[WSIS CS-Plenary] IG Public policy issues - approx 7 days left to deadline.. [March 31/06]

[Robert Guerra]

While I appreciate the ongoing and much needed discussion about IGF
elections and CS IG Nomcom, let's not forget that a very important
deadline is coming up.

Let's not get distracted on who can fill what position instead of
identifying and detailing the key policy issues the IGF should,
could...must discuss..

For those who might not be familiar with the  details - below are
details as stated on the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) website.

Given the short period of time, it would be great if on-line
collaborative document editing tools could be used. In an earlier email
to the Governance caucus I suggested using Writely. Perhaps we could use
it?  If you are interested, then please visit the following URL:

<http://www.writely.com/View.aspx?docid=bbfcskzpsx44x>

I have some time between now and the end of the month and so volunteer
some time to help coordinate input. Any others willing and/or able to
help? If so, please virtually raise your hand.



regards

Robert

--


http://www.intgovforum.org/

[snipped - towards bottom..]


b) Public policy issues to be discussed at the first meeting of the IGF.

Please send us your top three choices giving a short explanation on the
reasons for your choices to igf at unog.ch by 31 March 2006.



Short synthesis of written contributions and discussions.
http://www.intgovforum.org/brief.htm


The questionnaire responses and the discussions during the consultations
indicated an emerging consensus that the activities of the IGF should
have an overall development orientation.  It was equally recognized that
capacity building should also be an overarching priority.  Capacity
building should enable meaningful participation in global Internet
policy development which includes both assistance to attend meetings and
training in the subject matter.

In addition to the overarching development and capacity building
priorities, a review of the questionnaire responses and the transcripts
of the consultations shows the following as the top ten most frequently
mentioned public policy issues:

   1. Spam
   2. Multilingualism
   3. Cybercrime
   4. Cybersecurity
   5. Privacy and Data Protection
   6. Freedom of Expression and Human Rights
   7. International Interconnection Costs
   8. Bridging the Digital Divide: Access and Policies
   9. Bridging the Digital Divide: Financing
  10. Rules for e-commerce, e-business and consumer protection.




http://www.itu.int/wsis/implementation/igf/index.html

MANDATE OF THE IGF (para 72):

72.	We ask the UN Secretary-General, in an open and inclusive process,
to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new forum
for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the Internet Governance
Forum (IGF). The mandate of the Forum is to:
a)	Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet
governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security,
stability and development of the Internet.
b)	Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different
cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and
discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body.
c)	Interface with appropriate intergovernmental organizations and other
institutions on matters under their purview.
d)	Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in
this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific
and technical communities.
e)	Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the
availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world.
f)	Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing
and/or future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from
developing countries.
g)	Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant
bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations.
h)	Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing
countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise.
i)	Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS
principles in Internet governance processes.
j)	Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources.
k)	Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse
of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users.
l)	Publish its proceedings.
73.	The Internet Governance Forum, in its working and function, will be
multilateral, multi-stakeholder, democratic and transparent. To that
end, the proposed IGF could:
a)	Build on the existing structures of Internet governance, with special
emphasis on the complementarity between all stakeholders involved in
this process – governments, business entities, civil society and
intergovernmental organizations.
b)	Have a lightweight and decentralized structure that would be subject
to periodic review.
c)	Meet periodically, as required. IGF meetings, in principle, may be
held in parallel with major relevant UN conferences, inter alia, to use
logistical support.



-- 
Robert Guerra <rguerra at privaterra.org>
Managing Director, Privaterra
Tel +1 416 893 0377 Fax +1 416 893 0374