FAIR was once founded as a reaction to precisely these types of activities. One of the goals of the organisation has been to demonstrate how to responsibly use donated computers in developing countries. FAIR has developed procedures to ensure that up to 100 percent of the used equipment being sent is in perfect order when it arrives. What makes FAIR a leading global player when it comes to ICT re-use is that the organisation takes responsibility for the equipment even when it has played out its role with the recipient. This is accomplished by a take-back system, where environmentally hazardous waste is brought back to Norway for destruction.

- It’s a shame that so many companies and organisations are still polluting developing countries in the name of charity. This is something we in FAIR want to put and end to by sharing our competence in responsible ICT aid with the other players in this sector, says Kristiansen.

These issues were brought up by FAIR at meetings with UNESCO and OECD in Paris. The organisation now wants to contribute with know-how to clean up after activities of other organisations.

- We will in the near future invite representatives from the environmentalist movement here in Norway to a dialogue on how we together can contribute to cleaning up this mess. Together we have strong competence to deal with the different aspects of this problem. The aim of the cooperation will be to create a plan of action to minimize the effect of the damage already done, Leif-Arne Kristiansen explains.

FAIR considers it about time for an international initiative to stop this unacceptable pollution of developing countries, and hereby assumes a front line role in such an initiative.

For further information please contact Secretary General Leif-Arne Kristiansen, tel. +47 92 83 87 70

Related links

Report from Basel Action Network:
http://www.ban.org/BANreports/10-24-05/index.htm
Article in New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/24/technology/24junk.html