humanitarian.info

Finally, a decent wireless connection at WSIS. This means I can take my first steps in the wonderful world of blogging live, from the ICT4Peace session. I’ve just descended from the stage, having presented the ICT4Peace report, in order to allow our range of guest speakers to take their seats. From left to right, we have Chamindra de Silva (Lanka Software Foundation), Dag Nielsen (Ericsson Response Team), Linton Wells (US Department of Defense), President Marti Ahtisaari of Finland (who’s speaking as I type), Jose Antonio Ocampo (Under-Secretary General of the UN), Raymond Johansen (Secretary of State of Norway) and Ambassador Daniel Stauffacher of Switzerland.

To be honest, I can’t believe that we managed to put this panel together. If we’re not careful, they’ll reach critical mass and form a diplomatic black hole. (Except for Chamindra and Dag, who we’ll have to rescue, otherwise I won’t be able to continue working with them on Sahana and NGO communications.) All of them are interesting speakers, with very different perspectives – the only thing standing between us and that diplomatic black hole is our moderator, Hilary Bowker.