L4D Learning for Democracy

IFIP Strategy Plan: Preparing a Draft IFIP Strategy Plan for discussions and acceptance in GA-2006

The President informed Council that following discussions at Council-2005 (Korea) and GA-2005 (Gaborone), the IFIP Strategy Task Force developed a first collection of arguments and suggestions for an IFIP Strategy Plan. The draft document was discussed between members of the Task Force and EB in a meeting mid-December (Goodenough College, London). At this stage, the paper concentrated on the analysis of changes as observed between 1960 – year of IFIP’s foundation – and the presence. While the market of players in the IT marketplace have changed significantly and developed more complex relationships, IFIP’s general statements about its “Mission” as well as “Aims and Scopes” are still valid although needing some enhancements.

The document had been distributed to TC chairs and Council members before Council. The discussion during Council included validation and enhancement of the arguments, and added suggestions for implementation and potential adaptations. Among the questions to be discussed will also be the role of the different classes of IFIP events and products. From the discussions at Council, the Task Force will develop an update of the Draft IFIP Strategy Plan which will be discussed, together with further comments from TCs and GA reps, in a meeting of the Task Force and EB (early summer). The final version of the IFIP Strategy Plan will be tabled at GA-2006 for discussion and acceptance.

Even at this (intermediate) stage, EB regards the work invested from the Task Force (chair: R. Morel) as very helpful. The major work which needs to be done will include suggestions for new ways and means how IFIP and its member societies may jointly achieve the goals as laid out in the Strategy Plan.