An overview of the NIIF international relations

Bálint Lajos dr. <h48bal@helka.iif.hu>

NIIF Iroda

The broad range of the international relations within the NIIF Program are briefly investigated by the contribution. Somewhat more detailed information about some critical elements of this wide spectrum are also given. The joint role of NIIFI and Hungarnet in keeping international contacts of the domestic research, education and public collection community is emphasised and explained in short. A concise analysis of the direct and indirect benefits stemming from these relations for the NIIF Program and the academic and research community will be followed by some more recent information about GEANT, TERENA, ISOC, and the EU FP5 IST Program. The key aspects of international connectivity and co-operation will be stressed throughout. In relation to GEANT, the latest news about the tendering process and the realisation of the GEANT network will be disseminated. Among the TERENA-related issues, some projects announced/co-ordinated by the Association will be mentioned. Regarding ISOC a number of debated open questions will be listed in order to illustrate the way of how the Society is looking for best adapting to the Internet evolution. As far as the EU FP5 IST Program is concerned, together with some important network development goals also the possible ways of joining NGN related projects by some Hungarian R&D teams will also be described. The final goal of the contribution will be to draw the attention of the audience to the most important achievements within the relevant international organisations, and to the possibilities of further improving our fruitful and acknowledged international relations.