[WSIS CS-Plenary] List of NGO reps in Hammamet and question of govt. relation

[jeanette at wz-berlin.de]

> Do you think that the inclusion of CSO representative in the government
> delegation improves the chances of a better reflection of CSO inputs
> prioritised in the governmental input in the process, and thus a better
> lobbying by CSOs in this process?


Judging from the German situation, I'd say the main effect of being
members of the government delegation probably was public attention. The
german press got interested in this rather unusual type of collaboration.
Unlike the government representatives who were confined to their official
press releases, we could talk to the press and did indeed give lots of
interviews. For a day or two during the summit we were able to push issues
of importance to german CSOs.

While we had more or less zero impact on the political opinions and
priorities of the German government, we did at times form effective
coalitions with the ministry reps where we agreed on certain issues.

The fact that the EU tries to speak with one voice makes things a bit more
complicated in Europe. First, opinions need to be formed on the government
level across competing ministries. Thereafter, national positions need to
be coordinated at the European level. Participation in the government
delegation can also help to get the necessary information about who
supports what in these opaque networks.

Best, jeanette

Or it is just a governmental supprt of
> empowering CSOs in pushing their policy voices in this high-level meeting
> as
> happening in the North. I believe for us in South it would be interesting
> to
> learn how and why governments are allowing CSOs and general public in
> sharing their concerns across the ministerial dialogues.
> Best,
> Atanu
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "christoph bruch" <c.bruch at gmx.de>
> To: <plenary at wsis-cs.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 5:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] List of NGO reps in Hammamet and question
> of
> govt. relation
>
>
>> German government accepted one civil society representative within its
>> delegation. No funding went with this status. For WSIS II German
> government
>> will again accept at least one cs representative.
>>
>> We vote electronically to determine who this person(s) is/are going to
>> be.
>>
>> Christoph
>>
>>
>>
>> > Dear All,
>> > As I know several governments, including Australia, Canada,
>> Switzerland
> do
>> > include CSO representatives in their official delegation - which
>> > essentially
>> > means their trip is sponsored, partly or wholly, by the respective
>> > government. Can you give me an idea of the policy and strategic
>> aspects
> of
>> > including CSO representatives into the international policy making
> process
>> > and what are its outcome(s). I do have some linkages with the Youth
> Cacaus
>> > and some members of this cacaus eventually had been part of the
> government
>> > delegate in the WSIS or other intergovernmental policy meetings.
>> > Your input would be really appreciated.
>> > Best,
>> > Atanu
>> >
>> > Atanu Garai
>> > OneWorld South Asia
>> > New Delhi-110016
>> > Phone: 91-11-51756975
>> > Fax: 91-11-51756976
>> > M:+9871469994
>> > Email: atanu.garai at oneworld.net OR atanu at takingitglobal.org
>> > http://www.digitalopportunity.org
> http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/atanu
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Sinikka Sipilä" <sinikka.sipila at fla.fi>
>> > To: <plenary at wsis-cs.org>
>> > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 1:14 PM
>> > Subject: VS: [WSIS CS-Plenary] List of NGO reps in Hammamet and
>> question
>> > of
>> > govt. relation
>> >
>> >
>> > >
>> > > Dear All,
>> > >
>> > > There have been several civil society delegates in the Finnish
>> > government's
>> > > WSIS delegation during the PrepComs and the Summit itself in Geneva
>> in
>> > 2003.
>> > > I was one of them. I was partly sponsored by the government.
>> > >
>> > > Ms. Sinikka Sipila
>> > > Secretary General
>> > > Finnish Library Association
>> > > Vuorikatu 22 A 18
>> > > 00100 Helsinki
>> > > Finland
>> > > tel. 358 9 6221 399
>> > > fax. 358 9 6221 466
>> > > Mobile 358 400 659 363
>> > > sinikka.sipila at fla.fi
>> > > www.fla.fi
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Plenary mailing list
> Plenary at wsis-cs.org
> http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
>