Independent Inquiry Society.

This society was established by New Atlantis, and has both an international branch and local branches. Its role is to carry out totally independent inquiries on a whole range of topics.

New Atlantis is a non profit company, club and independent virtual country. Members or citizens as they are known are governed by a system of honour. You do not need to be a member of New Atlantis to become a member of this society.

Getting a totally independent inquiry into any topic has always been very difficult, in that those traditionally who have run inquiries, have been part of the governing structure of a country or international organisation, funded by governments. This often leads to the impression that, perhaps, not everything is as independent as it might be, and that such inquiries are subject to pressure of one type or another, or rewards in the form of honours or promotion that can result out of conforming rather than reporting the situation. In addition many are run according to the disciplines of courts of law, are slow, and often have submissions from interested parties in written form arriving by the lorry load, which tends to eliminate the ordinary person with the common sense view.

A truly independent inquiry needs to be conducted by those who are not involved, have nothing to gain, and are able to take a neutral view. Often this will involve those involved in the inquiry carrying out their own research and talking to people who have not come forward with a strong point of view.

An inquiry should start with terms of reference, and search for information around this, without establishing any ideas as to the results initially. Next they need to determine all the possible opinions that could prevail, and stack up the facts in favour and against each viewpoint or situation. The objective being to allow the investigation to lead to a conclusion rather than a view to be taken and evidence used to prove it. This is the opposite technique to that used by police forces who decide on a suspect and then build evidence against them, often ignoring facts that do not meet their immediate need. Where possible every possible viewpoint should be considered even if at first there would appear to be little sense in the suggestions raised.

One of the most important features of an independent inquiry, is that all points of view must be given equal weight, so the large company or government department have no greater authority than the individual. However care has to be taken that pressure groups or people with an agenda of their own do not unduly influence the inquiry.

Internationally sensitive projects or projects where the investigators may come under pressure should always be handled by the international branch which all members of the society are members of.

Topics to be investigated by local branches are referred to it by the New Atlantis University of Life, who ultimately publish the findings. Any member or branch can suggest a topic that needs to be investigated, or suggest topics that they would like to look at. The role of the New Atlantis University of Life, is to asses, how independent a particular local group, or individual members are and to decide which group should have which topic referred to it, and which topics require representatives selected from the whole society who then act on behalf of the international branch.

Each local branch has a large degree of independence, raise their own local funds and carry out their inquiries without supervision. The report produced is considered by The New Atlantis University of Life, who may refer it back to them for further consideration, making recommendations as to areas of further research or publish the findings, making them available through the Reports Club and on the BBS. In exceptional conditions it can accept their findings but not publish where the risk of being sued is too great. However there are routes by which members of the group producing the report can then make it available. No local group must ever allow anything to be published or make any policy statement on any topic that has not been approved.

The management of the society is in the hands of an international committee, half coming from elected members of the groups and half being appointed by New Atlantis. The President of New Atlantis is the chairman of the society, shall have the casting vote when a need arises. This is designed to prevent the society at any time being hijacked by people of a particular group.

The society is open to all people over the age of 14 of all religions, beliefs, nationalities or backgrounds with no exceptions, providing they undertake to consider whatever is put before them totally independently, and are prepared to declare on registration any affiliations and strong beliefs they hold. If asked to be part of an inquiry they are also asked if they already have strong feelings which will effect their impartiality or know any of the people or parties involved. If so they would normally be excused from the investigation, or be allowed to help in fact-finding but not in devising the conclusions or in writing up the report. There are therefore topics that cannot be covered as no independent people will be able to be found. All society members are a member of the international branch in addition to being a member of one or more local branches.

On the international reporting side, the society will not be drawn into matters of a purely internal or political nature, relating to the activities within a country unless it effects New Atlantis citizens or where the government of the country concerned has asked for the report to be produced and undertook to publish the findings in full. Any government before asking for such a report to be produced, should become familiar with the concepts of New Atlantis, and make an unconditional donation in advance to cover the costs. For all international investigations, the terms of reference and a report of access to information and individuals and any risks to these people, has to be submitted to the chairman of the society for consideration and approval before the main investigation is commenced. Where an investigation cannot be carried out independently or where the lives or property of those who are expected to help are at risk the investigation will not continue and a report giving the reasons published.

The society has no membership fee defined and members are asked to make a donation annually agreed with their local branch, or to cover their own cost's up to the defined figure. The local branches have no set target, or membership fee, but should pay to the international branch, half of the revenue received by the branch.

The other objectives of the individual branch should be to promote the idea of independent inquiries managed by the society, to recruit new members and to raise funding locally by a variety of means, but not by taking  large donations from any institution, council or other group that might call into question its independence unless the chairman of the society has given approval, in which case that branch will be restricted from investigations connected with the donor.

Occasionally a newsletter will be produced by the international branch and circulated to local branches who will copy it and distribute copies to all of their members.

The society has no paid officials, and is a non profit organisation. Its work is restricted by the funds available.

Membership registration and records will be maintained by Maximum Coverage Ltd, who are registrar for New Atlantis and any fees due to them will be paid by the international branch.

If you would like to set up a branch in your area, then contact Maximum Coverage Ltd for details on how to do this. If you would like to join a branch but not be prepared to become involved in organising it then also let Maximum Coverage Ltd know, and they will either hand on your information to a local branch or hold it until such time as one is established. Where no local branch exists members can choose to be a member of the international branch only.

The most desperate need is of course for local organisers.