The following guidelines have been developed to ensure optimum access to the content of your paper by the audience and to facilitate an effective working relationship between the presenters and the Summit organizers.

A Summit paper consists of:
1. Title of the paper.
2. Name(s) of speaker(s), their Institution, city and country.
3. Abstract of approximately 300-350 words, summarizing the presentation.
4. Full text of the paper.
5. Maximum paper length- 15 pages (single-spaced A4).

Important Note:
Papers must be written in English language only. Presentations can be done in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese since simultaneous translation will be available. Please avoid using unexplained acronyms, sets of initials, jargon and phrases which an international audience may not understand.

Paper/Presentation Outline:

Brief Outline:
1. Linkage of the paper/presentation with session theme.
2. Success and/or failure Case Studies (key learnings, issues to be addressed, solutions, main results/ outcomes).
3. Recommendations in reference to achieving relevant MDGs linked to the session theme.

Detail Outline:
• Candidates are invited to prepare and submit a paper that focuses on one or several aspects in the context of the relevant MDGs and the respective session theme.

• Candidates are expected to draw upon their own experience or the experience of their organisation in drafting these papers. These papers will serve as valuable inputs to the discussions of the Summit.

• In case of "Success Stories" in addition to providing brief background information on the case study or best practice (specific contexts, organizations involved, source of data, etc.), the paper should also examine the challenges/issues faced and the strategies used to overcome them.

• The paper could present “lessons learnt”, opportunities and challenges in promoting the MDGs at the Local Level and in the Family and, if appropriate, highlight innovative ways of facilitating and creating an enabling environment in which Local Authorities and Families has been able to contribute in the achievement of a specific MDG.

• The abstracts/papers will be published by the Summit Secretariat as part of the Summit Proceedings. Therefore, to facilitate speedier publication of the proceedings, please ensure all papers are submitted in Word Format, size 12 Times New Roman font.

Guidelines for Presentations:

Prior to Presentation
• All speakers should submit a copy of their PowerPoint presentation on CD or via e-mail to the Summit Secretariat two weeks prior to the Summit. The Organizing Commettee will coordinate presentation loading to support speaker sequence. If you are bringing your own laptop, make sure you have an extra copy of the slides on floppy disk or CD in case of incompatibility of equipment at the Summit venue.

During Presentation
• Timing: Presentations are limited to 12 minutes. Please adhere to the presentation time limit for maintaining schedule and not encroaching on the next speaker’s time slot. Please note presentations are back to back; your assistance in keeping to your time slot is appreciated.

• Pointers: At the start of your presentation, you are requested to ask delegates if they have difficulty hearing you or reading any material projected on the screen. If there are people present who cannot read the screen, ensure that you read all information projected and explain all visual demonstrations. You may also want to bring hard copies of your presentation to distribute to attendees. Typically two or three slides per page are effective for such purposes.

• Audience questions: When answering questions from the audience it may be a good practice to repeat the question to ensure all delegates have heard clearly.

Important Speaker General Information:
• Please ensure that you check the Summit program on the Summit Website to confirm your presentation date and time. (This information will be available on the website 2 weeks prior to Summit.)

• Summit venue will provide audio/visual equipment, large screen, podium microphone, and sound system.

• If you are a candidate for presentation please check frequently this website for updated information.