Organizers and support
| ORGANIZERS | |
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Basque Government The Basque County is a European region that places great emphasis on solidarity and innovation and is actively involved in developing the Information Society. Working with the United Nations, it has set up the CIFAL Bilbao centre to train local entities in matters related to the Information Society and which is coordinating the organisation of this Summit. The Basque Government has also developed IT4ALL, a network that connects 1,000 million people belonging to regions and cities worldwide. It has also been one of the driving forces behind the Digital Solidarity Fund, which was set up to reduce the digital divide. For further information, go to "http://www.it4all-bilbao.org/presentation/why_bilbao" "Bilbao and its commitment in favour of Digital Solidarity". www.ejgv.euskadi.net |
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United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) The United Nations Institute for Training and Research is an independent entity within the United Nations. UNITAR is the instrument chosen by the UN to ensure the participation of local authorities from around the world in the WSIS. It has a Decentralised Cooperation Programme and it has set up the International Training Centre for Local Authorities (CIFAL), a training programme aimed at people involved at a local level. www.unitar.org |
| LOCAL AUTHORITIES ASSOCIATIONS | |
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United Cities and Local Governments
UCLG is the most important international organisation of local authorities in the world. It is made up of individual municipalities and cities and national associations of municipalities and is recognised by the United Nations. It is the official contact between the local governments and the United Nations and the world information source regarding local governments and their associations. Its mission is to encourage dialogue and solidarity among the peoples, local democracy and autonomy, together with social inclusion and sustainable development. www.cities-localgovernments.org/uclg/ |
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European Committee of the Regions
A political assembly that allows local and regional entities to be active inside the European Union so that regional and local representatives can be involved in preparing new EU legislation and to collaborate at the levels of government closest to the citizens. There are ten mandatory consultation spheres: social and economic cohesion, trans-European infrastructure networks, health, education and culture, employment policies, social policies, the environment, vocational training and transport. The work of the Committee is based on three principles: subsidiarity, proximity and association www.cor.eu.int/ |
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The European Council of Regions and Municipalities (CEMR) The European Council of Municipalities and Regions was set up in 1951 by a group of European mayors and the regions were subsequently invited to participate. It is currently the largest organisation of regional and local governments in Europe. Its members are national associations of cities, municipalities and regions from over 30 countries. It represents over 100,000 regional and local authorities. www.ccre.org/ |
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Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Associations (FLACMA) The Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Associations is the voice and representative of Latin American municipalism, of all local governments and their National Municipalities Associations of Latin America. Its purpose is to foster strong and democratic autonomous local governments in Latin America. It is the Latin American Section of the UCLG. http://www.flacma.org/ |
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Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) The Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) was founded in October 1997 with the aim of consolidating the representation of European regions and nations with legislative power within the new framework of the European Union. It is working to ensure that the EU makes progress in the recognition of the role of these parliaments, in the respect for the diversity of regional and national identities, and in the implementation of the principle of subsidiarity. www.calre.net/en/index_en.html |
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Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces in an Association of Local Entities that brings together Town Councils, Provincial Councils and Island Councils, representing a total of over 6,900 Spanish municipalities. The FEMP is also the Spanish Section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CMRE) and the official headquarters of the Ibero-American Organization of Intermunicipal Cooperation (OICI). www.femp.es |
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EUDEL Founded in 1982, EUDEL is an Association whose members include practically all the Municipalities in the Basque Autonomous Community and various town councils from the Autonomous Community of Navarra. Its main goals are to defend municipal autonomy and to represent the local interests before other institutions. www.eudel.es/ |
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Eurocities Founded in 1986, the network brings together the local governments of more than 120 large cities in over 30 European countries. It provides a platform for its member cities to share knowledge and ideas, to exchange experiences, to analyse common problems and to develop innovative solutions. Eurocities is committed to working towards a common vision of a sustainable future where the citizens can enjoy a good quality of life. www.eurocities.org/_INDEX.php |
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CITYNET Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements, based in Yokohama, Japan. It came into being with the vision of bringing cities together - to learn, to flourish. It fosters initiatives to make cities more environmentally sustainable in the Asia-Pacific region. It promotes relations between local governments and their national counterparts, NGOs and international organisations. www.citynet-ap.org/ |
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Union of Latin American Capital Cities (UCCI) The Union of Latin American Capital Cities is an international non-governmental and non-profit municipal organisation. Its main goals are: to promote ties and encourage relations and exchanges in different fields for major cities, and to encourage harmonious and sustainable development of the cities based on solidarity and cooperation. www.munimadrid.es/principal/ ayuntamiento/servMuni/internacional/ ucci/html/indexcal.html |
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COPPEM Established in December 2002, the Standing Committee Euro-Mediterranean Partnership of the Local and Regional Authorities (COPPEM) is composed of 101 full Members and of 101 alternate Members, representing Municipalities, Provinces, Local Authorities, and Regions of the 35 Euro-Mediterranean Countries. Full Members are also the COPPEM Secretary General, a representative of CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) and a representative of ATO (Arab Towns Organization). www.coppem.org/it/homepage/home.asp |
| THEMATIC NETWORKS SPECIALIZED IN INFORMATION SOCIETY | |
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IT4ALL Network of Local Authorities for the Information Society. It is a Network of local authorities of worldwide reach aiming to define and obtain a common position for Local Authorities all over the world towards the World Summit on Information Society (December 2003, Geneva and November 2005, Tunis). It is a valid instrument in order to guarantee effective cooperation between Local Authorities (cities, regions and local governments) to access the Information Society, the basic ambience for their social and economic development. www.it4all-regions.org/ |
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Global Cities Dialogue(GCD) Global Cities Dialogue is a worldwide network of cities, which are interested in realising their potential for creating an information society free of social exclusion and based on sustainable development. It works on the premise that cities have a key role to play in the information society. Created in November 1999, it is a political platform to share knowledge and experiences. www.globalcitiesdialogue.org/ |
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European Regional Association for the Information Society (eris@) Founded in 1998, the European Regional Information Society Association is the only European association established with the specific goal of supporting regions so that they can use the opportunities offered by the information society in order to achieve regional development and growth. IANIS, the Innovative Actions Network for the Information Society, is coordinated by eris@. www.ianis.net/ |
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Telecities Telecities was founded as part of the Eurocities framework in 1993 and it is a network of European cities committed to leading the knowledge and information society. It is a platform of 127 local authorities from 20 European countries to share knowledge and experiences. www.eurocities.org/telecities/ index.html |
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URB-AL URB-AL is a European Commission decentralised cooperation programme that cover the main spheres of urban policy and is aimed at the local collectivities of the European Union and Latin America, as well as other players in the urban sector. Network no. 13 is an URB-AL project that was selected by the European Commission. The theme is “City and Information Society”, which the city of Bremen is coordinating. www2.bremen.de/urb-al/ index_ie.html |
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SIDAR Foundation-Universal Access The “SIDAR Foundation – Universal Access” is working towards ensuring that the Information Society throughout Latin America is accessible and is for everyone. The main goal of the Foundation is to conduct studies and activities aimed at developing actions in the areas of training, awareness, research, development, advice, exchange and anything that facilitates the development of an accessible Information Society for all. www.sidar.org/index.php |
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Wireless Internet Institute W2i is an independent think tank bringing together stakeholders around the world to accelerate the adoption of wireless Internet in support of universal connectivity for economic, social and educational development. It is holding the IV W21 (Wireless Internet Institute) Convention in Bilbao (7-9 November 2005), organised in cooperation with UNITAR and the Basque Government. www.w2idigitalcities convention.com/ 11092005/index.html |
| STATES AND SUPRANATIONAL AUTHORITIES | |
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European Union Politically independent institution that represents and defends the interests of the European Union overall, proposes legislation, policies and action programmes and is in charge of applying the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. europa.eu.int/comm/ |
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Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade The Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, headed by the Minister, José Montilla, is implementing an active policy with respect to the Information Society with programmes such as Digital Cities, Forintel, PISTA, PROFIT; Internet for all, Red.es, etc. There are two Secretariats of State in its Ministry: the Secretariat of State for Tourism and Trade and the Secretariat of State for Telecommunications and for the Information Society, which is headed by the Secretary of State, Francisco Ros. www2.mityc.es/dgdsi/ |
| COMPANIES | |
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ALCATEL Alcatel develops and integrates technologies, applications, and services to offer innovative global communications solutions. These solutions enable telecom operators, Internet access providers, companies, and public administrations to deliver the multimedia services (telephony, fast Internet access, and video) their customers or users need in a broadband world. www.alcatel.com/ sustainable/DigitalBridge/index.htm |
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Innovation Foundation Bankinter The “Fundación de la Innovación Bankinter” (Bankinter Innovation Foundation) is a reference organisation for its mission: to promote and consolidate Innovation as a cultural value and a standard of behaviour in the Spanish business fabric. With its Foundation, Bankinter is determined to influence over the present through looking towards the future, stimulating the creation of new business opportunities based on cutting edge technology and management. With one of its main projects, the “Future Trends Forum” (FTF), the Foundation carries out different activities addressed to the country’s entrepreneurs, business professionals and top executives, in which they have the opportunity to be punctually informed about the leading technological trends and world currents, through its studies and conferences, which are unique in the market. By doing this, Bankinter reinforces its commitment not only with society, but also with its strategic pillars, within the framework of its aim of being a company which is a reference of responsibility with society. Publications by the Foundation: http://www.ftforum.org/
ebankinter: https://www.ebankinter.com
ebankinter empresas: https://empresas.ebankinter.com
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Eroski Group Foundation Eroski, the leading cooperative in the distribution sector which, for decades, has been known for its awareness shown to consumers and environmental and social issues, gives great importance to an approach based on solidarity. Eroski Group Foundation has continued with its solidarity actions and sustainable development initiatives and is a full member of the United Nations World Agreement. For the third year running, the Eroski Group has been recognised as the most socially responsible group in a study run by the Company and Society Foundation. www.fundacioneroski.es |
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EUSKALTEL Euskaltel, S.A., an integral telecommunications operator in the Basque Country, is deploying it fibre optic network in order to provide service to homes and enterprises in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. It offers services which include fixed telephony, mobile telephony, cable television and Internet access. With 514 professionals on its workforce, Euskaltel revenues in 2004 attributable to operations amounted to 291 million euros, with an increase of 11% in invoicing to customers. The company obtained a market share of 25% for the sector in the Basque Country. The total accumulated investment reached 1,041 million euros. www.euskaltel.es |
| LOCAL AUTHORITIES | |
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Bilbao City Council Home to the Summit and a cutting-edge city in terms of the use of NICTs. Internationally, the Basque Country has shown its commitment to helping train Local Authorities by setting up an International Training Centre for Local Authorities (CIFAL) specialising in the Information Society. As a centre cooperating with the United National Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), CIFAL BILBAO helps to develop the skills of Local Authorities by exchanging experiences and preparing Information Society development plans that are adapted to the specific needs and potentials of each territory. It has been involved in the Summit process right from the start and is part of the group that is the driving force behind the Digital Solidarity Fund. Bilbao hosted the European Regional Conference of Local Authorities in February 2003 (IT4ALL- Challenges and Opportunities for the Regions in the new Information Society) prior to the Lyon and Geneva Summits in the same year. It belongs to the most important networks worldwide relating to the Information Society and local authorities. www.bilbao.net/ WebBilbaonet/home_c.jsp?idioma=c |
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Bizkaia Regional Government Bizkaia is one of the three Basque territories that has pioneered the development of the Information Society and been the driving force behind the hosting of the IT4ALL - Challenges and Opportunities for the Regions in the new Information Society through Lantik, a public company set up by the Bizkaia Regional Government in order to propose organisational and technological solutions in the sphere of the information society. www.bizkaia.net/home2/ |
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Tunis City Council Headquarters of the II phase of the WSIS. It has been involved in the Summit process right from the start and is part of the group that is the driving force behind the Digital Solidarity Fund. www.smsitunis2005.org/ plateforme/ index.php?lang=en |
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Lyon City Council It has been involved in the Summit process right from the start and is part of the group that is the driving force behind the Digital Solidarity Fund. Lyon hosted the I World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities on the Information Society. http://www.lyon.fr/ |
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Geneva City Council It has been involved in the Summit process right from the start and is part of the group that is the driving force behind the Digital Solidarity Fund. Geneva hosted the I World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities on the Information Society. www.wsisgeneva2003.org/ |
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Dakar Regional Council It has been involved in the Summit process right from the start and is part of the group that is the driving force behind the Digital Solidarity Fund. In fact, the DSF is an initiative of the President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade. It has hosted various regional conferences of local authorities and is an example to be followed in Africa with respect to the application of NICTs for development. www.homeviewsenegal.sn/ Cr-dakar/ motpr.asp |
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Piedmont Region The President of this Italian region, Mercedes Bresso, is a leading figure thank to her defence of the role of local authorities. She has been the president of the World Federation of United Cities (FMCU) and coordinator of CAMVAL, (world coordination of cities associations). These organisations are currently part of the United Cities and Local Governments. She has also been a member of the Committee of the Regions. Piedmont has been involved in the Summit process right from the start and its capital, Turin, is part of the group that is the driving force behind the Digital Solidarity Fund. www.regione.piemonte.it/ |
| FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | |
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Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) The decision was taken to set up this initiative during the Geneva World Summit and it is aimed at channelling the help from the most developed regions to the emerging ones so that they can access the New Information and Communication Technologies. www.dsf-fsn.org/en/15c-en.htm |