[Forwarding from Silke Helfrich. --Peter Suber.]
Save The Date for the International Commons Conference (ICC) "Constructing a Commons-Based Policy Platform" November, 1st and 2nd, 2010 in Berlin/Germany For information please contact: Silke Helfrich, [email protected] ; phone: 0049-3641-509536 Berlin, April 23, 2010 Dear all, Greetings from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs), http://www.boell.de/service/home.html (English) and http://www.boell.de/ (German)! The Foundation is a publicly financed non-profit organization affiliated with the German Greens, but working independently with partners of our choice. We are represented with 25 offices worldwide. The International Politics Department within the Divison of International Cooperation, has initiated plans for an International Commons Conference to take place in November in our Headquarters in Berlin. With this announcement we seek your interest, active support and participation. We are happy to inform you that a number of well-known commoners such as Peter Linebaugh (University of Toledo, US), Leticia Merino (International Association for the Study of Commons; Mexico); Wolfgang Sachs (Wuppertal Institut; Germany); Alberto Acosta (economist and politician, Ecuador) James Quilligan (international analyst, USA), Michel Bauwens (P2P Foundation, Thailand/Belgium), David Bollier (Onthecommons.org; USA) and many others already confirmed their participation. The conference will be held November 1st and 2nd, 2010 in Berlin at Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V. Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin Fon: (030) 285 34-0 Fax: (030) 285 34-109 International arrivals will be on Sunday, October 31 at the latest, and departures may be planned for Wednesday, November 03. SAVE THE DATE! The conference seeks to bring together a diverse group of about 150 international and Germany/European based commoners, intellectuals, activists and policy makers. Over the course of two days, the conference will: Assess the range of existing and potential commons-based policy approaches and their respective strengths, limitations and potential for wider application. Develop the fundamentals of a policy framework that supports the commons. The framework should be able to serve as a template for policymaking and political action as well as for providing ways for people to earn a livelihood. Identify and explore specific strategic opportunities to advance commons-based approaches. These opportunities should address the various interlinked political, economic, ecological and social challenges at regional, national and international levels. The conference will provide excellent opportunities for the community of international commoners to share ideas, expand their networks, and find common ground. The simple yet powerful and complex question to be explored throughout the conference is: What does a commons-based policy framework look like? What already exists and what do we still need to develop to nurture and protect diverse sorts of commons? We are currently working on a draft program that we wish to share with you as soon as possible. We hope you can join us! We will be sending a formal invitation later, but for our planning purposes, it would be very useful if you could inform us of your actual or potential interest in participating in the conference. Languages: Conference language is English. Translation English/Spanish – Spanish/English is provided throughout the conference Translation English/German – German/English is provided only during the public evening event on November 1st and in case of individual need (consecutive). Principles: The conference is designed to enhance: Participation and self-organization Stewardship, cooperation and networking Open, non-linear ways to search for solutions The organisers are planning: a limited number of keynotes and kickoff speakers sufficient space for creative work in small groups “speed presentations” about projects (let us know if you are interested in a speed presentation of your project or network towards a commons based policy platform!) Open space for self-organized networking Please let us know by May 20th at [email protected] whether you are interested in participating in the conference and contributing your ideas and projects. The first program draft will follow asap along with information on logistics. We furthermore welcome your recommendations of more experts and activists who in your opinion would add important flavour to our conference and should thus also be invited. We enthusiastically encourage your participation and look forward to receiving your feed-back. PS: I apologize for having sent multiple mails to some people due to technical problems. Best regards Silke Helfrich for the ICC Team Heinrich Böll Stiftung -------------- Kronfeldstr.2a 07745 Jena Tel: +49 3641 / 509536 handy: +49 157 / 73980187 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.commonsblog.de
