[Ilugc] INDIA: Free Software, Free Society: Conference on Freedom in ComputingDevelopment and Culture

[Frederick Noronha (FN)]

http://fsfs.hipatia.net/

Free Software, Free Society
28th -30th May, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

The Free Software, Free Society (FSFS) Conference, organized by Government and 
civil society organizations from Brazil, Italy, Venezuela and India, is 
scheduled for 28-30 May 2005 in the Southern Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram 
(Trivandrum), the capital of the province of Kerala. The Conference is 
primarily an attempt to initiate a South-South-North dialogue on the use of 
Free Software as a useful paradigm for non-software realms and its role as an 
instrument for development. In the process, the countries involved will share 
their perspective and experiences in using Free Software.

Vision

Over two-and-a-half decades, Free Software has inspired an alternative approach 
to creation, use and redistribution of software. The values of Free Software 
has been the inspiration for other kind of intellectual content as well, as 
illustrated, for example, by the Creative Commons initiative. Located at the 
intersection of Free Software, Development and  Society, the FSFS Conference 
will examine the application of the Free Software
model for the purpose of evolving more equitable development and information 
sharing models for humanity.

In particular, the Conference will discuss the use of Free Software for 
addressing issues of technology access and the digital divide and also develop 
further the alternative paradigms for sharing intellectual content.

Participation and Registration

Apart from the Brazilian delegation (4 delegates), Venezuela (20 delegates) and 
the Italian delegation (3 delegates) about 40-50 delegates from various parts 
of India are also expected to attend the programme. In addition, delegates from 
South Asia (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh) and from UN organizations 
are expected to attend the programme.

A delegate fee of Rs. 1000 (for Indian citizens) or US$ 50 (for non-Indian 
delegates) is payable by delegates in order to cover the costs of the 
Conference. Delegate fee includes Conference kit, food during the conference, 
participation in sessions and cultural programmes. Delegate fee does not 
include travel or local accommodation. However, accommodation can be arranged 
by us on request on direct payment basis. A wide range of hotel rooms are 
available from budget (INR 500 / US$ 25) to luxury (INR 4500 / US$ 150). For 
students delegate fee will be Rs. 500. Click here for Online registration form. 
For more details send an email to fsfs at space-kerala.org.
    _____
  _/ ____\____    Frederick Noronha (FN) * Freelance Journalist
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