|
Agenda
The Vocabulary
of Standards
The objective
of this short and intense conference is to examine a vocabulary
and mode of decision-making, particularly the mode of arriving at
critical standards as they pervade new information technologies.
In terms of deliverables, we hope a) to have a book which contains
the papers prepared for the conference, in addition to other contributions;
b) possibly a terse concluding paper, at the end of the conference,
that sets forth a direction, priorities, and modes of proceeding;
c) a stronger network of concern about shaping of standards.
The agenda follows
with this caveat: one aspiration of the purpose of the conference
is to shake up or revise thinking about standards and especially
to rethink what is meant by increasing public participation in the
formation of standards that strongly affect social structures. We've
gathered together what we think is a distinguished group, experienced
in the existing vocabulary of standards. We want to be structured
but also open, both at the conference and before it in terms of
suggestions about the agenda or your particular contributions. This
will not be a conference which is structured wholly or largely by
the giving of papers and commenting on them. The papers are framing
documents and instigations for conversation.
December 7, 2003
8:00 p.m.
Informal session, cocktails, introductions
December
8, 2003
Session 1:
9:30-11:00
The first session will set the tone for this process of reexamination.
We intend to go around the room and ask each person to provide a
two or three minute view on which angle or angles he or she thinks
vital for assessing and reassessing the standards setting process.
We would appreciate it if each of you sent us electronically a version
of this presentation and we would circulate it to participants before
the meeting.
Session 2:
11:00-12:30
In this session, we wish to examine strategic questions: how
are or should areas of standard-setting be prioritized in terms
of scrutiny or involvement. Are there analytical models, within
industrial sectors or categories of software for determining strategies
for the allocation of resources in the enhancement of standards?
Is there a taxonomy of standards within or cross sectors in terms
of their importance for society). Are there differentiated leverage
points which establish priorities, or does it have to do with organization
of society or structure of an industry? Are there standards that,
as gatekeepers, should stand in a separate category for public interest
scrutiny? How should those who wish to allocate resources for public
interest involvement in standard setting determine opportunities
that increase impact?
Session 3:
2:00-3:30
Based on the work of the morning, we should continue looking
at case studies, illustration of sectors to establish some more
sophisticated mode of thinking about who sets standards, how and
where. What are the given polarities and are they the exclusive
or correct ones: (Developing v. Developed) (Public v. Private) (Open
v. Closed). What specific case studies are subjects of papers for
this workshop or what case studies should be commissioned?
Session 4:
4:30-6:00
Towards Procedural Justice in Standard Setting: Processes, procedures
and values in standard setting (Transparency, Participation, Efficiency,
Ethics in the standard setting process). Here, too, there should
be a case study based discussion of determining preferred models
for participation and identification of standard-setting venues
that require differentiated levels of public interest attention.
December
9, 2003
Session 1:
9:00-10:30
- Innovation
and Methodology: This section will try to draw together the observations
and perceptions of the first day into specific areas for moving
forward. These will include exploring innovative ways to define
and redefine standards, and ways to re-engage existing actors
and determine modes of engaging non-actors. One focus will be
on capacity-building strategies to broaden and enrich public debate.
- Areas for
research and advocacy
- Systemic
and Structural Interventions
Session 2:
11:00-1:00
Closure: A primer
on Standard and Standard Setting - Discussion Draft
Lunch and End
of Conference
|
