The run-up to the 2008 iSummit in Japan is blazing new trails in building public-private partnerships.

More than just an event, the iSummit is a dynamic exercise in global collaboration, with partners in Sapporo, Tokyo and throughout the world, incorporating and coordinating resources and investment from government, the private sector and civil society.

In the lead-up to the iSummit, iCommons is working with its dynamic Japanese partners the City of Sapporo, Digital Garage and Creative Commons Japan to deliver an event that has impact beyond August 1, 2008. This is a rare public-private partnership in the realm of the digital commons, which has grounded the iSummit in the reality of creative industry, public duty and non-profit sustainability in both South Africa (home to the iCommons global headquarters) and in Japan.

Providing a framework that supports an ecosystem of innovators that is both sustainable and allows for the freedom to create is integral to ensuring that free culture can thrive. Partnerships that unite people and organisations from government, the public sector and the private sector not only feed the development of free culture, but also are an embodiment of the spirit of sharing and collaborating that make the free culture movement uniquely placed to shape the future of the internet for everyone.

Thanks to our valued sponsors, the iSummit 08 will provide an exciting platform for all attendees to find new ways of working together to create common knowledge resources and platforms for cultural expression and sharing. Through the support of creative agency Loftwork, and Netprice, an organisation bringing new value to eCommerce, the iSummit will be able to reach new members of the free culture movement in Asia.

TRI-B, the leading communications solutions agency in Hokkaido and Naver, the No.1 Search Portal in Korea have also committed their support and we'd like to welcome Kadokawa and the Internet Society too, as the latest organisations to partner with the event.

The support of Wired, our International Media Partner, ensures that the iSummit's global visibility is boosted beyond Japan and South Africa, to the rest of the world.

The iSummit '08 - 29 July - 01 Aug - is presented by iCommons in association with Digital Garage, Creative Commons Japan and the City of Sapporo, with valued sponsorship partners such as Loftwork and Netprice. 
 
About iCommons
Founded in 2005 iCommons is an international organisation with a mission to develop open, transparent digital communities that support innovation, entrepreneurship and social change. Now independent, iCommons was originally incubated by Creative Commons which has now become one of five members of iCommons Ltd, a UK registered charity with HQ in Johannesburg.
 
Issued by: iCommons Ltd
For more information please contact: Rosanne Hack - rosanne 'at' icommons 'dot' org
Tel: +27 11 327 3155