Re: Why ? [Re: Towards Carfree Cities IX Conference]

Hi Jean Pierre, Pascal and others.
 
In summary, there was a fundamental misunderstanding about the TCC Conference concept: that it is a WCN project and developed in partnership with a co-host. The team in Brussels has been planning a conference independently from WCN. WCN was subsequently offered the opportunity to participate in this conference without a legal contract (Conference Hosting Agreement), rather than being an official co-organiser as we were in previous TCC conferences.
 
More specifically, there were significant differences of opinion on the following clauses of the Agreement (http://www.worldcarfree.net/members/contract.php):
 
* 1.1e and 1.2c, relating to programme development by consensus. This means using the carfree_network list and SC to develop themes, suggest and contact speakers, etc. WCN feels that network participation is important, and it would be difficult to satisfy clause 6.1 without it: for us, it is essential that most of the conference is dedicated to carfree issues.
 
* 2.1: the conference name Towards Carfree Cities. The co-host proposed an alternative title, suggesting that the requirements of clause 6.1 would be compromised.
 
* 7.2, relating to the division of income. The co-host did not wish to share revenues from the conference. WCN considers that the clause is reasonable, reflecting staff time and expenses incurred in our significant contribution to conference organisation (section 1.1).
 
The SC and ICC concluded that these critical differences are sadly irreconcilable, leading to the difficult decision to discontinue negotiations and develop alternative plans.
 
I want to say that we intend to learn from this. We acknowledge that communication by WCN needs to be much better in the future, and should not rely so much on e-mail. Specifically, we intend to review conference planning procedures, to identify ambiguities and other potential sources of misunderstanding.
 
The current team at the ICC is doing a great job, and our new-found stability should help to ensure that some of the problems we have experienced in recent times are not repeated.  The Steering Committee now meets by Skype every month, and we record more detailed notes than previously, which is one example of how communication can become much more effective and transparent. We also look forward to engaging with members more pro-actively and effectively via membership surveys and this list.
 
To finish, I echo Jeroen's comments about a non-TCC conference in Brussels: as he said, this will happen during European Mobility Week. Regarding a World Carfree Network event, I will let you know as soon as possible, to avoid further delays.
 
I hope this answers at least some of your questions,
 
Regards,
 
Simon.

--- On Tue, 20/1/09, Jean Pierre Wilmotte <wilmotte-/[email protected]> wrote:

From: Jean Pierre Wilmotte <wilmotte-/[email protected]>
Subject: Why ? [Re: [carfree_network] Towards Carfree Cities IX Conference]
To: s.d.field-qw6QB7/[email protected], "Carfree Network" <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, 20 January, 2009, 12:17 AM

At 0:03 +0000 20/01/09, Simon Field wrote:
> Unfortunately World Carfree Network and our co-host have been unable to
agree on a number of issues relating to hosting the conference in Brussels.
Today we came to a mutual decision that there will not be a Towards Carfree
Cities Conference in Brussels this year.

Could you please tell us something more about this disagreement ?
--

/Jean Pierre

Translator of the WCN monthly bulletin
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