[WSIS CS-Plenary] Report from Breakout Groups at Internet Governance Forum, 26 March

[rikp at earthlink.net]

Dear Colleagues,

The Global Forum on Internet Governance is wrapping up its meetings this morning at the United Nations in New York.  We just received reports from the Swiss and Tunisian governments presenting their views on internet governance in light of the WSIS, followed by reports from the five breakout groups that met yesterday afternoon.  Below is the beginning of my report.

The full report can be found at http://www.wsis-online.net/csnews .

Regards,

Rik Panganiban

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REPORT FROM GLOBAL FORUM ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE
26 March 2004
United Nations Headquarters, ECOSOC Chambers
Prepared by Rik Panganiban


The Global Forum on Internet Governance reconvened on Friday 26 March to hear from the breakout groups that met yesterday afternoon. Representatives of the Swiss and Tunisian governments gave their views on the WSIS Phase I and II in relationship to internet governance.

Marc Furrer of the Swiss Delegation remarked on the first Phase of WSIS.  He raised how to implement Geneva Action Plan, highlighting the role of the private sector.  Financing and internet governance are linked.  Capacity building is important or gaps will be widened.  Marcus Kummar (Switzerland) is leading the working group on internet governance.  A definition of internet governance is important, but don’t make the question so large that we get bogged down.  Don’t fix what works: ICANN.  Focus on public policy areas that aren’t working, like Spam.  Privacy, contract laws and security are important areas.  Advisory board has an important role, so governments, private sector and civil society will be involved.

A representative of Tunisia spoke on the Tunis Phase.  She outlined how Tunis was preparing for the Summit.  She reported that they had formed a national commission representing various ministries, a civil society bureau, and a private sector group. There will also be a logistical committee.  At the end of June there will be in Tunis the first Prepcom.  A priority for implementing the Plan of Action is who will implement what? And how do we get information on all actors activities?  Implementation will extend beyond Tunis to 2015.   An important outcome of Tunis will be concrete initiatives to bridge the digital divide, including partnerships for digital solidarity and sustainable development.  We will be organizing work based on developing a definition of internet governance,  identifying public policy issues and the respective roles of different actors....

Continued at http://wsis-online.net/csnews/news/item?item_id=366030


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RIK PANGANIBAN       Communications Coordinator

Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO) 
web: http://www.ngocongo.org
email: rik.panganiban at ngocongo.org
mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524