[Imc] IMC GLOBAL: Principles of Unity

Mon May 21 16:01:30 UTC 2001

below is a draft of a document to create a set of principles governing the 
entire IMC network.  our feedback as a part of the IMC network is 
requested.  please read and come to the UCIMC steering group meetings to 
add your perspective (if you can not make it to these meetings, you can 
e-mail me with your concerns).

--sascha

>To All Local IMC's:
>
>The following document is a draft of the Principles of Unity for the 
>entire IMC network.  This document was based on principles culled from 18 
>months of at large interaction on the IMC Process list serve.  Those 
>principles were discussed and debated among approximately 70 IMC members 
>from around the world at the Press Freedom Conference in San Francisco on 
>April 27-29, 2000.  A working group was formed to present the draft 
>document to all of the local IMC's for feedback.
>
>Although this post is in English, the document has been sent to 
>translations and other languages will be posted as soon as they are 
>available.  If you have a specific language request, please let us know.
>
>We are hoping to reach network-wide consensus on this document by mid-July.
>In order to do that, we ask that one spokesperson from each local IMC 
>facilitate this effort by presenting this document to their group, 
>gathering feedback and reporting that feedback to us (e.g. one spokes from 
>IMC Boston sends one email to the Unity list with concerns, objections or 
>suggestions raised by that local).  PLEASE SEND ALL CONCERNS, OBJECTIONS 
>OR SUGGESTIONS TO IMC-UNITY at INVITRO.CAT.ORG.AU BY JUNE 15, 2000.
>
>After June 15, the working group will spend two weeks incorporating the 
>local feedback and will repost the document on June 30, 2000.  Final 
>comments from local IMC's should be sent to the above address by July 15.
>Spokespersons from all IMC's will meet via IRC (and telephone when 
>necessary) for final consensus within the week following (exact date to be 
>announced).  The results of that meeting will be posted by the Unity 
>working group by July 25.
>
>This document is a work in progress and an attempt to state the basic 
>principles for which we all stand.  As such, please take time in your 
>local meeting to read, debate and discuss it.  All bracketed items are 
>part of the priciples of unity but have been specifically identified as in 
>need of further definition, clarification and "wordsmithing."
>
>Please feel free to contact the working group with any questions.  We 
>welcome and look forward to your input.
>
>Best regards,
>Cayce Callaway
>IMC-Unity Working Group
>
>Principles of Unity
>
>1. The Independent Media Center Network1 (IMCN) is based upon principles 
>of equality, decentralization and local autonomy. The IMCN is not derived 
>from a centralized bureaucratic process, but from the self-organization of 
>autonomous collectives that recognize the importance in developing a union 
>of networks.
>
>2. All IMC's consider open exchange of 2 and open access to information a 
>prerequisite to the building of a more free and just society.
>
>[3. All IMC's respect the right of activists who choose not to be 
>photographed or filmed.] 3
>
>4. All IMC's, based upon the trust of their contributors and readers, 
>shall utilize open web based 4 publishing, allowing individuals, groups 
>and organizations to express their views, anonymously  if desired. 5**see 
>appendix: Open Publishing document (still in proposal phase, at this 
>address: 
>http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-communication/2001-April/001707.html)
>
>5. The IMC Network and all local IMC collectives shall be not-for-profit. 6
>
>6. All IMC's recognize the importance of process to social change and are 
>committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-authoritarian 
>relationships 7, from interpersonal relationships to group dynamics.
>Therefore, shall organize themselves collectively and be committed to the 
>principle of consensus decision making and the development of a [direct, 
>participatory democratic process 8] that is transparent to its membership.
>
>7. [All IMC's recognize that a prerequisite for participation in the 
>decision making process of each local group is the contribution of an 
>individual's labor to the group.] 9
>
>8. All IMC's are committed to caring for one another and our respective 
>communities both collectively and as individuals and will promote the 
>sharing of resources including knowledge, skills and equipment. 10
>
>9. All IMC's shall be committed to the use of free source code, whenever 
>possible, in order to develop the digital infrastructure, and to increase 
>the independence of the network by not relying on proprietary software.
>
>10. All IMC's shall be committed to the principle of human equality, and 
>shall not discriminate, including discrimination  based upon race, gender, 
>age, class or sexual orientation.11 Recognizing the vast cultural 
>traditions within the network, we are committed to building [diversity] 12 
>within our localities.
>
>NOTES:
>
>1. Strike "Confederated".  Change name of network to Independent Media 
>Center Network.  Concept of confederation still very useful and should be 
>integrated into charter somewhere but not in title.  Requires definition 
>and education to dispel the connotations that many North Americans have 
>for the term "Confederation."
>
>2. Strike "free speech". Replace with: "open exchange of and open access 
>to information.."
>
>3. Bracketed for further working group efforts to pin down concept of 
>respect for anonymity balanced with public nature of journalistic efforts.
>Also, general statement of respectfulness.
>
>4. Strike "digital", replace with "web based."
>
>5. Strike "without fear of censorship."
>Replace with appendix: Open Publishing document.  Possibly include 
>anti-censorship philosophy and references to  Articles 15 and 16.
>
>6. Rephrasing from proposed charter.
>
>7. Combination of #'s 6 and 8 from proposed charter. #6 now contains what 
>was the first part of #8.
>
>8. Requires better definition of terms.
>
>9. Possible removal and insertion into the "Criteria for membership."
>
>10. Addition of language describing commitment to each other and 
>communities and efforts to share knowledge and resources. (heart of the 
>matter, IMHO)
>
>11. Added "class." Phrased so as not to exclude other forms of 
>discrimination while highlighting these as core.
>
>12. Further definition of term "Diversity" is necessary.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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