[WSIS CS-Plenary] Regarding Digital Solidarity Fund's Risk of Disappearing

[BluMail Info]

I agree with Darian Rodriguez Heyman about the importance of reaching out to
the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as well as to other tech-based
foundations to seek their input, commitment and funding for a new fund that
addresses 21st Century concerns.  Perhaps GAID could plan a conference in
Silicon Valley involving country donors, tech firms and foundations, NGOs,
and UN organizations to scope out the vision, funding priorities, mission,
and strategy of a new fund.
Having worked with several donor countries who may welcome the opportunity
to provide input before being approached for funding, I might suggest
inviting prospective donors from Austria, Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands,
Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, and US.  Happy to provide
their contact information.

And we just facilitated a delegation of USAID and NGO representatives to
meet with Silicon Valley firms, VC funds, and foundations where in just a
matter of a few weeks, truly innovative partnerships are emerging.  If there
is interest in coordinating some kind of conference, I'm happy to provide
contact information for Apple, Case Foundation, Cisco, Dell, Facebook, Flora
Family Foundation, Ford Foundation, Global Catalyst Foundation, Google, HP,
IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Omidyar Network, Salesforce.com, Skoll Foundation,
Sun and others.

Having raised funds from donors, foundations, and through global donation
campaigns through the years, I think with a little coordinated
effort,millions could be raised to start addressing the tech for development
issues that, if tackled, can truly bring global connection, connectivity,
education, equipment, and policy change for all.

All the best and regards,
Sarah

Sarah McCue, Ph.D.
Founder and Board Chair, BluMail
Former Senior Tech Partnership Advisor, World Bank
Former Manager, ICT for Development Practice, UNDP

On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 5:26 AM, Darian Rodriguez Heyman <
darian at darianheyman.com> wrote:

Charles,

For what it's worth, I've done fundraising for similar initiatives when I
was at Craigslist Foundation.  It may not be easy, but it is possible,
especially if it can be shown that there's a demonstrable need/impact, and
that we would be filling a unique role.  The David and Lucile Packard
Foundation would be the place I'd start, and I have a contact there who
heads up their new Network Effectiveness program.  Happy to talk further if
appropriate, and will be available to talk after my return on April 26th if
that'd be helpful.

In Community,
Darian
Darian Rodriguez Heyman
Commissioner, San Francisco Department of the Environment (
www.sfenvironment.org)
Member of the United Nations' GAID High-Level Panel of Advisors (
www.un-gaid.org)
Mobile:  (415) 637-5062
P  Please consider the environment before printing this email.
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On Apr 15, 2009, at 9:57 AM, Michael Gurstein wrote:

Charles,

Your suggestion re: a global civil society ICT4D network is a very good one
and moreover is one where there has already been considerable discussion.
Also, there are a variety of networks at the national and even global level
that would usefully be part of such a global body... (several of them now
function in a somewhat similar role).

The problem from my experience with these efforts is that there is little
funding available for the establishment and maintenance of these networks.
Funders are interested mostly in one off projects and rarely will provide
"establishment/overhead" funding.

Even though these networks can function largely electronically they still
require maintenance and development which requires attention and effort
which in turn require resources.

The more active these networks become i.e. the more they actually engage in
doing things on the ground rather than simply functioning as discussion
vehicles/e-lists/websites the more such funding is required and as is
clearly visible in this area as in others, "he who pays the piper...

I don't mean to completely discourage such an effort and particularly one
that might function under UN (or other officially sanctioned auspices) but
simply to introduce a bit of caution into the discussion. Thinking through a
funding  (for example a UN trust fund) and governance model in advance might
save a lot of difficulties down the road.

Best,

MBG
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