<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b>To the IGC:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Warm Greetings from Fiji!</b> I trust that you are all well and in excellent health. I apologise for the delayed response as I walked over 10km this weekend and was recovering. :)<br>
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">I
thought that I should give some background to the discussions on the Working
Group on Enhanced Cooperation. Particularly as we have new subscribers who have just recently joined us.<br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br>
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">This follows a letter by Constance Bommalaer to Anriette which the IGC was copied in.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style></span>It is
important to clarify that the calls for clarification on eligibility of a
certain stakeholder is not an attack against whom the clarification is being
sought.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">On
the same token, I would like to urge the Caucus to keep the lines of
communication open and not use a call for clarification as arsenal or
ammunition to create a war with other stakeholder groups. The composition of
the Working Group is no doubt critical as it affects us all. <br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">For
the sake of those who have just recently joined the IGC, this is a brief
background and my take on the issues that surfaced. On the same note, it is
important to note that Michael Gurstein did not submit his name to the IGC
NomCom for consideration for selection in the CSTD Working Group on Enhanced
Cooperation and did not submit his name to Anriette Esterhuysen for
consideration by the assigned Civil Society focal point. </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">On
the matter of Michael Gurstein’s interactions with the Technical and Academic
community focal point, this is something between Internet Society (ISOC) and
Michael Gurstein and for them to sort out. However, an issue that Michael raised is of concern in terms of the interpretation of "Academic and Technical" but more on that later.<br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">However, it is important to correct
the assertion that Michael Gurstein “double dipped”.<br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b style>The Dilemma</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b style><br></b></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">On March 14, 2013, Michael Gurstein informed the IGC
that he had been advised that he did not meet the criteria of building the
Internet. The issue for discussion is in relation to the interpretation of what
the technical and academic community comprises of. This generated dialogue and
debate within the IGC on the issue.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Of interest was the definition of what constitutes the
technical and academic community. There was some discussion and debate about
why a technical and academic stakeholder group was carved out. The Working
Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) had acknowledged that the academic and technical
also played an important role<a style href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%" lang="EN-GB">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>. <br>
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Whilst
the Tunis Agenda does not explicitly state that there is a separate academic
and technical stakeholder group, the past composition of the Working Group on
Enhanced Cooperation creates a precedent coupled with recognition by the WGIG
of the importance of having representation by the Academic and Technical
community.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">At this point, discussions on whether or not there
should be an Academic and Technical group are not relevant as the UN CSTD has
the discretion to set its own criteria and composition. My personal view is
that the Academic and Technical community is equally important as civil
society, private sector and the public sector. Apteral, we should not forget
that the Tunis Agenda acknowledges that the “Internet is a central element of
the Infrastructure within the Information Society that evolved from a research
and academic facility into a global facility available to the public<a style href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%" lang="EN-GB">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The issue that
is of concern however, is the interpretation of Academic and Technical. It is
important to recognise that any interpretation must be viewed with the lenses
of the Tunis Agenda. The Tunis Agenda and the UNGA Resolution 67/195 highlights
the context and is “wider and expansive” than just the Internet as it includes
bridging the digital divide and Information Communication Technologies as this
is part of the broad mandate of working alongside diverse stakeholders to
explore means of increasing cooperation. <span style> </span>On the same token Paragraph 31 of the Tunis
Agenda reminds us of the importance of having a people-centred, inclusive,
development oriented approach that is non-discriminatory.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">One of the
reasons why simple requests for clarification is able to generate conflicts is
the underlying fear that new organisations may be created to take over certain
responsibilities or turf wars. Many can testify that there are members of all
stakeholder communities who have spent many years, and laboured to work on
building relationships and progressively advancing in the nature of cooperation
and this includes having frank discussions. This does not mean that there will
always be agreement on issues but that we can dialogue on issues professionally
and in a civil manner. </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><table class="MsoNormalTable" style border="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody><tr style>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b style>The Context</b></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b style> </b></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The
United Nations General Assembly, at its 67th session, adopted <strong>resolution 67/195 </strong><strong><span style="font-weight:normal">on</span></strong><strong>
Information and communication technologies for development</strong><a style href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%">[3]</span></b></span></span></b></span></a>.
This resolution invited the Chair of the United Nations Commission on Science
and Technology for Development (UN CSTD)<a style href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%">[4]</span></span></span></span></a>, to establish a working
group on enhanced cooperation to examine the mandate of the World Summit on the
Information Society regarding enhanced cooperation as contained in the Tunis
Agenda.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span> </p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The
Tunis Agenda<a style href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%">[5]</span></span></span></span></a>
pivots on focusing on financial mechanisms for bridging the digital divide, on
Internet governance and related issues, as well as on implementation and
follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis decisions.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The
<b style>GA RES 67/195 </b>requested the Chair of
the UN CSTD to “ensure that the working group on enhanced cooperation has
balanced representation between Governments from the five regional groups of
the Commission and invites other stakeholders, namely the private sector, civil
society, technical and academic communities, and intergovernmental and
international organisations”.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">In
a letter to the members of the UN CSTD on 29<sup>th</sup> January, 2013, the
Chair invited feedback before 8 February, 2013 on the Note that he had prepared
in relation to the composition of the Working Group.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">As
per the Chair’s Note<a style href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%">[6]</span></span></span></span></a>, the Composition for the
Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation is as follows:</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal">
</span></span>22 Member States (four per regional
group plus the two that have hosted the </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal">
</span></span>World Summit on the Information
Society)</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal">
</span></span>Five representatives from the
business community</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal">
</span></span>Five representatives from civil
society</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal">
</span></span>Five representatives from
representatives from the technical and academic community</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal">
</span></span>Five representatives from intergovernmental
organizations</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">On 15 February, 2013, the IGC NomCom made an open call
to the IGC for nominations for the UN CSTD Working Group on Enhanced
Cooperation.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">On 22 February, 2013, the IGC community was informed
that the Chair had written to Anriette Esterhuysen to be the civil society
focal point and she outlined the role of the focal point.<span lang="EN-GB"> <span style><br></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style><br>
</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">On 14 March, 2013, Anriette Esterhuysen
updated the IGC on the process of selection and the composition of the group
that she gathered to help her run the selection process. Of the 6 names
submitted by Anriette Esterhuysen, the Chair would only select 5.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">At this stage, it is important to underscore that Anriette
did an excellent job in reaching out to the IGC and other civil society
organisations without a doubt and the manner in which she selected people to
assist her in the selections was also inclusive.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b style>Way Forward</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><b style><br></b></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The UN CSTD is running behind time in the selection of
the Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation and the work of selection is a
critical one. <br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The IGC can work towards developing a clear normative
framework for the selection of Working Groups and Committees as suggested by
Parminder. This can be led by a group of volunteers from within the IGC. This
can also be in the form of a Workshop as suggested by Anriette.<br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">This can be submitted to the UN CSTD for endorsement
and Accountability and Transparency and good governance demands that guidelines
and criteria are well published and clear.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br clear="all"></span>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%">
<div style id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a style href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
Part IV Developing a common understanding of the respective roles and
responsibilities of all stakeholders from both developed and developing
countries. Para 29 , page 8 of the Report of the Working Group on Internet
Governance, Chateau de Bossey, June 2005 in <a href="http://www.wgig.org/WGIG-Report.html">http://www.wgig.org/WGIG-Report.html</a></span></p>
</div>
<div style id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a style href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
Para 30 of the Tunis Agenda</span></p>
</div>
<div style id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a style href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> <a href="http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ares67d195_en.pdf">http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ares67d195_en.pdf</a></span></p>
</div>
<div style id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a style href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> Ambassador
Miguel Palomino de la Gala is the current Chair of the UN CSTD</span></p>
</div>
<div style id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a style href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">[5]</span></span></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/tunis/off/6rev1.html">http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/tunis/off/6rev1.html</a></span></p>
</div>
<div style id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a style href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">[6]</span></span></span></span></a> <a href="http://unctad.org/Sections/un_cstd/docs/cstd2013d01_ares67d195.pdf">http://unctad.org/Sections/un_cstd/docs/cstd2013d01_ares67d195.pdf</a></span></p>
</div>
</div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">
<br><br>Kind Regards,<br><br>Sala<br>Co-coordinator of the IGC<br><br><b>Disclaimer</b><br></span>The views expressed are my personal views. <br>