[WSIS CS-Plenary] GFC meeting in January

Fri Jan 7 12:14:48 GMT 2005

Dear Renata

Thanks for reminding us !

I have just skimmed the papers and I have a couple of immediate reactions:

1.	In general, the text (especially the Political Chapaeu) seems to be quite a duplication of the already adopted documents from phase I. I am not sure how intentional this is. I mean, its okay to reaffirm Geneva commitment, but what exactly is then the purpose of this doc.
2.	Re. the operational part, I miss more concrete targets, goals and indicators. The text is very general, and if we truly want to push implementation forward, we should ask for more concrete operators. 
3.	This brings me to the issue of human rights. The human rights framework is mentioned (as always) in the opening paragraph of the Political Chapaeu, but that is it. No further reference in the text. The challenge we are facing is not merely to reaffirm existing international treaties, but to commit to actually enforce (or at least improve) implementation of these standards at national level. The de facto status of human rights in a given national context is indicative for the level of development, freedoms, democracy etc. HR are therefore good standards for measuring progress and for holding governments accountable to the commitments they have made. In other words, HR should be used as benchmarks in relation to national implementation of the political goals. 

Best regards

Rikke 

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On Behalf Of Renata Bloem
Sent: 22. december 2004 13:37
To: CS Plenary
Cc: Ramin Kaweh
Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] GFC meeting in January

Dear all,

Following Ramin’s notice about the GFC meeting in January, I urge all those who can make contribution to the rolling document of 16 December to do so, see www.itu.int/wsis/gfc/index.html#fourth . It is also of great importance that the voice of civil society will be heard during the open meeting on 10/11 January! If you cannot come personally, please send us your comments and contributions that they can be read during the meeting. I appeal to all caucuses and to the CT Group which has recently emerged again, to make their input.  There is agreement in general on the flow and structure of the document and contributions should come to the existing chapters. Input is wanted at this time in particular regarding proposals “How to move from principles to action/solutions”, with other words to implementation.

Best

Renata 

Faisant suite à la note de Ramin concernant la réunion du Groupe des Amis du Président (GFC) de janvier, j’encourage vivement tous ceux qui peuvent apporter des contributions au rolling document du 16 décembre. Pour ce faire, voir  <http://www.itu.int/wsis/gfc/index.html#fourth> www.itu.int/wsis/gfc/index.html#fourth. Il est également très important que la voix de la société civile soit entendue lors de la réunion ouverte du 10 janvier ! Si vous ne pouvez pas venir personnellement, veuillez s’il vous plait nous envoyer vos commentaires et contributions afin qu’ils puissent être lus pendant les réunions. Je fais appel à tous les caucus et au CT group, qui a récemment émergé de nouveau, pour faire leur contribution. Il y a généralement accord sur la structure du document et des contributions qui devraient se référer aux chapitres existants. Des apports sont attendus en ce moment en particulier concernant la proposition « comment passer des principes à des solutions et l’action », en d’autres mots à la mise en œuvre.

Cordialement,

Renata

Renate Bloem
President of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO)
11, Avenue de la Paix
CH-1202 Geneva
Tel: +41 22 301 1000
Fax: +41 22 301 2000
E-mil:  <mailto:rbloem at ngocongo.org> rbloem at ngocongo.org
Website: www.ngocongo.org <http://www.ngocongo.org/> 

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