The conference theme is "Equity on the Internet". In addition to practical
sessions on how to manage and improve and fund a Community-based Network,
the conference will explore the many facets of Equity that confront those
who manage and utilize Community Networks. The conference is aimed at an
international audience as well as at the many organizations which make up
and support Telecommunities Canada.
Presentations of reports, papers and posters are invited to address the following subject areas:REPORTS should be 1,500 to 4,000 words in length and either summarize or analyze specific activities. Some might have extensive background. The reports will be summarized in the Proceedings and made available via the WEB and FTP.
- Technology and the Future. Innovations in hardware and/or software that are likely to affect most telecommunities.
- Organizations and the People. Innovations, case-studies and things-to-avoid in building, managing and maintaining a "responsible" telecommunity.
- Fees and Finances. Who pays? Who supports? Who benefits? How to create and follow a business-plan for a co-operative and ground-breaking organization.
- Communities and/or Technology. Speculation and observation about the polarities of community and technology.
- The Green Telephone. Are Community Networks appropriate in an age where reducing consumption and expenditure is a strongly-supported goal?
- Government Policy: Friend or Foe? Examination of national and provincial policies on telecommunications. What do they really say? Where are they leading? Can they be directed towards equity and equality?
- Global Village or Global Ghetto? The current state of inequity in regard to telecommunication benefits from a world perspective. Methods for reducing inequities among countries and groups.
- Bulldozers on the Infobahn. Analysis of the current monopolies and oligopolies which dominate media and telecommunications. What are their plans? Will they really compete? What rights will telecommunities require to maintain independence and diversity?
- Privacy and Security. What aspects of the current debate on Privacy and Security affect telecommunities? What is an appropriate policy on Privacy and Security for managers to adopt? What problems arise in this domain and what solutions have been successful?
- Defamation and Other Limits of Free Speech on Community Networks. Free Speech is never an absolute. A number of laws establish the bounds of Free Speech, including national laws concerning Defamation. Other laws covering areas such as pornography, harassment, hate-mongering and copyright can seriously affect operations of Community Networks and put their managers at risk. What policies and practices lessen these risks while still retaining the goals of Telecommunities?
PAPERS denote academic works and must constitute independent research. Papers should be 2,500 to a maximum of 5,000 words in length. The Proceedings published at the conclusion of the conference will contain the academic papers which will be refereed by experts in the field.
POSTERS may be paper-format or WWW format and should be mountable and readable. Normally, not more than 1,000 words and an absolute maximum of 2,000. The poster boards have 1.2m X 1.2m cork surface.
Presentations in any of these three formats may be made via e-mail or by indication of a URL where the paper may be read and captured. Direct all submissions to ICNC@uvcs.uvic.ca.
Authors will be notified by June 15, 1995 regarding acceptance of their submissions. Authors whose papers are accepted will be responsible for final formatting to camera-ready specifications using Word for Windows or Word for Mac. THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTED PAPERS IN FINAL FORMAT IS JULY 15, 1995.
For more information, please contact:
Pat McGuire
Program Coordinator
Conference Management, Division of Continuing Studies
University of Victoria
PO Box 3030, MS 8451
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 3N6
tel:604-721-8746, fax:604-721-8774
Courier Address: 2nd Floor, University Centre Building