Cancellation of the 2020 Internet Freedom Festival - Revision history

Iffadmin at 17:52, 19 March 2020

2020-03-19T17:52:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:52, 19 March 2020
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	Contact:<br>		Contact:<br>
	team(at)internetfreedomfestival.org<br>		team(at)internetfreedomfestival(dot)org<br>
	Wire: @internetff<br>		Wire: @internetff<br>
	Signal: +18179034966<br>		Signal: +18179034966<br>

Iffadmin at 16:32, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T16:32:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:32, 3 March 2020
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	As a result of the escalating impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), '''it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 edition of the Internet Freedom Festival.'''		As a result of the escalating impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), '''it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 edition of the Internet Freedom Festival.'''

	For the IFF team, the safety and security of our participants is our top priority, and given the escalating impact and increased risk of COVID-19 we could not, in good faith, bring community members from all over the world and risk their health and that of their families and communities.		For the IFF team, the safety and security of our participants is our top priority, and given the escalating impact and increased risk of COVID-19 we could not, in good faith, bring community members from all over the world and risk their health and that of their families and communities.

	Although we will not be gathering physically, we will be planning for community engagements in other forms, and we will be announcing those opportunities once they are finalized. Meanwhile we are working to make sure that all participants, presenters, our staff, our vendors, and partners are notified.		Although we will not be gathering physically, we will be planning for community engagements in other forms, and we will be announcing those opportunities once they are finalized. Meanwhile we are working to make sure that all participants, presenters, our staff, our vendors, and partners are notified.
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	While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.		While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.

			We love and thank our community for everything you do on a daily basis. Please reach out if we can support you in any way.

	Contact:<br>		Contact:<br>

Iffadmin at 16:26, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T16:26:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:26, 3 March 2020
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	March 3, 2020<br>		March 3, 2020<br>

	As a result of the escalating impact of COVID-19, '''it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 edition of the Internet Freedom Festival.'''		As a result of the escalating impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), '''it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 edition of the Internet Freedom Festival.'''

	For the IFF team, the safety and security of our participants is our top priority, and given the escalating impact and increased risk of COVID-19 we could not, in good faith, bring community members from all over the world and risk their health and that of their families and communities.		For the IFF team, the safety and security of our participants is our top priority, and given the escalating impact and increased risk of COVID-19 we could not, in good faith, bring community members from all over the world and risk their health and that of their families and communities.

Iffadmin at 16:07, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T16:07:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 3 March 2020
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	'''Talk to Us'''<br>		'''Talk to Us'''<br>
	Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the [https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Community_Updates ~~IFF Wiki~~ ].		Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the [https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Community_Updates Community Updates page].

	While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.		While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.

Iffadmin at 16:05, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T16:05:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 3 March 2020
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	team(at)internetfreedomfestival.org<br>		team(at)internetfreedomfestival.org<br>
	Wire: @internetff<br>		Wire: @internetff<br>
	Signal +18179034966<br>		Signal: +18179034966<br>
	Schedule time to talk to the IFF Team: https://calendly.com/iff-travel		Schedule time to talk to the IFF Team: https://calendly.com/iff-travel

Iffadmin at 16:04, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T16:04:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:04, 3 March 2020
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	'''Talk to Us'''<br>		'''Talk to Us'''<br>
	Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the [~~IFF Wiki~~ https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Community_Updates].		Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the [https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Community_Updates IFF Wiki ].

	While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.		While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.

Iffadmin at 16:01, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T16:01:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:01, 3 March 2020
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	'''FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE'''<br>		'''FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE'''<br>

	March 3, 2020 - As a result of the escalating impact of COVID-19, it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 edition of the Internet Freedom Festival.		March 3, 2020<br>

			As a result of the escalating impact of COVID-19, '''it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 edition of the Internet Freedom Festival.'''

	For the IFF team, the safety and security of our participants is our top priority, and given the escalating impact and increased risk of COVID-19 we could not, in good faith, bring community members from all over the world and risk their health and that of their families and communities.		For the IFF team, the safety and security of our participants is our top priority, and given the escalating impact and increased risk of COVID-19 we could not, in good faith, bring community members from all over the world and risk their health and that of their families and communities.
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	'''Talk to Us'''<br>		'''Talk to Us'''<br>
	Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the IFF Wiki.		Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the [IFF Wiki https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Community_Updates].

	While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.		While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.
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	Schedule time to talk to the IFF Team: https://calendly.com/iff-travel		Schedule time to talk to the IFF Team: https://calendly.com/iff-travel

	'''Resources:''' <br>		'''Resources''' <br>
	World Health Organization Risk Assessment: <br>		World Health Organization Risk Assessment: <br>
	As of March 2, the WHO’s global assessment is “very high”<br>		As of March 2, the WHO’s global assessment is “very high”<br>

Iffadmin at 15:59, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T15:59:05Z

Iffadmin at 15:58, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T15:58:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 3 March 2020
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	While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.		While we will try to respond to individual questions as fast as possible, please be patient as we navigate the high communication volume our team will be receiving in the coming days.

	Contact:		Contact:<br>
	team(at)internetfreedomfestival.org		team(at)internetfreedomfestival.org<br>
	Wire: @internetff		Wire: @internetff<br>
	Signal +18179034966		Signal +18179034966<br>
	Schedule time to talk to the IFF Team: https://calendly.com/iff-travel		Schedule time to talk to the IFF Team: https://calendly.com/iff-travel

	'''Resources:'''		'''Resources:''' <br>
	World Health Organization Risk Assessment:		World Health Organization Risk Assessment:
	As of March 2, the WHO’s global assessment is “very high”		As of March 2, the WHO’s global assessment is “very high”

Iffadmin at 15:57, 3 March 2020

2020-03-03T15:57:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:59, 3 March 2020
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	We understand that the community looks forward to gathering together every year. We too are incredibly sad to miss out on seeing old and new friends. However, in the coming months we will be shifting efforts into creating more opportunities for connecting and sharing online as well as strengthening local networks by nurturing more local hubs for the community.		We understand that the community looks forward to gathering together every year. We too are incredibly sad to miss out on seeing old and new friends. However, in the coming months we will be shifting efforts into creating more opportunities for connecting and sharing online as well as strengthening local networks by nurturing more local hubs for the community.

	'''Talk to Us'''		'''Talk to Us'''<br>
	Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the IFF Wiki.		Join us this Thursday, March 5 at 9am EST / 2pm GMT for our weekly Glitter Meetup. The entire team will be available to answer your questions. As always, notes from this meetup will be made available on the IFF Wiki.

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	'''Resources:''' <br>		'''Resources:''' <br>
	World Health Organization Risk Assessment:		World Health Organization Risk Assessment: <br>
	As of March 2, the WHO’s global assessment is “very high”		As of March 2, the WHO’s global assessment is “very high”<br>
	https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/		https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/<br>

	EU Centers for Disease Control Risk Assessment:		EU Centers for Disease Control Risk Assessment: <br>
	As of March 3, EU’s assessment is considered “moderate to high”		As of March 3, EU’s assessment is considered “moderate to high”<br>
	https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/current-risk-assessment-novel-coronavirus-situation		https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/current-risk-assessment-novel-coronavirus-situation<br>

	Spain Ministry of Health - Daily Situation Reports (in Spanish)		Spain Ministry of Health - Daily Situation Reports (in Spanish)<br>
	https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/situacionActual.htm		https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/situacionActual.htm

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 3 March 2020
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	Misinformation and fake news about the spread of the virus are rampant online; and communities are being targeted due to unwarranted suspicions based on race or nationality. We encourage our community to continue to support each other and counter efforts to stigmatize and marginalized those who are the unwitting victims of fear.		Misinformation and fake news about the spread of the virus are rampant online; and communities are being targeted due to unwarranted suspicions based on race or nationality. We encourage our community to continue to support each other and counter efforts to stigmatize and marginalized those who are the unwitting victims of fear.

	'''Why are we canceling?'''		'''Why are we canceling?''' <br>
	Our decision to cancel the Festival this year was difficult but our overriding concern and principle has been to protect our community and minimize harm to vulnerable populations. We cannot ignore the serious health consequences COVID-19 on those exposed, or the risk that people could find themselves inadvertently blocked from returning home or placed in quarantine as governments rapidly change their responses to international travellers.		Our decision to cancel the Festival this year was difficult but our overriding concern and principle has been to protect our community and minimize harm to vulnerable populations. We cannot ignore the serious health consequences COVID-19 on those exposed, or the risk that people could find themselves inadvertently blocked from returning home or placed in quarantine as governments rapidly change their responses to international travellers.

	In recent days, the World Health Organization and the EU Centers for Disease Control have elevated the risk assessment. In addition, various organizations have banned employees from non-essential travel. Countries such as Switzerland have banned large events and individuals are already facing increasing issues with their Schengen visa process. We suspect that the situation will worsen in the coming weeks. In Spain, Valencia has become one of the country’s hot spots with an increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. In addition, the Spanish Ministry of Health is considering more intensified measures including restricting public gatherings if the spread of COVID-19 cannot be contained.		In recent days, the World Health Organization and the EU Centers for Disease Control have elevated the risk assessment. In addition, various organizations have banned employees from non-essential travel. Countries such as Switzerland have banned large events and individuals are already facing increasing issues with their Schengen visa process. We suspect that the situation will worsen in the coming weeks. In Spain, Valencia has become one of the country’s hot spots with an increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. In addition, the Spanish Ministry of Health is considering more intensified measures including restricting public gatherings if the spread of COVID-19 cannot be contained.

	'''What Does this Mean for Ticket Holders?'''		'''What Does this Mean for Ticket Holders?''' <br>
	If you currently have a free ticket, there is nothing you need to do, as your ticket will be void. If you purchased a ticket, you can ask for a full refund. However, we ask you to consider it as a donation to our Diversity & Inclusion Fund for the 2021 IFF, so we can better empower underrepresented voices.		If you currently have a free ticket, there is nothing you need to do, as your ticket will be void. If you purchased a ticket, you can ask for a full refund. However, we ask you to consider it as a donation to our Diversity & Inclusion Fund for the 2021 IFF, so we can better empower underrepresented voices.

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	If you received funding to host a side event, we can provide your sponsors/funders with a letter explaining the IFF’s decision, to help recoup financial outlays. Of course, please reach out if there is anything else we can do to support you.		If you received funding to host a side event, we can provide your sponsors/funders with a letter explaining the IFF’s decision, to help recoup financial outlays. Of course, please reach out if there is anything else we can do to support you.

	'''What Does this Mean for Presenters?'''		'''What Does this Mean for Presenters?''' <br>
	If you were selected as a presenter, we will offer you the option to present in 2021. Those who are receiving travel funding to the IFF will be given special consideration for the 2021 edition. We will be following up with all speakers in the coming weeks to discuss this in further detail.		If you were selected as a presenter, we will offer you the option to present in 2021. Those who are receiving travel funding to the IFF will be given special consideration for the 2021 edition. We will be following up with all speakers in the coming weeks to discuss this in further detail.

	There may also be options in the future ro share your knowledge and engage with the community via our virtual Glitter Meetups, and other virtual initiatives.		There may also be options in the future ro share your knowledge and engage with the community via our virtual Glitter Meetups, and other virtual initiatives.

	'''What Does this Mean for the Community?'''		'''What Does this Mean for the Community?''' <br>
	We understand that the community looks forward to gathering together every year. We too are incredibly sad to miss out on seeing old and new friends. However, in the coming months we will be shifting efforts into creating more opportunities for connecting and sharing online as well as strengthening local networks by nurturing more local hubs for the community.		We understand that the community looks forward to gathering together every year. We too are incredibly sad to miss out on seeing old and new friends. However, in the coming months we will be shifting efforts into creating more opportunities for connecting and sharing online as well as strengthening local networks by nurturing more local hubs for the community.