Dear AMIC colleagues,
We wish to inform you that the AMIC Board of Directors (BoD), upon the recommendation of the AMIC Board of Management (BoM), approved the cancellation of the 2020 28th AMIC Conference. This was originally scheduled on 25-27 September 2020 at the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing. The AMIC Board and the Secretariat seek your understanding and patience.
Starting January 2020, our AMIC Secretariat had been in regular consultation with Dr. Peixin Cao of CUC regarding our options in holding the conference in Beijing in the aftermath of the COVID-19. Finally, on 18 February 2020, we received a letter from Dr. Cao informing us of CUC’s decision to withdraw its hosting of the event in the interest of health and safety of our AMIC members and colleagues.
In lieu of the 2020 Annual Conference, AMIC will focus on other urgent matters such as address backlogs in our 2019 Media Asia issues; publish updated Communication Theory: The Asian Perspectives; AMIC Asia 2020 Communication Awards; launch of AMIC Communication Campaigns Excellence Awards; finalize systems, procedures and tools for the accreditation system for Asian communication schools; and the 50th anniversary of AMIC in 2021.
AMIC Secretariat envisions a year-long kick-off activities for our 50th anniversary. A plan is now being prepared for this purpose and we will update you on this matter. We expect the full support and participation of our members on this special event.
We will also follow up with some country representatives who have earlier expressed interest to convene a national AMIC Conference this year or in succeeding years. We will encourage them to do so and the AMIC Secretariat will provide technical assistance in the planning of such national events. The Secretariat can share with them the list of plenary and parallel sessions earlier prepared for the AMIC Beijing Conference as this could provide ideas on possible themes/issues for the national conferences.
AMIC expresses its yearning that our communication colleagues worldwide will stay healthy and safe amidst the health crisis due to the COVID-19 health crisis. We pray that the disease will end soon in the interest of humanity.
Sincerely yours,
RAMON R. TUAZON
Secretary General