ICA activities continue worldwide, as reported in this column, with its international remit ensuring the global nature of cartography is reflected in meetings, courses and conferences. The major ICA International Conference is held biennially, with the official General Assembly, the decision-making forum for all national ICA members, held alongside every four years. Reports appeared here of the most recent International Cartographic Conferences in Moscow (2007) and Santiago de Chile (2009).

ICA in Paris
In the midst of our globalisation agenda it's always a good idea to keep in touch with our roots, and the celebration of ICA's fiftieth anniversary in Bern, Switzerland in June 2009 (see GIM International, September 2009) helped us commemorate eminent cartographers of the past. Following on founding of the ICA in 1959 was the first General Assembly, at which member nations drafted its formal statutes and operating conventions. This took place in Paris in 1961, so that fifty years later it is highly appropriate that the next International Cartographic Conference and General Assembly will again be in Paris. The important role of the French language in the development of international cartography will be reflected in the bilingual nature of the conference and General Assembly (with simultaneous translation, of course). Along with its historical significance, we look forward confidently to this 2011 conference offering a further example of ICA's progressive agenda.

Enlightened
ICA is delighted to accept the invitation of the French national cartographic committee (le Comité Français de Cartographie) to meet in the Palais de Congrès in the heart of Paris from 3rd to 8th July 2011. This will provide an excellent opportunity for world cartographers and geographic information scientists to gather and present their ‘Enlightened view on Cartography and GIS': the conference maxim. Prospective participants are asked to visit 1 for details of the conference, associated workshops and visits, an extensive technical exhibition, and the usual exhilarating shows of contemporary map products and children's map drawings. Thematic diversity is the aim of this year's conference programme, high-quality contributions and up-to-date content appealing to researchers, engineers, students, data producers and software suppliers.

Deadlines
Please note the deadlines: 4th October 2010 for submission of papers and posters for presentation. Registration opens in November 2010. This conference ICA is introducing its full refereeing procedure. Content will be wide-ranging, covering all aspects of the collation, analysis, presentation and handling of geospatial data, as listed under the Call for Papers on the website. In addition, a variety of social events is planned in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Note the date for your diary and bienvenue à Paris en 2011!