Dear all,<br><br>Interesting exchange as usual. A suggestion below regarding formulation of the Preamble and its transformation into a point at the end of the document under the title : "About the Internet Governance Caucus". plus some more general remarks. <br>
<br>1. We have had recurring discussions on the nature of this list between very open debate space and the development of advocacy positions. The delicate balance between the two complementary dimensions is important to preserve. <br>
<br>In that context, the way the IGC presents itself in such contributions to the IGF has an impact. The following description is the first paragraph of the Charter :<br><br><i>"The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) was originally created by
individual and organizational civil society actors who came together in
the context of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to
promote global public interest objectives in Internet governance policy
making."</i><br><br>I have always believed that this notion of <b>the promotion of the global public interest</b> (and the necessary work to define what it exactly is) is what actually unites the participants of the Caucus, and not their belonging to one type of organization or another. <br>
<br>The value of this space is its <b>inclusiveness </b>: criteria for participation is only the endorsement of such values. As the Charter states : <br><i>"The members of the IGC are individuals, acting in personal capacity,
who subscribe to the charter of the caucus. All members are equal</i> and
have the same rights and duties." <br><br>Major credibility factors for external actors are the diversity of the membership, the sheer amount of subscribers (more than 400) even if much fewer actually post, and above all, the quality of the contributions that result from intense exchanges.<br>
<br>I would therefore suggest that we do not lose too much time on the question of the Preamble. The presentation of the IGC woudl be better placed in the end under the title : "About the IGC". The Internet Governance Caucus is a well-established brand and this is common practice for contributions. <br>
<br>Leveraging the Charter's first sentences, the paragraph could read : <br><br><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><b>About the Internet Governance Caucus</b><br><br>The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) was originally created by
individual and organizational civil society actors who came together in
the context of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to
promote global public interest objectives in Internet governance policy
making. It now comprises more than 400 individual subscribers to its mailing list, who have subscribed to its Charter. More information is available at : <a href="http://www.igcaucus.org">http://www.igcaucus.org</a>.<br>
</div><br><br>2. This spirit of inclusion is the very spirit of the Internet Governance Forum. And it should be of no surprise, given the influence of the IGC and many of its members in the creation of the IGF itself, and since 2006, in the open consultations and the MAG discussions that have helped shape the current IGF working methods. <br>
<br>The IGF can and should be continuously improved, as it has already in its first four years. In suggesting such improvements, it is important for the IGC to balance the recognition of the achievements this innovation already represents and the constructive impatience regarding what can be further accomplished. The co-coordinators have a fundamental responsibility in ensuring such a balance that truly reflect the broad consensus among all participants. I trust this is what Jeremy is trying to accomplish here.<br>
<br>3. Finally, I'd like to highlight Eric Dierker's point regarding <b>the influence
discussions on this list have in broader circles</b>. Let's not forget that
a lot of actors, including governments and businesses are actually
subscribed to the list - even if they do not post. <br>
<br>
In many cases, I've had exchanges with government colleagues and people from other circles who were
perfectly aware of the arguments exchanged and - consciously or
unconsciously - integrated them in their own analyzes. This is good and should be kept in mind.<br><br>I hope this helps.<br><br>Best<br><br>Bertrand<br><br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 11:09 PM, David Souter <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:david.souter@runbox.com">david.souter@runbox.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">My point about the preamble is simply this: If the IGC is an association of<br>
individuals, it should not represent itself as a coalition of organisations<br>
- a description which it could not sustain if it were challenged. I would<br>
suggest something like "an association of individuals in civil society who<br>
are actively engaged in internet governance and the IGF." But there are<br>
many formulations that would work.<br>
<br>
David Souter<br>
<br>
<br>
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-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Jeremy Malcolm [mailto:<a href="mailto:jeremy@ciroap.org">jeremy@ciroap.org</a>]<br>
Sent: 13 January 2010 20:19<br>
To: <a href="mailto:governance@lists.cpsr.org">governance@lists.cpsr.org</a>; McTim<br>
Subject: Re: [governance] PLEASE RESPOND - draft statement on reform of the<br>
<br>
On 13/01/2010, at 7:24 PM, McTim wrote:<br>
<br>
> David,<br>
><br>
> On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 9:48 PM, David Souter <<a href="mailto:david.souter@runbox.com">david.souter@runbox.com</a>><br>
wrote:<br>
>> Dear Jeremy:<br>
>><br>
>> I think there is a question here about IGC membership and how the IGC<br>
>> presents itself.<br>
>><br>
>> According to the Charter, “the members of the IGC are individuals, acting<br>
in<br>
>> personal capacity, who subscribe to the charter of the caucus. All<br>
members<br>
>> are equal and have the same rights and duties.”<br>
>><br>
>> Can it really, therefore, introduce itself as “a global coalition of<br>
civil<br>
>> society and non governmental organisations and individuals”, as in the<br>
>> preamble to this draft?<br>
<br>
FWIW, this preamble was taken verbatim from a previous statement made in<br>
June last year. But even so, please suggest specific improvements.<br>
<br>
--<br>
Jeremy Malcolm<br>
Project Coordinator<br>
Consumers International<br>
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