[Index]
Forum on
ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
(ODR)
Conference room XXVI, Palais des Nations, Geneva,
6-7 June 2002
Geneva, 31 May 2002
The Forum on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is being organized under the
auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Team
of Specialists on Internet Enterprise Development (TSIED) in cooperation with
the Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (CEFACT). It will
be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on 6-7 June 2002.
Numerous discussions have taken place on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR),
and several international fora on the subject matter have been organized over
the last few years. The objective of this Forum, the first of its kind in
the UN, is to take stock of accumulated knowledge and expertise in this area,
and to prepare an inventory of the work that has been undertaken or is currently
underway in international organizations.
The Forum is to analyze the current development process of ODR from both
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and increasing interface with new Information
and Communications Technology (ICT). By focusing on major existing ODR activities
at the regional and global level, it aims at understanding the current state
of technology and its likely future directions.
Overall six expert panels on technical, economic and legal issues will be
held during one and half day meeting, bringing together regional and international
experts who will discuss the major issues and set the venue for further work
in this field.
It will consider the major barriers for a large diffusion of its applications.
A highlight will be put on the use of new technologies and on the interface
between the human-based and machine-based ODR process with special reference
to XML tools for ODR.
The Forum will also seek to find the ways and means of expanding benefits
of ODR to developing and transition economies in order to contribute to reducing
digital divide. Finally, it will set out the future directions of ODR in technical,
financial and legal terms.
Confirmed speakers include the representatives from the European Commission,
US Federal Trade Commission, the business communities, academic institutions
and major international organizations, OECD, WIPO, UNCITRAL, CEFACT, ICC,
UNCTAD, among others.
Participants include key decision-makers and officials from all over the
region; people who will provide the framework by fostering infrastructure
developments for ODR; international business leaders with years of experience
in ODR; the major players in ODR implementation who will set the pace for
the future. This exercise will lead the participants to understand the implications
of ODR issues for e-business, e-government and e-work in the ongoing process
of digital economy development. The Forum will be conducted with simultaneous
interpretation in English, French and Russian.
For further information on the forum and follow-up activities please contact
the coordinator of the event:
Daewon Choi
UNECE Coordinating Unit for Operational Activities
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 GENEVA 10
Tel: + 41(0)22 917 2474
Fax: + 41(0)22 917 0178
E-mail: [email protected]
Ref: ECE/OPA/02/09