Kos, Greece - 2007

We will be meeting again in Greece in 2007
WHEN - 15 to 21 September 2007
WHERE - Kos, Greece.
AT - The Grecotel Kos Imperial.

In Crete in 2004 we discussed issues relating to evolving trends in professional responsibilities, particularly in ethics, etiquette and culture and advanced these issues in Mykonos in 2005 in considering the roles in law and medicine in the concepts of a "just society".

At Kos, we aim to bring these two strands together, in a brilliant setting in the Dodecanese, an island steeped in both mythical and cultural history.

In mythology, although there are a number of explanations, one is that Kos was formed during the battles between the Gods and the Titans. In one heated exchange, Poseidon picked up a rock and hurled it at one of the giants. The rock struck the giant and rebounded into the sea, forming Kos. Part of the rock broke away, becoming the nearby island of Nisyros.

Kos featured when the King of Troy, Laomedon sought assistance from Hercules (Zeus' son with Alcmene) to slay a sea-monster that was decimating Troy. Hercules successfully accomplished this task, but on his return voyage, a fierce storm was summoned up by an enraged Hera (Zeus' wife) and Hercules ship was sunk and he was cast ashore on Kos, where after various struggles at Pyli, Hercules was finally accepted as the King of Kos. Kos was the centre of the famed teaching school of Hippocrates around 460BCE with its Aesclepion renowned in both Greek and medical history.

View of Kos from the Space Shuttle

Kos was reputedly the holiday resort of Cleopatra and during the Crusades was dominated by the Order of the Knights of St John. Kos - like so many of the Greek islands - passed from one rule to another, at various times being under Greek, Egyptian, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman and Italian rule, before being taken over by Britain after the German occupiers withdrew in 1944 and returned by the British back to Greek rule in 1948 for incorporation into the Hellenic Republic of Greece.

For Kos in September 2007 we seek contributions from academics, judges, practising lawyers, doctors and academics, as will as people involved in associated fields.

We look to consider contemporary issues of concern to the professions, particularly those of law and medicine. We aim to consider the impact of scientific, social and legislative changes and developments on these professions and the consequences upon practitioners, academics and those relying on the professions. We look forward to active debate and participation. In addition, we will provide a wide and varied cultural program in conjunction with the event, including the opportunity to visit the nearby islands and also Bodrum on the nearby Turkish mainland.

The Grecotel Kos Imperial Thalasso is a stunning new hotel complex, built at the exclusive area of Psalidi, on the outskirts of the centre of Kos. The Imperial is regarded as the most exclusive hotel on the island, the hotel overlooking a sandy beach and the sparkling Aegean. You can visit the hotel at www.grecotel.gr

To register your interest in joining us on Kos in September 2007 or participating in the event, please provide details to us through our Contact Us page.

If you are interested in submitting an abstract for consideration by our Papers Committee, please do not hesitate in providing that abstract to us.