[WSIS CS-Plenary] FINAL: Statement on CS Participation - Need for Action

[Elizabeth Carll, PhD]

Dear Karen and all,

The statements are excellent and articulately make the points.  However,
what actions should take place now?  Asking governments to conduct business
in a fair  and transparent manner is all well and good but what happens, as
it appears is the case now, when it doesn't happen?

While behind the scenes negotiations are obviously important, world
attention to the matter is important as well.  Media is important to shine
light on abuses.

I would suggest CS publish a periodic WSIS Global Report Card with a simple
rating system ( perhaps 1 to 10 with ten being the standard of excellence to
strive for, etc) evaluating the various governments on key principles such
as transparency, accountability for their promises, etc.   This would bring
positive attention to those governments who support democratic participation
and simultaneously publicize those who are greatly lacking.

The media resonates to these types of simple rating reports and as a result
messages can be conveyed very easily.  The report card should be something
that becomes standard operating procedure on all summits, meetings etc.
Most people understand the concept of  report cards and the more it is
used/repeated the more effective a tool it will become.

Discussion should take place with governments as to why they are receiving a
particular rating and what they plan to do, to improve their actions in
front of the eyes of the world.  This can be an ongoing process for the
future.  Concrete ways of publicizing accountability is important and
effective in countering the typical propaganda published by governments.

The use of a report card implies that there obviously will be follow up to
any discussion, rather than just one more meeting to discuss issues.  It can
be the spring board/platform for ongoing discussion.

>From a psychological perspective,  a report card conveys the image of  CS
power  to the public, much like a parent holding the child accountable for
their school marks and any need for improvement.

Rather simplistic, but we need something that the public can understand, as
most are clueless as to the issues involved.

Any other suggestions?

Elizabeth

Dr. Elizabeth Carll
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies;
UN NGO Committee on Mental Health;
Communications Coordination Committee for the UN
Tel: 1631-754-2424
Fax: 1631-754-5032
ecarll at optonline.net

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On
Behalf Of karen banks
Sent: Saturday, October 01, 2005 4:10 AM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] FINAL: Statement on CS Participation (E/F/S)


Dear all,

Attached is the revised version of the Civil Society statement on
participation as read by Avri Doria, Sep 28th - which had the endorsement
of the CS plenary.

This statement has been referred to quite often (by the CCBI, in the press
conference, and in our final statement to plenary last night) so good to
have the latest version here in english, french and spanish.

Many thanks to conchita and jean-louis for translation of the original
version into french, and to alejandra from CONGO for translation into
spanish.

and to alejandra and her french speaking colleque from CONGO (i'm afraid i
don't know her name) for translation of the revised version into spanish
and french respectively.

karen