News

Vine Group Executive Chairman Stephen Ibaraki Appointed as Vice-Chair of International Advisory Board (IAB), First World CIO Forum (WCF)

June 3, 2011 - New York, Vancouver, Beijing, Toronto

From the World CIO Forum nomination letter, Stephen's "reputation and influence is well-known in the world information technology academia and CIO group," according to the hosts and they further noted, "It is our honour to invite you to be the Vice-Chair of the International Advisory Board (IAB)." "In August 2009, proposed by the representatives from country members of China, India, Netherlands, Germany, America and South Africa of International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), the World CIO Forum (WCF) proposal is approved at the IFIP general assembly. This kind of brain storming and intensive communication can accelerate application of IT in promoting economic development and social progress."

Also noted with CIPS, the official country member for Canada for IFIP, "Stephen's role as Vice-Chair gives him the unique opportunity to build relationships between CEOs, CIOs, and c-level executives of the global Fortune 1000 companies, along with CIPS, other IFIP societies, and IP3 to support their growth, and build support for Professionalism in the industry. His Vice-Chair role was approved by Wu Jichuan, former Minister of MIIT and now President of CIE who has deep relationships with top enterprises in China at the highest level."

Authorized by IFIP, China will host the first World CIO Forum, following the lead of the World Economic Forum but focused on technology. IFIP, the International Federation for Information Processing, was founded under the auspices of the United Nations Educational Scientific Organization in 1960 with official country member bodies and affiliates representing over 90 countries. IFIP is a consultative body for IT for the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization, Sector Member for the International Telecommunications Union or ITU, Scientific Associate Member of the International Council for Science or ICSU. More than 1000 CEOs, CIOs, and senior executives from the global Fortune 1000 companies, government officials, leading academics, and top industry leaders and experts worldwide are participating.

On behalf of the International Board of Directors, I particularly wish to congratulate Mr. Stephen Ibaraki for this special honour recognizing his special standing internationally, and in industry worldwide. Increasingly global investments are tied to corporations and governments. The First World CIO Forum, modeled on the World Economic Forum but focused on technology, provides the platform to grow the global economy through technology and sound investment strategies. We, at the Vine Group, are proud of our team being at the forefront of innovation and driving meaningful growth.

More about the World CIO Forum (WCF)

As noted in the WCF news release:
The first World CIO Forum (IFIP WCF 2011), supported by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics (CIE), will be held from November 1 – 4, 2011 in Shenzhen, China. The forum participants include senior IT executives from all over the world who will come together to share their experience and knowledge with the audience. In today's world, the economic, capital, and even crisis management globalization is driven by the information technology wave, where IT is increasingly becoming the crucial stimulus for economy growth, innovation and transformation. The Chief Information Officer plays an important role in enabling the value of IT. IFIP together with the Chinese Institute of Electronics looks for ways to share the knowledge and experience of CIOs, and integrate the IT value with national progress and company strategy. Leon Strous, president of IFIP said, "We will call every member into action to contribute to the WCF. I am strongly confident that the dedication and efforts of the CIE will make this first IFIP World CIO Forum a resounding success and a worthy forum for attendees from all over the world." Representatives of many members of IFIP already expressed their support and their commitment to make the WCF an event not to be missed. The IFIP World CIO Forum will bring about enormous benefits and will open new ways for information and experience exchange between developing countries and developed countries. The CIOs and senior IT executives from the Asian, Asia-Pacific, North & South American, European and African countries will get together to address the topics, issues, best practices and trends necessary to make the right decisions to impact their business strategies and future IT direction. "With a great number of meetings, panels, roundtables and one-to-one workshops, it is a must attend calendar date for CIOs and senior IT executives. I am excitedly looking forward to exchanging my ideas and having a better understanding of the local IT practices and their value proposition "Adrian Haas, Executive Vice President, Information Technology & Systems and International Chief Information Officer at Sony-GITS. The organization of the IFIP World CIO Forum is officially approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China.

The IFIP WCF is hosted by CIE (China Institute of Electronics which has close ties with MIIT) and the People Government of Shenzhen (the innovation center for China); sponsored by IFIP (founded by and an IT consultative body for the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization); sanctioned and supervised by MIIT (Ministry of Industry and IT), State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Ministry of Commerce, The Ministry of Science and Technology, China Association for Science and Technology.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,