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

[Laurent Straskraba]

Dear all,

I would like to contribute to this discussion since I see it coming to 
assumptions and not talking about facts.

First of all, we cannot say "the" CSOs. Civil society have a broad range, 
including educational, political, developmental, environmental, scientific, 
etc. commitment.

Secondly, even if it's the same kind of CSO, it also depends on the person 
who is within the delegation what the input, throughput and output will be.

Thirdly, the fact that a CSO member is part of a governmental organization 
doesn't say anything about the government's support. Not even supplying 
media information about their blend.

Finally, it all depends on the people involved - and that is why we need to 
get away from symbolicism to real issues.

As for the Austrian delegation, in addition to government (administrative 
representatives) and an e-government company delegate, there were people 
from universities, a rural development organization, the Austrian UNESCO 
commission, a private school, and me as an independent researcher and 
consultant.

I think it's a very good idea to be part of the delegation since one gets a 
much better insight into how issues are being discussed, what is mentioned, 
what''s not, who/what is a pushing/laming factor for information society 
development, etc.

So if you have the chance to get into it, I'd recommend to take it.

Best,

Laurent

---
Mag. Laurent Straskraba
Information Society Researcher / Information Society Representative at UN 
Youth & Student Association of Austria

post: Ontlstrasse 3, A - 4040 Linz, Austria / Europe
mobile: +43.650.7711861 (GMT +1)
e-mail: laurent at straskraba.net
web: http://www.straskraba.net
---


At 09:32 08.06.2004, you wrote:
>Certainly getting sponsorship from the government is not the case at least
>for OECD countries - the rationale as you and Christoph, Fullsack and
>Chantal were pointing out, it seems at least in the EU level the objective
>was to 1. promote the CSO voices across the discussion table, irrespective
>of government's acceptance or formal endorsement of the CSO's strand 2. Give
>the CSO of the respective country a greater visibility 3. and in fewer
>cases, adhering to the CSO's strand in the formal governmental input. When
>it comes to inputting the CSO perspective in the decision making, being part
>of the governmental delegation/agenda makes a sense, isnt it? It seems
>democratic from the government's point of view as well. But where the
>opinion clashes, it is unlikely for you to make a partnership with the
>government to vindicate your strand at this global forum.
>On the other hand, all the fellowships are coming largely from governments
>directly or indirectly - it is not very clear how CSOs could put forward
>their conflicting viewpoints in this process without government support at
>all.
>Best
>Atanu
>TakingITGlobal