Re: [atlarge-discuss] Supporting Organization

["Richard Henderson" <richardhenderson@ntlworld.com>]

CECUA

Excellent principles - right orientation - ...

... and their contribution to ICANN debates...

...and specifically their contribution to @large issues such as the
abandonment of @large Directors

Let's talk with them, and let them join us in our aims and objectives

But let's not forget that it is the ICANN ruling clique's power that is a
real issue for the future of our internet (at least, until technology and
new protocols overwhelm them)

Perhaps what makes our growing organisation distinctive is our awareness of
that political reality and our targetted and focussed understanding of the
detail and the deception at the seat of power

I don't see other user organisations and groups really getting to grips with
ICANN's coup and trying to challenge them.

If CECUA is indeed as far-reaching as they claim, where are they in the
struggle for integrity in the administration of the DNS?

Either there's a lot of education that needs doing, or the wrong people /
interests are in charge.

I'd be interested in Jefsey's take (and advice/recommendation/assessment) of
CECUA

Richard

----- Original Message -----
From: <DannyYounger@cs.com>
To: <atlarge-discuss@lists.fitug.de>
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 3:28 AM
Subject: Re: [atlarge-discuss] Supporting Organization


Eric, you want me to name just one?  OK.

CECUA is a non-profit user association registered in Brussels (at Rue de
Trèves 74 1040 Brussels Belgium) with a website at cecua.org

Info from their site:

CECUA is a Confederation of 12 European Computer User Associations covering
12 countries in the European Union, the European Economic Area and European
Free Trade Association representing well over half a million users at the
association, enterprise and individual level.

CECUA was founded in 1982 and has since been actively promoting issues of
importance to computer users in Europe. CECUA has worked closely with the
European Commission, particularly with DGXIII and DG III. Through its effort
CECUA has made major contribution toward the development of the Information
Society with the user in focus

Currently CECUA Chairs the DG XIII ICT Partnership Working Group 2 "The
Citizens' need for Trans-European Services" CECUA is also an active member
of
the DG XIII "Information Society Forum"

CECUA recognised the need for a partnership of major players in the
information Society that addresses societal as well as technical issues, and
formed a partnership of leading European organisations to stage the highly
acclaimed Conference, "The Citizen and the Global Information Society", held
in Brussels April 1998.

CECUA is the one and only totally independent European Umbrella Association
of 12 national EU and EAA Computer User Organisations. CECUA has access to a
large user and citizens base, including professionals and academicians.
CECUA
has good contacts to and co-operation with the Commission, the European
Parliament and the Committee of the Regions to voice User/Citizens needs and
demands on European and Global Information Society issues.

CECUA gives guidance and support to Computer Users through the 12 national
organisations since more than 20 years and voices their needs and demands
sucessfully at Ngo's, Governments and Industry.

CECUA is taking care of the needs of Users/Citizens of IT- ware by watching
the marketing, keeping contact to the Industry, participating in global
standardizing and introducing aid and assistance by developing guidelines
like a „Model Contract" for purchasing IT - ware as a standard help for
users/citizens and used in several countries in Europe and also on demand
from other countries on other continents.

CECUA is the Spearhead for the Basic Rights for CITIZENS of the European and
Global Information Society. In close co-operation with the Commission and
the
offices concerned an international well received Conference on the „Citizens
in the Global Information Society" raised expectations, concerns and
opportunities for Citizens of this Information Society. CECUA focusing on
the
results of the conference introduces a Draft „Bill of Rights" (BoR) for the
Citizens of the Information Society and put it up for comments and
discussion
on the CECUA webportal: www.cecua.org.

The "Bill of Rights" for Citizens of the Information Society is a draft
contract between the Citizens and the State outlining elementary rights for
citizens which the state has to accept and enforce. The BoR also acts as a
guideline for the industry and defines the relationship between
users/citizens.

CECUA has received generous recognition for the BoR both from Industry
Commission, Committee of the Regions, European Parliament and the public and
also for opening up the CECUA webportal www.cecua.org for participation by
anybody who wishes to make comments or offer suggestions. To enrich the user
experience CECUA also regularily publishes NewsFlashes on hot user/citizens
issues putting the BoR into practical perspective. In the mean time the BoR
is used as a Standard Reference Plattform or a „Ruler" to evaluate
Directives
to what extent Citizen Rights have been taken into consideration.

· Partnerships with large number of publicly recognised organisations, e.g.
CEPIS (Council of European Professional Informatics Societies), EFJ
(European
Federation of Journalists), EIUF (European ISDN Users Forum), EPA (European
Parents' Association), Euro Chambres, MIDEPH (Mouvement pour l'Information,
les Droits et l'Expression de la Personne Humaine) and YES (Young
Entrepreneurs of Europe).

· Distribution Channels Web Portal (www.cecua.org), powerful database with
thousands of names and local member and partner organisations. Regular web
publication of News-Flashes on Citizens issues.

· 20 years of experience representing users and user issues at Gos and NGOs.

· 20 years of experience working with the European Commission.

· Proven performance record in organising ad hoc working groups for the
Commission on relevant subjects and issues, e.g. Open Systems and User
Requirements.

· Proven performance record in organising international conferences, e.g.
The
Citizen and the Global Information Society in Brussels in 1998 and sponsored
by the Commission.

· Contacts and co-operation with European Parliament and Committee of the
Regions, all parties working on citizen/user issues, e.g. EP Internet
Foundation, but in need of access to citizens base.

· Active participation and contribution to the work of the Information
Society Forum through the CECUA representative.

· Participation in the European Platform for ICANN (EPOP).

Present activity includes the following:

· Collecting and evaluating relevant information on citizen/user issues
globally.

· Liaison with European Parliament and Committee of the Regions on Citizen's
issues.

· Advising the Commission on Citizen's issues and how to support the uptake
of the Information Society by the Citizens and to bridge the digital divide.
CECUA has already contacts to several developing countries.




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