Latest update: October 25, 2011 Fifth Advanced International Colloquium on Building the Scientific Mind (BtSM2013) Bandung/Lembang, Jawa Barat, Indonesia   A dialogue among the disciplines organized by the   Learning Development Institute, 27-31 May 2013   in collaboration with Institut Teknologi Bandung and the Bosscha Observatory as well as in association with Fundación Cultura de Paz Universe Awareness (UNAWE) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)       About the colloquium   Participants in the Fifth Advanced International Colloquium on Building the Scientific Mind (BtSM2013) will gather at the Bosscha Observatory in Lembang during the last week of May 2013. They will discuss the issues pertinent to the theme of the colloquium, Science and Technology in the Service of Beauty and Harmony, in the magnificent setting of this historic observatory, which was established in the 1920's. The observatory, which is part of the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), is located some 15 km north of Bandung on six hectares of hilly terrain at an elevation of 1310 m above sea level, which makes for very pleasant climatic conditions. Walking while talking and talking while walking come naturally to those who explore the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of the observatory. While meeting, we will enjoy sharing meals together and socializing across the diversity of disciplines that will be represented at the colloquium, including the natural sciences, the social and human sciences, and the arts. Follow the link to view photos of the Bosscha Observatory campus. During one of the five days of the colloquium, probably the opening day, we will likely meet on the main campus of ITB in Bandung, so that a larger audience can benefit from the proceedings during that day. Photos of the main campus of ITB are available by clicking on the link.   The Bosscha Observatory is, in fact, a haven of tranquility amidst the sprawling urbanization of Bandung and Lembang in what is Indonesia's most densely populated province: Jawa Barat (West Java). Living the BtSM2013 experience will thus expose you to both the beauty and magnificence of the Indonesian landscape (including Tangkuban Perahu, a dorment to mildly active volcano only 30 km north of Bandung) and the tensions between humans and their environment that result from 12000 years of technological innovation. What better context could there be for a meeting of the minds about the search for beauty and harmony of a species whose prosperity and survival depend on the evolution of science and the wise adoption of technologies?   Following the tradition of the four prior colloquia, and in the interest of facilitating intensive dialogue in an atmosphere of close personal interaction and effective socialization, the number of participants will be limited to approximately 60. We will furthermore strive for diversity, as much as possible ensuring that the dialogue takes place at a level that finds its inspiration in the presence of individuals who have their roots in different cultures and diverse disciplines. Nonetheless, for practical reasons, we expect English to be the lingua franca for our conversations, both formal and informal. As there may be more demand than we can accommodate, our local coordinators for the event, Premana Premadi and Yudi Soeharyadi, envision a follow-up of the colloquium at the national level in Indonesia. This will also allow involvement by those who are less conversant with the English language.   The SanGria Resort & Spa and the Villa Lemon Hotel should together be able to accommodate the participants not from the immediate vicinity of Lembang, provided participants make their reservations in a timely fashion. The SanGria has offered us a 20% discount on their rates for BtSM2013 participants; the Villa Lemon offer a 25% discount. The hotels are located at 20 minutes walking from the observatory. More information about the two hotels will be provided in due course. The links above lead to series of photos we took to show the kind and quality of accommodation available. For shoe-string budget, yet decent, accommodation, there is the Hotel Buah Sinuan at only ten minutes walking from the observatory. To visit the official Web sites for these hotels, click on the following external links to SanGria; Villa Lemon; Buah Sinuan.   This fifth colloquium comes in the wake of four prior Building the Scientific Mind colloquia, held under the auspices and/or with the support of UNESCO, namely BtSM2011, which took place in March 2011 in Stellenbosch, South Africa; BtSM2009, held in Cairo, Egypt, in May 2009; BtSM2007, held in Vancouver, Canada, in May 2007; and the inaugural colloquium BtSM2005, which took place in May 2005 in The Hague, The Netherlands. This fifth colloquium is deliberately being planned to take place in Indonesia so as to favor participation from South East Asia and other countries in the southern hemisphere, while continuing the practice of the past colloquia to discuss issues regarding the scientific mind in a global perspective. In other words, participation from all parts of the world will be encouraged and we hope to see many familiar faces from the past as well as many new ones. Those new to BtSM may want to check the above links to find out more about the past colloquia so as to have an idea of what to expect in 2013. A short video made during the Stellenbosch colloquium gives a good idea of the atmosphere during these meetings. Expect a similar level of enthusiasm and social interaction when we meet in Lembang.   More about the BtSM colloquium series and its history can be found in the linked document with the title The State of BtSM.   More to follow soon.   Meanwhile, those interested in participating are invited to write to ldi@learndev.org expressing their interest and motivation to participate. This will help the organizers to attend to priority issues and honor the commitments of those who communicate their interest at an early stage. The same email address can be used should you have queries or suggestions.