[WSIS CS-Plenary] Report from Content and Themes group

[Sally Burch - ALAI]

The following is a report on the work of the civil society Content and 
Themes group since Prepcom 2 (text and RT version).

World Summit on the Information Society

13 July 2003  
Report on Activities
WSIS - Civil Society Working Group on Content and Themes

The Content & Themes group (CTG) is the main body created by 
the Civil Society Plenary of WSIS at the first Prepcom to 
bring together the content proposals of civil society 
organizations participating in the WSIS process.  The CTG is 
open to all civil society organizations and particularly 
brings together delegates from the different thematic and 
regional caucuses. This document reports on the activities of 
the group since PrepCom-2 and prior to the Intersessional 
Meeting in Paris.

Content production

In response to the Secretariat's request for comments on the 
draft documents by 31 May 2003, the CTG encouraged thematic 
caucuses, regional caucuses and sector-based groupings within 
the CSP to develop their specific responses to the 21 March 
2003 versions of the Draft Declaration of Principles 
(WSIS/PCIP/DT/1) and Draft Plan of Action (WSIS/PCIP/DT/2). 

The Content & Themes Group consulted with the caucuses on the 
possibility of also developing a joint response (in addition 
to the input already provided during Prepcom2). However, the 
civil society entities preferred to submit their proposals 
directly, so that their specific contributions could be 
included in full in the revised Draft Declaration of 
Principles and Plan of Action. 

It was agreed to produce a summary of civil society 
priorities for the 15 – 18 July 2003 Intersessional Meeting, 
underlying key issues that are absent or inadequately 
reflected in the WSIS draft documents, and based on the 
proposals of the caucuses and revision of the new reference 
documents.  After a wide range of inputs and several rounds 
of consultations, a group document was issued, which was 
circulated for endorsements on July 12.  It will be presented 
formally to the Intersessional Meeting, submitted to the 
Secretariat and made available to the public.  This document 
is being translated into several languages.

Liaison with the Secretariat and Bureau

In March a report on the CTG activities during Prepcom2 was 
sent to the WSIS Bureau and Secretariat and to the Civil 
Society Bureau and Plenary list.

In June, the Executive Secretariat notified CSP caucuses and 
other entities that WSIS rules of procedure did not allow the 
submission of input directly from non-accredited bodies (e.g. 
the thematic caucuses of civil society). They requested that 
inputs be endorsed by civil society organizations accredited 
to PrepCom-2 and resubmitted. In response to concerns raised 
by CSP caucuses and other entities to this requirement, the 
Content & Themes Group submitted a letter to the Executive 
Secretariat asking that the caucuses be recognized in their 
own right. It was felt that while the group has coordinated 
and submitted input to the Secretariat in the past on behalf 
of the Civil Society Plenary and its Caucuses  -- and will 
likely do so when future opportunities exist -- it is 
necessary for caucuses to have the flexibility of submitting 
input directly.

Work spaces

Following PrepCom-2, the Content & Themes group underwent an 
"on-line" reorganization as part of the overall effort by the 
Civil Society Plenary (CSP) at formalizing its structure. The 
included the creation of a Web site and e-mail lists for the 
Content & Themes Group as part of a new domain created by CSP 
(http://www.wsis-cs.org/). The group's Website is 
http://www.wsis-cs.org/content.htm. It's new e-mail list is 
ct at wsis-cs.org.

Subsequently, the Content & Themes Group set up an on-line 
Web portal tool to help manage the drafting of documents by a 
wide range of collaborators, using the BSCW Shared Workspace 
system.  This system was put to test, in conjunction with a 
mailing list, by the drafting team that worked on the 
priorities document.

Preparations for the Intersessional Meeting

The CTG has been active in preparing for the Intersessional 
Meeting.  In addition to the priorities document, it has put 
forward criteria for assigning speaking spaces at the meeting 
and compiled a list of those who request to speak, exchanged 
ideas on how the caucuses can continue working, requested 
work spaces in Paris, and set up an interim group to 
coordinate the work.


Report presented by:
Sally Burch (ALAI) and William J. McIver Jr. (CPSR)



__________________________________________________________
Sally Burch - Directora Ejecutiva
Agencia Latinomericana de Informacion - 
INTERNET: sburch at alainet.org
Direccion:  Casilla 17-12-877, Quito-Ecuador
Telefono: (593 2) 250 5074 / 222 1570  / 252 8716
Fax: (593 2) 250 5073    URL:  http://alainet.org
__________________________________________________________
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