[WSIS CS-Plenary] Civil Society Participation in IGF

[Gurstein, Michael]

I very much agree with Milton on this and would like to see these
principles apply to the Global Alliance as well.

There are of course, issues of access, design, language, software format
and so on, but we should look on these as challenges and the overall
process as an opportunity for extending inclusiveness and transparency. 

The development process of making effective use of online participation
techniques in these types of venues is likely to be a lengthy one, but
nevertheless one that should be entered into as soon as possible and
recognizing that such use will evolve and develop with experience,
changing technologies and growing expectations.

Best,

Michael Gurstein

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On
Behalf Of Milton Mueller
Sent: January 15, 2006 6:34 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Civil Society Participation in IGF


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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.



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