[WSIS CS-Plenary] Difference between Working Group and Caucus

[rikp at bluewin.ch]

Elizabeth, et al,

I think the distinction is somewhat semantic and not particularly important.

In my mind, a caucus is USUALLY composed of a certain sector or sub-group
within civil society, i.e. the women's caucus, Indigenous Peoples Caucus,
the youth caucus, the trade union caucus.  Whereas a working group is a set
of organizations working together on a particular ISSUE.  I.e. the scientific
information working group; Patents, Copyright and Trademarks WG; Environment
and ICTs WG.  

In short, a caucus is a group of organizations united by common identity,
and a working group is a group or organizations united by common issue or
purpose.  These are often interchangeable, i.e. an educators caucus versus
an education working group. and there are of course lots of exceptions to
this. 

But that is my understanding of the distinction.

In terms of a "Working Group on Health", I think that working group is the
best term rather than a caucus.  Unless you would like to be "health care
workers caucus."

I hope that helps a little.

-- Rik Panganiban



By the way, I vote for not including the "(mental and physical)" addition
to the name of the working group.  I think this should just be clarified
in a mission statement of the group.


>-- Original Message --
>From: "Elizabeth Carll, PhD" <ecarll at optonline.net>
>To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
>Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Difference between Working Group and Caucus
>Reply-To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
>Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2004 11:20:41 -0500
>
>
>Dear All,
>
>As some of you may be aware,  I have started a Working Group on Health
>(Mental and Physical) and ICT and invite those with interest in the area
>of
>health to join.
>
>There has been some discussion as to the difference between a Working Group
>and Caucus and there does not seem to be any clear information as to the
>differences.  Perhaps those who have formed either or who would know the
>differences, particularly with regard to procedures for forming and function
>of the group, please share the information on the listserv.  I would think
>others interested in forming new groups would also find the information
>helpful.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Dr. Elizabeth Carll
>Focal Point
>International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies;
>Chair Media/ICT Working Group,
>NGO Committee on Mental Health, New York
>Tel: 1-631-754-2424
>Fax: 1-631-754-5032
>ecarll at optonline.net
>
>
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