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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Dear colleagues, </span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>This is to remind you that the deadline for answering
the short questionnaire of the ITU Open Consultation on the participation of
all relevant stakeholders in the activities of the <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place>
is <strong><b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>15 June 2008
(this sunday)</span></font></b></strong>. The content of your answers will be
made available to the members of the ITU WG working on this issue as well as
summarized in a concept note by the Secretariat. As previously mentioned, it is
more appropriate that your answers are sent in English to have more impact on the
members of the WG. </span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Let me remid that all CS entitites accredited to WSIS
are entitled to answer this questionnaire.</span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>You will find below the first draft of the answers <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region> plans to
send to the ITU. Please send me any feedback and comment in this regard. But
your respective individual organisations are of course encouraged to send their
answers to the ITU. </span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Some quick links:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><a
href="http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/openconsultation2008/index.html"
title="blocked::http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/openconsultation2008/index.html"><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>On Line
questionnaire</span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'> (deadline 15 June 2008)</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Webpage on the
</span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><a
href="http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/"><span lang=EN-GB>ITU
Council Working Group on the Study on the Participation of all relevant
stakeholders in ITU Activities related to the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS)</span></a></span></font></b><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.5pt;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'><a
href="http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/Meeting-Documents/September/WG-Study-02-08-secretariat-ITU-existing-practices2-final.doc"
target="_blank"
title="blocked::http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/Meeting-Documents/September/WG-Study-02-08-secretariat-ITU-existing-practices2-final.doc"><span
lang=EN-GB>WG-Study/2/08*:</span></a></span></font></b><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'> Secretariat Background Paper on existing practices
within ITU for the participation of relevant stakeholders in the
activities of the <st1:place u1:st="on">Union</st1:place></span></font></b><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><st1:place u1:st="on"><a
href="http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/Meeting-Documents/January/WG-Study-04-02-rev.2secretariat-UN-report-final.doc"
target="_blank"
title="blocked::http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/Meeting-Documents/January/WG-Study-04-02-rev.2secretariat-UN-report-final.doc"><span
title="blocked::http://www.itu.int/council/groups/stakeholders/Meeting-Documents/January/WG-Study-04-02-rev.2secretariat-UN-report-final.doc">WG-Study/4/02,
Rev.2*</span></a>: Secretariat Background Paper on the analysis of
existing mechanisms and practices for stakeholder participation in the
United Nations, other specialized agencies and intergovernmental
organizations</st1:place></span></font></b><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><st1:place u1:st="on">Best, </st1:place></span></font><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><st1:place u1:st="on"></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><st1:place u1:st="on">Philippe</st1:place></span></font><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><st1:place u1:st="on"></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><st1:place u1:st="on">============================================</st1:place></span></font></b><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><st1:place u1:st="on"></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'><st1:place u1:st="on">OPEN CONSULTATIONS ON THE INCLUSION OF RELEVANT
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ACTIVITIES OF ITU RELATED TO WSIS<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'>QUESTIONNAIRE TO WSIS-ACCREDITED ENTITIES</span></font></b><b><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'>[PRELIMINARY DRAFT ANSWER BY <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region> SECRETARIAT]</span></font></b><b><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>a) What “added
value” might stakeholders (that are not members of the ITU) bring to the
work of ITU in its WSIS-related activities?<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Stakeholders
not in membership with the ITU can first of all bring additional outreach to
the activities of the ITU. Civil society entities, as they have become one of
the most publicly trusted groups, can in that sense increase the visibility of
the ITU, in particular in its activities related to WSIS, within additional
groups of actors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>In addition,
civil society groups can convey messages which are not fully reflected by the
organisations currently seeking ITU membership. Through its connections with
the grassroots and with those working in the field, as well as with a large
constituencies of researchers and experts, civil society can raise issues of
concern for groups directly concerned by decisions taken by the ITU. Civil
society groups also approach issues addressed by the ITU taking into
consideration the broader social and human-centred impact of these policies.
ITU would gain valuable inputs
from new categories of people fully involved in the development of the
Information society.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Finally, civil
society entities, because of the flexibility of their structures and their
direct and cross-cutting involvement in the fast-evolving nature of the
information society, can bring to international organisations valuable inputs
on emerging issues and with a transversal perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>The experience
of the WSIS summit demonstrated that, even in the core issues pertaining to the
ITU mandate, the <u2:City u1:st="on"><u2:place u1:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Summit</u2:place></u2:City></st1:place></st1:City> would not have
been such a success if limited to the participation of the traditional actors
in membership with the ITU. The ITU has continued to express and show its
willingness to continue the involvement of the WSIS actors in its activities
during and after WSIS. The development or a real and long-standing partnership
with this category of stakeholders, in addition to the current ad hoc
interactions between the ITU and some CS entities, would also contribute to
increasing the mutual trust and commitment between the ITU and a large number
of stakeholders. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>b) What criteria could be
suggested for defining which stakeholders (that are not members of the ITU)
might be “relevant” to participate in ITU activities related to
WSIS, taking into account a) above?<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>The criteria
to be retained in the definition of which stakeholders might be relevant to
participate in the ITU activities should be focused on the mandate, activities,
expertise and knowledge of the stakeholder, which cover substantial fields of
ITU activities and functions. Therefore, ITU should look at both the policy
level and at the project implementation level. Therefore, specialised NGOs and
CSOs with an interest and concerns in telecommunications issues, development
NGOs, consumer unions, research and academic institutions, as well as organisations
defending public interests have a large relevance in participating in the
activities of the ITU.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>An element of
relevance is for the stakeholders to have expertise and activities in several
countries – either at the international, regional or sub-regional level,
who might have higher relevance in line with the international nature of the
ITU activities. Nevertheless, the involvement of national stakeholders with
expertise on global policy issues and with implementation activities in other
should also be considered as a relevant stakeholder.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Those entities
accredited to WSIS are relevant actors to participate in WSIS related
activities, in line with the mandate of the ITU and functions of the <u2:place u1:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Union</u2:place></st1:place>’s sectors. Other stakeholders not
accredited to WSIS must also be considered as relevant when their mandate,
activities, expertise and knowledge come within the field of activities of the
ITU.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>c) What are the challenges
(including financial) to stakeholders (that are not members of the ITU) posed
by their participation in the activities of the <u2:place u1:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Union</u2:place></st1:place> related to WSIS, and how can such
challenges be met? <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Current
challenges to stakeholders’ participation in the activities of the ITU
are based on the fact that a large number of civil society actors which have
demonstrated expertise in telecommunication activities have currently not the
possibility of becoming Sector or Associate member of the ITU because they are
specialised in a too limited range of issues. At the same time, the specific
– and, in a way, very open – nature of the Sector and Associate
Membership modalities developed within ITU might not be fully adapted to the
reality of the civil society involvement in international organisations.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Indeed civil
society stakeholders do not have the capacity to afford the financial weight of
the Sector or Associate membership with the ITU. Beyond this financial
challenge, a large number of relevant stakeholders are not tempted to engage
through a paid-up membership status with the ITU, because they have access via consultative
or observer status to other intergovernmental organisations. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> Modalities
for their participation beyond the current membership status should be further
considered, both in terms of institutional relations with ITU decision making
structures and in terms of consultation with the ITU Secretariat. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> A number
of stakeholders have developed ad hoc relationships with the ITU secretariat
and with some ITU processes. But this does not give way to a general
partnership framework for relevant stakeholders. The ITU Secretariat Background
Paper on existing practices within ITU for the participation of relevant
stakeholders in the activities of the Union highlighted the very complex
modalities for participation of non ITU member stakeholders, while modalities for
consultative or observers’ status are quite simple in other international
organisations. The visibility of participation opportunities for relevant
stakeholders is creating challenges hampering the accessibility of the ITU. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> We
therefore recommend that harmonization be considered with the view to make
modalities of participation of relevant stakeholders more coherent within the
inter-sectoral activities and in the meetings and activities of the Sectors. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> The
creation of a Civil Society Information and Outreach Unit would also be an
important step forward to facilitate stakeholders’ participation in the
ITU – in particular civil society entities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>The password
protected nature of ITU documentation is also an important challenge which
hampers the fullest involvement of non ITU members. We recommend that all
document released by the ITU and all decision taken by the organisation be made
publicly available.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>d) How can existing mechanisms
(e.g. partnerships, symposia, seminars, workshops, focus groups, policy forums,
experts) for participation by stakeholders (that are not members of ITU) be
used more effectively, and what other mechanisms could be suggested? <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>The
harmonisation and simplification of the very complex architecture of the ITU as
well as the creation of a Civil Society Unit should be considered in priority,
as mentioned under question c). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Other proposed
mechanisms would be two-fold at this stage:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> -
Setting up of a roster of relevant stakeholders / civil society entities which
should receive notifications of ITU processes, as well as could send written
documentation to be circulated to ITU members and be invited as observers with
some speaking rights to intergovernmental policy processes on their area of
expertise. The modalities for the inclusion in this roster would be addressed
at a later stage.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> -
Arrangements for informal interaction towards information exchange and
consultation with the ITU Secretariat Sectors. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>In a general
manner, we would recommend that all ITU activities related to WSIS be run on
the basis of the WSIS principles of multi-stakeholder participation in which
the needs and contributions of all concerned relevant stakeholders would be
reflected in the proceedings. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>e) What specific efforts may be
needed to mobilize and ensure the meaningful and effective participation of all
relevant stakeholders (that are not members of the ITU) from developing
countries, and stakeholders in the development field?<i><span style='font-style:
italic'> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>The
participation of relevant stakeholders from developing countries is a crucial
challenge for all international organisations, but also a priority for the
Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:1.0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Specific
outreach should be performed by the ITU Secretariat and by the whole NGO
community to ensure that relevant stakeholders from developing countries are
fully aware of their opportunities. The proposed Civil Society Unit could play
a very important role in this context.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:27.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-27.0pt'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
11.0pt'>At the same time, the development and systematisation of remote
participation modalities for ITU meetings – as used at our great interest
during the 2008 WSIS implementation meetings and GAID open consultation –
would facilitate attracting the interest and inputs from relevant stakeholders
not present in <u2:City u1:st="on"><u2:place u1:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Geneva</u2:place></u2:City></st1:place></st1:City>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=enumlev1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.3pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:
0cm;margin-left:27.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-27.0pt'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Lastly, stakeholders from developing countries and from the development
field should be allowed and encouraged to provide written inputs on the agenda
items of the ITU processes. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
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