Austrian State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bettina Waldner-Ferrero, presented to the press last Friday, 1 October the conclusions of the International Conference, Combating Child Pornography on the Internet, held at the Vienna Hofburg, 29 September - 1 October 1999. The Conference was organized by the governments of Austria and the United States, as well as the European Commission at the initiation of Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schüssel and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as part of the transatlantic dialogue and endorsed by the EU-US summit in December 1998. Also present at the press conference were Eric Holder, U.S. Deputy Attorny General; Franz Cede, Austrian Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Michael Schneider, AboveNet Germany GmbH; Tung-Lai Margue, Head of Unit, Police and Customs Cooperation, European Commission; and Nigel Williams, Director of Childnet International. Most of the 200 plus participants were from law enforcement agencies, judiciary bodies or the Internet industry, with a handful of members of the European Commission, international organizations and child protection groups. Starting with a clear and unambiguous pronouncement on the importance of fundamental rights of the individual, particularly freedom of expression and the individual’s right to privacy, the conference adopted the Vienna Commitment, eight overarching conclusions to guide the practical recommendations of the Working Groups: Zero tolerance against child pornography on the Internet; The need for a global partnership among all actors and stake holders at national and international levels among: governments, the Internet industry, hotlines and NGOs; Worldwide criminalization of the production, distribution, exportation, transmission, importation, intentional possession and advertising of child pornography; Strengthening law enforcement at the national level and improving international cooperation among law enforcement agencies; Closer cooperation and partnership between governments and the Internet industry; The critical role of Hotlines or Tiplines, whether established by governments, the industry or by NGOs; Training and capacity building of law enforcement officials and all other personnel involved; Raising awareness and empowerment of the users, in particular children and the young. In accordance with these eight principles, Working Groups on law enforcement and the judiciary, codes of conduct for industry and hotlines provided specific and practical measures. The conference was seen by many as a concrete expression of sincere cooperation by law enforcement agencies and Internet industry representatives, the Vienna Commitment providing an agreed upon base to work from. The very title, the Vienna Commitment, implies more than just an agreement, it is also a determination to fulfill it. As consensus and the commitment broaden, other partners notably international organisations, child protection advocates, researchers, educators and civil society can assume proactive roles. Conclusions and results of working group: www.stop-childpornog.at Links on this site: Communication and Society - Children and Youth issues Sexual Abuse of Children, Child Pornography and Paedophilia on the Internet: An international challenge - Expert Meeting, UNESCO, Paris, 18-19 January        Contact:Choy Arnaldo, UNESCO, Innocence in Danger