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Dear All<br>
<br>
Excuse me to start a new thread in addition to the separate ones based
on the different questions from the *draft* structure sent out for the
WGIGF report. The reason for this is that while we discuss the details,
we should focus on the fact that this is a much higher level exercise
for seeking possible structural reforms in the IGF, beyond the kind of
things that can be done through evolutionary practices guided by the
MAG. The WGIGF report will be submitted to the UN GA which is expected
to take an appropriate decision on what structural improvements are
needed in the IGF. <br>
<br>
A good way to begin at such foundational times is to look at the 'why'
of the whole this. Why does the IGF exist and what do we want from it.
Such an examination can then guide us to looking the the necessary
structural changes.<br>
<br>
The UN GA resolution for instance sought improvements specifically with
a 'view to linking it to the broader<br>
dialogue on global Internet governance', It also mentions IGF's
complementarity to the enhanced cooperation process, which itself is an
important issue to keep in mind for proposing structural improvements.
The there is the WSIS mandate of the IGF against which we must check
its present performance and look at required improvements. Added to it
are the our own civil society interests of what 'change we want to see
happen' and explore how IGF improvements can contribute to that basic
objective. <br>
<br>
How we (my organisation and the CS networks we work with) relate to the
IGF is vis a vis our concern that the Internet is one of the most
potent social forces today, and at present its development may to a
good extent be determined by the interests of those who are already
most powerful. We therefore look at every opportunity to democratise
the 'control' over the directions that Internet's development takes. In
this regard not only greater participation is necessary but actual
forums where the required public interest policy making can take place
are needed. The main focus here is global forums, because that is the
context we are in here, and in any case the Internet is inherently
global, and most of the decisions that shape the Internet are global in
their impact. <br>
<br>
We are not satisfied with IGF being just another global conference on
IG issues, which is something any private actor could as well hold.
Granted that IGF is open to anyone (who has the necessary funds) and
that its agenda and structure is shaped by a multistakeholder group,
which is a big plus. However, we need to judge it on its impact of real
people's lives, which is mediated through its impact on global Internet
related policies (we can discuss why in this context global is the
primary focus). We dont judge IGF's performance too well on this count,
and our efforts towards IGF improvement will be focused on this aspect
on how it can have some to real global Internet policy impact.<br>
<br>
It is necessary that IGC discusses and figures out what is its real
intent/ objective in seeking IGF reform, wherefrom can flow concrete
proposals for reform. But lets focus more on larger structural things -
things like how can IGF's policy issues related outcomes be shaped and
routed to appropriate places and the what kind of funding is
appropriate for the IGF. Once we have our views on these critical
issues, most other things become so much easier to sort out. <br>
<br>
My fear is that if we spend too much time too early in looking at the
details of what may be by comparison lesser issues, we will lose what
may be the last opportunity to make structural reforms in the IGF. We
may end up with an IGF with not much recognizable difference from the
IGF we have today. And my judgment is that most actors in developing
countries are not at all happy for the IGF to continue largely as it is
today for the reasons discussed earlier. <br>
<br>
Parminder <br>
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