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

[Elizabeth Carll, PhD]

Dear Rik,

Thank you for the background information and your comments.  It would seem
to make sense for us to call ourselves the Health and ICT working group
rather than a caucus based on the general distinction you drew between WGs
as issue focused and caucuses as representing a sector or sub-group within
civil society.  However, I can see that the difference is not always so
clear as the Human Rights Caucus would seem issue focused and the Media
Caucus could be both.

Are there any differences as to organizational structure?

Elizabeth

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

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On
Behalf Of rikp at bluewin.ch
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 4:46 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Difference between Working Group and
Caucus


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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>Plenary at wsis-cs.org
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