[WSIS CS-Plenary] Updates on 11th session of the CSTD (26-30 May 2008): prgramme of work, side events, etc

Tue Apr 15 14:57:33 BST 2008

Dear all, 

Find below some information regarding the preparations towards the up-coming
11th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, in
charge of the follow up to WSIS. Let me remind you that the two substantive
themes are:

-          in relation to WSIS follow up: Development-oriented policies for
socio-economic inclusive information society, including access,
infrastructure and an enabling environment;

-          in relation to the CSTD traditional mandate: Science, technology
and engineering for innovation and capacity-building in education and
research;

The CSTD will also have a general overview on the Follow-up to WSIS.

Agenda and Programme of Work

Find attached the annotated agenda of the next session of the Commission,
which contains also a draft time management schedule. Note that the
following specific segments so far:

-          Two multi-stakeholder panel discussions will take place on
Tuesday 27 May (10.00-13.00) on two WSIS follow-up themes:  1) The emerging
"broadband divide" and what to do about it; and 2) Cybersecurity. Modalities
for participation are expected to be informal and interactive. The first
panel will be organised by the CTSD Secretariat, the ITU and the GAID
Secretariat, while the second panel is lead by the ITU. 

-          A multi-stakeholder country policy review of two countries on the
basis of the two substantive themes of the 11th session of the CSTD on
Thursday 29 May (10.00-13.00), which would constitute best practices
examples. The two or three countries to be reviewed will be members of the
Commission.

In addition to these two multi-stakeholder sessions, note the following:

-          An opening meeting on Monday 26 May (starting at 10.00),
featuring some high level opening speakers. There would be an opportunity to
have a CS speaker in this opening segment of the Commission. The name of
Daniel Pimienta (from Funredes) has been at this stage suggested to the CTSD
Secretariat. As a well known and active participant in the WSIS process and
its follow-up, my understanding is that he would enjoy a general support
from the members of this group. It would also be important to include here
somebody from LAC since this region has been quite underrepresented in the
WSIS follow up and implementation process so far. I am looking for any
feedback from you at this point. 

-          A Panel discussion and interactive dialogue with the UN regional
commissions on Monday 26 May (15.00-18.00).

The rest of the session's schedule is organised around general debates on
agenda items, but we are still pushing and exploring how to strengthen a
format organised around more issue-focused and targeted interactive
dialogues - at least on WSIS follow up matters. 

Side events

The CSTD Secretariat made available two rooms for additional side events to
be organised by NGOs or other stakeholders during the CTSD session. Requests
should be addressed to Charles Geiger directly. 

Some side events have already been planned during the 11th session,
including the three-day 2008 Global Event on Measuring the Information
Society (27-29 May 2008), organized by the Partnership on Measuring ICT for
Development. The Global Event is included in the cluster of WSIS-related
events 2008 that will be taking place in Geneva and is open to all WSIS
stakeholders. More information at
http://new.unctad.org/templates/Event____888.aspx.

Note as well the the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) is
expected to hold an Open Consultation in Geneva during the CTSD week. Date
to be confirmed and more information coming soon on this matter.

Documentation

Some documents related to the WSIS follow up activities at the CSTD have
already been issued:

-          Report
<http://www.unctad.org/sections/dite_dir/docs/dite_pcbb_stdev0106_en.pdf>
of the Inter-sessional Panel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28-30 November 2007
(which was an expert meeting in preparation to the 11th session, with a
particular focus on the substantive themes of the up coming session).

-          The UN SG substantive report on Development-oriented
<http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/ecn162008d3_en.pdf>  policies for a
socio-economic inclusive information society, including access,
infrastructure and enabling environment (substantive theme of this session).

-          All stakeholder contributions submitted to the CSTD Secretariat
(including reports of international organisation in charge of facilitating
MSH implementation and reports of regional commissions) are also posted at
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=4447
<http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=4447&lang=1> &lang=1.

This should be completed by the UN SG report on the Follow-up to WSIS as
well as the CTSD Secretariat 2008 WSIS Report, as previously mentioned.
These documents are not yet available. 

Sponsorship

The list of CS participants to be sponsored for their participation in the
CSTD should be circulated shortly. 

Best, 

Philippe

Philippe Dam
CONGO - Information Society &
Human Rights Coordinator
11, Avenue de la Paix
CH-1202 Geneva
Tel: +41 22 301 1000
Fax: +41 22 301 2000
E-mail:  <mailto:wphilippe.dam at ngocongo.org> philippe.dam at ngocongo.org
Website:  <blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org> www.ngocongo.org 

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