[WSIS CS-Plenary] RE: [WSIS-CT] CS Press release

Wed Mar 2 14:10:34 GMT 2005

Dear Renate and all

What happened to the two paras on HR concerns that I submitted to Adina on Friday, there is no mentioning of these at all ?

Rikke

-----Original Message-----
From: ct-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:ct-admin at wsis-cs.org] On Behalf Of Renata Bloem
Sent: 2. marts 2005 11:00
To: CS Plenary; bureau wsis; CT CS
Subject: [WSIS-CT] CS Press release

Dear all,

Please find below and attached the CS Press release Adina drafted and circulated with the relevant Press at the Palais des Nations in accordance with decisions coming from the last CT Meeting.

Apologies for some delay due to some technical problems Adina faced being in her new position.

Warm greetings to all,

Renata

CIVIL SOCIETY PRESS RELEASE

WSIS Phase II, PrepCom2

Geneva, 17 - 25 February 2005

Geneva, 2 March 2005 - The WSIS process has demonstrated innovative approaches in the participation of civil society as a key stakeholder, but there is still a need for systemic reform to embed civil society participation in international organizations concerned with the Information Society such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 

Civil society organizations that focus on intellectual property rights are deeply concerned at current accreditation arrangements for the development agenda within WIPO, which remains grossly imbalanced towards intellectual property rights holders rather than public interest groups.

Despite some concerns about WSIS "losing its vision" and "moving away from the Geneva Declaration track", civil society entities were generally satisfied with the response by governments to their efforts in making the peoples' voices heard in "bridging the digital divide". Some groups noted that vision of the inclusive Information Society goes well beyond internet governance and ICT financing issues.

Even though the Report of the work of the Group of Friends of the Chair (WSIS II / PC-2/DOCS / 3-E) is lacking some contributions from certain entities (e.g. gender issues), the civil society groups at large express their satisfaction with the increased opportunity in addressing the Plenary and promote "multistakeholderism" as a working model for PrepCom3, the Tunis Summit and for the implementation and follow-up of WSIS.

Working already in close partnerships with other stakeholders, NGOs and Civil Society Entities, involved in the process through a diverse network of working groups and Caucuses, are striving for a common strategy in building an all-inclusive Information Society.

For further information on the civil society participation in the PrepCom2 as well as for any additional information on future steps in Phase II, please do not hesitate to contact:

WSIS CS Coordination Secretariat

CONGO Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations

 <mailto:congo at ngocongo.org> congo at ngocongo.org

http://www.ngocongo.org <http://www.ngocongo.org/> 

ICV International Conference Volunteers 

 <mailto:info at icvolunteers.org> info at icvolunteers.org 

 <http://www.icvolunteers.org/> http://www.icvolunteers.org

NGLS UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (ex officio)

 <mailto:ngls at unctad.org> ngls at unctad.org

 <http://www.un-ngls.org/index.html> http://www.un-ngls.org/index.html

The WSIS civil society meeting point:  <http://www.wsis-cs.org/> http://www.wsis-cs.org

or the official  WSIS website:  <http://www.itu.int/wsis> http://www.itu.int/wsis

--- end ---

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/> 

The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international, membership association that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global concern.  For more information see our website at www.ngocongo.org <http://www.ngocongo.org/> 

Reminder: CONGO Postal Address Has Changed

We will soon be unable to receive mail at our old address at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.  So please make sure to update your records with CONGO's new Geneva office postal address: CP 50, 1211 Genéve 20, Switzerland.  Our physical office address is 11, Avenue De La Paix, 1st Floor, 1202 Genéve, Switzerland.

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