From 25th to 29th of June 2001 it was planned to hold the sixth workshop on Model Oriented Data Analysis (mODa6), a gathering of around 75 specialised statisticians, in Puchberg/ Schneeberg, Austria. In February 2000 a new Austrian government was formed: a coalition between the conservative Peoples Party and the so-called Freedom Party, the latter in the past heavily criticised for anti-European, xenophobic and racist declarations of its leading representatives. The inclusion of this party in the government was internationally condemned as represented by statements and action of the European Unions institutions, individual member countries, other states, groups and individuals.Due to this development the steering committee of this workshop discussed at its meeting of 13th of April 2000, whether the event should be moved to another country. After carefully balancing the issues the committee feels that it can make its views felt more effectively by the sentiments expressed in this declaration, which will be published, nationally and internationally, to draw attention to its stand.
mODa statement concerning the political situation in Austria
An important mODa motive has always been to foster the multilateral aspect of our science and international friendship among scientists. The committee and organisers of mODa6 do not wish the meeting to be associated with a movement opposing such ideas. They will ensure this by maximum possible separation of science and politics, specifically by the following measures
- funding from official governmental and other political sources will neither be pursued nor accepted;
We, the undersigned members of this committee whole-heartedly
condemn any political forces, which incite and exploit
hostile emotions towards foreigners or minorities. To
actively prevent the workshop being publicly exploited by
such a group, any information transfer about the
conference will refer to this statement.
In making this stand we support those in Austria opposed to the unfortunate aspects of the new political climate.
A.C. Atkinson, V.V. Fedorov, C.P.
Kitsos, H. Läuter, W.G. Müller, A. Pàzman,
L. Pronzato, R. Schwabe, B. Torsney, I.N. Vuchkov, H.P.
Wynn, A. Zhigljavsky