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

[Parminder]

My profuse apologies, Renate. It was a complete misunderstanding. I didn’t
see your enclosed statement of the 19th. It is perfect. Thanks a lot for all
the work. Parminder 

________________________________________________

Parminder Jeet Singh

IT for Change, Bangalore

Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities 

Tel: (+91-80) 2665 4134, 2653 6890

Fax: (+91-80) 4146 1055

 <http://www.itforchange.net/> www.ITforChange.net 

  _____  

From: Renate Bloem - iprolink [mailto:rbloem at ngocongo.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 8:12 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org; governance at lists.cpsr.org; 'Adam Peake'; 'Dr.
Francis MUGUET'
Cc: congo at ngocongo.org
Subject: RE: [governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS follow
up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID
Importance: High

 

But Parminder, I took it up very strongly in the statement on the 19th,
attached to previous message and here again. Please read also below.

Best

Renate

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship

with the United Nations (CONGO)

ECOSOC substantive session – Items 6 and 13 (b)

19 July 2007

 

Mr. President, 

Distinguished Delegates, 

 

As part of the trend for its strengthening, ECOSOC has promoted an
integrated and coordinated approach to the various conference follow up
processes. We thank the UN Secretary General for his report. I would like to
present a few comments to his report E/2007/76 on enhancing the efficiency
of the conference follow up process through the lens of strengthening the
involvement of civil society, and on the follow up to the World Summit on
the Information Society. 

 

Enhancing the efficiency of the Conference follow up process through the
lens of strengthening the involvement of civil society

We are pleased to see once more the UN Secretary General’s recognition of
the significant increase of civil society participation in the work of the
United Nations and in the implementation of the UN development goals. The
Secretary General noted that bringing the different follow up processes
together and establishing new ECOSOC functions would promote a greater
interaction among all constituencies. We could not more agree with that. The
ECOSOC High Level Segment demonstrated that these new working functions
would strengthen its capacity to address global issues. At the same time,
the ECOSOC would also benefit from a higher degree of involvement and
contribution from NGO partners in reviewing progress in implementation in a
cross-sectoral manner. The Conference of NGOs is ready to engage in a
dialogue on how to further attract civil society contributions to ECOSOC
activities in the perspective of the comprehensive ECOSOC reform resolution,
which is expected to elaborate further on resolution 61/16. 

 

First, informal consultations with civil society actors should be held
during the process of drafting of the ECOSOC Ministerial Declaration. More
transparency in the drafting process would indeed facilitate inputs from
NGOs at some stages of the process, but would also increase the visibility
for the Council’s work and further encourage NGO actors to engage in
disseminating and implementing the provisions included in the ministerial
declaration.

 

Secondly, on the Annual Ministerial-level Review, we call countries under
voluntary review during future sessions of the Council to organise an
inclusive national consultation process involving civil society actors. In
addition, the Council should adopt a flexible way of involving NGOs in the
AMR proceedings, to guarantee that NGO inputs be fully included in the AMR
programme. This would help create a space for genuine and constructive
dialogue between all stakeholders involved in the implementation of
international development targets.

 

Follow up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society

I would now like to comment on the paragraphs devoted to the WSIS
implementation and follow up (para. 12 to 14), and in particular on the
reference that contributions from non-governmental stakeholders to CSTD were
“channelled through the multi-stakeholder Global Alliance for ICTs and
Development”. 

 

The Conference of NGOs is of the opinion that this assertion does not
accurately reflect paragraph 105 of the Tunis Agenda for the Information
Society and the provisions of Resolution 2006/46 adopted last year by
ECOSOC. In line with the practice of ECOSOC subsidiary bodies, with the
arrangements observed during CSTD-10 and with the provisions of ECOSOC
resolutions 1996/31 and 2006/46, non-governmental organisations observing
the CSTD are able to directly contribute to its work. We understand that
GAID, as an initiative created by the UN Secretary General in March 2006, is
a catalyser for multi-stakeholder and action oriented partnerships and a
multi-stakeholder platform for cross-sectoral policy dialogue, with the view
to harness the use of ICTs towards achieving the UN development agenda,
including the MDGs. 

 

We once more support the Global Alliance as a very significant tool for the
implementation of the development goals, and it should continue to play an
important role in the follow up and implementation of WSIS. We also
encourage all actors concerned to also engage in its work. In that sense,
there is a great interest that GAID feeds into the work of the CSTD and of
ECOSOC and provide its input as the result of its standing multi-stakeholder
processes. We were in particular fully pleased by the one-day CSTD-GAID
joint event organised during the May 2007 session as a very positive
innovation that must be continued. However, the Global Alliance should not
be considered as the only multi-stakeholder process of the CSTD, but only as
one of them. We therefore object that the Global Alliance could be used to
channel the participation of NGOs in the CSTD process, since it would
represent a serious step backwards in the multi-stakeholder approach to be
taken into account through the WSIS follow-up performed by the CSTD.

 

I’ll be happy to further develop on the successful 10th CSTD session of May
2007 and on the very significant work delivered by GAID during the
consideration of the CSTD report on 25 July.

 

 

Renate Bloem

President of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO)

11, Avenue de la Paix

CH-1202 Geneva

Tel: +41 22 301 1000

Fax: +41 22 301 2000

E-mail: rbloem at ngocongo.org

Website: www.ngocongo.org

 

The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international, membership association
that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and
decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the
presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United
Nations agencies on issues of global concern.  For more information see our
website at www.ngocongo.org

 

-----Message d'origine-----
De : plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] De la part
de Parminder
Envoyé : mardi, 24. juillet 2007 14:23
À : plenary at wsis-cs.org; governance at lists.cpsr.org; 'Adam Peake'; 'Dr.
Francis MUGUET'
Cc : congo at ngocongo.org
Objet : RE: [governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS follow
up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID

 

[Please note that by using 'REPLY', your response goes to the entire list.
Kindly use individual addresses for responses intended for specific people]

 

Click http://wsis.funredes.org/plenary/ to access automatic translation of
this message!

_______________________________________

 

But Renate, This issue was being discussed with some force in the plenary

and IGC and Philippe assured us that something is being done - whereby

everyone thanked him etc. And this stopped further exchanges on the list...

I know it is possible that you may not have noticed all emails because

Phillipe had been handling this issue, and things may have been complicated

by Philippe's being on vacation. 

 

However, as first pointed out by CONGO itself, it is very problematic for us

not to say anything on this issue. In my view this just must be taken up

when you get an opportunity to speak on 25th, and taken up strongly. 

 

I am also not clear if the assurances we had from GAID secretariat on this,

that this is only a mistake means anything by way of correction. And what

was the response of CSTD folks - Charles and Mongi.  

 

Thanks. And sorry to be raising so many issues when I know you have so many

different things to deal with in many different areas at the ECOSOC meeting.

 

Parminder 

 

 

________________________________________________

Parminder Jeet Singh

IT for Change, Bangalore

Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities 

Tel: (+91-80) 2665 4134, 2653 6890

Fax: (+91-80) 4146 1055

www.ITforChange.net 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On

> Behalf Of Renate Bloem - iprolink

> Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 5:08 PM

> To: plenary at wsis-cs.org; governance at lists.cpsr.org; 'Adam Peake'; 'Dr.

> Francis MUGUET'

> Cc: congo at ngocongo.org

> Subject: RE: [governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS

> follow up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID

> 

> 

> Hi Parminder,

> 

> I gave attached statement already on the 19th. This was on a very sudden

> basi; I could not consult any more. However, I knew that many had raised

> the

> issue.

> Renate

> ------

> Renate Bloem

> President of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO)

> 11, Avenue de la Paix

> CH-1202 Geneva

> Tel: +41 22 301 1000

> Fax: +41 22 301 2000

> E-mail: rbloem at ngocongo.org

> Website: www.ngocongo.org

> 

> The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international, membership association

> that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and

> decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the

> presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United

> Nations agencies on issues of global concern.  For more information see

> our

> website at www.ngocongo.org

> 

> -----Message d'origine-----

> De : plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] De la

> part

> de Parminder

> Envoyé : mardi, 24. juillet 2007 11:56

> À : 'Renate Bloem'; governance at lists.cpsr.org; 'Adam Peake'; 'Dr. Francis

> MUGUET'

> Cc : congo at ngocongo.org; plenary at wsis-cs.org

> Objet : RE: [governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS

> follow

> up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID

> 

> [Please note that by using 'REPLY', your response goes to the entire list.

> Kindly use individual addresses for responses intended for specific

> people]

> 

> Click http://wsis.funredes.org/plenary/ to access automatic translation of

> this message!

> _______________________________________

> 

> Renate

> 

> I think the statement is good. Thanks for including the IGC's part on EC.

> However, I remain concerned about the part in SG's report where GAID is

> mentioned as THE conduit to CSTD. Is there any behind-the-scenes process

> to

> correct this. If we have any doubts on that it is best to make a clear

> statement on this issue. As you saw on the plenary list there is a strong

> urging and support by many to make the point clear with ECOSOC.

> 

> Thanks for all the work

> 

> Parminder

> 

> ________________________________________________

> Parminder Jeet Singh

> IT for Change, Bangalore

> Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities

> Tel: (+91-80) 2665 4134, 2653 6890

> Fax: (+91-80) 4146 1055

> www.ITforChange.net

> 

> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: Renate Bloem [mailto:rbloem at ngocongo.org]

> > Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 9:44 PM

> > To: governance at lists.cpsr.org; 'Adam Peake'; Parminder; Dr. Francis

> MUGUET

> > Cc: congo at ngocongo.org

> > Subject: RE: [governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS

> > follow up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID

> > Importance: High

> >

> >

> > Dear all,

> >

> > Sorry, for not coming earlier back to you. I am running between various

> > ECOSOC mechanisms and CONGO's ongoing work. I have tried to get your

> > proposals into one single statement for Wednesday. There will be no

> other

> > space. I did my bit on criticising "CS participation 'channelled'

> through

> > GAID" last week. Look at the attachment and come back to me latest by

> > Tuesday noon. Will be in meetings afterwards.

> >

> > All best

> > Renate

> >

> > ----------------------------------

> > Renate Bloem

> > President of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO)

> > 11, Avenue de la Paix

> > CH-1202 Geneva

> > Tel: +41 22 301 1000

> > Fax: +41 22 301 2000

> > E-mail: rbloem at ngocongo.org

> > Website: www.ngocongo.org

> >

> > The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international, membership

> association

> > that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and

> > decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the

> > presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United

> > Nations agencies on issues of global concern.  For more information see

> > our

> > website at www.ngocongo.org

> >

> >

> > -----Message d'origine-----

> > De : Adam Peake [mailto:ajp at glocom.ac.jp]

> > Envoyé : lundi, 23. juillet 2007 09:56

> > À : governance at lists.cpsr.org

> > Objet : RE: [governance] Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ECOSOC reviewing WSIS

> > follow

> > up and implementation: CSTD, UNGIS, ALF, IGF, GAID

> >

> > Parminder, thanks.

> >

> > Hope you will take a friendly amendment to change leeter to letter :-)

> >

> > Slightly concerned about suggesting the discussion take place in the

> > CSTD process where non-govt stakeholders are lucky to get a word in.

> > But agree it should not take place in the IGF process. Could we add

> > some emphasis?  e.g change:

> >

> > as well as modalities ensured for their participation in all processes

> >

> > as well as modalities to ensure the full and equal participation of

> > all stakeholders in all processes

> >

> >

> > Anyway, I support the statement.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Adam

> >

> >

> >

> > At 11:53 AM +0530 7/23/07, Parminder wrote:

> > >Hi All,

> > >

> > >We have been taking comments for a IGC statement on non-inclusion in

> and

> > >non-transparency of the enhanced cooperation process to be read at the

> > >ongoing ECOSOC session which will take up the secretary general's

> report

> > >which alludes to this issue. (I am enclosing the original email by

> > Philippe

> > >to clarify matter for those who may have not followed the debate).

> > >

> > >I am proposing the following text pulling together various comments/

> text

> > >proposals that came up, for a consensus call. This may be need to be

> used

> > by

> > >CONGO any time now depending when does the discussion come up

> (Philippe,

> > >Renate, can you give us some information on this). But I think we may

> > still

> > >have around 48 hours we normally use for consensus seeking for

> statements

> > on

> > >the behalf of IGF. I am sorry for some delay in posting this. I had

> > planned

> > >to so it over the weekend, but was busy, and it slipped my mind.)

> > >

> > >(starts)

> > >

> > >This is in reference to the relevant part in the Secretary General's

> > report

> > >to the ECOSOC which mentions that "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". In this

> > respect

> > >it is pertinent to note that Para 71 of the Tunis Agenda also clearly

> > states

> > >that: "the process towards enhanced cooperation, ...will involve all

> > >stakeholders".

> > >

> > >The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus notes with concern that

> the

> > >letter and spirit of the WSIS multi-stakeholder principles do not

> appear

> > to

> > >have been applied in relation to the processes around 'enhanced

> > cooperation'

> > >for Internet Governance. In spite of directly requesting information of

> > the

> > >SG's office regarding the process, through our leeter dated 29th

> January,

> > >2007, addressed to SG's Special Advisor on WSIS, 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 commitment to contribute constructively to the WSIS

> > >follow-up process, a commitment which extends to all elements of the

> > >process, including that of enhanced cooperation.

> > >

> > >

> > >We request that the United Nations, ECOSOC, and all other parties

> ensure

> > >that the enhanced cooperation process is conducted in a manner that is

> > fully

> > >consistent with the principles of transparency and multistakeholder

> > >participation set forth in the Tunis Agenda. All information about

> > >consultation processes for enhanced cooperation should be provided in a

> > >timely and transparent manner to all stakeholders, as well as

> modalities

> > >ensured for their participation in all processes, including of initial

> > >consultations and developing the initial agenda and format for enhanced

> > >cooperation.

> > >

> > >In order to ensure participation of an appropriately wide range of

> civil

> > >society in this process, it would be useful to include formal

> > consultations

> > >on enhanced cooperation during, or around, the annual CSTD May sessions

> > (the

> > >Information Society week events) as well as encourage informal meetings

> > >during events such as the Internet Governance Forum.

> > >

> > >(ends)

> > >

> > >As per usual we will not take any in any amendment comments at this

> > point.

> > >Only support or otherwise.

> > >

> > >Thanks.

> > >Parminder

> > >

> > >

> > >________________________________________________

> > >Parminder Jeet Singh

> > >IT for Change, Bangalore

> > >Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities

> > >Tel: (+91-80) 2665 4134, 2653 6890

> > >Fax: (+91-80) 4146 1055

> > >www.ITforChange.net

> > >

> > ____________________________________________________________

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