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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On Friday 29 May 2015 07:11 AM, Jeremy
Malcolm wrote:<br>
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<div>Replying just to the IGC list in respect of the suggestion
that the IGC could host this McCarthy Committee on civil society
funding and transparency, I doubt that there is any consensus
that it should do this, and the IGC cannot act in its absence.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I for one cannot imagine a scenario in which this would not
do much more harm than good. There had already been much
negative fallout from JNC members interrogating others <span
style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">on this list
and the Best Bits lists by</span> about their funding and
demanding they take particular accountability and transparency
measures. We could not withstand another such inquisition
without a foundation of mutual trust and respect, which frankly
will take much time to rebuild, beginning with an adjustment in
attitude from the inquisitioners. <br>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
Jeremy<br>
<br>
I made a straight forward proposal for a simplest possible,
voluntary, transparency initiative for the civil society groups
involved in the IG area. I also pointed out that because of both (1)
the even higher stakes involved in the multi-stakeholder governance
structures, and (2) the highly contested (and invested) geo politics
of the area, such an initiative is especially important in this
area. I also pointed that the NetMundial statement as well as the UN
report on IGF improvements carries language which strongly points
towards need for such transparency. <br>
<br>
I further clearly proposed that some group(s) that have the
confidence of everyone in this area can manage the initiative. I, IT
for Change or JNC have no interest in managing it. I further
volunteered to personally help raise resources for it, that can be
used by whichever entity we collectively decide should anchor this
project.<br>
<br>
Further, I said that we can discuss different possible approaches to
such a voluntary transparency initiative - I suggested the EU's
transparency register as a model, Ian said we could explore
alternative possibilities ( I request him to elaborate but havent
heard back), Becky pointed to some resources and templates, which I
am happy to go with, although they are more complex than a simple
'interests/ objectives / funding sources' kind of voluntary
disclosure like the cited EU register calls for, you yourselves
cited a document about which too I expressed openness to possibly
treat as a basis for our further discussion... <br>
<br>
Meanwhile Luca Belli published <a
href="http://policyreview.info/articles/analysis/heterostakeholder-cooperation-sustainable-internet-policymaking">this
excellent paper on multistakeholderism</a> ( I greatly encourage
everyone to read it ) which also presents a basic schema of
declarations of interests and funding for actors involved in IG
space. The leads provided by this paper is one way we can take this
discussion and the proposed initiative forward. <br>
<br>
However, instead of engaging on any of these lines, you continue to
call the proposal names (McCarthy-ism) and take the ad hominem line
of attacking the proposer rather than engage with the proposal. <br>
<br>
(BTW, I do consider it - excuse the expression - rather shameful
for the co-convenor of a coalition to openly 'admit' that the basic
problem that is considered to have dogged the coalition - roughly, a
sort of ongoing conflict between two sides or groups, which I think
is political - has really been about one side seeking funds related
transparency from the office bearers of the coalition. Such
statements belong to some corrupt set ups in a forsaken
under-developed place, not in a top global coalition of civil
society actors. On the other hand, your assertion that before such
demands can be made, the demand-makers have to learn to behave and
so on directly invites the analogy of a dictator who refuses to hold
elections because he claims that pro-democracy protests had gone
somewhat violent in some areas. We have been hearing such things for
centuries now. But it is incredulous that a person of your skills
and social position makes such statements in this era. )<br>
<br>
Meanwhile, I have no expectations or claims from you as a person,
but a co-convenor of the Bestbits groups I may restate my request
that I will like to have some kind of official response on my
proposal - or an alternative transparency proposal for civil society
groups - from the Bestbits management. <br>
<br>
thanks, and best regards, <br>
<br>
parminder <br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:685563FB-947F-4110-8B81-3872514B494C@eff.org"
type="cite">
<div><br>
<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">-- </span></div>
<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jeremy
Malcolm</span></div>
<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Senior
Global Policy Analyst</span></div>
<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Electronic
Frontier Foundation</span></div>
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On May 28, 2015, at 4:39 AM, parminder <<a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:parminder@itforchange.net">parminder@itforchange.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
<br>
</div>
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<font face="Verdana">Thanks Ian<br>
<br>
Responding to the two issues you raise. <br>
</font><br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On Monday 25 May 2015 12:27 PM,
Ian Peter wrote:<br>
</div>
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cite="mid:CF50E28585184AFAA4BBC8D7F48AB245@Toshiba"
type="cite">
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<div>Hi Parminder,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Two issues in response to your suggestion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Firstly, the suggestion that CSCG do this. CSCG
consists of five people who are pretty busy
co-ordinating coalitions of CS organisations (BB, JNC,
IGC, APC, NCSG) and myself as an independent chair.
The role of CSCG is to ensure a co-ordinated civil
society response and conduit when it comes to making
civil society appointments to outside organisations.
It has no staff, no funding, not even a formal
charter. In order to address some of the issues it
faces I have suggested from time to time that the
membership be expanded to include say 3 more respected
civil society people who are not formal
representatives of coalitions of CS organisations. The
last time I suggested this it was met with some
strongly worded negative responses from JNC and I have
not heard of any change of position on this. So for
these reasons I don’t think CSCG is the right
organisation to take on this task. Perhaps IGC?</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
I suggested CSCG bec it has reps from major CS networks and so
there was a common ownership over what should be a commonly
owned and directed initiative so that there is scope of bias,
and appropriate avenues of recourse exist. I still think CSCG
the right body for it, but IGC would do as well. As for
resources, let me make this blind offer, I will try and raise
resources for one person devoting her half/ quarter time, who
can be housed in a reputed org with a neutral image, for this
purpose. More resources are needed initially for setting it
up, but once set up it wont require much. I still do not know
from where id seek resources but I am confident that with so
much funds coming into the IG space someone somewhere would
give a few thousand dollars for overall transparency and
accountability in the sector. That should address and settle
the resources argument in terms of my proposal. <br>
<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CF50E28585184AFAA4BBC8D7F48AB245@Toshiba"
type="cite">
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<div> </div>
<div>Secondly, I wonder how it would work in CS which
has so many people who are basically acting as
individuals rather than representatives of
organisations. Many if not most of us also have non CS
affiliations (eg membership of ISOC, business or
governmental employees if we are cs volunteers,
academic postings etc) so the “pure” CS rep is
probably a bit hard to find. I am not sure what we
would gain by having a register of all our multiple
affiliations which would need regular updating to be
of any use. I think we need to ensure our major
coalitions (BB, JNC, IGC, APC, NCSG) act
transparently, and by and large I think they do. But I
am not sure of the value of extending this to what is
probably tens of thousands of members or organisations
affiliated with these larger groups. </div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
Almost all CS transparency and accountability initiatives are
focussed on organisations and not individuals, bec of the
obvious reasons that the former have a greater role and
impact. One may not need such processes for individuals,
other than perhaps when any nominations or appointments are
being on behalf of civil society , in which case anyone would
agree that some basic declarations should in any case be
necessary, and such simple and basic decelerations alone are
what my proposed initiative asks for. <br>
<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CF50E28585184AFAA4BBC8D7F48AB245@Toshiba"
type="cite">
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<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri';
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<div> </div>
<div>Over to others to discuss. I am not opposed to the
suggestion that something be done in this area, but I
think we need to refine any such idea somewhat,</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
Please give suggestions.<br>
<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CF50E28585184AFAA4BBC8D7F48AB245@Toshiba"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri';
COLOR: #000000">
<div> and if the aim is somehow to enhance CS
credibility and transparency in this space, perhaps we
should also discuss what other measures might also
assist this.</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
And for this as well.<br>
<br>
Thanks again. parminder <br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CF50E28585184AFAA4BBC8D7F48AB245@Toshiba"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri';
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<div> </div>
<div>Ian Peter</div>
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<div> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<div style="font-color: black"><b>From:</b> <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
title="parminder@itforchange.net"
href="mailto:parminder@itforchange.net">parminder</a>
</div>
<div><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, May 24, 2015 3:31 PM</div>
<div><b>To:</b> <a moz-do-not-send="true"
title="ian.peter@ianpeter.com"
href="mailto:ian.peter@ianpeter.com">Ian Peter</a>
; <a moz-do-not-send="true"
title="governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
href="mailto:governance@lists.igcaucus.org">governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a>
; <a moz-do-not-send="true"
title="bestbits@lists.bestbits.net"
href="mailto:bestbits@lists.bestbits.net">BestBitsList</a>
; <a moz-do-not-send="true"
title="forum@justnetcoalition.org"
href="mailto:forum@justnetcoalition.org">mailto:forum@justnetcoalition.org</a>
; <a moz-do-not-send="true"
title="apc.forum@lists.apc.org"
href="mailto:apc.forum@lists.apc.org">A
general information sharing space for the APC
Community.</a> </div>
<div><b>Subject:</b> [governance] Civil society
transparency</div>
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none;
FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal;
COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline"><font
face="Verdana">Ian, and reps of civil society
networks on the Civil Society Coordination Group
(CSCG) ,<br>
<br>
I propose that CSCG sets up a civil society
transparency project, somewhat on the lines of the
EU Transparency Register, pl see <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/homePage.do">http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/homePage.do</a>
.<br>
<br>
It should in fact go beyond the EU initiative which
is a general one for all lobbying groups, whereas we
here are concerned with civil society which should
set the highest example of transparency and
accountability. The 'register' can have self filled
information on objectives of an organisation,
principles followed by it, if any, its funding,
partners, and so on.... <br>
<br>
This is at present just my proposal, but I hope one
or more civil society networks in the IG space can
own it and push it... CSCG would be well placed to
run this project as a neutral space so that there is
no accusation of bias that any such initiative is
being employed for partisan purposes. In any case, a
simple initiative for openness, transparency and
accountability can hardly be partisan.<br>
<br>
The register can have optional higher level features
whereby a group/ org can declare its means of public
accountability, whether and how its internal
governance is done, how matters can be taken by with
their oversight bodies, like board etc, and whether
they have any means whereby they respond to public
question on their work, etc.<br>
<br>
For such genuine cases where such transparency can
harm an organisations work, or security, such
organisations, and only such organisations, can be
exempted employing a clear process and set of
criteria.<br>
<br>
Remember, both the UN report on improvements to the
IGF and the NetMundial Statement highlight the issue
of transparency. I also recently read in these lists
how we should make bridges with the OpenGov movement
which is almost wholly about this one thing. Time we
begin practising what we preach. <br>
<br>
I look forward to hear responses to this proposal..<br>
<br>
parminder <br>
</font>
<p> </p>
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