[WSIS CS-Plenary] Civil Society Participation in IGF

[Milton Mueller]

Qusai Al-Shatti:
These are two good points. Certainly the structures and existing funding mechanisms should be adapted in the way you suggest. 

However, the IGF also provides an opportunity to use technology to move beyond the traditional UN paradigm of flying a privileged class of government officials, multinational business and a small elite of specially selected CS "representatives" to face to face meetings in expensive cities.  

It would also make sense to require the IGF to deploy online participation techniques that could broaden participation and lessen CS's dependence on funding from external sources. Efforts should be made to ensure that those who participate online have the same status as those who attend in person, insofar as that is possible.


Dr. Milton Mueller
Syracuse University School of Information Studies
http://www.digital-convergence.org
http://www.internetgovernance.org


>>> qshatti at safat.kisr.edu.kw 1/14/2006 4:02:51 PM >>>
1- If there is still a role for the CS bureau, then it should be restructured in a manner that is suitable for the post-WSIS phase. The upcoming phase is different than the WSIS process which concentrated on the summits. It is more related to issues pending from the summit and it should concenrate on active CS participation. So the Role of the CS bureau should concenrate more on how to facilitate CS participation on events related to the outcome of the WSIS and its pending issues.
2- During the IGF meeting we should ensure that CS is part of its structure, nature and character. And with the limited resources of CS, it should be acceptable that CS presence is sponsored by UN, International, intergovernmental, regional agencies and organizations. For example there are many funds and comissions that organizes meetings and events, may be some of that fundind should go to the CS in the form of fellowships with some guidelines.
3- The CS bureau should have the role to assist CS representatives to attend the post-WSIS related events including the IGF.