[WSIS CS-Plenary] GFC meeting in January

[Elizabeth Carll, PhD]

Dear Rikke, Renata, and all,

Rikke makes an excellent point, as, for example, physical and mental health
is a human rights issue, as are other bench marks in the CS Declaration.
However, that is not to say that each area should not specifically be
included, as we may recognize the diversity of human rights issues, but
cannot assume other governments, organizations, and societies will
automatically do the same.

In addition to serving as a plan of action, any document will obviously be a
tool of public education, and therefore a certain amount of repetition is
necessary.  Marketing and advertising specialists often point out that
people have to see/read something at least seven times before it may
register/be remembered.

Elizabeth

Dr. Elizabeth Carll
Focal Point to WSIS
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies;
Chair, Media/ICT Working Group,
UN NGO Committee on Mental Health, New York

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On Behalf
Of Rikke Frank Joergensen
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 7:15 AM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] GFC meeting in January


Dear Renata

Thanks for reminding us !

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

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.
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.
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 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)
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