Attendees prepare for PublicACTA - InternetNZ

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased to advise that over 100 people have registered to attend PublicACTA in Wellington this Saturday, to critique the pact that will be under negotiation in Wellington next week.

InternetNZ Policy Director Jordan Carter says the event will be a unique chance for people to have a say on the agreement.

"Two international keynote speakers - Michael Geist from Canada and Kim Weatherall from Australia - will carefully analyse what is known about ACTA so far, the things that need to change, and the good points that can be built on.

"Local panelists will expand on the issues covered by the keynote speakers, and then the rest of the day will focus on developing a public interest set of propositions for the New Zealand government negotiators to take into account during next week's talks.

"The symbolism of holding this event in the Wellington Town Hall is important. PublicACTA, unlike the negotiations next week, will be public. There are still a few spaces for people to come along, and the proceedings will be webcast live. Feedback on blogs and on Twitter, as well as on the PublicACTA website, will all be feeding into the Declaration that results from the event.

"We are looking forward to a strong statement of the public interest backing up New Zealand's negotiators, on the issues covered by ACTA and on the need for transparency in its ongoing negotiation," says Carter.

People will be able to sign on in support of the Declaration prepared by PublicACTA, and choose to have their names appended to the document delivered to New Zealand negotiators.

Full details regarding the event, including programme and information about ACTA, can be found at www.publicacta.org.nz.

Any media interested in attending the event should advise InternetNZ - spaces are available.

ENDS

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