We are living through a critical juncture in telecommunications history -- an era  where fundamental changes in how we communicate are radically transforming civil society and democratic deliberation.  We have the means and ability to build a global public sphere where anyone, anywhere can take part in shaping the society in which we want to live. (Sascha Meinrath)

Dissident politicized media activists and free software developers not only own the means of production, they/us/we actually produce them. Can we change the relationship of the means of production by producing participatory and emancipatory technologies? Can capitalism be unspun from within? (Armin Medosch)

Just a few statements out of a broad spectrum of topics to be adressed at the Elevate festival. Here's an overview of the schedule:

Program Schedule

// 25.10.2007

@ Grüne Akademie

12:00 - 12:45 – Elevate meet & greet - hosted by Funkfeuer Graz

 
@ Dom im Berg

13:00 - 13:15 - Opening Statement (Elevate Team)

13:15 - 14:00 - „Networking im Ad-Hoc-Modus“ - Corinna "Elektra" Aichele (D) – Lecture

14:15 - 15:00 - „Open Tech&the Rise of the Intranet Era: Policy, Reality&Democracy“-Sascha Meinrath(USA)

15:15 - 16:00 - „45 RPM / Revolutions per Minute“ - Armin Medosch (A) – Lecture

16:15 - 17:00 - „Imaginary Futures“ - Dr. Richard Barbrook (UK) – Lecture

17:30 - 19:30 - „Technology: Chances vs. Risks“ - podium discussion
Dr. Richard Barbrook, Sascha Meinrath, Corinna "Elektra" Aichele and Aaron Kaplan (OLPC Austria) discuss perspectives, chances, risks and democracy in general.

Hosted by: Armin Medosch und Daniel Erlacher (Elevate)

Program curated by Roland Jankowski.

 
@ Grüne Akademie

20:00 (open end) – Open Space – Special: ElevateLIVE! - Videostream of the  Big Brother Awards Austria from the Rabenhof Theater in Vienna - hosted by realraum.at

// 26.10.2007

@ grüne Akademie

11:00 - 13:00 – OLPC Presentation & Introduction - Workshop

hosted by Funkfeuer and OLPC Austria

*ALL events will be FREE OF CHARGE!

**News: Unfortunately 84 year old Prof. Dr. Weizenbaum cancelled his appearance at the Elevate festival because of his medical condition. The Elevate team wishes Mr. Weizenbaum all the best and a lot of strength!
(28.09.2007)