R: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Re: [CS Bureau] Next GFC Meetings

[Robert Guerra]

An idea - perhaps it's a radical one....might we want to start
developping, say on a collaborative site - like a wiki - the basic
principles that are seeking?

regards

Robert


> Ciao to all, I totally agree with Wolfgang about the need for a letter and
> modalities and reference to principle 1 of the WSIS Declaration.
> I think this could be an opportunity for us to stress the fact that in
> both
> the Declaration and Plan of Action, as well as for some aspect in the
> Implementation Plan under debate, very little is said about the actual
> role
> of civil society as a stakeholder (while governments, IGOs and private
> sector are indicted performing specific roles).
>
> This means the rhetoric of the multi-stakeholder prevails still on the
> substance and an in depth analysis of its implications (for actors as well
> as for democratic processes). In this sense I believe we can refer to
> three
> levels of democratic involvement: information, deliberation and
> decision-making (on this last aspect I am not so convinced principle 1
> states anything definitive...).
>
> Seems like the last GFC meeting in June was pretty much an exchange of
> information but also a deliberative setting. And it was fruitful. The idea
> of being invited as observers to the next one was a way to keep at least
> the
> information dimension alive. Stepping back from this is a major
> constrains.
>
> We have several times mentioned the possibility to draw some guidelines,
> or
> indicate some basics for multi-stakeholder practices, both in principles
> and
> action. We could possibly use this opportunity to do this. Basic
> principles,
> as Wolfgang reminds, are already there in the official documents; but
> guidelines to turn these into reality would require another effort. I
> would
> suggest among the things to demand:
> To guarantee that at least the informational level of participatory
> practice
> is respected, if the principle of multi-stakeholderism is to be
> meaningful;
> To guarantee a sustained and fluent channel of communication between GFC,
> ES
> and civil society (either through people directly involved in the EX or
> through a mandate to Congo);
> To guarantee that if civil society is not allowed to meetings not even as
> observer, justification is given for this;
> To ask for a more precise indication of what civil society "participation"
> means in the context of the Plan of Implementation.
> To push for commitment toward real multi-stakeholder modalities in
> regional
> and national settings (and activities leading to Tunis)
>
> Ciao
> Claudia padovani
>
> -----Messaggio originale-----
> Da: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] Per conto
> di Wolfgang Kleinwächter
> Inviato: sabato 25 giugno 2005 8.29
> A: plenary at wsis-cs.org; CONGO - Philippe Dam; plenary at wsis-cs.org; bureau
> wsis
> Cc: Renata Bloem; Alejandra Mendoza
> Oggetto: AW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Re: [CS Bureau] Next GFC Meetings
>
>
> Dier List,
>
> if CS is excluded officially from the GFC, we should write an official
> letter of protest to both Mr. Karkelins and Mr. Utsumi (probably also to
> Mr.
> Annan), arguing, that while we recognize the intergovernmental nature of
> the
> WSIS process, we insist, that principle 1 of the WSIS Declaration of
> Principles has to be implemented by all sides, and in particular by
> governments.
>
> Principle 1 reads :
>
> "1)    The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of
> ICTs
> for development
>
> 1.        Governments, as well as private sector, civil society and the
> United Nations and other international organizations have an important
> role
> and responsibility in the development of the Information Society and, as
> appropriate, in decision-making processes. Building a people-centred
> Information Society is a joint effort which requires cooperation and
> partnership among all stakeholders."
>
>
>
> Principle 1 says clearly, that CS has to be included into policy
> development
> and, as appropriate, also in the decision making processes. While we
> recognize, that in this phase, when we move towards a decision making
> process, it can be not appropriate, that CS is included (but even this is
> a
> questionsmark), we call for our "right to be informed" which is part of
> Article 19 of the Univeral Declaration of Human Rights. We can refer to
> the
> WGIG practice, where "closed sessions" has been open for "onlookers", that
> is parties who have a special interest but have no right to speak. The
> practicie worked and did not underminde the efficiency of the work of the
> group.
>
>
>
> It would be a great step backwards, a violation of the WSIS principles by
> the governments and a provocation which could lead to (unwanted)
> alternative
> actions in the preperation of the Tunis summit which could undermine the
> constructive involvement of all stakeholders bnoth in further development
> of
> the WSIS process and the implementation of the Plan of Action. And it
> would
> be in sharp contrast to the emerging spirit of mutual trust and
> cooperation.
>
>
>
>
> The letter should be signed officially by the President of the CS Bureau
> and
> the Spokespersons we have elected during PrepCom2.
>
>
>
> Best
>
>
>
> wolfgang
>
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