Welcome to the 10th Central European Olympiad in Informatics! For the first time, this well-known international contest will be held in Germany. From July 5 to 12, the city of Münster will be the host of delegations from 10 European countries. We are looking forward to meeting you all: bright young talents in algorithmics and programming, experienced coaches and leaders, and all other guests of CEOI 2003. All organizers, both the folks recruited from Bundeswettbewerb Informatik, that is the German National Computer Science Contest, and the local organizers, a team of teachers from the district of Münster, hope that we will experience a challenging contest and a great time of meeting each other.

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I would like to warmly welcome the teams from 10 nations, and their coaches, to Münster to participate in the Central European Olympiad in Informatics.

Pupils from different parts of Europe are meeting for the tenth time to take part in contests, exchange experiences, and further their personal development. They are discovering the possibilities of informatics and expanding their knowledge and their creativeness. The great willingness and ability with which all the participants approach this challenge deserve our respect and recognition.

The new information technologies have led to fundamental changes in the world of work and in private life. This development calls for skills to evaluate information and access new knowledge independently. It will be the main task of society over the coming decades to prepare people for this challenge and to provide everyone with access to the possibilities which are developing.

Filling young people with enthusiasm for technology and the new media and encouraging them in their willingness to learn are integral parts of the education systems in all European states. Not only are we aiming to provide broad support, but also to encourage those young people who are particularly gifted and motivated and are able to deliver an outstanding performance.

As patroness of CEOI 2003, I am pleased that the Central European Olympiad in Informatics is taking place in Germany this year. With this Olympiad we do not only want to challenge young people to deliver top performances. It is also meant as an opportunity to increase international exchanges and as a contribution towards helping Europe to grow together.

I therefore hope that all the participants will make new friends, in spite of all the competition, and will be able to thoroughly enjoy these days in Münster. Of course, I also wish all the teams every success in this European competition of "bright minds", and hope that you will continue to have fun solving tricky tasks. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all the organizers and coaches for their commitment.

Edelgard Bulmahn
Federal Minister of Education and Research

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This year, for the first time the Central European Olympiad in Informatics (CEOI) takes place in Germany. This international student contest was founded in 1994, so that this year the 10th anniversary of CEOI can be celebrated. It makes me happy that North Rhine-Westphalia has taken the opportunity to host this jubilee contest and to present itself to the participants from all over the world as a state with a special engagement in new technologies and computer science.

Before competing in CEOI, German contestants need to be successful in Bundeswettbewerb Informatik, the most important German computer science contest. With pride, I noticed that in our state many students take part in this contest to test and develop their abilities in solving challenging informatics problems.

Informatics and computing are nowadays ubiquitous in most areas of life; we make use of computing technologies to cope with many different challenges. Competence in using and mastering the most advanced information technology is crucial to the strength of our economy and society. Therefore, we need young talents who face those challenges with creativity and the spirit of innovation, progress and change. Contests like CEOI make an important contribution to finding such talents.

I am certain that CEOI 2003 in Münster will be a success and will find both the attention and the appreciation it deserves. Furthermore, Bundeswettbewerb Informatik may continue to discover many excellent young people with interest in computing, thus promoting technological innovation, development and progress in our country.

Ute Schäfer
Minister for School, Youth and Children
of North Rhine-Westphalia

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Dear students, Dear tutors,

Welcome to the Informatik-Olympiade!

I am glad to have you as guests in Münster during this competition. The organizers of the Informatik-Olympiade – including the district administration in Münster with its staff – have arranged a comprehensive programme which we hope will provide you with relaxation from the time you spend in front of the computer.

Even if your Olympic championship is not so big, the Olympic spirit of tolerance, understanding, competitive sport and fairness will be present within the city. Münster is a city of peace and understanding. 350 years ago, in 1648, the Thirty Years’ War came to an end in Münster with the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia. This peace treaty reorganized Europe anew and is still a very important basis for the co-existence of the different states.

The district administration in Münster is part of the government of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The district administration in Münster represents the state government in the regions Emscher-Lippe and Münsterland with their 2,6 million inhabitants. Our authority supervises about 1,000 schools and about 30,000 teachers. Some of our other areas of work are: regional planning, support of the regional trade and industry, security and order, supervision of numerous other authorities and support of handicapped persons and victims of crime.

I hope that the “Olympic championship in computer science” goes smoothly and fair and I would be glad if you found enough time – besides your work for the competition – to enjoy Münster and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dr. Jörg Twenhöven,
Regierungspräsident

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