[APCPrensa] APC: Release of Guide to Running a National WSIS Consultation

[Karen Higgs]

RELEASE OF "APC FAQ ABOUT CONDUCTING A NATIONAL WSIS CONSULTATION"

In December this year, the world's governments will come together in the
first ever United Nations conference dedicated to information and
communications technologies - the World Summit on the Information
Society (WSIS).   However, there are complaints that draft documentation
produced during the preparatory run-up to the conference ignores or
glosses over many crucial issues, there is a conspicuous absence of
measurable targets and the concept of an 'information society' remains
vague and understood differently by the many 'stake-holders'. Outside
the process, a number of governments are not prioritising the conference
and the mass media seems completely uninterested. Many wonder whether
the event will have any real impact at all.

SO WHY BOTHER TO GET INVOLVED IN WSIS?

APC believes that WSIS provides a good opportunity to open spaces for
debate and discussion on key information and communication policy
issues, not only at global level, but also at national level and for
that reason has produced a step-by-step guide to running a national WSIS
consultation. 

If more civil society organisations (CSOs) get the experience and
confidence to begin to lobby and advocate on ICT policy issues at
national level, involvement in the WSIS process will have been worth the
effort. "From the outset of our involvement in WSIS," says APC executive
director, Anriette Esterhuysen, "APC has emphasised that an important
outcome of the process would be if it can kickstart national level ICT
policy discussion and debate.  This guide is a response to the many
organisations that had asked us: 'But how do we start working
nationally?' "

The WSIS process, including the preparation before and the follow up
after the Summit in December, is a great learning opportunity for CSOs
that are new to the ICT policy process. By engaging in the issues
outlined at the WSIS, CSOs can begin to articulate positions and gain
valuable experience in lobbying that can be taken back to their home
countries.  They can also develop positions, lobby and develop the
understanding necessary to participate in other international fora
related to ICT policies, such as the World Trade Organisation and ICANN
(the body that manages Internet names and numbers).

WHAT IS THE GUIDE ABOUT?

The APC "FAQ about Conducting a National WSIS Process" outlines the
steps to take and key components in organising a national consultation
around ICT policy, in this case specifically the debates raised by the
WSIS.  APC chose the 'frequently asked questions' question & answer
format in order to home in on some of the key questions we have heard
people ask.  

This is not a completely comprehensive guide to national level ICT
policy lobbying, but it does provide some useful answers to a CSO that
has the interest and initiative to get some kind of national level
consultation process going around WSIS or in fact any other ICT
policy-related consultation.

WHO IS THE GUIDE FOR?

The primary target audience is people that are active in using or
promoting the use of ICTs in their work, but who have not necessarily
been involved in national level policy processes previously.  "We find
this is true of many ICT oriented organisations," explains Esterhuysen. 
"They tend to be hands on, providing training, support, and content. 
Working at the policy level can be quite intimidating.  Our goal is to
provide encouragement and support so that ICT CSOs can build the
confidence to raise their voices in policy discussions."

ABOUT THE WSIS

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) hosted by the United
Nations, will be held in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2003. The
Summit will bring together all of the world's nations in an attempt to
develop a global framework to deal with the challenges posed by the
information society, and to take advantage of the opportunities it
presents. The overall World Summit on Information Society process has
two phases.  After the event of December of 2003, the process will
continue at regional and national levels.  The second Summit, to be held
in Tunis in November 2005, will review the process and progress made,
and identify a possible further plan of action.  National lobbying and
advocacy efforts can and should continue beyond December 2003.

APC FAQ ABOUT CONDUCTING A NATIONAL WSIS CONSULTATION:
http://rights.apc.org/nationalfaq_wsis_v1.pdf

CONTACT INFORMATION

Karen Banks, APC WSIS coordinator
Email: Karenb at gn.apc.org
Tel: +44 207 713 1941 (UK)
Fax: +44 207 837 5551

Anriette Esterhuysen, APC Executive Director
Email: Anriette at apc.org
Tel: +27 11 726-1692 (South Africa)
Fax: +27 11 726-1692


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ABOUT APC

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international
network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and
supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of
information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially
Internet-related technologies. APC and its members pioneer practical and
relevant uses of ICTs for civil society, especially in developing
countries. 
APC: http://www.apc.org