[WSIS CS-Plenary] Draft statement on Internet Gvernance for Saturday plenary

[Paul Wilson]

Friends,

After this morning's meeting of the internet governance caucus, a 
voluntary drafting committee was formed of Bertrand, Jeanette, Izumi and 
myself.  We drafted the following text as a statement on Internet 
Governance for delivery during the civil society slot in the WSIS 
plenery tomorrow morning (Saturday).

We welcome comments from the governance caucus and during CS plenary 
this evening.

Thanks,

Paul Wilson.
===


1. In his opening remarks to the Global Forum on Internet Governance, in 
New York on 25 March 2004, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan himself said:

"In managing, promoting and protecting [the Internet’s] presence in our 
lives, we need to be no less creative than those who invented it. 
Clearly, there is a need for governance, but that does not necessarily 
mean that it has to be done in the traditional way, for something that 
is so very different."

2. In this spirit, we welcome the creation of a Working Group on 
Internet Governance which will not be bound by the existing rules of 
procedure of WSIS, and which can therefore pioneer innovative mechanisms 
for multi-stakeholder consensus building.

3. The Action Plan paragraphs regarding the creation of this Working 
Group provide an appropriate and clear basis on which to move forward. 
The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus urges progress on this 
matter without further debate which may further delay this important work.

4. We place great importance upon the references in these paragraphs to 
“open and transparent process” and “full and active participation”.  We 
understand these to mean that all interested entities will be welcomed 
to contribute to and participate at three stages.

First, in discussions regarding establishment, composition and working 
processes of the WG. Second, in the membership of the WG itself, by fair 
representation. And third, in the working group’s consultation 
processes, through comprehensive communications channels.

5. Towards the first of these aims, we ask that on establishment of the 
WG secretariat in July 2004, a general call for contributions be made to 
canvass views on the establishment, composition and working processes of 
the WG. Further, an open meeting should be held to finalise these 
critical aspects of the WG.

6. This proposal being accepted and enacted, the Civil Society Internet 
Governance Caucus fully intends to actively contribute in this critical 
first phase of the working group’s efforts, as well as to its future 
work, towards an outcome with which all stakeholders can identify.