Karsten Gerloff is the President of the Free Software Foundation Europe. FSFE's mission as an independent not-for-profit organisation is to promote freedom in the information society through Free Software. Karsten Gerloff works together with developers, activists, business leaders and high-level political decision makers in order to create an environment where Free Software can reach its full potential. He leads FSFE's participation in community and policy processes at the European and global level, and is a frequent speaker at a wide variety of conferences and events. Karsten Gerloff has conducted extensive research on the economic and social effects of Free Software for the European Commission and other clients, and has led the development of training materials for Free Software entrepreneurs in Southern and Eastern Africa.