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Reports on the 14th Annual Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy, held in Berkeley, California in April 2004. Outlines the themes of the papers presented in the 12 plenary sessions.

Contributions describing the 15th Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy: Panopticon, covering selective highlights of papers, presentations and the overall context of this meeting.

Observations and descriptions of key themes and ideas that were presented in a conference framework.

Significant participation at this conference.

This is the primary forum for the exploration of issues and challenges relating to the internet and freedom today, focusing on the impact that emerging surveillance societies have on the net and individuals particularly in light of the data mining and data sharing of personal information, combined with and the close partnership between corporations and government.

How problems and issues are resolved by others and realizing that the power of sharing information is greatest when solutions are creative and openly shared.

Good to share information and network with colleagues on issues relating to privacy.

In looking at ‘the changing face of banking’ I am concerned mainly with the effects on education and training, and in particular the implications for The Institute of Bankers. In case anyone is not clear about the difference between the two, I still think it cannot be better illustrated than by the story of the father whose daughter came home from school in her first year to tell him that their class was engaged in a series of talks on sex education. He was mildly concerned about this, but nothing like so worried as when she told him at the beginning of the second year that the class was now starting a course in sex training. In Institute terms I suppose we might compare a study of Elements of Banking with the induction period in the machine room.

Having established the base, how do we set about improving the quality of banking tuition? Courses for teachers, designed to bring them up to date and help them share experience of teaching particular subjects, are one way. We also, of course, monitor individual college results with follow‐up visits, either by our education officers or by senior institute staff. The major change which I see here is for institutes to become more involved in direct tuition, particularly through the use of distance learning and computer‐based methods.

Whether or not we regard it as fortunate those of us in banking are working for an industry which is grappling with the challenge of change, as the banks question what business they are in or seek to be in. To quote Lloyds Bank's Annual Report for 1984: Change means opportunity as well as challenge.

The Institute of Bankers recently held its Education Conference, attended by representatives from its local centres all over the world. It was revealed there that, as a result of changes in the Institute's educational structure, there were now 7,500 banking students enrolled on day release courses in the U.K.

Strong consumer movements exist in a number of countries, including the USA and UK. High on their list of objectives is the provision of information designed to enable consumers to make more informed choice. In some cases efforts are directed towards facilitating the “best buy” in education. This is to be welcomed. Certainly there appears considerable scope for furnishing improved advice in this field for it may result in lower student wastage rates. Witness the situation relating to students studying for professional qualifications.

Our President Reg Prentice entertained members of Council and their guests at dinner at the House of Commons on Tuesday 8 March. Guests of honour, to whom honorary fellowships were presented, were:

A new entry is required in the list of Occupational Classifications — namely Degree Broker. The writer is unaware who coined the title but one person to use it is John Courage; his is the signature on letters from Neil Gibson & Company, a firm located in Sudbury, a charming small town in Suffolk, England. Neil Gibson & Co. advertise regularly in the UK Press — The Times, Observer, Guardian, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday — and periodicals such as The Director. All respondents receive details of the University de la Romande, a Swiss‐based organisation, for whom the firm are sole British agents. Those not responding to that communication receive a follow‐up letter: