SELECTIVE DOCUMENTS ON GII

GOBAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION LAUNCHED*

[Information Highway News]
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Global Information Infrastructure Commission Launched
A press release from the GII Commission
February 25, 1995

Abstract:

"A high level international commission designed to promote private sector leadership on information infrastructure issues was to be launched, announced Diana Lady Dougan, Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Chair of its International Communications Studies Program.

The GII Commission's four major goals are: to marshal private sector across industries and sectors; strengthen the links among national information infra-structure bodies; facilitate forums, research and policy options; and promote projects and program utilizing telecommunications and information services supporting such key areas as education, health care, government management and the environment."

Complete Document:

Feb. 25, 1995

Brussels - A high level international commission designed to promote private sector leadership on information infrastructure issues was to be launched, announced Diana Lady Dougan, Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Chair of its International Communications Studies Program. The new Global Information Infrastructure Commission will be co chaired by three distinguished leaders in international business and communica-tion. Co chair for the Americans is Lester Alberthal, Chairman & CEO of Electronic Data Systems (EDS); Co chair for Europe and Africa is Dr. Hans Baur, Vice President Emeritus of Siemens and Member of the ITU's World Telecommunications Advisory Council; Co chair for Asia is Minoru Makihara, President of the Mitsubishi Corporation. Ambassador Dougan will Chair the Commission's Steering Committee.

"The GII Commission is being established at a critical time in the evolution of telecommunications and informatics world wide," noted Ambassador Dougan. " While there is a broad agreement that the challenge must shift more to the private sector, the focus globally is still on governmental rather than industry leadership. As an independent, non governmental initiative, the GII Commission has as its objective to provide a broadly gauged framework to reinforce private sector leadership and cooperation with governments outside traditional bureaucratic and geo political constraints." Ambassador Dougan added: "The Commission's purpose is best summed up by its motto, 'forging a new construct for public and private sector cooperation'. Focus will be on what's working and why, not rehash-ing the litany of problems in the abstract."

The GII Commission will be spearheaded by thirty leaders representing diverse industries, organizations, and field of expertise from less developing as well as from industrialized countries. As a private sector led initiative, the GII Commission applauds the "Agenda for Cooperation" proposal announced on February 15 by Vice President Gore and looks forward to working with the U.S. and other governments in reinforcing the key role of private sector leadership in developing the global information highway.

The GII Commission's four major goals are: to marshal private sector across industries and sectors; strengthen the links among national information infra-structure bodies; facilitate forums, research and policy options; and promote projects and program utilizing telecommunications and information services supporting such key areas as education, health care, government management and the environment.

During its first year of operation, the GII Commission will concentrate on strengthening ties among the various national initiatives and on reinforcing cross sector cooperation. In this context, Ambassador Dougan says that the Commis-sion will conduct sectoral "GII Challenge Hearings" in cooperation with organi-zations in a number of countries. The Commission will function under a three year mandate but will encourage industry led initiatives designed to be self sustaining beyond that time.

The GII Commission's inaugural function will be a Forum on GII Private Sector Leadership to be held this Friday, February 24th in Brussels at the Conrad Hotel, from 2.15 5.00 pm. The event is open to the press. The Forum precedes the G7 Ministerial Conference on the Global Information Society commencing the following day. For further information, contact Dr. Ernest Wilson, Deputy Director, GIIC, at 202 775 3266.