[WSIS CS-Plenary] [THETHA] World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) - 29 June 2005

[THETHA]

THETHA - THE SANGONeT ICT DISCUSSION FORUM

"World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)"

29 June 2005

www.sangonet.org.za

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The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) comprises two phases. The
first phase took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10-12 December 2003,
where 175 countries adopted a Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action.
The second phase will take place in Tunis, Tunisia, from 16-18 November
2005.

During the second phase of WSIS, efforts are being made to put the Plan of
Action into motion. Working groups have been set up to find solutions and
reach agreements on key issues such as Internet governance and financing
mechanisms.

The Summit is an important event, symbolising the recognition by the global
community that ICTs can play a major role in social and economic development
and contribute significantly towards poverty alleviation.

SANGONeT will host a Thetha forum on 29 June 2005 to provide South African
civil society organisations (CSOs) with an opportunity to reflect on the
focus and objectives of WSIS and related processes. It will also provide a
platform to discuss the position of the South African government and civil
society in this regard. A similar meeting will be held in Cape Town during
July 2005.

SANGONeT is compiling a draft WSIS civil society document with the support
of various local CSOs. This draft document focuses on issues such as local
content; community broadcasting; freedom of expression, diversity and
pluralism; financing the digital divide; education and ICT literacy; and
gender and ICTs. The document will be reviewed and discussed at the Thethas.

The first WSIS Thetha will be held on Wednesday, 29 June 2005 (09h00-16h00)
at the Parktonian Hotel, 120 De Korte Street, Braamfontein.

If you are interested in participating in this Thetha, please contact
Refilwe Rakhibane at SANGONeT before 27 June 2005:

Tel: (011) 403-4935 / Fax: (011) 403-0130
E-mail: thetha at sangonet.org.za

SANGONeT's Thetha Forums aim to provide CSOs with an opportunity to discuss
information communication technology (ICT) issues of common concern and to
learn from one another's experiences. The forums focus specifically on the
ICT challenges facing the CSO sector, highlighting and promoting practical
benefits, opportunities and lessons learned to date.

For more information on WSIS, please refer to the following websites:

WSIS Official Website
http://www.wsis.org / www.itu.int/wsis

Heinrich Boell's Worldsummit2005
http://www.worldsummit2005.org

WSIS Civil Society Meeting Point
http://www.wsis-cs.org

UN Non-governmental Liaison Service - Special WSIS Page
http://www.un-ngls.org/wsis.htm

WSIS Community Platform
http://www.wsis-online.net

Participation in the Thetha is free of charge.

"Come Thetha with us"


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