FIAM- Status

1. International Federationof Multimedia AssociationsAndré G. CôtéDirector general“Fostering Multimedia and Interactive Digital Content through Small and Medium size Enterprises- SME's”Global ICT ConferenceBAKU, AzerbaijanNovember 26, 2004

2. FIAM- Status • FIAM is a non profit Association incorporated in Canada • Headquarters in Montréal, Québec • Non Governmental International Organisation in Special consultative status with the Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations

3. FIAM Mandate and Objectives • Promote Industry cooperation among multimedia associations Worldwide, and strengthen its associative network • Act as advocacy organization • Promote multimedia and interactive digital content (“MIDC”) industry as a distinct sector in the International Industrial Classification Systems • Develop business relationships among members • Elaborate industry positions on salient issues (IP rights an open source, standards, employment, training, etc.)

4. Member Associations Active on five continents in about 25 countries

5. Multimedia and Interactive Digital Content (MIDC) activities • Web development, animation and design • On-line and wireless contents • Digital entertainment and game development • Visual effects and post-production • Digital content publishing • Streaming media • Internet marketing • Digital art and computer animation • Web aggregators and software developers for web and other platforms • Interactive TV and radio • Digital video and audio production • Health information and imaging systems • Virtual reality environments and simulation • E-learning products and platforms

6. MIDC activity sectors • Arts, music, cinema • Advertising, marketing • Architecture and urbanism • Automation and robotics • Entertainment • CAD and design and engineering • Journalism and publishing • Health and medicine • History and archaeology • Knowledge management • Languages and linguistics

7. FIAM World Summits on Internet and Multimedia 1999 - Montreal, Canada, issues of “Convergence, government support and venture capital”. 2001 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on “Cultural and linguistic diversity”. 2002 - Montreux, Switzerland, “ Bridging the Digital Divide”. 2004 - Beijing, China, “Linking China and the World” and a Special side event on “Virtual Reality and Cultural Heritage”.

8. World Summit on Information Society -TUNIS - 2005 • Following its Montreux Summit on the « Digital Divide » FIAM was involved in the WSIS since 2002 and contributed in all the preparatory process of the Phase 1, leading to the Geneva Summit in December 2003. • FIAM wishes to participate in the second phase with the input of SME’s from its network. • Our goal is to develop Projects dedicated to the progress of Multimedia technologies serving quality content development purposes in emerging countries.

9. World Summit on Information Society -TUNIS - 2005 • FIAM is willing to put its network to contribution and partner with United Nations organisations such as ITU, the World Bank, UNDP, UNESCO, on specific matters pertaining to content development. • These projects can also help create new associations that can intervene with local governments and other public bodies, providing infrastructure to the sector and helping with content development and financing policies.

10. Why Small and Middle Sized Enterprises (SME)? • Because of their capacity to innovate. Creativity comes from individuals, using their own cultural background, their knowledge and their skills. • Local content creation does not come from multinational companies whose object is to sell intellectual property developed elsewhere, and to implement and adapt their own solutions.

11. Why Small and Middle Sized Enterprises? (cont’d) • Small enterprises are easier to manage, faster and more efficient in decision making, and can more easily adapt to different cultures and traditions. • Expertise can be directed to other regions or countries in need for similar demands. • “Diaspora” companies are often a good way to partner with foreign companies.

12. Advantages of networking withSME’s • Development of partnerships between enterprises who have the same size and same overall interests. No fear of being swallowed. • Establishment of new markets. • Straightforward technological transfer. • Create new local businesses and enterprises, and new jobs in the knowledge economy.

13. Advantages of networking withSME’s • Bring training for the human resources. • Help developing the local industry, thus driving the economy and bringing wealth into the country . • Create intellectual property through original and diverse local content inside the country, meaning that you generate an asset instead of an expense. • And promote cultural and linguistic diversity…

14. Partnerships We can imagine all types of partnerships with municipalities, colleges, universities, governmental departments and ministries, specialized schools, media broadcasters, NGO’s, large companies, international organisations, independent workers, farmers, doctors, non profit organisations, editors, filmmakers, telephone and satellite operators, etc…The only thing it takes is … a problem looking for a solution!

15. Conclusion My message here today is very simple: FIAM has a network of SME’s distributed across the World that can be of significant value to help bridging this digital divide. You are most welcome to join in! International Federation of multimedia associations

16. Minnəttəram! Thank you! and don’t hesitate to contact us International Federation of multimedia associations

17. Headquarters: 137 rue Saint-Pierre Suite P-206 Montréal, Québec Canada H2Y 3T5 www.fiam.org International Federation of multimedia associations