you are reporting.

All the fields are optional so you can disclose as little, or as much, information as you are comfortable with sharing.

You may choose to remain anonymous; however, “WTC2023” will not be able to follow up with you about the report and may have less ability to investigate fully an anonymous report.

“WTC2023” will only use the information disclosed in this report for the purpose of investigating the report and responding in the manner described in the present Code of Conduct.

– Date of incident:

– Approximate time of incident:

– Name of person making this report:

– If this report is being made on behalf of another person, name of that other person:

– Contact information of person making this report (mobile phone and e-mail):

– Name of person whose behavior prompted this report (if known):

– Location where the incident occurred:

– Is the incident continuing?

– Brief description of the incident or behavior, and concerns:

– Names and contact information of witnesses to the incident (if available):

– Have you previously complained or provided information about this incident or related incidents to “WTC2023”, law enforcement, or other party?

If yes, when and to whom did you provide information?


Additional Comments/ statements at the end of the form:

Information must be truthful; any individual knowingly providing false information may be subject to disciplinary action by “WTC2023”.

Reports of incidents that are determined not to violate “WTC2023” policy are not assumed to be false.

Tarcisio Celestino

Tarcisio Celestino was previously ITA President (2016-19) and President of the Brazilian Tunnelling Committee. He was the Animateur of the ITA Working Group 12 on Sprayed Concrete Use (2005-10). He earned his doctorate degree in Civil Engineering (Rock Mechanics) from the University of California, Berkeley (1981).

He is currently Professor at the University of Sao Paulo and employed by Themag Engenharia Ltda., Sao Paulo (Brazil), where he leads the Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology &Transportation Engineering Design Groups. He is also responsible for the geotechnical designs of several hydroelectric power plants, subways, highways etc., including major underground works (since 1990). He has also acted as consultant.

Professor Celestino continues to contribute his knowledge for the graduate courses & research areas on Rock Mechanics & Underground Works, at the São Carlos Engineering School, University of São Paulo and for the ITACET Foundation.

2. Excursion of history and adventure in Lavreotiki
Sunday 14 May, 2023

Our destination is the exploitation galleys of one of the largest underground mines of Attica. The chambers of metal extraction, rich in recognisable minerals, combine the mystery of ancient drifts with the beauty of caves. We will wander underground for up to 3 hours and explore the maize of drifts, the chambers supported by natural as well as carved-out pillars and the stalactites decoration reminiscent of natural caves. Each of the routes we follow hides surprises waiting to be discovered! 

After we will visit the great “Chaos” sinkhole, a heart-shaped sinkhole formation 150m in diameter and 55m deep. This chiasm may have been formed by the collapse of a cave roof as many of the area’s mining tunnels end there.

Scientific theme: Underground mining activity in Lavrio

Duration: 6 hours inclusive

Detailed program

9.30-10.30 Athens-Lavrio

10.30-13.30 Underground mines

14.00-14.30 Stop at dolin “Chaos” and return to Athens

14.30 – 15.30 Lavrio-Athens

Cost per person: 40,00 €

*limited participation on a first come first served basis. In case participants are less than 20, the respective event will be cancelled and a refund wil be given.

Photo Gallery

1. We go down Athens underground. (Athens centre, moving around on foot)
Saturday 13 May, 2023

How many surprises can the Athens underground have in store for its visitors? The stroll will start from underground shelters and detention areas of the German Kommandatur, remnants of the 2nd World War in Athens. Then, we will take the steps that start off under a timeworn trap door on the side of a road or hidden away in a sidewalk flower–bed, that will lead us in a different, forgotten underground area of the city! For hundreds of years, underground pathways have been used for various and mysterious purposes. Some say that all underground pathways are interconnected although there is no proof of this. Nevertheless, the allure of an unknown world is always there, beneath the ground we walk on. We lift up the antiquated hatch and descend the stone steps.  In the catacomb, we come across tunnels of ancient aqueducts, roman baths and byzantine crypts. The Athens river is also found hidden below the ground, running in old galleys under the most central streets of Athens – we can hear the cars passing over our heads! 

We invite you to discover together the hidden secrets of our city!

Scientific theme: underground constructions of the 19th and 20th century.

Duration: Maximum of 4 hours.

Detailed program:

11.00 Meeting outside Metro Station Panepistimio

11.30 Memorial Site (Korai Street). Two-level underground shelter below the Mansion of Ethniki Insurance Company.

13.00 Catacombs of the Russian Church (Filellinon Street). Inside the catacombs a tunnel and a shaft from ancient Peisistratus aqueduct, ruins from roman baths and crypts of the Byzantine order of Likodimos -11th century.

14.00 Ilissos River (area of Panathenaic Stadium). The buried riverbed of Athens river Ilissos.

Cost per person : 35,00 €

*limited participation on a first come first served basis. In case participants are less than 20, the respective event will be cancelled and a refund wil be given.

Photo Gallery

Professor Kyriazis Pitilakis

Professor Kyriazis Pitilakis has more than forty years of intensive academic, research and professional experience in civil, earthquake and geotechnical engineering. Vice-President of the European Association of Earthquake Engineering (EAEE), ex- Chairman of the Technical Committee “Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering andAssociated Problems” (TC203) of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), and past President of the Greek Society of Earthquake Engineering. He is presently Professor Emeritus in Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece and since 2019 visiting Professor in Tongji University, International Laboratory of earthquake Engineering (ILEE), Shanghai, China.

Coordinator and scientific responsible of numerous European research projects, namely EUROSEISTEST and SYNER-G, he has a long experience in European research activities in earthquake engineering, geotechnical engineering, vulnerability and risk assessment of civil engineering structures, infrastructures and lifelines. According to the recent Stanford classification he is among the top 10 leading researchers in Civil Engineering in Greece, and among the top 10 leading international researchers in specific topics like Soil Dynamics, Engineering Seismology and Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering.

Chairman of several international conferences including the 16th European Conference of Earthquake Engineering, Thessaloniki 2018 and invited keynote lecturer in many International Conferences. Author of more than 650 scientific papers (h-factor 57) published in peer review scientific journals, and conference proceedings, author and co-author in several books, editor of four books published in Springer Editions, all in relevant subjects of earthquake engineering, seismic risk and geotechnical earthquake engineering. Professor Kyriazis Pitilakis is founder and coordinator of EUROSEISTEST, a large scale experimental facility in earthquake engineering, soil dynamics and engineering seismology that is unique in Europe and worldwide. He supervised more that 30 PhD thesis and numerous of his students hold academic positions in Greece and worldwide.

Professor Kyriazis Pitilakis is strongly involved in the ongoing revision of EC8 (Part 1-Seismic Actions and Part 5-Seismic design of foundations, retaining structures, soilstructure interaction, liquefaction, slope stability and underground structures), while he has been international expert for the revision of other seismic codes worldwide.

He is member of the editorial advisory board in Springer editions (Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering), member of the editorial board and reviewer of numerous scientific journals and member of many international societies in earthquake and geotechnical engineering.

Honors: Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques, French Republic.
Thessaloniki 06.06.2022

Professor Marc Panet

The 12th Muir Wood lecture will be delivered by Professor Marc Panet during the WTC2023 in Athens. His nomination being a Muir Wood lecturer was proposed by the French Tunnelling & Underground Space Association (AFTES) as per ITA’s Statues and By-laws.

Marc Panet graduated in Civil Engineering at the École des Mines de Paris and obtained a Master degree at the University of California at Berkeley. He started his career in 1965 at the Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées, in Paris, where he was a Research Engineer, Head of the Geotechnical Department and Technical Director. In 1982 he joined the SHP Group, in Paris, as Scientific Director. From 1984 to 1996 he was the President and CEO of SIMECSOL; and from 1996 to 2000 President and CEO of FC International SA. Since then he has been working as a consultant. He taught at the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, at the École des Mines and at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, in Paris.

Marc has been in charge of numerous studies in geotechnical engineering for underground works, highways, bridges, and natural hazards. Among the main projects are: the Mont Blanc Tunnel (11.6km), the Frejus Road Tunnel (12.9 km), the Large Electron–Positron Collider (CERN in Geneva), the Channel Tunnel (from 1967 to the end of the construction), the Millau Bridge, the Loetschberg Base Tunnel (43 km), subways in Paris, Rennes, Caracas, Athens and Algiers, the slides of the city of Constantine (Algeria), the project of the suspended bridge on the Straits of Messina (Italy) and the project of the cable-stayed bridge on the Golden Horn (Turkey). He is presently involved in a large number of geotechnical projects.

He is the author of a large number of publications in professional journals and international conferences and of the well-known book “Calculation of tunnels using the convergence-confinement method”.

Marc Panet is a Honorary Member of the French Academy of Technology, Knight of the National Order of Merit and Knight of the Order of Academic Palms.