<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>It is quite debatable whether several of the proposals or statements that emanate from the usual rump minority here are anywhere near definable as "public interest".<br><br>And there, I suspect, is the rub. Entirely besides the political maneuvring, which is another point of friction.</div><div><br>--srs (iPad)</div><div><br>On 11-Jun-2013, at 16:30, Jeremy Malcolm <<a href="mailto:jeremy@ciroap.org">jeremy@ciroap.org</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 11/06/13 18:35, michael gurstein
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:0cfa01ce668f$6678eac0$336ac040$@gmail.com" type="cite">
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<div class="WordSection1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Unfortunately
there doesn`t seem to be even the most minimal agreement on
this list concerning the nature of the public interest with
respect to the Internet and Internet Governance (or even if
there is a public interest with respect to Internet
Governance). It has thus proven to be fundamentally impossible
to ``do something productive``.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br>
There is some guidance in the IGC Charter about what members are
expected to be signing up for when self-asserting their membership
of the IGC. The IGC's Vision, for example:<br>
<br>
<blockquote>The policies that shape the Internet impact not only the
development of the technologies themselves, but also the
realization of internationally agreed human rights, social equity
and interdependence, cultural concerns, and both social and
economic development. Our vision is that Internet governance
should be inclusive, people centered and development oriented. Our
contributions to the various forums relevant to Internet
governance, will strive to ensure an information society which
better enables equal opportunity and freedom for all.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
This is what distinguishes the IGC from other Internet advocacy
groups, and we are all expected to subscribe to it, and to the rest
of the Charter, when joining the IGC and when affirming our
membership.<br>
<br>
Notably, it is not apolitical. Therefore we shouldn't have to start
at square 1 whenever it comes to agreeing on a position that
advances the public interest; we can begin by ruling out all the
positions that conflict with the Vision, and dismissing them when
they hold up consensus.<br>
<br>
Perhaps having reference to this statement when disputes arise could
help guide the IGC back onto the rails. It will not be easy for
people to be overruled as being "politically incorrect" vis-a-vis
the IGC Charter, but maybe that is a possible way out of the IGC's
current morass?<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<p style="font-size:9.0pt;color:black"><b>Dr Jeremy Malcolm<br>
Senior Policy Officer<br>
Consumers International | the global campaigning voice for
consumers</b><br>
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</p>
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