FSCONS Manifesto

✍ Draft

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This is the draft version of the manifesto, where edits are made. For the current official version of the manifesto see https://fscons.org/manifesto Editing process: here is how the manifesto is updated:

1. The Policy Committee works on revising the the manifesto throughout the year, based on input from members and from participants at the conference.
2. The revised version is presented to the members at the yearly meeting in the beginning of the year. If the members accept the proposed revisions, this becomes the version that organizers, sponsors, speakers and other participants agree on for FSCONS this year.

FSCONS Manifesto v2014

Purpose

Föreningen FSCONS exists to provide a meeting place where subjects relating to freedom within society, culture and technology can be brought to life in peer discussions. Föreningen FSCONS should provide a forum where people, organisations and public sector, with interest in the three subject areas can meet in a participatory and constructive dialogue. The combination of topics creates a platform where new co-operations and thoughts can emerge which allows the participants to find new sources of inspiration.

Background

FSCONS stands for Free Society Conference and Nordic Summit. While initially founded as Free Software conference Scandinavia, the conference has evolved into a yearly conference with a much broader scope - focusing on the interaction between culture, society and technology.

The conference was first held in 2007 as a small but focused free software conference in Gothenburg. The first FSCONS was well received, and the conference has been recurring annually since then. Between 2007 and 2011 the conference was hosted by FFKP - The Society for Free Culture and Software. In 2012 the non-profit association Föreningen FSCONS was founded. Since then, the members of the association organise the conference FSCONS, in collaboration with other organisations.

Foundations

1. The participants make the conference:
   FSCONS should generate new ideas and the interaction between peers is important. There is no hierarchy, placing some participants at the top and other participants at the bottom. Everyone contributes to FSCONS according to their ability.
   1. Speakers are participants:
      Speakers are participants who give scheduled presentations as part of their contribution to the conference.
   2. Volunteers are participants:
      Volunteers are participants who work during scheduled shifts as part of their contribution to the conference.
2. Participants respect each other:
   We are non-discriminatory and accessible. We take an active stand for everyone's equal value, fundamental rights and freedoms. All participants are equally welcome. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form.
3. FSCONS lets different opinions interact:
   We encourage a constructive dialogue between different stakeholders.
4. FSCONS should generate new thinking:
   FSCONS brings people together, with the aim of being an enabling starting point for dialogue and new co-operations. The content should challenge the participants' views, and encourage new thinking. We must dare to approach and talk about new subjects.
5. Föreningen FSCONS strives to lower the barriers for participation:
   We actively work to make sure that our activities are accessible to everyone, regardless of experience, physiology, social class etc. We are open, transparent and inclusive in how we work, and what we do.
6. Föreningen FSCONS works for sustainability:
   All work carried out by Föreningen FSCONS should contribute towards a sustainable society and ecology.
7. Föreningen FSCONS is not just a conference:
   The aim of Föreningen FSCONS is to promote discussions of freedom, equality and change within the areas of society, culture and technology throughout the year, not just at the annual conference.

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Goals

Below are the goals that Föreningen FSCONS have set for the annual conference. The goals should ideally be measurable, identifiable and attainable.

List of goals

FSCONS should:

1. equally address the following subjects:
   1. Society, including integrity, privacy, freedom of speech, human rights and access to knowledge,
   2. Culture, including visual arts and crafts, literature, performing arts and the broad spectrum of newer cultural expressions,
   3. Technology, including software and hardware in a broad meaning, as well as questions of infrastructure and networks
2. spark interesting discussions and co-operations
3. have a fair and reasonable, within 60/40, gender distribution among participants
4. be accessible and have low barriers for participation
5. encourage new first-time attendees, and evaluate their experience
6. be financially self-supporting, while setting aside funds for side-events and future activities of the association
7. work for a sustainable society and ecology

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Approaches to accomplishing the goals

1. Hold social events, with discussions and informal talks
2. Invite the public sector and non-governmental organisations to present their ongoing work at FSCONS
3. Invite corporations and organisations to contribute to FSCONS, to incorporate FSCONS in their internal training programs, and to take part in the ongoing discussion on technology in society
4. Find concrete approaches that promote a fair and reasonable gender distribution among the participants
5. Collaborate with organizations working with disabilities to gain insight into and methods to meet our accessibility goal
6. Find ways for individuals to participate in the organization and implementation of FSCONS,
7. Establish a system of mentors from previous participants at FSCONS who can guide new participants at the conference
8. Establishing lasting long-term collaborations with sponsors of FSCONS
9. Recycle and reuse materials to minimise our ecological foot-print
10. Encourage sharing of ideas and technology to promote a more equal and sustainable society
11. Continuously measure and evaluate our approaches in terms of meeting the stated goals

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See Also

• FSCONS Anti-harassment policy
• Manifesto metrics
• Back to main FSCONS 2014 Planning page
• Comments on the manifesto from FSCONS 2011
• Comments on the manifesto from FSCONS 2012
• Policies aspect

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