[WSIS CS-Plenary] drastic changes to the proposed WSIS implementation mechanisms in the new text

[Parminder]

Dear All, 

The new text proposed by the chair of the GFC for paras 10, 11 and 29 of the
operational part of the Tunis document, which deals with the actual
implementation and follow-up structures, carries some drastic changes. In
effect, specific implementation structures consisting of multi-stakeholder
teams around various actions lines, with overall co-ordination by a
'well-defined co-ordination body' as suggested in the existing text are
sought to be completely removed. 

See http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1671|0 for
the new draft. 

If this draft is accepted (as it most probably will be, unless strong
opposition to it is articulated NOW), it would essentially mean NO real
implementation and follow-up structures for WSIS. This will deny the world a
much needed global Information Society (IS) policy (and implementation)
forum, at which rapidly arising important IS issues could be taken up. 

What is surprising is that the approach taken in the new text, where
implementation is subsumed under follow-up, is quite contrary to the
declaration by the Chair of GFC in a recent meeting organised by ITU where
he affirmed that "for the first time that there is an evolving understanding
within the UN that the implementation process and follow-up must be seen as
separate processes". These thoughts are also clearly articulated in the
document 'food for thought' earlier distributed by the chair of GFC.
http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1604|0 

I have prepared a comparison of the existing text and the proposed one, on
the more relevant points, which I am enclosing here.  

The last date to give comments on the proposed text is 30th August. While
there may be differences in views within the CS about which agencies should
play a pivotal role in implementation-follow up, I expect most of us to
agree on the point that the current drastic changes to the text, before
substantive discussions are taken up at prepcom 3, are completely
un-warranted.  These changes are too far reaching for them to come in like
this, almost surreptitiously, as a proposed revised text when most of the
submissions to the earlier distributed draft on these points speak about
strengthening these points rather than removing/replacing them. (please see
http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1618|0 )

Regards

Parminder 



_________________________________________________
Parminder Jeet Singh
IT for Change
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities 
91-80-26654134
www.ITforChange.net 
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