-----Original Message----- From: owner-ifip_ga@ifip.or.at [mailto:owner-ifip_ga@ifip.or.at]On Behalf Of Plamen Nedkov Sent: quinta-feira, 20 de Marco de 2003 12:43 To: All Subject: [IFIP] Highlights: What Happened in Bilbao + lottery
Dear All,
The IFIP March 2003 Council and related meetings were held in the Basque Country, Spain in beautiful, beautiful Bilbao. We have started work on the Minutes and this note is intended as an advance information for the most impatient ones among you.
Prof. Anselmo del Moral, Spanish GA representative and IFIP Trustee played host in a formidable way and provided excellent social and organizational arrangements for IFIP to conduct its meetings. The President of the Universtity of Deusto, Prof. Jose Maria Abrego, welcomed Council and wished everyone a pleasant and productive stay. We have placed at http://www.ifip.or.at/minutes/c2003.htm reports from TC Chairs and IFIP officers that were provided to us in digital form prior to Council. The Minutes when ready will also be uploaded at that site.
Here is a short summary of some of the highlights:
MEMBERSHIP: It was reported that at present there are 42 national member societies with voting rights (out of the 48 full IFIP members). This was a good indication of the interest in IFIP membership.
EVENTS: A second "electronic" vote was necessary to confirm a majority for the decision to hold Congress 2006 in Jerusalem and the process was done with the support of the IFIP Secretariat. There were outstanding issues related to WCC 2002 in Montreal and the President will oversee that these are resolved as soon as possible. There is some progress with regard to a new Charter for the IFIP Congress Committee and a survey within IFIP would be organized with respect to the periodicity of IFIP Congresses. There was a successful IT and Skills (GLITS) conference in October '02 in the UK and preparations for the WITFOR Conferences in August 2003, Vilnius [LT] are proceeding in good pace. Plans for the World Computer Congress 2004 in Toulouse are also on the right track [for further information please refer to the respective information and links at http://www.ifip.or.at/minutes/c2003.htm ]
It was reported that during 2002 there was a total of 85 events with IFIP's involvement which represents a very high activity level given the fact that 2002 was also a Congress year and the Congress in Montreal was counted as only 1 event.
PUBLICATIONS: Good news came from the Publisher. During 2002 a total of 31 volumes were published with Kluwer which is a 26% increase over the 23 books published in each of the previous 2 years. For 2002 there is an increase of royalties of 22% over 2001. [However, given the fact that royalties are paid twice a year the overall figure is not reflected in the 2002 accounts.]
Council unanimously adopted the following resolution:
"In the light of previous discussions and decisions of IFIP's Councils and General Assemblies that future publications shall also include electronic publication processes and digital libraries, Council requests that the contract with KAP should not be automatically renewed in the present form".
It was further agreed that the TC Chairs in cooperation with the Publications Committee and the IFIP Officers will draft a policy document and a set of requirements by the end of April so as to reach an agreement and a decision before 30 June 2003.
UNESCO :A resolution was unanimously accepted as follows: "IFIP's Council warmly welcomes the decision of UNESCO's Executive Board to renew its formal consultative relations with IFIP. On its part, IFIP gratefully accepts the continuation of these relations and the obligations and advantages that this relationship entails and looks forward to continuing its fruitful cooperation with UNESCO".
UNESCO & DCSC: Applications were reviewed under the IFIP-UNESCO Grant scheme http://www.ifip.or.at/mail/msg00213.html and a total of 24,000 EUR was allocated to successful applications from Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Zimbabwe, TC 3, TC 6 and TC 9. Another 6,000 EUR out of DCSC funds were allocated for activities related to TC 10, TC 13 and WITFOR. It was agreed that the DCSC Chair will contact the successful applicants to notify them and to provide further information with regard to the disbursal of the grants.
FINANCES: The 2002 operational income has decreased by 8.9% compared to the previous year. The periodicity of some leading conferences that generate proceeds and royalty payments was offered as one reason for this development. The President would pursue a conclusion of the financial matters related to WCC 2002. The 2002 operational expenses have increased by 3.7%. The "Return on Assets" in 2002 has produced a loss which is significant. Compared to 2001, the loss almost tripled. Council endorsed the 2002 actual accounts for approval by GA.
FUTURE ORGANIZATION OF COUNCIL AND GA MEETINGS: To optimize the organization of future meetings and reduce meetings time, TA developed a set of organizational improvements, including the function of a TA Vice-Chair responsible for the Technical Committees.
* * *
WE LOVE BILBAO: Bilbao is a city of parks and magnificent buildings. In the narrow streets of the Old Quarter and the wide avenues of the business district one feels being in a friendly and hospitable place with long tradition. The Bilbao estuary, at one time the commercial and industrial backbone of the city, is now becoming the city's main cultural artery. The Guggenheim Museum on the wharf across the river from the University of Deusto [ the venue of IFIP's Council from 3 to 6 March] is a unique land mark. When one also accounts for the Basque cuisine, which is widely known for its quality, variety and gastronomical delight, one can only wish to revisit Bilbao.
As mentioned in our opening remarks, the hospitality of our hosts was formidable. Council participants were warmly treated to several receptions and a Dinner that will be remembered for long.
True to our belief that there should be joy in everything we do, the Delivery Co. has treasured some wonderful impressions and we wish to share these with the IFIP Community at http://www.ifip.or.at/minutes/c2003/impressions.htm
Thank you, Anselmo, for making our stay so memorable! To all the rest - greetings and enjoy,
The Delivery Co.
***
FUN ZONE - Joke lovers only!
We had a unique opportunity to record the "couples" -- mostly IFIP Officers and spouses -- in a unique Delivery Co. collection called "Spring Is In The Air". We bring it to you at http://www.ifip.or.at/minutes/c2003/sp_impressions.htm
All who identify the owner of the "mystery hand" in the "Spring Is In The Air" collection will enter a draw and the winner will receive a bonus for lunch with the Delivery co. when she/he visits Laxenburg. The TC 9 Chair will only get a sandwich if he participates and wins :-))
-------------------------------- Plamen Nedkov Executive Director, IFIP Hofstrasse 3, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria Tel: +43 2236 73616 Fax: +43 2236 736169 http://www.ifip.org/