[LINK] Internet enhanced meetings for post-Copenhagen

[Ivan Trundle]

On 22/12/2009, at 8:42 AM, Tom Worthington wrote:

> "The Copenhagen climate change negotiation involved tens of thousands of 
> people travelling.

And speaking, and talking with each other. It is impossible for me to believe that CoP15 could be done BETTER online. 

Which is a pity, since I work in this field, and derive my income from EXACTLY such things that Tom postulates.

Having just picked up a delegate from Sydney Airport this very morning, it's clear to me that online communication is not the answer. 35,000 people need co-ordination on a scale which cannot be achieved through online activity alone, even in Tom's pipe dream.

One other thing: people think that political leaders are the key to such events - they're most certainly NOT. It's the plenary activities carried out by skilful negotiators, who bond with like-minded individuals offline, who negotiate in a pragmatic way which belies the effort that they put into these things, and suggests a social activity which I doubt that I will ever see become effective online. Face-to-face is the only way to further a cause.

Sadly

iT

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Ivan Trundle
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