[[PageOutline]] = Hemispheric Internet Agreement = == Overview == Workshop proposal for the [http://www.forosocialamericas.org Third Social Forum of the Americas]. Discussion on ticket #1261. We're also discussing the workshop via an [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/fsa-guatemala email list] with [https://lists.mayfirst.org/pipermail/fsa-guatemala public archives]. ''Tentative Date'': October 9[[BR]] ''Tentative Time'': Afternoon[[BR]] ''Locations'': Guatemala City, San Carlos University / New York City, [http://www.brechtforum.org Brecht Forum] Internet work is no longer a field pursued only by technical people. It has become one of the most critical areas in use by all organizers. Developing a common agenda, hemisphere-wide, on how to develop, organize and expand the Internet is critically important for the left. This workshop is designed for activists of all technical capabilities to collaboratively build a common, hemispheric, agenda for the Internet. The workshop will be based on our [wiki:internet_rights_workshop Internet rights workshop]. In the workshop we will use the Internet itself to collaboratively build a common document. However, we will introduce several key, new features: * The goal will be to come to an agreement on our Internet agenda, rather than focusing on Internet rights * We will run the workshop over the Internet, with one session in Guatemala, one in New York, and one in Caracas (if we can, but minimally in both Guatemala and NYC). * We will operate in both Spanish and English The workshop falls within the [http://www.forosocialamericas.org/fsa-guatemala/ejes_english.php themes defined by the forum organizers], specifically: The ideological dispute: communication, culture, knowledge and education. == Outreach Material == ''Join together, in real time, with participants of the Social Forum of the Americas in Guatemala, for a simultaneous workshop on collaborative democracy and the Internet. This workshop is a unique opportunity for those of us in New York to attend the forum, interact directly with Latin American activists and organizers, and contribute to building a collaborative and democratic agenda on the Internet. '' '''Hemispheric Internet Agreement: A Simultaneous Workshop on Collaborative Democracy in the Americas Social Forum of the Americas ''' Tentative Date: October 9 Locations: Guatemala City, San Carlos University / New York City, Brecht Forum The Americas Social Forum (ASF) is part of the World Social Forum (WSF) process initiated in 2001 and has become the largest space for the articulation of social initiatives, the development of critical thinking, and the construction of alternatives to the neoliberal order, under the common belief that Another World is Possible. Several of MF/PL member organizations are attending this year's ASF and MF/PL itself is being represented by co-director Jamie McClelland and member Maritza Arrastia. The Collaborative Democracy workshop (https://support.mayfirst.org/wiki/internet_rights_workshop/) was previously presented at the U.S. Social Forum in 2007, NYC Grassroots Media conference in 2008, and soon at the Critical Resistance conference this weekend. The workshop will be based on our Internet rights workshop. In the workshop we will use the Internet itself to collaboratively build a common document. However, we will introduce several key, new features: * The goal will be to come to an agreement on our Internet agenda, rather than focusing on Internet rights * We will run the workshop over the Internet, with one session in Guatemala, one in New York, and one in Caracas (if we can, but minimally in both Guatemala and NYC). * We will operate in both Spanish and English The workshop falls within the themes defined by the forum organizers, specifically: The ideological dispute: communication, culture, knowledge and education. The submitted workshop proposal is here: https://support.mayfirst.org/wiki/proposal/foro_social_workshop_2008 The problem is that we're not sure when our workshop is going to take place although we think it will probably happen around October 9 or 10, hopefully during the afternoon. But that's up to the organizers of the Social Forum and they haven't ironed those details out quite yet. The Social Forum of the Americas is taking place in Guatemala starting October 7 and I can't think of a moment when an event of this type was more appropriate. Internet work is no longer a field pursued only by technical people. It has become one of the most critical areas in use by all organizers. Developing a common agenda, hemisphere-wide, on how to develop, organize and expand the Internet is critically important for the left. This workshop is designed for activists of all technical capabilities to collaboratively build a common, hemispheric, agenda for the Internet. The workshop usually attempts to put together a statement of Internet rights through collaborative discussions using Internet technology. This time, we're going to do a statement of rights for Internet users throughout the Hemisphere and think about ways to work to push for and realize those rights. And the workshop itself will reflect that hemispheric approach. It will be held in two locations simultaneously: San Carlos University (the site of the Social Forum of the Americas) and the Brecht Forum in New York. This isn't two workshops in two places; this is one simultaneously conducted workshop, over the Internet, with participants in those two places. It's an attempt to start working on a model for collaboration among the people, movements and organizations of the Americas: to grapple with the differences in perceived Internet needs and rights (and how those are prioritized) as well as culture and language and the basics democratic collaboration. Many of the planners are hoping that this "model" can help contribute to collaborations of this type in many areas. [direct: We're reaching out to our member organizations that represent the "best of the Left" in New York City and surrounding areas. Our invitation to you is direct and our goal is that each of you will send at least one representative from your organization to the Brecht forum. In its own way, this could be a historic event and, at the very least, we want to demonstrate to our brothers and sisters in those other locations that we here in this country are serious about this kind of collaboration: one that is essential to guaranteeing all our futures. The event at the Brecht Forum is open to all our members and we're especially asking member organizations to send a couple of representatives. Mark the date, think about who from your organization can attend, plan to bring along a laptop if you have one and we'll be back to you as soon as we know the details. Please RSVP (malloryk@mayfirst.org) for the event so that you may receive an email with the specific date and time as soon as we find out the ASF schedule. Also, there is limited space at the Brecht Forum, so we need to monitor attendance.] [outreach: We have a planning committee working on the event and some ideas about how to make it successful at the Social Forum and in New York but we really need your involvement to make it happen in New York. We're reaching out to our member organizations that represent the "best of the Left" in New York City and surrounding areas. Our invitation to you is direct and our goal is that each of you will send at least one representative from your organization to the Brecht forum. In its own way, this could be a historic event and, at the very least, we want to demonstrate to our brothers and sisters in those other locations that we here in this country are serious about this kind of collaboration: one that is essential to guaranteeing all our futures. Specifically, we're asking you, as a MF/PL member to act as a node for outreach. Please, if you can, forward this invitation widely with a personal endorsement from yourself or on behalf of your organization. Encourage potential participants to RSVP to mallory@mayfirst.org] [media: We have a planning committee working on the event and some ideas about how to make it successful at the Social Forum and in New York but we really need your involvement to make it happen in New York. We're reaching out to our friends and members that represent the voice of the Left in New York City and surrounding areas. Our invitation to you is direct and our goal is that you not only participate in articulating your political vision for the Internet, but that you support our efforts to reach as many important thinkers as well as document our efforts. In its own way, this could be a historic event and, at the very least, we want to demonstrate to our brothers and sisters in those other locations that we here in this country are serious about this kind of collaboration: one that is essential to guaranteeing all our futures. Specifically, we're asking you, as a MF/PL member to help us with press and publicity. Please, if you can, blog, write, and get the word out about this event. And of course, attend! Bring your cameras and notebooks and help us to document this potentially historic demonstration of Collaborative Democracy across the hemisphere.] Mallory Knodel is coordinating outreach for the U.S. part of the workshop and so if you have questions or want to let us know you're coming, etc. email her: mallory@mayfirst.org. Please also CC her on any emails to your lists. We hope to see you there! == Workshop Registration Questions and Answers as submitted to the Foro Social == '''Q - Título del Evento''' Diseñando el Internet que necesitamos: un ejercicio en democracia colaborativa '''Q - Metas de la actividad (3 líneas)''' 1. Usar la technologia del Internet para forjar la colaboracion 1. Usar la colaboracion para impulsar la creacion de un Internet democratico, abierto e util para movimientos de luch y cambio social en este hemisferio 1. Iniciar la organizacion de los esfuerzos necessarios para realizar lo precedente '''Q - Descripcion del evento (largo)''' La crisis social que impacta a todo el hemispferio junto con el crecimiento de movimientos masivos y logos progressistas en muchos de nuestro paises subraya la importancia y potencial de colaboracion genuina entre nuestros pueblos. El Internet nos brinda tanto la oportunidad como un modelo potencial para tal colaboracion. Este taller pretenda juntar participantes en el foro con dirigentes de organizaciones de cambio y lucha social en los EEUU en la discusion y diseno de un acuerdo de colaboracion cuya meta es un Internet que alimenta y promueve este tipo de colaboracion como base de relacion entre los distintos pueblos. Usando un programa Internet de "colaboracion democratica", desarollado en el Foro Social de EEUU en el 2007, activistas en ambos lugares se formaran grupos pequenos para discutir especificas necesidades, formas de reivindicarlas y principios de conducta y colaboracion. Y a la vez redadactar un documento de puntos que sirve como guia para realizar todo esto. Representa tanto una experiencia en democracia verdadera y una colaboracion sin precedentes historicas. '''Q - Breve descripcion:''' Una experiencia en democracia y colaboracion con talleres simultaneos en el foro e en los EEUU usando tecnologia del Internet. Trabajando en grupos pequenos en ambos sitios, se redactara un documento de acuerdo sobre lo que debe ser y hacer en Internet para alimentar las luchas sociales en el hemisferio y como hacerlo posible. '''Q - Elija el eje temático y subtema que mejor corresponda a su actividad ''' Eje Temático: La disputa ideológica: comunicación, culturas, conocimientos, educación Subtema: Las propuestas de tecnologías alternativas: desafíos y prácticas. '''Q - Numero participates:''' 50-100 '''q - Fecha Preferida:''' Oct. 9 '''Q - Idioma del evento''' Espanol e ingles '''Q - Necesita traductores?''' Nosotros nos encargamos de la traduccion. '''Q- Dispuesto juntar otras actividades con la suya?''' Si '''Q - Equipo requerido''' Conneccion del internet Monitor '''Q - Contribucion para estos equipos?''' Si