CPSR Board Elections, Candidates, 2004

• Kwami R. Ahiabenu, II
  
• Nancy Brigham
  
• John Dwyer
  
• Robert Guerra
  
• Sush Gupta
  
• Desiree Miloshevic
  

Background

I am currently working in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)for Development (ICT4D) area. My major interest is information and networking component of ICT4D, researching in various ways we can provide information and networking space to facilitate the use of ICT for development. I am involved numerous projects in this direction : Medical Education Resource Africa(working on expanding health information delivery for health workers using offline and online means), AITEC AFRICA www.aitecafrica.com, (developing ICT market and industry in Ghana) Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS)www.ginks.org and ; editor of an ICT4D online and offline vehicle called www.iconnectghana.org in partnership with www.iicd.org.

Also working on Penplusbytes Project, an international institute aimed at mainstreaming Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the Mediawww.penplusbytes.org.

I have played and continue to play a lot of leadership role, including working on ICT policy initiatives and myriad of projects.

Since 2002 I having being serving as a mentor on Ghana New Ventures Competition www.gnvc.org with the mission of "building the infrastructure of entrepreneurship in Ghana" in all areas.

Statement

This year marks the end of my term as a director of CPSR, it has being a very interesting experience. Over this period I have worked very hard to promote CPSR in Africa, though this effort has being rewarded with a lot more people on the continent knowing about CPSR. At the same time there is a lot more work to be done to ensure that CPSR becomes a true global player. CPSR is undergoing a lot relevant changes at this point in time and I believe by staying for re-election, I can contribute to shaping the future CPSR as it becomes a true international organization.

My vision for CPSR is to ensure that maintains a key focus on priority areas while at the same time maintaining visibility and influence.

By standing for this election, I hope I can help bring about change in CPSR and make a difference

Email: kwami (a) infoelink.com

Nancy Brigham

Background

As a long-time activist, my communications and organizing experience could help CPSR turn expertise into influence.

That experience includes running the communications department of a school that educated activists in the 1970s; work as a writer and publicist; and writing and publishing the book "How to Do Leaflets, Newsletters and Papers" which sold 60,000 copies in 3 editions. For two decades I directed the United Auto Workers' (UAW) internal press organization, where I also ran communications conferences, wrote speeches, and edited a news service for unions across the U.S. and Canada. In 1995 I launched the UAW's award-winning web site and served as webmaster until my desire to master the technical skills I'd been hiring other people to do led me to go back to school.

Decades after graduating from Brown University, I earned an M.S. in Information at the University of Michigan. I now design web sites and databases, often using php and other open-source programs, and am on the web committee of the Association for Women in Computing. I designed and oversee the United Electrical Workers' international solidarity web site and have recently written for labor journals and the National Lawyers Guild about the use of Internet technology to organize internationally. I served on the committee that created the 6-story arch and pavilion honoring labor in downtown Detroit and serve on an ACLU communications committee.

I maintain decent fluency in both Spanish and French and have run workshops on machine translation in both the U.S. and Mexico, and teach workshops at annual LaborTech conferences.

Statement

I accepted the challenge to run for the Board because I value the collective technical and organizational expertise of CPSR and the commitment to use that know-how for social good. I want to see CPSR grow and thrive.

But to both attract and keep members, we need positive experiences working together and having an impact. I applaud the Board for recognizing the need to take bold steps to re-energize the organization. I think a revived newsletter and/or journal and conference are important steps.

Email debates are valuable, but in the absence of activity they can become divisive. I think we need to consolidate and organize email discussions, and the current plans for an interactive web site should move us in that direction. Although I was only active in the early discussion phase of the web project, I plan to become more involved.

While I support CPSR priorities, my personal priorities include keeping excessive copyright protection from choking off creative work, enthusiastic support for Open Source software, and broadening access. Also, CPSR's influence could be strengthened by working with groups like the ACLU, and educating non-profit groups about how they could be impacted. Mutual invitations to conferences might help build cooperation.

The conditions of work for computer professionals influence what we can accomplish. Although this can't be CPSR's central focus, speaking out for their rights can also help attract the mid-level computer professionals who are needed if the organization is to grow.

Email: nbrigham (a) umich.edu

John M. Dwyer

Background

I have been a member of CPSR almost from its inception, but was inactive until about eight years ago when I helped to found the (virtual) Michigan chapter. The website of the Michigan Chapter is at http://www.hvcn.org/info/cpsr/org In CPSR, I have served as chair of the Michigan Chapter and am currently completing my first term on the CPSR Board of Directors. I have been CPSR Treasurer for almost two years.

At the University of Detroit Mercy, I have served as Department Chair and on several committees (including both the College and University Promotion and Tenure Committees). I was one of the co-founders of our faculty union and have served in several positions within it.

Other activism includes working for a "Peace Corps" as an alternative to military service during the 1960 campaign and serving as a statistical consultant and an expert witness for the plaintiffs in a race and sex discrimination class action suit in the late 1970s.

I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in mathematics, my master's degree from the University of Michigan in computer science, and my doctorate from Texas A&M University in mathematical statistics. More information is available from my website http://es.udmercy.edu/~dwyerjm/DEFAULT.HTM A professional profile can be found in several Marquis' Who's Who publications as well as in other biographical volumes.

The aspect of CPSR which most impresses me is the way we try to support each other. We do get intense in our discussions at times, but we are effective when we pull together. The reputation of CPSR is high despite our relatively small membership. There has recently been criticism of how the CPSR Board operates, and I agree that the Board has not done all that it could to support the mission of CPSR. I intend to work with the rest of the Board to focus CPSR efforts and facilitate member initiatives.

One of the most important issues for CSPR to address at this time is the facilitation of remote communication subject to the protection of privacy. I feel the most immediate example of this is in the promise and perils of e-voting, but use and abuse of e-mail and looming commercial/government domination of the Internet is also important. I support a CPSR initiative in this to educate the public about the pitfalls and advocate for public and secure procedures (including voting procedures).

CPSR is currently experiencing financial difficulties due to low membership and reduced donations. As Treasurer, I have been working with the Board to help address this situation. If I am elected and the Board continues to want my services as Treasurer, I am willing to continue to work toward building and maintaining the organization and supporting its members.

Foremost, I believe that CPSR should be of and for all its members. I would appreciate your vote in helping to reach this objective.

Robert Guerra

Background

I am a leading privacy advocate based in Toronto, Canada. After working for several years in the medical research field, I helped establish Privaterra - an ongoing CPSR project that works with Human Rights NGOs to assist them with issues of data privacy, secure communications and information security. I currently sit on the board of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), and have been actively involved in the preparatory process of the UN World Summit on the Information Society, including as a panelist at the Pan European and Latin American Regional Meeting, an NGO member of the Canadian delegation to the second preparatory meeting, and the focal point for CPSR. I also sit on the advisory board of several non-profits, including the international Youth organization - Taking IT Global - and the Vancouver Community Network.


Statement

My past term on the CPSR board was a very rewarding one for me, as together with the board and specific members it was possible to create Privaterra, a sustainable ongoing project which allowed privacy, security and human rights activists to contribute their time, skills and resources to help the human rights community. In a way it focused on CPSR's core value of social responsibility and civic engagement. For CPSR to be relevant again, the organization needs, it must develop other such high profile initiatives so that we are seen as doing something for the greater social good.


For CPSR to grow, I would support a three pronged approach for growth, (1) to increase collaborative efforts and projects with like minded organizations such as EPIC, EFF, CDT, ACLU and other civil liberty organizations (both in the USA and abroad), (2) to engage what seems to be a constituency which we have long ignored - youth, and (3) develop an effective and active advisory board to help the organization strategically grow over the coming months and years.

CPSR in the end is only as active and relevant as its members want it to be - Of upmost importance are board members who are willing to give of their time, energy and effort to create an example of what can be done. I have hopefully demonstrated this over the past three years. I would be honored to serve again on the CPSR board - I hope I can count on your support.


Robert Guerra
Managing Director, Privaterra (privaterra.org)
Further Details
-http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html?memberid=6958
Email: rguerra (a) cpsr.org

Sush Gupta

Background

Susheel Gupta is a former Director of CPSR and the founder of the Canadian Chapter. Susheel Gupta is currently a Federal Prosecutor with the Department of Justice in Canada. Specifically, he has been designated the Computer Crime Advisor for the prosecution unit in Ottawa. In this role, Sush works with and advises prosecutors and law enforcement personnel on the numerous legal issues which arise in computer crime investigations and prosecutions. Sush is also involved currently in creating educational seminars for the Defense bar on the legal issues defense counsel should be aware of when representing clients accused of computer crime. With this government position, Sush has gained immense knowledge on technology issues that affect us all from a civil liberties perspective.

Later this year, Sush will be bringing technology to impoverished communities and organizations in India as part of a personal project. In the summer of 2004, he will be launching a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Internet safety education to children, teachers and parents. Finally, Sush had been very active in the lobbying and advocacy for Electronic Privacy legislation in Canada, which resulted in the Canadian government implementing the Personal Information and Protection of Electronic Documents Act. Prior to becoming involved with the Internet policy and legal issues Sush has been working on social advocacy issues since 1989 areas as international youth homelessness, policing and race relations and human rights with both government and grass-roots organizations.

Statement of Interest

I strongly believe that CPSR can have a stronger impact on policymakers worldwide on the issues we as social advocates are facing. I had become involved with CPSR because of their past reputation in producing work and bringing individuals with similar interests together to assist in making an impact. I would like to see CPSR endeavor to draw upon the expertise and knowledge possessed within the membership in order to expand upon the work already being performed. I would like to see and would support more Working Groups focused around specific issues with an International membership in order to incorporate as much input from individuals in the hopes of being able to allow CPSR to truly represent a world-wide view. This would allow CPSR to gain the attention and ear of decision-makers beyond the borders of the US to the rest of the world. The CPSR membership would also benefit greatly by CPSR building more formal bonds with similar public interest organizations to share information, concerns, research and knowledge. I envision the future of CPSR to be more global in perspective, greater in numbers and even more effective as a public interest advocacy group. Lastly, I hope that my skills as a professional advocate will allow me to offer the organization additional strength in achieving its goals.

Email: sush (a) canada.com

Desiree Miloshevic

I am honoured to be nominated for the CPSR Board because I believe that I can substantially contribute to the fundamental mission of this organisation.

My eleven year long Internet-related involvement has been focused on adapting advanced technology to the social fabric in diverse environments.

Biography:

Desiree Zeljka Miloshevic is a well known and respected international voice in Internet governance and policy and is presently International Affairs and Policy Development Advisor at Afilias, a global leader in domain name services. Afilias is the registry for .INFO and several country code Top-Level-Domains (ccTLDs) and provides the technical services to the Public Interest Registry for .ORG. Desiree also represents the .GI domain in European Internet organisations such as CENTR and RIPE and within the ICANN ccNSO constituency

Before joining Afilias in 2000, Ms Miloshevic worked as a consultant specialising in top-level domains, including advising on .MUSEUM and .PRO.

Her Internet involvement dates back to 1993 when she joined Demon, the United Kingdoms first public Internet Service Provider, where she worked on developing leased line and domain name services, including contributing to the informal council of hostmaster's policy making process which moderated .UK prior to Nominet's creation in 1996.

Ms Miloshevic helped in fundraising and provided strategic planning to many UK non-profit organizations such as The Foundation for Policy Information Research , the UK e-democracy project -FaxYourMP, and KhmerOS Open Source translation initiative in Cambodia.

Over the past eleven years, she has participated in the work of many Internet councils, workshops and constituencies in the area of Internet governance and DNS as well as contributed lectures to workshops in Eastern Europe, such as CEENET, the network of Eastern European Networking Association and the South East European CyberSecurity Cooperation Forum, and a number of forums of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, held in Belgrade.

She lives in London since 1991. She is a graduate of the faculty of Foreign Languages of the University of Belgrade, where she studied English Literature. She has recently been elected on the Board of Internet Society.

Position statement

Social responsibility cannot be overstated in today's commercial and technology-driven world.

My grasp of the interaction between communications technologies and diverse societies makes me uniquely qualified for hard work required to steer the development of policies that will make inevitable rapid deployment of these technologies synergistic with societal values and norms that we all cherish.

Rather than being seduced by the technology, I strive to foresee the impacts and act early on in order to preserve the continuity without which the society cannot progress. We all know that new technologies can be detrimental to the society. This is exactly why it is our responsibility, as professionals, to consider all consequences and mediate the change in order to remain true to ourselves.

CPSR program covers a very wide range of subjects and it is important that these issues are addressed and recognised on a global level.

If elected, I will work with CPSR board colleagues to co-ordinate the efforts to have more constructive input in the on-going WSIS project and by being based in Europe I will be able to extend and organise other relevant CPSR activities and chapters in Europe as well as hope to contribute to CPSR policy views with regards to DNS and International Domain Names.

Email: desiree (a) relax.co.uk