[WSIS CS-Plenary] Nobel prize winners, celebrities, Civil Society speakers, Online CS

[Dr. Francis MUGUET]

Dear Alan and all.

It is true that this PrepCom3A creates new challenges that
needs to be addressed with flexibility, it would be interesting to know
what Sean (the author of this text that only reminds a PrepCom2
plenary decision) is thinking about it..
I am neutral on this topic. There are good and bad points for
either attitude. There have been excessive statements in the past on the
plenary list. I don't want to see a repeat of that kind of scenario.

My only concern is that any decision, whatever it is, of the Civil
Society, must be taken while taking care of a true democracy, and
full transparency. .  

First, opinions of past chairmen of "physical plenary" must
be listened to carefully , and then.if they agree, 
 you may try a call for consensus, and if nobody objects
within a week, then your suggestion is adopted ( but only for the
remaining of the Geneva phase ) with possibly modifications that
might haven been suggested. 
Of course, this is not a perfect plan.
May be, other persons have better ideas. .

Best regards

Francis


> Dear Francis and all
> 
> Who then do we propose to take any decision on who shall take the civil
> society speaking slots?
> Who then do we propose to lead the online discussion on these and many other
> issues between now and december?
> 
> I am afraid the next "physical plenary" will happen only in December because
> as it is now, not many CS organizations (especially from Africa, Latin
> America/Caribbean, and Asia) have the time and the money to go to
> Paris/Geneva for PrepCom3A--except of course those already in the continent.
> It is less than a month when this will happen and it is not even clear what
> CS' role is in that.
> 
> This is my perspective as a stakeholder in this process who is from a region
> outside of Europe.
> 
> How then to respect the spirit of full participation of all (regardless of
> distance)? Any suggestions will be well appreciated by all, in my opinion...
> 
> Regards
> Al
> 
> Quoting "Dr. Francis MUGUET" <muguet at mdpi.org>:
> 
> > Dear Alan and all  
> > >
> > > Having tried to clarify this, I do want to say that I agree with
> > practically
> > > all of Francis' points below....except for one:
> > > 
> > > > Concerning Al Alegre's suggestion to activate
> > > > an Online plenary, I believe this does not agree with
> > > > the principles proposed
> > > > by Sean and approved by the majority of the CS.
> > > 
> > > I felt my suggestion was in fact keeping with spirit of the document which
> > > was drafted, proposed and circulated by Sean, Renata et al on Civil
> > Society
> > > structures...that when the Plenary cannot convene physically, the online
> > > plenary list is the next best thing.
> > > 
> > The 5th point of Sean text is : : 
> > 
> > 5.|  Regarding the (currently important) operation of the CS Plenary
> > between physical meetings, the following was agreed by the Civil Society
> > Plenary at PrepCom 2 (extract from the Description of the
> > plenary at wsis-cs.org list)
> > http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
> > 
> > "The Civil Society Plenary Meeting, when convened, is the source of
> > legitimacy for all civil society activities in the WSIS.
> > Between PrepComs a 'Virtual CS Plenary Group' has been created
> > (plenary at wsis-cs.org), comprising organisations and other entities
> > accredited and registered at both PrepComs to date, from civil society,
> > although organisations with a key interest in the issues but that are
> > not part of the Summit process should also have the opportunity to
> > participate.
> > The list will not be a decision-making space, in the sense that no
> > voting will be called for, but a space to promote greater debate and
> > transparency in the organisation of Civil Society during the summit."| 
> > 
> > May we disobey the very rules that we edicted, under the pressure
> > of emergency ? 
> > I understand the emergency but we
> > are in a catch22 situation. . 
> > 
> > So I just wanted to point out this issue which created a recent
> > controversy.  We cannot afford another one, so we must be clear from
> > the onset. 
> > 
> > > With the plenary shifting to online mode, may I also suggest that
> > those who
> > > chaired the PrepCom3 plenary (at different times) - Olinca, Amir,
> > Susanna,
> > > Renata, etc take some sort of lead in the Plenary discussions as
> > moderator
> > > and coordinator of agendas... (I know everyone is busy, but since you
> > guys
> > > were the acknowledged coordinators of the Plenary, I am appealing that
> > > you
> > >extend your mandate a bit...if the plenary list has no objections.)
> > 
> > So this would create a whole online organization.
> > Why not after all ?, but this has not been agreed upon
> > by a "physical plenary". 
> > 
> > According to Sean's text,
> > within the online CS, various actors may only prepare and refine a list
> > of suggestions that might be approved or disapproved by the next
> > CS-plenary. 
> > 
> > Concerning the nomination of Mrs Ebadi, as a speaker, there is
> > absolutely no doubt that she will be approved by the next
> >  "physical plenary" so It is clear that Amir may go ahead to prepare her
> > intervention. .
> > Concerning other speakers nomination, this might be another story.  
> > 
> > Best regards
> > 
> > Francis 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > 
> > ------------------------------------------------------ 
> > Francis F. MUGUET Ph.D 
> > muguet at mdpi.org   muguet at ensta.fr  
> > 
> > MDPI Foundation   http://www.mdpi.net 
> > 
> > WSIS Civil Society Working Group coordinator
> > http://www.wsis-si.org
> > http://www.wsis-pct.org
> > ------------------------------------------------------ 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Plenary mailing list
> > Plenary at wsis-cs.org
> > http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> Alan Alegre
> Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
> 
> -------------------------------------------------
> This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/
> _______________________________________________
> Plenary mailing list
> Plenary at wsis-cs.org
> http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
-- 

------------------------------------------------------ 
Francis F. MUGUET Ph.D 
muguet at mdpi.org   muguet at ensta.fr  

MDPI Foundation   http://www.mdpi.net 

WSIS Civil Society Working Group coordinator
http://www.wsis-si.org
http://www.wsis-pct.org
------------------------------------------------------