[WSIS CS-Plenary] CS meeting in Tunis 22-23 June?

[Tracey Naughton]

Robert and all

re: Roberts message on what is getting done out here.

African Civil Society is meeting in Tunis 13th - 15th April and hopefully
you will hear something from us after that. It has taken some time to find a
way to gather and we are most grateful to the UNECA (United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa) for enabling some of the African CS people to meet
next week.

>From a personal south perspective, reading the list seems like everything is
happening in the north and yes, like everyone else, while we certainly have
capacity, we do not have the resources to participate. Worse is that we need
more resources than people in the north to get there because we are further
away and live in weak currency economies. Donors are quite concerned that
the process has cost a great deal to date, with limited tangible outcome
that differs from what we can do in the normal course of our work. WSIS
pessimism is also justifiably high among stakeholders on the ground many of
whom feel that national mobilisation is a more important African priority
than dissipated effort at international level. That is not to say that we do
not want to participate in debates of global significance (in which the
south could well lose out again).......but there are limited resources and
pressing needs on the ground.

I think if people want us there then there will have to be a real effort in
solidarity / parity resource securing.

>From a Media Caucus Chair perspective I have not been able to garner
resources either, though, thankfully we have been able to mobilise
participation at key meetings by people who are in the north already.

Regards to all

Tracey Naughton


 
Nyaka - Communication & Development
Tracey Naughton
Consultant
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