[WSIS CS-Plenary] Remote Participation Project for IGF 2008

[Ginger Paque]

 Hi everyone! This is an important possibility for anyone who cannot be in
Hyderabad in December, and for regional involvement.

Saludos, Ginger


IGF Remote Participation Project 

Presenting the hubs initiative 
  
1) Objective: 
To develop partnerships with regional organizations and communities with the
aim to create local IGF hubs. These hubs would be local meetings, which
would exhibit the webcast of the IGF as well as hold panels and roundtables,
to discuss the themes of the IGF from a local perspective. This forum should
serve as a stimulus or a starting point for the debate of local issues and
implications and for the development of a network of interested people.

2)  Some reasons that support the creation of hubs   
2.1. Increases the visibility of the meeting. The local press will more
likely cover a local  event than one that takes place overseas. In addition
to that, the engagement of civil society in organizing the hubs is a natural
publicity and promotion that reaches all the  larger local and regional
community gathered around it.  
2.2. Raises awareness. As a consequence of an increased visibility, the
society in general becomes more aware of the importance of the subjects
discussed at the IGF. The civil society plays an important role in getting
in touch with possible stakeholders (NGO's, politicians, government
representatives, economic sector, academics, etc) and convincing them of the
importance of the subject and of their presence by being involved on the
process.  
2.3. Favors commitment. When a person solitarily watches a broadcasted
meeting he/she feels free to drop it anytime and may never be involved with
the subject again. When he's on the company of others and discusses the
subject with them a sense of commitment with the group may flourish.  
2.4. Favors community building. This sense of commitment can evolve into a
structured relationship among stakeholders .  
2.5. Provides networking. People can identify common interests and establish
different kinds of partnerships. The hubs fully accomplish the second reason
appointed here for people to be engaged on this experience.  
2.6. Favors follow-up initiatives. People may feel motivated not only to
follow the measures taken in the global sphere, but also to develop local
actions. Through local discussion, people can agree on measures to take and
share tasks and responsibility. This experience encourages collaboration and
rises local initiatives. 
  
3) Support provided to the local hubs 
3.1) High quality webcast, with technical assistance
3.2) Publicity for the hub in the organization homepage, in the project
homepage as well as in preparatory meetings and discussion forums 
 
4) What is necessary to create a local hub? 
The hubs can be held by any group of interested people. Each local group can
propose and develop a methodology for the meeting, according to its needs.
In general, the organization of the hubs does not demand high investments of
time and resources. We suggest:
4.1) A four day activity (3-6 of December), on flexible hours (but the hubs
are free to adjust this to their needs) 
4.2) A room or auditorium. It can be held at an university class or any
other convenient place in the city 
4.3) a broadband Internet connection and a video-conference (or projector)
equipment.
4.4) A server 
4.5) A moderator, who will plan the dynamics of the discussion 
4.6) A general call in lists, forums, etc, to invite the local community
interested in Information Society and Internet Governance 
 
5) What are the modes of participation from the hub?
5.1) Projection of a 2 minutes statement from remote hubs in the main
session at the IGF.  
5.2) People attending the hubs will be able to benefit from the regular
channels of participation: 
a) Incorporated link for making an interactive recording of audio or video
similar to "Youtube", "Seesmic" or "Quik", for broadcast in IGF sessions as
comments or questions (In discussion with the IGF organization) 
b) Chat 
c) Open channel for discussions (fora) including theme-specific and
moderated help forum for newcomers to the IGF

Any interested group can have more information in
<http://www.igfremote.com/> www.igfremote.com or send a mail to
<mailto:mariliamaciel at gmail.com> mariliamaciel at gmail.com

 

 






 

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