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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 25/11/13 00:59, George Sadowsky
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:F2B3441C-7B45-473F-BA38-B335628CA643@gmail.com"
type="cite"><base href="x-msg://200/">
<div><u>Fourth</u>, I'd like to propose a reconceptualization of
the term "civil society." In the multi-stakeholder
instantiation that is now employed by the UN/MAG/IGF axis , it
refers to groups if individuals, some representing organizations
of various sizes that agree to various extents regarding the
importance of individual rights of various kinds. These groups
represent civil society goals and are therefore grouped as
"civil society" to populate that stakeholder group. And
although the goals of that group are generally quite positive,
their actions are often based upon pushing back against other
stakeholder groups, most notably government but also others.
Perhaps that reflects the reality of the tension between
groups, but that tension is not moderated, as it might sometimes
be, by people bridging groups instead of being siloed.</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); orphans: 2;
text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">(Since the above was
reposted from an ISOC list, I'm just reposting the reply that I
sent there.)</span><br>
<br>
More importantly that tension reflects real power differences
between the groups overall, not just the fact that they have been
divided into silos, as if that had created an artificial rivalry
like between football teams. Civil society does not push back for
the sake of pushing back. We do so in response to the misuse of
power against the interests of the powerless.<br>
<br>
Whilst I agree with you that civil society should extend beyond
organised civil society, the latter can't be dismissed or sidelined
on the basis that it is somehow separated from the rest. We are
connected to people at large, even though it is not always through
representative structures (though it often is, as in the case of my
organisation and its members), but also through research and project
work.<br>
<br>
So when broad segments of (organised) civil society may seem at
times to be critical of the (organised) technical community this is
not general antagonism, but a response to specific positions that
the technical community has consistently taken that we perceive as
against the broader public interest. Its long-standing opposition
to reforms to Internet governance arrangements is an example case of
this.<br>
<br>
Now, when suddenly the sands have shifted, and some of the leading
organisations of the technical community are now more receptive to
significant Internet governance reforms, it shouldn't be that we are
the ones being criticised for our caution about your latest bridging
cum advocacy initiatives (like 1net). After all, we are not the
ones who have shifted our position!<br>
<br>
In the long run, I do agree that it would be great if the
non-governmental and non-private sector technical community could be
merged back into mainstream civil society for purposes of
representation in Internet governance processes, but this can't be
forced. There needs to be good faith shown on all sides, along with
willingness to compromise, and a letting go of the reins.<br>
<br>
PS. For time management reasons, I will be neither reading nor
replying to email from Tuesday to Friday. Apologies in advance for
any inconvenience.<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>
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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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