[WSIS CS-Plenary] Re:_Yet_another_suggestion_:for_symbolic speakers

Tue Nov 11 17:50:09 GMT 2003

Could we compromise and have a youth? They have been very active at the WSIS and in other spheres.

Diana

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Fullsack Jean-Louis" <jlfullsack at wanadoo.fr>
Reply-To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Date:  Tue, 11 Nov 2003 18:44:23 +0100

>On which planet have we landed ?
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Amali De Silva 
>  To: plenary at wsis-cs.org 
>  Cc: fortinp at club-internet.fr 
>  Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 5:28 PM
>  Subject: Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Re:_Yet_another_suggestion_:for_symbolic speakers
>
>
>  As someone who has experience in the issues of children both at home and internationally I have one thing to say.
>
>  1) don't undermine the intelligence of children - the section that they deliver can be the welcome - a child of 10 can be very articulate ! - in many countries they work and support families , they are soldiers etc !!!!!  I thought CS wanted to be inclusive ?
>
>  2) children are the symbol of hope for the future for many nations - and children also want to feel that they have some hope determining their future as well!
>
>  3) it is good to encourage the participation of children at events such as these - to give them confidence to speak in front of a large group for instance - they don't have to then think they can only have these kinds of opportunities at middle age! 
>
>  4) A large majority of internet users are actually children - do you want to leave a significant portion of the worlds population out ?  - or are they insignificant to you ?
>
>  5) Please read the rights of the child - don't they have a right to appear at the UN ? - or is there CS age discrimination ?
>
>  6) It will highlight issues that are very relevant in both the N and the S such as the importance of education, the changing structure of the nuclear family and communications, childrens issues in cyber space ( abuse etc )
>
>  7) Children also have the right to the freedom of expression - we should encourage, guide and stimulate the children of the world - not repress them! 
>
>  I am saddened that you are a believer of "children are only to be seen and not heard!" 
>
>  Amali De Silva-Mitchell ( response in a personal capacity )
>
>
>  fortinp at club-internet.fr wrote:
>    Hi all,
>
>    --------
>
>    >De: Meigs 
>
>
>    >I did think of the child but it seems to me that we still need to pass on a
>    >well developed message, as written collaboratively by civil society. And it
>    >has to be delivered in 5 minutes.
>
>    ------------
>
>    This idea of a speech written collaboratively would be a big challenge for "civil society" given it's diversity and it may lead to a weak statement. Nevertheless, I believe it's not the worst the solution.
>
>    As for the children, On a moral point of view, I don't like this idea at all of (ab-)using some children to read a text written by other adults. I dislike it in big sport events ( like olympic games and so on) because it has become mainly business. I dislike perhaps even mor this idea of (ab-)using children to deliver what is to be STRONG POLITICAL MESSAGE. 
>
>    Af ter all, why not ask to Bill McIver and Sally Burch AS COORDINATOR of C&T group. Given there strong commitment in the work of WSIS CS plenary, I believe they deadly deserve it !
>
>    PF.
>
>    >The youth caucus has been extraordinary during the prepcoms and seems to me
>    >to offer many possible ³voices² to stand for us.
>    >
>    >Best
>    >
>    >Divina Frau-Meigs, 
>    >
>    >> The symbol of child / youth expressing the future of humanity is a good one -
>    >> why not have a child / youth representative from each region of the world and
>    >> the message delivered in the official languages of the UN ? It would be nice
>    >> to include a child in the group.
>    >> 
>    >> Amali De Silva-Mitchell,
>    >> Vice President, Vancouver Community Network, Canada
>    >> 
>    >> Meigs wrote:
>    >>> Dear all,
>    >>> 
>    >>> We do seem to have a problem to come to a consensus on t he speaker we will
>    >>> finally chose. Though i have expressed my own preference, i realize that may
>    >>> be the solution has to be symbolical rather than personalized.
>    >>> 
>    >>> How about:
>    >>> 1- we draft, via the content and themes group for instance, a declaration
>    >>> that is comprehensive of the issues on which we have a general consensus but
>    >>> remain problematic for the States.
>    >>> 
>    >>> 2- Then this common declaration would be read by two anonymous (by that
>    >>> meaning not famous) YOUNG PEOPLE,-a young girl AND a young boy-, each saying
>    >>> a sentence in turn, to express the trust of civil society in its sheer power
>    >>> and its youth. 
>    >>> 
>    >>> Wouldn't this be an innovation in a world summit?
>    >>> 
>    >>> 
>    >>> It seems to me this would solve some problems with stardom, male or female
>    >>> dominance, etc.
>    >>> 
>    >>> 
>    >>> All the best
>    >>> Divina Frau-Meigs, IAMCR
>    >>> 
>    >>> _______________________________________________
>    >>> Plenary mailing list
>    >>> Plenary at wsis-cs.org
>    >>> http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >> Amali De Silva-Mitchell
>    >> 
>    >> Tel: 604-736-9012 & Email: amalidesilva at yahoo.com
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >> 
>    >
>
>    _______________________________________________
>    Plenary mailing list
>    Plenary at wsis-cs.org
>    http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
>
>
>
>  Amali De Silva-Mitchell
>
>  Tel: 604-736-9012 & Email: amalidesilva at yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>
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>

--
Diana Mercorios
Regional Programme Manager
ABANTU for Development (Europe)
<<.>>.<<.>>.<<.>>.<<.>>.<<.>>.<<.>>
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Fax: +44 (0)207 8200088
Diana at abantu.org / dmercorios at yahoo.com
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