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<p>Dear Farzaneh, Deirdre and Andrey and all, <br>
<br>
Thank you for your messages, questions and suggestions.
<br>
<br>
Let me please clarify that we are not calling upon the
cancellation of the in-person meeting. APC has been committed and
engaged with the IGF since its inception and we have seen and
contributed to the efforts towards inclusivity, particularly of
stakeholders from the global South.
<br>
<br>
There are practical restrictions and inequalities related to
transborder mobility at the moment, including for instance the
fact that some Covid-19 vaccines are not broadly accepted as valid
ones to apply for Schengen visas for people who need them to enter
the EU territory. We are concerned that those type of restrictions
will impact the real possibility of specific stakeholders from the
global South to actually travel to the IGF this year.
<br>
<br>
We are not questioning the hybrid model per se but expressing our
concern that in the specific context of the pandemic, there are
risks associated to using it as the leading model for the December
IGF meeting. In that sense, our call is for putting together
mechanisms to ensure that onsite and remote participation is
balanced. Our suggestion is that the virtual modality of the
hybrid model is the default parameter to organise the IGF annual
event. This, we believe, would influence how the event deals with
time zone concerns and attendance support schemes, for example.
<br>
<br>
The statement is not an end in itself. We expect to engage with
the IGF with concrete suggestions of measures to ensure a truly
inclusive meeting, building on what the IGF has been doing for
years. Our goal is not to alter decisions that are now already
being implemented, but to make a call to the IGF community to
place these concerns at the center of the planning and preparatory
activities underway between now and December.
<br>
<br>
I hope it clarifies the spirit of the statement.
<br>
<br>
Best,
<br>
<br>
Valeria<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 9/8/21 06:36, Deirdre Williams via
Governance wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAMz5XN7yheoahLM9T4NPFH+rQih=Q8VbKOCk0FQYa3vX1wpzNg@mail.gmail.com">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<div dir="ltr">I agree with Farzaneh about the need to add some
concrete suggestions.
<div>It is perhaps a little revolutionary but how about
something like "IGF 16 will be held virtually in Poland, with
accommodations being made for in situ participants" which
makes a clear definition of priorities. Another option could
be like something I had proposed before when the physical
meeting was in Bali - produce the programme early with the
presentation content so that the workshop addresses direct
discussion of issues which can also be made accessible in a
more static manner for people with bandwidth challenges. I
realise that this would require proactive willing
participants, the management of a large amount of data, truly
excellent moderatos and a great deal of work, but it would
largely obviate the time problem, help with language issues
and give everyone possible a chance to join in.</div>
<div>There is a tendency for the IG conversation to be held by a
clique (albeit a large and multistakeholder clique) of
interested parties somehow in parallel with a lot of what is
really going on in the world???</div>
<div>I am in sympathy with the statement that points to a VERY
real problem particularly this year. Whatever happens the IGF
will need some type of Plan B for if it becomes necessary to
manage in a situation of draconian travel restrictions, or
practically non-existent travel.</div>
<div>Best wishes from Saint Lucia where numbers are rising again</div>
<div>Stay safe</div>
<div>De</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, 8 Aug 2021 at 23:34,
farzaneh badii via Governance <<a
href="mailto:governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
moz-do-not-send="true">governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px
0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">To
solve the multi-interpretations, perhaps we can make more
concrete suggestions as to how they can improve upon including
remote participants other than using the unevilly WebEx? I was
hoping that on the absence of some very key figures, we put
more emphasis on including them and make the process better.
Unfortunately remote participation failures most of the time
comes down to the process and not just the tools. People
onsite don’t have to communicate with people online.
<div><br>
On Sunday, August 8, 2021, Shcherbovich Andrey <<a
href="mailto:dvbirve@yandex.ru" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">dvbirve@yandex.ru</a>> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px
0.8ex;border-left:1px solid
rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>But the general position of the statement means
calling upon the cancellation of the in-person meeting.
I don't think it is right solution.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With kind regards, Andrey</div>
<div> </div>
<div>09.08.2021, 06:06, "farzaneh badii" <<a
href="mailto:farzaneh.badii@gmail.com" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">farzaneh.badii@gmail.com</a>>:</div>
<blockquote>I don’t think the statement is saying anything
against going back to the normal life. It just has some
broad suggestions that are very legit considering
“hybrid” models never really worked even outside of
COVID what was normal for some wasn’t normal for remote
participants. Equal footing in hybrid models during or
outside of covid restrictions has unfortunately been
unattainable. Pasted the paragraph from APC statement
just to point out what they are actually arguing:
<div> </div>
<div>
<p
style="color:rgb(83,83,83);font-size:13.6px;margin-bottom:0.9em;margin-top:0.5em">“We
remain fully committed to the IGF and to making the
16th annual meeting a success story. This is why we
call on organisers to carefully shape the hybrid
event to address our concerns and ensure a
successful, inclusive and balanced meeting.</p>
<p
style="color:rgb(83,83,83);font-size:13.6px;margin-bottom:0.9em;margin-top:0.5em">In
particular, we recommend that mechanisms are put in
place to tackle the issue of time zones and
connectivity costs. Adopting the Polish time as the
single standard would significantly limit
participation of those based in incompatible time
zones. Also, participants should have access to a
data support scheme, in addition to the travel
support already announced, to ensure participation
is affordable to all, especially those coming from
countries where broadband connectivity is not the
default and data packages are expensive.</p>
<p
style="color:rgb(83,83,83);font-size:13.6px;margin-bottom:0.9em;margin-top:0.5em">The
signatories of this statement express their
willingness to participate in the discussion and
implementation of ideas, structures, methodologies
and technologies to ensure meaningful remote
participation during all phases of the annual event.
The key challenge of ensuring meaningful remote
participation in the IGF as valued and impactful as
in-person participation cannot be overstated or
taken for granted. This is an essential part in the
present and future of making the IGF a more open,
inclusive and globally relevant process.” </p>
<br>
On Sunday, August 8, 2021, Shcherbovich Andrey via
Governance <<a
href="mailto:governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a>>
wrote:
<blockquote style="border-left:1px solid
rgb(204,204,204);margin:0px 0px 0px
0.8ex;padding-left:1ex">
<div>Dear all!</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Strictly against. Let's return to the normal
life and restore all links.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>07.08.2021, 03:27, "Christian Nzhie via
Governance" <<a
href="mailto:governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a>>:</div>
<blockquote>
<div>
<div>Hi,</div>
<div>Dear @Valeria, thanks for sharing.</div>
<div>While we welcome the initiative, kindly not
that the link provided is not accessible.</div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><em>PDOException</em>:
SQLSTATE[HY000] [2002] Connection refused in
<em>lock_may_be_available()</em> (line <em>167</em>
of <em>/var/drupal-core-v7/drupal-7.81/includes/lock.inc</em>)</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Best,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Christian.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>On Fri, Aug 6, 2021 at 7:19 PM Valeria
Betancourt via Governance <<a
href="mailto:governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a>>
wrote:</div>
<blockquote style="border-left:1px solid
rgb(204,204,204);margin:0px 0px 0px
0.8ex;padding-left:1ex">Dear all,<br>
<br>
The 2021 IGF has been announced as a hybrid
event. APC considers that it<br>
is important to make a call to ensure
inclusiveness and balanced<br>
participation of stakeholders, particularly
the ones from the Global South.<br>
<br>
In our view, the pandemic has multiplied
inequalities in access and<br>
participation in policy processes,
especially global and regional ones<br>
where travel is required. We fear that the
adoption of a hybrid model,<br>
while mobility constraints imposed by the
pandemic have not yet been<br>
fully lifted, will contribute to
exacerbating those inequalities and<br>
limit opportunities for meaningful
participation and engagement. We urge<br>
the organisers to ensure that the decision
of adopting a hybrid model is<br>
accompanied by relevant measures to ensure a
truly inclusive meeting.<br>
<br>
We've prepared a statement in this regard
and would like to invite you<br>
to join us in raising these issues.<br>
<br>
Here is the link to the draft and the form
to endorse it: Civil society<br>
calls for a virtual IGF 2021 to strengthen
inclusivity | Association for<br>
Progressive Communications (<a
href="http://apc.org/" rel="noopener
noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">apc.org</a>):<br>
<a
href="https://crm.apc.org/statement/VirtualParticipation-IGF2021"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">https://crm.apc.org/statement/VirtualParticipation-IGF2021</a><br>
<br>
The statement will be made public on Tuesday
Aug 10th and submitted<br>
formally to the IGF Secretariat and MAG. <br>
<br>
We would kindly ask you to confirm your
endorsement by Monday 10pm ET.<br>
<br>
Thank you,<br>
<br>
Valeria<br>
<br>
--<br>
Valeria Betancourt<br>
Directora / Manager<br>
Programa de Políticas de Information y
Comunicación / Communication and<br>
Information Policy Programme<br>
Asociación para el Progreso de las
Comunicaciones / Association for<br>
Progressive Communications, APC<br>
<a href="http://www.apc.org/" rel="noopener
noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">http://www.apc.org</a><br>
<br>
--<br>
Governance mailing list<br>
<a
href="mailto:Governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">Governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a><br>
<a
href="https://lists.igcaucus.org/mailman/listinfo/governance"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">https://lists.igcaucus.org/mailman/listinfo/governance</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
,--<br>
Governance mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Governance@lists.igcaucus.org"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">Governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a><br>
<a
href="https://lists.igcaucus.org/mailman/listinfo/governance"
rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">https://lists.igcaucus.org/mailman/listinfo/governance</a></blockquote>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<br>
--
<div>
<div><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Farzaneh </font></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<br>
-- <br>
<div dir="ltr">
<div><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Farzaneh </font></div>
</div>
<br>
-- <br>
Governance mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Governance@lists.igcaucus.org" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">Governance@lists.igcaucus.org</a><br>
<a
href="https://lists.igcaucus.org/mailman/listinfo/governance"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">https://lists.igcaucus.org/mailman/listinfo/governance</a><br>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br clear="all">
<div><br>
</div>
-- <br>
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature">“The fundamental cure for
poverty is not money but knowledge" Sir William Arthur Lewis,
Nobel Prize Economics, 1979</div>
<br>
<fieldset class="mimeAttachmentHeader"></fieldset>
</blockquote>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Valeria Betancourt
Directora / Manager
Programa de Políticas de Information y Comunicación / Communication and
Information Policy Programme
Asociación para el Progreso de las Comunicaciones / Association for
Progressive Communications, APC
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.apc.org">http://www.apc.org</a></pre>
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