[WSIS CS-Plenary] Opening ceremony speaker

[Jeanette Hofmann]

On 6 Nov 2003 at 21:49, Michael Gurstein wrote:

> I wonder if any of those proposing to have Stallman as the Opening
> Ceremony Speaker have ever seen him speak.  

I have attended several presentations by Stallman. That is why I think he is 
too much of an insider representing a very specific community. Many people 
wouldn't even understand what he is talking about. 

Jeanette 
> 
> I have had the opportunity on several occasions, and I should say that
> his mode of presentation, delivery and content is dare I say somewhat
> "unusual", and perhaps not precisely what Civil Society might wish to
> convey to the world, irrespective of the particular content of his
> message.
> 
> Best,
> 
> MG
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On
> Behalf Of Jeanette Hofmann
> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 2:13 PM
> To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
> Cc: hr-wsis at iris.sgdg.org
> Subject: Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Opening ceremony speaker
> 
> 
> On 6 Nov 2003 at 17:10, Meryem Marzouki wrote:
> 
> > My very personal point of view (not the HR caucus one, which has not
> > yet discussed this issue) is that, if nominating a 5mn CS speaker for 
> > the opening ceremony has any meaning (and I am not quite sure it has 
> > one), we should avoid sectoral issues. And free software, though very 
> > important, is one among many others.
> > 
> > So, if a speaker should be nominated, s/he should be _really_
> > high-level, with a true vision, and speaking on _truly_ essential
> issue.
> 
> I agree with Meryem's point of view and would like to add another one.
> We 
> need a person who is able to make herself understand and convey a 
> message to a very heterogeneous audience. We need somebody who 
> convinces people and doesn't put them off. I am not sure RS is the best 
> choice for this task.  
> 
> Jeanette 
> > 
> > At this point, the best candidate in my opinion would be Aminata 
> > Traoré
> > (I assume there is no need to introduce her). She will be in Geneva, 
> > for a Cardoso's Un High Level panel meeting, and I am not sure she 
> > would accept to leave the panel for yet another speech related to
> WSIS. 
> > But it is worth trying to get her for the opening ceremony, too.
> > 
> > Meryem
> > PS1. Ms Ebadi being unavailable at this time, since she's will be
> > receiving the peace nobel prize.
> > PS2. Even if Aminata Traoré cannot make it for the opening ceremony, I
> 
> > don't think Stallman could be the right person, for many reasons 
> > already raised by othe people on this list.
> > 
> > 
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