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

Tue Nov 11 17:58:00 GMT 2003

Not sure what you mean by this - please explain. 

For myself I  rest my case - no more e-mail on this topic from me at this busy time for all. I have no problem with the plenary going with other ideas that they think are best. This is only a discussion.

However, the particular issues related to children and their access have not been discussed in full and anyone interested in discussing these issues can reach me directly. These issues will be addressed on the NA list shortly. The care and rights of children are an important topic in NA, as well as else where.

Thank you!

Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Fullsack Jean-Louis <jlfullsack at wanadoo.fr> wrote:
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
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>

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Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Tel: 604-736-9012 & Email: amalidesilva at yahoo.com

Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Tel: 604-736-9012 & Email: amalidesilva at yahoo.com

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