iCommons is proud to announce the release of the iSummit '08 programme schedule - a definitive guide to the 'who, what, where and when' of this global event dedicated to highlighting the latest developments in Open movements from every sphere.

The iSummit labs are packed to capacity with workshops, speed-geeking sessions, poster presentations, debates, and keynote addresses to inspire and inform both physical and remote participants. The iSummit programme coordinator, James Cairns commented: "Our six labs have burgeoned into potentially spectacular events and it seems that there is going to be severe competition for participants' attention at the iSummit."

Some of the highlights of the programme include the DIY Video lab, which will be hosting a session on open tools and business models pertaining specifically to video and the 'Using video to change the world!' session that will analyse how video may be used as a tool to effect social change. Other sessions of interest include the 'Maximising Community Involvement in Open Education Resources', which will discuss how to best engage communities in the production of resources in order to maximise dissemination, sustainability and quality in education. The Open Business lab will be hosting a session on collecting societies to discuss the latest interesting developments in the music industry in Australia and Denmark. Musicians will also be there to give first hand experience on the effects that such societies have on their work.

The first Interdisciplinary Research Workshop on Free Culture also has an exciting line-up including luminaries such as Yochai Benkler and Jonathan Zittrain. One of the highlights of the lab is the 'Online Communities and Social Networks' session that will investigate how communities behave and collaborate, with two of the papers looking at the Wikipedia and Flickr communities specifically.

Extending the iSummit footprint, even those unable to visit Sapporo will have the opportunity to experience the event. Activities will include liveblogging, a dedicated Wiki with resource lists, in-depth articles and a Flickr feed of photos. The keynotes will be streamed and will be available on the iSummit Youtube channel and Dotsub collection and a daily podcast will be produced. With so much to do, participants from around the world will have the chance to engage in the discussion and contribute to what is set to be a ground-breaking event.

The iSummit will take place in Sapporo, Japan - 29 July to 1 August, 2008 and is presented by iCommons in association with Digital Garage, Creative Commons Japan and the City of Sapporo, with valued sponsorship partners such as IETSI, Nokia, Loftwork and Netprice and media partners Wired magazine and Al Jazeera - an international platform dedicated to voicing untold stories, promoting debate, and challenges established perceptions.

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. - icommons.org

Issued by: iCommons Ltd
For more information please contact: Rosanne Hack  
rosanne@icommons.org  tel: +27 11 327 3155