Paris, 4 May 2009


EFITA newsletter / 411 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


This letter on the efita web site: http://www.efita.net?d=6465


Joint International Agricultural Conference 2009: ICT & Precision farming
6 - 8 July - WAGENINGEN (NL)
See: http://www.jiac2009.nl
See: http://www.efita.net?d=6463


The UFL antispam is blocking the efita newsletter
I receive the EFITA newsletter regular and thanks a lot for your wonderful work.
Our University has a spam software in place, but each recipient could create a white list to avoid blocking the email. Keep up the good work.
Contact: Jiannong XIN
E-mail: xin(a)ufl.edu


3rd International Conference on “e-Democracy”
23 – 25 September - ATHENS

With the number of Internet users continuing to grow at high rates and web based applications dominating business and governance procedures, it is time to consider the impact of the networked world, review its influence and discuss and shape its future role in our working and social lives.

The term e-democracy has often been misinterpreted and hijacked by specific focus groups that try to monopolize research and interest in issues of limited scope. In an attempt to clear the horizon and disseminate information on the technological, ethical, legal, and political challenges of the future, as regards the technological developments in Information and Communication Technologies in the area of privacy and security of personal data, the Hellenic Scientific Council of Information Society (HSCIS), with the support of the Data Protection Authority of Greece (DPA), are organising every three years “The International e-Democracy Conference”.

In September 2009, the HSCIS with the active participation of the Greek Data Protection Authority and nearly all the Greek and a substantial number of European Universities take the bold step in opening up the term of e-democracy to its full potential and the new challenges. That is why, the 3rd International e-Democracy Conference is focussing on “Next Generation Society: Technological and Legal issues”( www.e-democracy2009.gr). The thematic areas of the conference include:
- Identity management
- Privacy, trust and dependability
- Cyber-crime and organized crime
- Digital surveillance, tracking, and monitoring
- Social networking, blogs
- Education and training
- Online security
- Pervasive, ubiquitous, and intelligent computing
- e-Participation and Local e-government
- Digital divide
- Web-mobile ethics
- Cyber-economics
- Virtual communities.

All the above areas suggest, prescribe and dictate not only your presence but your active co-operation and participation in the organisation of this Conference. We expect that the so far expressed support by
- the European Union,
- the Greek Government,
- the Greek Data Protection Authority and
- eminent academics and personalities around the world,

combined with Your protagonist role in order to concentrate on real and necessary steps for the protection of personal data and privacy will create the necessary atmosphere and will establish the Athenian e-Democracy Conferences as historic events and fora in obtaining our common goal.

Gathering in Athens, the birth place of ancient democracy, scientists and practitioners from every corner of the world will attempt to discuss, review, examine, critically analyze and define the future impact of the Internet and its related technologies on life and society in the 21st century.

Based on the focus and contribution of your organisation in the protection of personal data and privacy, as well as your role in educating and influencing, resolving problems and enforcing related policies and measures for e-democracy, we would like to address an invitation for participating as co-organizers in this conference. We feel that your contribution will be decisive in creating awareness and providing information on the technological, ethical, legal, and political challenges of the future as regards the technological developments in ICT in the area of privacy and security of personal data. In this context, proposals for paper presentations, organisation of tutorials and workshops in the conference are also encouraged.
See: http://www.e-democracy2009.gr
Contact: Alexander SIDERIDIS
E-mail: as(a)aua.gr


World Intellectual Property Day 2009 Promotes Green Innovation. Innovation in Plant Science Enables Sustainable Agriculture
Brussels – 24 April, 2009 — On World Intellectual Property Day, CropLife International joins the international community in celebrating the recognition of human ingenuity. This year’s theme, “Promoting Green Innovation,” draws attention to the importance of advancing innovative technologies which enable a sustainable future.  
 
Plant science solutions are continuously being developed and applied to feed more people using less land and fewer natural resources. The plant science industry invests heavily in developing solutions to ensure food security for a growing population.
 
Scientists are developing plant varieties to assist farmers growing crops in difficult environmental stress conditions, such as water scarcity, salinity, and heat. Plant science products are also important in the fight against malaria and in combating locusts.
 
Agricultural innovation has doubled the production of world food calories since 1960 and increased per-capita food supplies in the developing world by 25%. Plant science tools, such as crop protection products and plant biotechnology have contributed to these gains.
 
“One-third of all agricultural research is now conducted by private sector companies. Intellectual property protection provides the incentive for these companies to develop improved crop protection products and better plant varieties, which can make a valuable contribution to sustainable productivity in agriculture,” said Howard Minigh, President and CEO of CropLife International.
 
As we approach World Intellectual Property Day 2009, CropLife International reaffirms the role intellectual property rights play in ensuring that technology continues to help agriculture improve yields sustainably.
See: http://www.croplife.org/
Contact: Anna RILEY
E-mail: anna.riley(a)croplife.org


You Gotta Love the Irish
Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place, I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!"

Miraculously, a parking place appeared.

Paddy looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one."


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