Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 15:11:13 -0700
From: Joann C Joselyn 
Subject: ICSU Call for on-line discussion

The following message was received at the IUGG Secretariat on 23 Jan. 
2003.  Additional information will be forthcoming, and action is 
requested in February.  Please forward this opportunity to those who may 
be interested so that wide participation by IUGG scientists might be 
possible.

Sincerely,
Jo Ann Joselyn
IUGG Secretary General

IMPORTANT: Notification of an ICSU/CODATA on-line discussion forum on 
Science and the Information Society, Feb 10th-28th

In order to consult its members and associated bodies/organizations, as 
well as the wider international scientific and technological community, 
ICSU in association with CODATA (COmmittee on DATA for Science and 
Technology) will be hosting an on-line forum to develop its main in-put 
to the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which takes 
place in Geneva in December.  This forum will be launched on 10th 
February on the ICSU web-site (www.icsu.org) and continue until 28th 
February.  It will be structured under four themes:

    1. Scientific information for decision making and better governance;
    2. Ensuring universal access to scientific knowledge 
       internationally, including overcoming the 'digital divide'
    3. Scientific data and information as a global public good;
    4. Using scientific data and information to improve all levels of 
       education and training.


Brief introductory papers are currently being prepared on these themes 
and will be posted on the web-site, when the forum is launched.

ICSU's role in relation to the WSIS is to try and represent the 
international scientific community; highlighting the contribution of 
science to the information society and ensuring that the interests of 
scientists are properly protected.  This is a challenging task and it is 
crucial that we have as much constructive in-put as possible from the 
scientific community in developing our messages to the Governments and 
other stakeholders who will be represented at the WSIS.  I would 
therefore strongly encourage you to try and ensure that your own 
organization contributes to the on-line forum and that it is advertised 
proactively to any interested parties or individuals that you can 
identify. You might also consider using your own web-site to advertise 
and link to the forum.

Participation in the forum will be open to anyone, following a simple 
registration procedure.

You will receive a further message once the forum is online.

Yours sincerely,

--
Mustapha MOKRANE
IT Officer/Network/Webmaster
International Council for Science
Tel : 01.45.25.67.17
Fax : 01.42.88.94.31
Web : www.icsu.org