Practical Info
Practical Info
Getting to BFM - Congress Dinner 17 October 7:30 pm
The best way to get to the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (BFM) from Palexpo is to take bus line 5, from "Grand Saconnex Palexpo" stop to "Genève, Bel-Air" stop.
When you get off the bus, it is about an 8-minute walk to the BFM.
The following Geneva buses will also take you to the BFM:
- Lines 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 19, 20 (get off at the "Bel-Air" stop), then an 8-minute walk.
- Lines 1, 14, 15, 17, 18 (get off at the "Stand" stop), then a 4- minute walk.
For more information, check the timetables on the Geneva public transport website: https://www.tpg.ch/fr/lignes
Congress Application
Our Congress application is now available for download and use. The app will allow you to build your personal agenda, to network with other participants, to participate more interactively in certain sessions, and offers many other features.
To use the application you first need to register in this form, then download the app to your device(s) or login to the web application on your computer. Please note that an email address can only be used once and so each participant wishing to register must use a different e-mail address.
If you have already registered, by signing up to the global scrub choir or Karaoke, you do not need to register again and you can download
the app or login to the web application using the same email address. Use the ‘Forgot Password’ option if you cannot remember your password.
Watch this video to see what is available in the app: https://youtu.be/HKRapEfloms
One of the more fun features is the possibility to share photos. We encourage you to do this from the moment you set off on your travels to Congress, focusing particularly on the many public service workers you may meet along the way, and maybe you will see your photo on one of the big screens around the venue.
We hope you will enjoy using it and will find it useful.
Venue for congress and related meetings
All meetings will take place at Palexpo Convention Centre:
Palexpo
30 Route François-Peyrot
1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
Geneva
Switzerland
Arrival at Geneva airport
If you have problems claiming your baggage on arrival, please contact the customer service area inside the baggage claim area. It is advised not to exit the baggage claim area before all baggage claims are dealt with.
PSI staff members with a PSI banner and T-Shirt will be present in the airport from 12 to 14 October. You will find them in Arrivals when you exit baggage claim. You can also change and withdraw money in Arrivals.
You can visit the Visitors Center in Arrivals (look for the yellow banners) for information about Geneva and its transport system.
For more information about Geneva airport, go to www.gva.ch
Public transport
Anyone staying in approved accommodation in Geneva is entitled to free public transport.
You will receive a free digital version of the “Geneva Transport Card” which you can use for the duration of your stay.
The card is personal and non-transferable and grants you free access to Geneva’s public transport network UNIRESO: buses (TPG), trains (CFF), and boats (Mouettes genevoises).
Three days prior to your arrival, you will receive a link by email enabling you to get your Geneva Transport Card on your smartphone. You will then be able to use it to reach your accommodation from the airport. You can also use it for daily travel to the Convention center and for all public transport around Geneva.
You can download the Geneva public transport app from the app store for free here. It provides timetables and itineraries. It also provides a means of payment for public transport for those who need it.
For more information, check the timetables on the Geneva public transport website: https://www.tpg.ch/fr/lignes
Getting to Palexpo
Palexpo is a ten-minute walk from the airport and its railway station.
The following buses from Geneva and its surroundings connect to Palexpo:
- Line 5 – “Palexpo” stop
- Line 10 – “Airport” stop
- Line 23 – “Palexpo-Halle 7” stop
- Line 28 – “Airport” stop
- Line 50 – “Palexpo-Halle 7” stop
- Line 54 – “Palexpo-Halle 7” stop
- Line 56 – “Airport” stop
- Line 57 – “Airport” stop
- Line 59 – “Palexpo” stop
- Line 66 – “Palexpo-Halle 7” stop
For more information, check the timetables on the Geneva public transport website: https://www.tpg.ch/fr/lignes
For those with mobility issues or who prefer to take public transport, you can take Bus n°5, direction “Thônex-Vallard”, getting off at the second stop "Palexpo" (3 minutes). The Bus n°5 runs every 10 minutes approx.
Car park
Palexpo has a car park for visitors (P12). It can house 1500 vehicles and has spaces for people with reduced mobility.
If you come by electric car, there are four quick charging stations (20kW) installed on level -1 of the P12.
Car Park rates:
Short term parking:
Up to 30 minutes Free (mandatory checkout)
1 hour CHF2.00
2 hours CHF4.00
3 hours CHF6.00
+ CH2.00 per hour up to 8 hours
8 to 24 hours CHF20.00
Each hour started is payable in full.
Long-term parking:
1 day CH20
2 days CH60
3 days CH100
4 days CH140
5 days CH180
etc (CH40 per day)
For more details, including maps, check this link:
https://palexpo.ch/en/access/
Water
Tap water in Geneva and neighbouring France is perfectly safe to drink. We discourage the purchase of water in plastic bottles. A quality reusable water bottle from the Geneva public water distribution services is included for all participants with refill points around the Congress venue.
Internet
High speed internet access is available throughout the convention centre.
Lunches and refreshment services
There will be no formal coffee/tea breaks during Congress or most of the pre-meetings. During Congress, tea, coffee and water will be available free throughout the day for all participants in the foyer of the Congress plenary hall. Additional refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase outside the meeting rooms.
Delegates who have pre-booked and paid for their meals will be able to either sit down for a buffet meal or pick up a lunchbox on presentation of the QR code on the back of their Congress badge.
If you have not pre-booked lunches for Congress, below is a non-exhaustive list of places within walking distance of the Conference Centre where you can eat or purchase food :
- Palexpo cafeteria
- Airport restaurants (approx. 20mn walk)
- Small supermarkets (approx. 10mn walk)
Prayer and meditation
This is situated at the rear of the foyer outside of the Congress plenary hall in office/room 0 and will be clearly marked.
Information desk
Please contact the information desk in the reception area if you need assistance during Congress with:
• Meeting rooms
• First aid
• Telephone access
• Any other services
You can also contact your regional or sub-regional secretary.
Geneva Tourism will also provide information and brochures in the reception area during the Congress.
Health and safety
The Convention Centre has security services including firefighters and health personnel. Please contact a member of staff in case of difficulties.
Outside of Congress hours, in case of general health needs, contact Geneva University Hospital (HUG). Tel +41 22 372 33 11. http://www.hug-ge.ch/ (site in French and English). Use the emergency numbers below in case of more urgent needs.
Outside conference centre
We remind you that personal health insurance is strongly recommended. If you don’t have insurance, you will be required to pay for health services.
All hotels also have a doctor on call, in case of emergency.
Emergency numbers
In Geneva
- Emergency calls across Europe 112
- Police 117
- Ambulance 144
- Fire service 118
In France
- Emergency calls across Europe 112
- Police 17
- Ambulance 15
- Fire service 18
Phones
The country code for Switzerland is 41, the city code is 22. When you are in Geneva, to call a Swiss number: omit the country code and just add a “0” before 22. To call a Geneva mobile: omit the country code and replace by 79.
Electricity supply
Palexpo is equipped with Swiss sockets and current is 220V. Participants are advised to use an adapter for personal equipment.
Bank services and currency
You will soon realise that Geneva is one of the most expensive cities in the world. The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF) and 1CHF is approximately equivalent to 1€ or 1US$. As an example of prices, a small coffee will cost around 3.30CHF.
There is one cash machine outside the Palexpo building. You can find further ATMs in downtown Geneva, close to most banks and post offices. You may be charged up to 10CHF for transactions with a foreign card.
If you need to exchange currencies, you get better rates at currency trading shops than at banks.
Smoking regulations
Smoking - including e-cigarettes - is strictly prohibited in the Convention centre and in most public spaces in Geneva. Smoking is permitted in outside designated areas.
Shopping hours
Most shops in Geneva close at 7pm. Only a small number of supermarkets and tourist shops are open on Sundays.
Languages in Geneva
French is the common language in Geneva; English can also be used.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory, as a service charge is included in the bill at restaurants. Additional small tips are appreciated. Also, tips for your hotel cleaning staff are appreciated.
Safety in Geneva
In general, Geneva is a safe city. However, watch out for pickpockets, including on buses and trams, and do not leave your luggage unattended.
If you are a victim of a crime, contact your regional s
ecretary or a member of PSI staff who will help you to call the police.
Weather
Making PSI Congress a space free from violence and harassment
Preamble and statement of principles
Solidarity is the foundation of our movement. Any conduct which undermines that solidarity undermines the dignity of our comrades and our unity of purpose. Violence and harassment contradict the values of equality and justice that we seek.
PSI is committed to respecting the dignity and integrity of each person. We condemn any form of violence and harassment, including actions and behaviour based on gender, race, ethnicity, caste or national origin, immigration status, colour, religion, political belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or sex characteristics, appearance, social condition or economic background, education or profession, or family status. We recognise that these identities and characteristics may be intersectional.
Guidelines
These guidelines aim to foster a safe environment, prevent unacceptable acts and behaviour, and establish a process to respond to incidents of violence and harassment.
We expect officers, executive board members, delegates, observers, guests, staff, their companions, Palexpo staff, contracted suppliers and service providers participating in all Congress-related events and activities to respect these standards of behaviour, including online and on social media.
What is violence and harassment?
These guidelines are informed by the International Labour Organisation Convention 190 and Recommendation 206, which define violence and harassment as “a range of unacceptable behaviours and practices, or threats thereof, whether a single occurrence or repeated, that aims at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm, and includes gender-based violence and harassment”. Gender-based violence and harassment is directed at persons because of their sex or gender or affects persons of a particular sex or gender disproportionately and includes sexual harassment.
Prevention
PSI will provide each Congress participant with this policy and post it in Congress venues. These guidelines will also be provided to Palexpo staff, contracted suppliers and service providers. The statement of principles (above) will be read aloud at the opening of Congress. PSI strongly encourages Congress participants to embrace these guidelines and take responsibility for promoting and maintaining an environment free of violence and harassment.
Complaint process
- Any Congress participant may make a complaint in confidence by speaking to a designated Congress ombudsperson, emailing VHC@world-psi.org, calling the 24-hour WhatsApp emergency line +33 617462560, or submitting a written, sealed letter to the on-site Congress office marked “Attention: VHC”. Anonymous complaints cannot be considered.
- Complaints should include the facts of the incident(s), including the complainant’s name and contact information, the respondent’s name, the date(s), time(s), and location(s) of the alleged incidents, and the names of any witnesses.
- Complaints will be referred to an ad hoc investigation committee (the VCH committee) of five persons appointed by the Standing Orders Committee (SOC). Members of the VCH committee will be disinterested persons with no prior knowledge of the alleged incident(s) or relationship with the complainant(s) or respondent(s).
- The VCH committee will investigate the complaint, observing the principles of confidentiality, due process and natural justice, procedural transparency, the protection of whistleblowers, including complainants and witnesses, timely resolution, and the safety and psychosocial well-being of those involved. The committee will take steps to prevent the re-victimisation of complainants.
- The VCH may recommend to the SOC, or the SOC may initiate appropriate interim precautionary or mitigating measures to ensure a safe environment.
- Both the complainant(s) and the respondent(s) may designate an advocate for support and to make representations to the VHC.
- The VHC will make recommendations to resolve the complaint to the SOC.
- The SOC will determine the appropriate remedies or sanctions, including a verbal or written reprimand, an immediate suspension from participation in Congress, prohibition of participation in future PSI activities, and other measures.
- Depending on the gravity of the complaint and the parties' attitudes, the SOC may facilitate proportionate remedial education and prevention measures.
- In the case of unacceptable conduct by a Palexpo employee, a contracted supplier or service provider, the PSI Secretariat will assist the SOC to pursue appropriate remedies.
- If appropriate, alleged criminal acts may be referred to the proper authorities.
- Complainants and witnesses will be protected from retaliation.
- The resolution determined by the SOC is considered binding and final.