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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Parminder, while not disagreeing with the
substance of what you have suggested below, I think the question is not so much
“getting views on the issue of extending the IGF’s mandate”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The agenda item is “preparing the
review process”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>In the questionnaire circulated by the Secretariat,
this is phrased as<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>“The <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tunis</st1:place></st1:State>
Agenda calls on the UN Secretary-General “to examine the desirability of
the continuation of the Forum, in consultation with Forum participants, within
five years of its creation, and to make recommendations to the UN membership in
the regard”. This consultation will have to take place at the Sharm El
Sheikh meeting. How should it be prepared?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Rather than predetermining the outcome of
the consultation, I think there will be a large emphasis on what the process of
consultation should be, ( and a belief that the process should determine the
outcome rather that our thoughts at this stage). Please let me know if you have
information that suggests otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If that is the case, we should concentrate
more on what the process should be. From our previous statement, we have<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>“As mentioned in the TA, the process of review
should be centered on consultations with Forum (IGF) participants. These
consultations should be both formal and informal. It is important to lay out
clear formal processes, apart from informal ones. It may also be very useful to
go beyond IGF participants to reach out to other interested stakeholders, who
for different reason may not attend the IGF meetings. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>In reaching out, the process of consultations should
especially keep in mind constituencies that have lesser participation in IG
issues at present, not due to the fact that they are not impacted by IG and
therefore may not have legitimate interest in it, but because of various
structural issues. In this context, it is especially important to reach out
more to constituencies in developing counties. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Since the IGF has had ‘development’ as a
central theme, it is important to make special efforts to reach out to various
actors involved in development activity, including those of civil society.
Other groups with lower participation in IG issues like women, ethnic minorities
and disability groups should also be especially reached out to. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>It is not therefore enough to announce open
consultations, but tangible efforts to reach out to different stakeholders and
constituencies should be made. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>If it is found necessary to do a expert evaluation to
help the process of review, the process of selecting the ‘experts’
should be based on transparent rationale, and follow an open and transparent
process. It is not advisable to rely on a <i><span style='font-style:italic'>pro
bono</span></i> evaluation, by any agency that offers it, for such a
politically sensitive and important assessment. In selecting ‘experts’
possible biases should be anticipated and accounted for. Due to the primarily (global)
public policy mandate and role of the IGF, the selected experts should have
adequate expertise in matter of global public policy and policy institutions.
In view of the geo-political significance of IG, it may be useful to have a
reputed public policy institution in the global South do the evaluation in
partnership with one such institution from the North. Even if reliance on
existing global institutions is sought, there should be adequate balancing of
perspectives, and partnerships are a good way to ensure it. “<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>I suspect that the discussion will move towards
clarifying an acceptable process, and other comments may be left aside for
later consideration. In that case, are we happy with our comments from last
September or is there something we should add?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Ian Peter<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><font size=3
color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>PO
Box</span></font></st1:Street><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'> 429</span></font></st1:address><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Bangalow NSW 2479<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font
size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:navy'>Australia</span></font></st1:place></st1:country-region><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Tel (+614) 1966 7772 or (+612) 6687 0773<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>www.ianpeter.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=navy face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 4.0pt'>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:windowtext'> Parminder [mailto:parminder@itforchange.net] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 17 January 2009 17:20<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> governance@lists.cpsr.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [governance] IGF
consultations - extending IGF's mandate</span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dear All<br>
<br>
The Feb open consultations of the IGF have a specific purpose of getting views
on the issue of extending the IGF's mandate. This issue will be considered by
CSTD (commission of science and technology) and later UN's ECOSOC in 2010. The
WSIS (world summit on the information society) mandated that the decision on
the issue will be taken in 'consultation with IGF participants'. It is the
first time that open consultations will be for 2 days, and the reason for this
is that oneday will be exclusively devoted to considering this particular
issue. <br>
<br>
Now, it is not entirely clear if 'IGF participants' are only those who gather
for the annual IGF, or the open consultations also in some form comprises of
IGF participants. In any case, the open consultations in Geneva are supposed to
give MAG its directions, and since MAG takes all process decisions, inputting
into the forthcoming consultations can have important bearing on the process
that will be followed in terms of what may constitute 'consultations with forum
participants' for deciding on continuation of the IGF. However, I am of the
opinion that we should also put in our substantive comments on the continuation
of the IGF right away. <br>
<br>
Just to kickstart the discussion, my view is that;<br>
<br>
(1) First of all we should clearly, and unambiguously, state that we will that
IGF has a crucial and unparalleled role in the area of IG, specifically global
public policy making in this area. For this reason, not only the IGF should be
continued beyond 2010, but it should be suitably strengthened. <br>
<br>
(2) We should also assert that there are two clear, and relatively distinct,
mandates of the IGF - first, regarding public policy functions, as a
forum for multistakeholder policy dialogue, and second, regarding capacity
building. Both aspects of the IGF's role needs to be strengthened. Especially,
one role (for instance, capacity building) should not be promoted to the
exclusion of the other (policy related role). If the IGF is assessed not to be
sufficiently contributing to its one or the other principal roles, adequate
measures should be considered to improve its effectivenesses vis-a-vis that
role. <br>
<br>
(3) The IGF should be assured stable and sufficient public funding to be able
to carry its functions effectively, and impartially in global public interest. <br>
<br>
Also is enclosed the contribution IGC made late last year to the synthesis
paper on this subject.<br>
<br>
parminder <br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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