[governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS follow up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID

[karen banks]

hi parminder

>You have my full support on this. --MM

thanks for doing this parminder..  here's some proposed revisions up 
front - my justifications noted at the end..

=== (i'm assuming these few paras will be inserted into a collective 
statement CONGO is coordinating? ===

In reference to "Consultations are under way to start a process 
towards enhanced cooperation among all relevant stakeholders with 
regard to Internet governance, as requested by the Summit". Para 71 
of the Tunis Agenda states: "the process towards enhanced 
cooperation, ...will involve all stakeholders".

The Civil Society IG Caucus notes with concern that the spirit of the 
WSIS multi-stakeholder principles does not appear to have been 
applied in relation to the process of enhanced cooperation. In spite 
of directly requesting information of the SG regarding the process, 
civil society groups have neither received information about, nor 
been invited to or involved in consultations, in any way to date.

The caucus, along with other civil society groups, has consistently 
demonstrated it's committment to contribute constructively to the 
WSIS followup process, a committment which extends to all elements of 
the process, including that of enhanced cooperation.

We request ECOSOC ensures that the WSIS Multi-stakeholder principles 
are consistently applied to all elements of the WSIS followup 
process, and that information about consultation processes are 
provided in a timely and transparent manner to all stakeholders.

In order to make the most of civil society participation in this 
process, it would be useful to include formal consultations on 
enhanced cooperation during, or around, the annual CSTD May sessions 
(the WSIS 'weeks') as well as encourage informal meetings during 
events such as the Internet Governance Forum."

notes below..

karen

>This is in reference to the SG's report stating that, and we quote, 
>"Consultations are under way to start a process towards enhanced 
>cooperation among all relevant stakeholders with regard to Internet 
>governance, as requested by the Summit". Para 71 of the Tunis Agenda 
>clearly states that "the process towards enhanced cooperation, 
>...will involve all stakeholders". However, the Civil Society IG 
>Caucus notes with concern that civil society has not been involved 
>at all in the consultations mentioned in the SG's report. We do not 
>even have any information about this consultation, despite directly 
>requesting the SG office regarding it.

In reference to "Consultations are under way to start a process 
towards enhanced cooperation among all relevant stakeholders with 
regard to Internet governance, as requested by the Summit".

Para 71 of the Tunis Agenda states: "the process towards enhanced 
cooperation, ...will involve all stakeholders".

The Civil Society IG Caucus notes with concern that, in spite of 
directly requesting information of the SG regarding the process, 
civil society has neither received information about, nor been 
invited or involved in consultations in any way to date.

(parminder, you may want to include a copy of the request for info, dated)

>We request ECOSOC to ensure that the multistakeholder principle in 
>WSIS follow-up is fully adhered to as per WSIS documents, in general 
>spirit, and in specific mandates as in case of the process towards 
>enhanced cooperation, where as mentioned above, the WSIS injunction 
>for multistakeholder involvement is clearly not being complied with.

eg.. are we asking ECOSOC to ensure that the CSTD ensures MS 
principles are adhered to in any (and all) consultations related to 
wsis followup? the CSTD is the entry point for consultation no? 
ECOSOC only receives reports from CSTD no? (or maybe i've got it all wrong)

>The caucus will like to be invited to and involved in these 
>consultations, along with other civil society groups. Since a lot of 
>civil society groups interested in IG issues converge at IGF 
>meeting, holding such consultations on the sidelines of the IGF 
>meeting may be useful. We will also like to be kept updated on the 
>consultations with other stakeholders.

the above for example, would appear to relate to CS involvement in 
CSTD process?

but you know, i'm not sure i would include text about holding 
consultations at the IGF specifically.. strategically, i think it's 
not the best move.. i would prefer to have *formal* consultations 
about enhanced cooperation as part of the wsis followup process, and 
therefore, during may each year..  but if you link these two together 
right now, i am sure it will be resisted.. is that what we want? As a 
compromise, you could use the IGF as one of several opportunities for 
consulTations..

proposed text

We request ECOSOC ensures that the WSIS Multi-stakeholder principles 
are consistently applied to all elements of the WSIS followup 
process, and that information about consultation processes are 
provided in a timely and transparent manner to all stakeholders.

In order to make the most of civil society participation in this 
process, it would be useful to include formal consultations on 
enhanced cooperation during, or around, the annual CSTD May sessions 
(the WSIS 'weeks') as well as encourage informal meetings during 
events such as the Internet Governance Forum."

and - is this statement going to be read, or written and submitted to 
ECOSOC? i imagine a bit of both? ie, an intervention from the floor, 
and a written statement?  and, what is the relationship between 
ECOSOC and CSTD - i ask as i want to be clear on who has the power to 
ask what of whom..