<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><p>Here is the final text of the civil society closing statement that I just gave, based on the talking points that I sent earlier but with some additions based on suggestions received since then.</p><p>Madam Chair, your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, </p><p>I address
you as co-coordinator of the Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus,
which is an open and diverse group of civil society stakeholders who
believe in an inclusive, people centered and development oriented
approach to Internet governance. As such our members were amongst the
earliest and strongest proponents of the IGF, which together we have all
shaped into a forum which embodies those values.</p><p>One of the recent developments in Internet governance most remarked
upon at this meeting has been the flourishing of statements of
principles of Internet governance from various stakeholders, including
governments and intergovernmental organisations. This is a welcome
development, because it demonstrates that those stakeholders understand
the value of soft governance of the Internet, which the IGF also
exemplifies. Several of the stakeholders who have developed statements
of principles have also placed them before this meeting of the IGF for
discussion. This is another welcome step, because it shows their
commitment to developing policy through multi-stakeholder consultation,
and the IGF is the perfect place for this.</p><p>Continuing this process, the next step that many in civil society
would like to see is for the IGF to be used as a venue for each of the
stakeholders to contribute these statements of principles, to a process
by which we draw out common elements, and build consensus, towards the
development of a multi-stakeholder framework of principles which we can
all own together. If such a joint statement of principles could be
produced during the current term of the IGF's mandate, this would have
far more weight and legitimacy than any of the individual statements
could ever hope to possess on their own. It would also establish beyond
question the IGF's ability to contribute tangible and lasting outcomes
for the guidance of policy makers.</p><p>On the part of the Internet Governance Caucus, we intend to
participate in the development of a set of principles for civil society,
using an open and transparent process, as our input into the process of
developing a common framework of principles. We hope to present this
civil society statement of principles at the next meeting of the IGF and
at other Internet governance meetings in the meantime.</p><p>If we are to work towards an IGF framework of principles, this
exercise should be undertaken not merely in a stakeholder-organised
workshop, but as a plenary body, involving all participants, and taking
full advantage of the improvements to the IGF's processes that we expect
the CSTD Working Group will propose. Amongst these improvements, we
hope, will be a way to involve remote participants, particularly from
the global South, as equals. After all, e-participation, both during
meetings and throughout the year, is one of the best ways in which we
can promote multi-stakeholder values of inclusion, transparency and
openness.</p><p>It will also be very useful for the next IGF meeting to adopt a theme
that provides a suitable context to focus on the various statements of
principles and explore commonalities. An appropriate main theme for this
purpose is human rights and Internet governance.</p><p>One of the other debates for which this IGF meeting will be
remembered concerns one possible model by which the non-binding policy
options developed by multi-stakeholder means at the IGF, could feed into
a higher level process where a choice between those options is made.
Very often, an appropriate such high level process already exists, and
whilst it can and should be enhanced in line with the multi-stakeholder
model, a new process or institution may not be needed. But we should
also remain open to discussing cases in which there is not already an
appropriate and inclusive high-level process to resolve particular
policy issues, perhaps because no existing institution has a mandate to
decide on those issues.</p><p>It is for such cases that the Tunis Agenda directs all stakeholders
to consider possible mechanisms for enhanced cooperation. As civil
society we look forward to discussing with any democratic government,
and with the private sector and technical community, whether new
processes are needed, in what circumstances they may be needed, and how
we can guarantee that they do not detract in any way from the rightful
role of the IGF, nor from the entitlement of all stakeholders to
participate fully in Internet governance.</p><p>Thank you and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you all in this exciting time for governance and the Internet.</p><div>
<div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div>-- <br><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; "><b><span style="color: black; ">Dr Jeremy Malcolm<br>Project Coordinator</span></b><br><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; ">Consumers International</span><br><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: gray; ">Kuala Lumpur Office for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East<br>Lot 5-1 Wisma WIM, 7 Jalan Abang Haji Openg, TTDI, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br>Tel: +60 3 7726 1599</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Consumers International (CI) is the world federation of consumer groups that, working together with its members, serves as the only independent and authoritative global voice for consumers. With over 220 member organisations in 115 countries, we are building a powerful international movement to help protect and empower consumers everywhere.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: navy; "><br><u><a href="http://www.consumersinternational.org/">www.consumersinternational.org</a></u><br><u><a href="http://twitter.com/Consumers_Int">Twitter @ConsumersInt</a></u><br></span><br><span style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); ">Read our <a href="http://www.consumersinternational.org/email-confidentiality" target="_blank">email confidentiality notice</a>. Don't print this email unless necessary.</span></p></div></div>
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