[bestbits] Coordination during WCIT -- who's attending, who's reporting

[Deborah Brown]

Apologies for the multiple emails, but here's the press release that came
out of the FOEX debate:
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/90.aspx#.UL5fmJPjmE5

A few useful tidbits at the bottom of the press release:

A *full English transcript* derived from the simultaneous captioning in the
meeting rooms is available for *all Plenary and Committee 5 sessions* at: *
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/captioning.aspx*<http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/captioning.aspx>.
 (Today's doesn't appear to be posted yet)

*Live and archived multilingual webcasts of the WCIT-12 *opening ceremony,
opening press conference and *all meetings of the conference Plenary and
Committee 5 over the coming two weeks* are available at: *
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/webcast.aspx*<http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/webcast.aspx>

From today,* ITU will host a daily media briefing* with the ITU
Secretary-General and other key officials recapping each day’s discussions.
These briefings will take place at *18:00 local Dubai time*, accessible on
any computer via the Adobe Connect platform at:*
http://itu.adobeconnect.com/wcit2012/*<http://itu.adobeconnect.com/wcit2012/>
The note to the editor might also be of interest:
*
*
*Note to editors:*

ITU is unique within the UN family in having some 700 Sector Members
(mainly from the private sector) in addition to 193 Member States. All have
been actively engaged in the WCIT-12 preparatory process, which has been
underway for some years. In addition, *ITU set up a public consultation
website <http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/public.aspx> open to all
stakeholders in six languages (total of 31 submissions received between 15
August-7 November, of which 29 published* [and 2 rejected because of
unauthorized hyperlinks]).* ITU has also held four global briefings
*(supporting
remote participation from anywhere around the world) open to media,
analysts and *civil society*: those held using Adobe Connect are archived
at:http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/media-briefings.aspx.

On Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 1:15 PM, Deborah Brown <deborah at accessnow.org> wrote:

> Here's the transcript for of the FOEX debate for those interested:
>
> La discussion de le Proposition Tunisienne:
>
> Now, * in Article 1 there is the beginning of Article 1 there is one
> proposal which is coming from Tunisia.  And I would love to take that, to
> start with.  And I want to give the floor to Tunisia to present their
> proposal.DT/rev 1, page 19, you have the floor for presentation.
> >> TUNISIA:  Thank you, Chairman.
>
>
> This proposal seeks to guarantee freedom of expression as recognized by
> the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International covenant on
> civil and political rights, and Article 33 of the constitution.
> And protect it in International telecommunications.  This will protect
> access to all dissem means telecommunication, ICTs at at International
> level and the exercise of these rights and as well as other rights
> enshrined in the texts.
> And states should impose no limitations on this, other than those
> permitted by International law.
> Tunisia believes that this will allow human rights and human privacy to be
> protected when the ITRs are enforced.
> Thank you.
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you Tunisia.  And since this is the only proposal on this
> specific ujs senior I would ask the floor -- subject, I would ask the floor
> for any clarifications.  Is there any objection to the Tunisian proposal?
> United States?  And then Cyprus.  Is
> >> UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
> Mr. Chairman, we wish to state our appreciation to Tunisia for bringing to
> our attention the very important precepts and principles that are contained
> in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  We of course
> fully support that declaration.
> Mr. Chairman, our issue is more one of Claire if I indication.  And
> perhaps preference.
> The clarification goes to the need to restate the Article 19 of the
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the ITRs.  The universal
> declaration stands on its own feet and is understood to be the foundation
> of the United Nations.  And it may not require restatement in the ITRs as
> we have all, as we have oh as we are members of the United Nations have
> committed to the principles of the universal declaration.
> Secondly, Mr. Chairman, we would also note that the same sentiments
> expressed by Tunisia in their proposal are found in paragraph 4 of the
> Geneva declaration of principles of the World Summit on Information
> Society.  We have fully supported at the head of state paragraph 4.  And we
> believe that that may be sufficient to meet the proper references to the
> declaration, and that that may be sufficient that, to the extent to which
> we may not require, therefore, its repeating in the ITRs.
> Mr. Chair man, we would also obviously wish to restate our full commitment
> to the universal declaration with the questions of clarification and point
> made as it specifically references the world summit.  And that may be
> sufficient for all of us as it was a commitment of at the head of state
> level and may not be required, therefore, in the ITRs.
> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you you.  Cyprus.
> >> Cyprus:  I'm speaking from the you're peeb Commission on behalf the the
> European Union behind the Cyprus nameplate.
> I want to ensure the group that we of course in the European Union support
> fully and respect the universal declaration on human rights.  And these are
> part also of the European core values, of course.  We think also that it's
> not necessary, though, to repeat these basic fundamental principles, and
> certainly not in this particular part of the ITRs.
> Other International laws and provisions and charters stand on their own,
> and I think in discussing the preamble you have also discussed the lack of
> necessity to repeat various provisions in other parts of either the
> constitution or the Convention of ITU.
> So we think that although we support entirely these basic principles and
> these are things that we all must follow in any event, and the basic
> principles apply also to telecommunications.  It's not necessary to include
> them in this particular part of the ITRs.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.  China and then South Africa, briefly, please.
> >> CHINA:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
> China has some similarities in our views compared with the United States
> and EU.  We respect the principles in the Universal Declaration of Human
> Rights and also we respect the principles advocated by the declaration of
> WSIS.  But we think the ITR is about the interconnection of International
> networks as well as to guide the operation of International services is
> more technical savvy.  So it's more  focused on the technical aspects.
> So we think it's not necessary to reiterate what we have recognized the
> International political principles.  Therefore, we support the intervention
> of the previous two speakers.
> Thank you.
> >> CHAIR:  Thank.
> South Africa?
> >> SOUTH AFRICA:  Thank you, Chairperson.
> We do think it was a very good proposal, but we would also have to reserve
> our own position on this issue.  In particular, because whilst we agree
> with the right of freedom of expression, in our constitution it's not an
> unlimited right, in the sense that it is balanced against other rights such
> as the right not to be the victim of hate speech.
> So I think from our perspective, we would need a little time to consult on
> this issue.
> Thank you, Chairperson.
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.  Before giving the floor to the others, I don't see
> agreement to, while respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I
> don't see agreement to include this in the ITR.
> So Tunisia, before giving the floor to the rest, we do not have an
> agreement.
> SG, you wanted the floor?
> >> HAMADOUN TOURE':  Thank you, Chairman.  Yes, I did want to speak.  And
> because I wanted to draw your attention to something, as indeed I did in my
> opening statement.  It seems to me to be essential, fundamental for the
> future and the credibility of the union and to the image which the union
> wants to project to the outside world, and in view of all the various
> conspiracy theories that are floating around in respect to individual
> freedoms in this meet, that it would be a good idea to put some explicit
> recognition of this essential right, which after all is already
> acknowledged, the rights to the freedom of expression.  That would perhaps
> contribute to preventing people distorting the cause and purpose of this
> conference.
> This is a universal right of course.  It's one that has already been
> negotiated and agreed by our Members.  But an explicit reference to it, I
> think, would be helpful at the beginning of a Treaty of this kind.
> It would, as I say, dissipate any potential misunderstanding about this
> whole question.  So as far as I'm concerned, that would be the essential
> purpose of a proposal such as that which has just been tabled by Tunisia.
> Tunisia was, after all, the host country of the WSIS, where these issues
> were dealt with.  And dealt with at a level that cannot be exceeded at the
> level of heads of state.  Tunisia was also the cradle of the Arab Spring,
> where the Freedom of Expression as we know was extremely important in many
> respects.  It was used in order to return countries to Democracy, after
> all.
> I therefore think that this would be helpful and I would create the
> indulgence of Member States to look at this from the point of view of the
> image which this organisation wants to project, particularly at this
> conference.  For those who want this conference to be successful, I think
> it would be a good idea to try and reach agreements here and reach
> agreements such that they give the right image of the ITU outside the
> organisation's walls.
> I would like to see contribution number 25 from the Tunisian delegation
> looked at in this way and I urge delegations to try and do that.
> Thank you.
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.  Iran?
> >> IRAN:  Thank you you, Chairman.  We are grateful to the presentation of
> the Tunisian Government to propose this very important issue, which has
> drawn our full attention to the fundamental rights that are mentioned in
> Article 19 of the universal declarations of human rights.
> Something having said that, Chairman, the nature of this proposal more
> fitted to perhaps a proposal to the plenipotentiary conference, to
> possibly, if necessary, am amendment the preamble of the constitution,
> which covers everything, not only ITR but also other segments and the
> entire ITU as was mentioned.  Therefore, in our view, this proposal needs
> to be, if the delegation of Tunisia so wishes, submitted to the
> plenipotentiary conference and should not be discussed at this conference
> and should not be included in the ITU-R in any part of the regulations.  --
> ITR in any part of the regulations.  Thank you.
> >> UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  I'm speaking on
> behalf of CETIL in connection with two interAmerican proposals, 21 and 23.
> We certainly endorse the sentiment expressed in the Tunisian proposal.
> However, in our view, as expressed in these interAmerican proposals, the
> purpose of the ITRs is to assure the interoperability of underlying
> telecommunications systems that enable communications, not the content of
> the communications that flow over them.
>
>
> We are concerned that we should not open this door and get into the issue
> of adding content issue, even Freedom of Expression be issues, which we
> certainly endorse, to the ITRs.  Our fear is that once this door is opened,
> the other language could be added on this subject and this is a highly
> sensitive matter.  We think it would be much better for all of us if we
> left this issue -- kept the issue of content entirely out of the ITRs.
> Thank you.
> >> CHAIR:  Tunisia, I think you've heard the comments from a lot of Member
> States.  And all of them said one thing, that there is a respect to the
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but there is no support to include
> this in the ITR.
> So I'll give the floor back to Tunisia, if they still insist on their
> proposal.
> And withdrawing it does not mean that there is no respect to the Universal
> Declaration of Human Rights.
> Tunisia?
> >> TUNISIA:  Thank you, Chairman.
> Well, I would like to be able to reach a consensus agreement if that were
> probable possible.  But before I go to maybe I do draw something to the
> delegates' attention.  The events which we have seen taking place recently
> in some regions of the world, the cutting of International
> telecommunications things, for example, and that despite the existence and
> recognition of these rights in existing texts, has happened.  Existing
> texts haven't prevented some countries cutting off International
> telecommunications, and that's why we in Tunisia think that this conference
> should give a very strong signal about the need to protect this right of
> the Freedom of Expression.
> We need, I think, to make explicit the fact that this kind of cutting off
> of International telecommunications is unacceptable.
> Perhaps I could agree with the United States who have proposed that
> reference be made to the summit text.  That might get the idea across.  And
> I leave it in your hands, Chairman, to find how we can actually do that and
> make headway on this.
> Thank you.
> >> CHAIR:  Okay.  There is a proposal to refer to the WSIS text.  But
> before putting that to the floor, UAE is asking for the floor.  UAE?
> >> UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:  Thank you, Chairman.
> And in order to be very brief, I think most of what we would like to say
> was already mentioned by the distinguished Secretary-General, and also by
> the Distinguished Delegate from Tunisia.  It's also important to highlight
> that there has been some, under some of the media, some let's say wrong
> information that there are some proposals to actually neglect freedom of
> speech.  And here we go, we have an Arab proposal, an Arab country proposal
> cominging to this conference that would like to emphasize this, and we can
> go along with whatever appear proch as has been endorsed by Tunisia, the
> Secretary-General as well as you, Mr. Chairman, to send a signal from Dubai
> that this principle and all the principles of the WSIS.  So I think if we
> prefer, if we go and refer to the WSIS, we should refer to it as a whole.
> We have been active in the WSIS and we actually can go along with the idea
> to prefer to the WSIS and all of its principles and endorse it from --
> within the conference of the WCIT.
> Thank you.
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you, UAE.  I think refers to WSIS as an entirety is also
> a very dangerous sign so I need to be careful here.
> I think there has been a lot of discussion on this issue.  And I'm sure
> there has been a lot of reflection on such important and novel declarations
> is there, and it's already amended.
> I'm not sure if there is any additional thing that we can add to that.
> There are strong views.  We have heard also the Secretary-General review on
> the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  But there are views respecting
> the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but having an opinion that the
> ITRs is not the place for it.
> And the reflection of it in the summary record, it's important.  And I
> don't know if you can go along with that, and sending also a message from
> Dubai to the rest of the world to through the summary record of the plenary
> respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but also as I see it
> from the Member States that there is no agreement to have it included in
> the ITRs itself.
> So I would like to thank Tunisia for their proposal.  Unfortunately, we
> have no support.  But we can reflect on the summary record of the meeting
> and emphasize on it and perhaps we can have a text proposed by Tunisia to
> look at it as well, so that we can have -- so that we can give it a proper
> place in the summary record.
> I see others asking for the floor.  And then Iran
> Qatar:  We are sitting at the back of the room and let me explain why you
> can't see us Chairman.  I sought the floor several times but didn't obtain
> it.
> As far as the Tunisian proposal is concerned, we think that this is an
> extremely important proposal and an extremely important principle and we
> support it.
> It's a question of ensuring the human rights and the Freedom of Expression
> are respected.  As the Secretary-General said in his statement, it's very
> important that we send out a positive signal on this one from this
> conference.
> That will be the best possibly response to some of the rather inaccurate
> information being put around about this conference, to the effect that
> we're trying precisely to limit the Freedom of Expression.  I think that
> the content of the Tunisian proposal is crucial.  As I said, I think it
> needs to be mentioned even if that is done via a referral back to the WSIS.
>
> The essential point is that this be mentioned, one way or the other, to
> make it * very clear that our conference fully respects both human rights
> and the liberties of expression.
> Thank you.  irp iron we have no difficulty if Tunisia would like to have a
> statement in the minutes of the plenary.  However, with respect to a
> general recognitions of the conference, it depends whether this is in the
> agenda of the conference or not in the agenda of the conference and also it
> depends on the text, what text we put.  What is the language, what is the
> wording of that.  And before saying that we could not agree to the
> inclusion of that text we have to see it clearly and we have to consult our
> Government.
> Thank you.
> (That was Iran)
>
>
> S Poland:  Thank you very much, Chairman.  Poland would like to associate
> itself with the Tunisian proposal and the comments of the
> Secretary-General.  We believe that the general reference to human rights
> would send the positive signal, and our proposal is that the general
> reference to human rights and guarantees of the freedom of the Internet
> perhaps should be made in the preamble to the ITRs.
> Thank you very much.
> >> CHAIR:  We will take Mexico first and then the Secretary-General wants
> to speak as well.
> Mexico?
>
>
> >> MEXICO:  Thank you very much, Chairman.
> We have listened with very careful attention to the debate which has been
> taking place in respect of the issue of human rights, and particularly
> Article 19 of the universal declaration.  We support that Article.  We
> support the declaration.
> But we do agree that it is perhaps not in the ivrts where we find the most
> appropriate place from which to send out this message.  We do, however,
> agree that it's a good idea for this conference and indeed for ITU in
> general to send out a message to the world outside about guaranteeing
> communication and human rights in general.  Maybe this could be done in a
> resolution from the conference.  We don't think we should be considering
> only the specific text of the ITR.  We have a bit of more gin over to us by
> conference resolutions.  So perhaps a conference resolution would be the
> right place to mention this.
> What we suggest is that we mention this issue in a conference resolution.
> Thank you.  *
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Secretary-General?
> >> Secretary-General:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  I think there is full
> agreement here that Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very important
> to every single delegation here.
> That every delegation who spoke, spoke for it.
> But it's clear, also, that it has not its place in the ivrts, and we have
> said that all along.  During the preparatory process of this conference.  I
> had multiple press conferences and replies to press allegations that this
> conference is about Freedom of Expression and I've said no.  It's not the
> case.  And you are just proving that here.  And you don't want it to be the
> case.  You'll set a presence dense.  As the President of CCITEL said it
> will open the doors for content issues being in the ivrts.  And we have
> said that ivrts is not about content.
> If we have to make reference to this in the ITRs, we should say that even
> though content is not an issue for this conference, it has been, since it's
> been too much labeled we make it clearer.
> But if we decide not to, you allow me to make a press release again to
> clarify this issue.  And of course I have my daily conference briefing,
> press briefing, in which I will refer to this issue and make it clear that
> this conference, in this conference, we all agree that human rights issues
> are very important, the Freedom of Expression is something that no one can
> -- nothing in this conference, in this Treaty, will contradict that.
> But we decided un nan mustly not to put it in there, but it was a gracious
> proposal by Tunisia to clarify the matter.
> On that compromise, I will be very able to handle this issue.  Because as
> you can -- as you have seen in the press, there has been simply too much
> negative labels on this conference for this very issue, which has never
> been on the table.
> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.
> Switzerland.
> >> SWITZERLAND:  Thank you, Chairman.
> We feel the same way as our colleagues from Poland who spoke a little
> earlier.  And indeed more or less for the same reasons.  It seems to us to
> be very important, as other people have said, that given the unfounded
> criticism we have heard leveled at this conference, we make reference of
> some kind to the respect of human rights in general.  The idea of putting a
> very brief reference to them in the pream preamble without going into
> detail would be for us a very simple slu, with their support.
> I think we would really be missing the boat in this conference, so to
> speak, if we did not refer to what is a very basic and fundamental
> principle for our society.
> Thank you.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Let me try this and let me try this proposal, to have the
> Tunisian proposal or let's say a modified version of the Tunisian proposal
> in a resolution.
> Is there an agreement to do that?  Or let me put it this way:  Is there
> any objection to have a resolution attached to the ITRs that talks about
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights?  As per Poland's proposal.  tp
> Canada?
> >> CANADA:  Yes, sir, thank you, Chairman.
> First and foremost I'll not take a lot of time.  We fully recognize the
> principles embedded in the Tunisian proposal and we thank them for it.  But
> as clearly stated by several people that have preceded me in the use of the
> floor, in particular I would quote the reference made by the Distinguished
> Delegate of China, as to the nature and scope of the ITRs.
> Secondly, the reference made by the Secretary-General to the media
> coverage of this conference, whether it is unfounded or founded, it is not
> up to Canada to qualify it.  But we will certainly agree with his proposal
> to deal with any issues associated with the coverage, precoverage, and post
> coverage of this conference by means of a press statement that needs not to
> be part of the ivrts.  ITRs.  Lastly, the issue of human rights it's
> already clearly enshrined in the u verse sal declaration of human rights
> and there is no need for this this conference or WCIT or plenipotentiary or
> WSA to include such an important element already recognized by extremely
> important declarations as the declaration of human rights.
> Thank you, Chairman.
> >> CHAIR:  I'll give the floor to Tunisia.  I don't see, at least from the
> start, support for my proposal.
> Tunisia?
> >> TUNISIA:  Thank you, Chairman.
> What I would say is that our conference should issue a clear signal in
> response to the severe accusations which it has faced in the recent
> period.  And the only way that we can do that is by making mention of
> freedom of expression and human rights in the International
> telecommunication regulations.
> To that end, I would like to go back to the proposal made by Poland and
> Switzerland to make such a mention in the preamble to say that our
> conference attaches importance to Freedom of Expression and human rights.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.  But there is no -- until now, there is no support
> for it yet.  I'll give the floor to Costa Rica and then Iran.  I really
> need to conclude on this discussion.  There is a proposal from also the
> Secretary-General that we -- the ITU issue a press release on this issue,
> recognizing what happened in the meeting.  That all Administrations
> respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but not to be part of
> the ITRs, which is a binding Treaty and I've seen also the comment made by
> Canada.
> Costa Rica you have the floor.
> >> COSTA RICA:  Thank you, Chairman.
> Costa Rica has a hundred year long Democracy and we think that the
> Secretary-General's comments are very important.  We need to issue a
> message on this, particularly given the accusations which have been going
> around in the press.
> As the UAE said, we need to agree on a message, but Costa Rica believes
> that the ITRs aren't the best instrument for that to be achieved.  And
> that's why we think that it would be more sensible to think about what was
> said by Mexico, to have the resolution by this Assembly, which takes up the
> spirit of what was said by Tunisia toon and supported by Poland and
> Switzerland.  So we could have a resolution and perhaps we could also
> cover this using a press release as said by the Secretary-General.  We
> think that would be a more viable course of action.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.  There is now some support for having a resolution.
> I don't want to give the floor to many people.  I'll give it to two
> countries.
> >> IRAN.  Briefly, please.
> >> IRAN:  Thank you, the last speaker was quite clear saying that either a
> press release or resolutions.  Chairman, resolutions first of all should be
> very carefully Crafted.  It would take a lot of time on the wording.  It
> should be within the agenda of the conference.  And we fully support the
> wisdom of the Secretary-General that he said clearly that he would take
> this action in a press release, and make necessary and appropriate courses
> of action in order that the correct signal be given to outside people.  And
> we are not in favor of a resolution.  We are opposed to a resolution.
> Thank you.
> >> PORTUGAL:  Thank you, Mr. Chair man.  Like the majority of countries,
> we are -- we do not favor including the issue in the ITRs and I think this
> is already solved by now.
> And we also do not favor the resolution model.  We think the proposal by
> the Secretary-General is very balanced, and very towards our aim here.  And
> maybe a record -- including in the record of decisions as was also
> initially proposed would be the appropriate way to deal with this issue.
> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
>
>
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.  I will close the discussion now.  I don't see an
> agreement included in either the resolution or part of the ITRs, so we will
> go along with the Secretary-General proposal to have a press release, the
> minutes of meeting also -- or the covering all your sentiments from all the
> Administrations, and I would thank everybody including Tunisia to bring
> this important issue.  And we will have its size in a press release that we
> do on a daily basis, recognizing the Universal Declaration of Human
> Rights.  And emphasizing that this conference is a technical conference and
> all Administrations here recognize it, and they do not feel that it's
> appropriate to include it in the ITRs.
> Secretary-General?
> >> Secretary-General:  I just want to thank this conference for coming
> again to a good compromise on this very delicate issue.  In fact, you have
> done half of my job by speaking out here in this meeting.  Because this is
> webcast.  And this webcast goes to the press.  So I'll simply be
> reiterating what you said here, which satisfies me, because this is what we
> have been saying all along.  Because we know the feeling of our
> membership.  We know what our membership is tasking us to do in this
> conference, in this Treaty.  And therefore I would like to thank you again
> and you've proven that again ITU can come together and all Member States
> and come to a consensus on issues.
> Thank you very much.
> >> CHAIR:  Thank you.
>
> On Mon, Dec 3, 2012 at 7:55 PM, Ellery Biddle <ellery at cdt.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> Important update about tomorrow's call -- after talking with some of our
>> colleagues who are in Dubai this week, we've decided that we should move
>> the time back a few hours, so that those in Dubai can more easily
>> participate. So here's the new plan:
>> *
>> *
>> *The call will take place at  18:00 UTC / 1:00 PM EST. A list of
>> international toll-free call-in numbers is attached.*
>>
>> Since new issues may arise between now and then, I'll suggest that we can
>> try to set a rough agenda at the start of the call, rather than setting one
>> now.
>>
>> Looking forward to chatting with everyone!
>>
>> cheers,
>>
>> Ellery
>>
>>
>>
>> Ellery Roberts Biddle
>> Center for Democracy and Technology <http://cdt.org>
>> (415) 814-1711
>>
>>
>>
>> On Nov 27, 2012, at 3:50 PM, Ellery Biddle wrote:
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> We have been talking here at CDT about various strategies for
>> communications and coordination during the WCIT. Lots to think about here.
>> Two items on this:
>>
>> First: Who is going to Dubai? We *really* want to develop a list of
>> civil society people who will be in Dubai for the conference. We think it
>> would be helpful for those attending WCIT to know what other CS people will
>> be there, and to develop a rough plan for coordinating once they are in
>> Dubai. Matthew Shears, ISOC's former policy director who has been working
>> on ITU issues with CDT, will be in Dubai on CDT's behalf. He will not be
>> affiliated with any delegation. *If you or someone from your
>> organization is going to be in Dubai (with or without delegate status), and
>> you'd like to be in touch with other civil society folks there, please send
>> Matthew an email letting him know. Matthew's email: mshears at cdt.org*
>>
>> Second: How can we coordinate on public communication about the WCIT? We
>> know that many CSOs will be blogging, tweeting, and responding to press
>> inquiries about the WCIT as it's happening. Given the relatively closed
>> nature of the event, we know that it may be difficult to get the
>> information we need in order to do this well, and that some coordination
>> between groups may help fill this gap. We also anticipate that rumors and
>> misinformation may become an issue, as different delegates may hear
>> different things, etc. In anticipation of this, we want to propose a group
>> call for next week. This will be open to any civil society groups planning
>> to report on WCIT, either from Dubai or from outside the UAE. Given the
>> size of these lists, I am setting an arbitrary (though early, which
>> generally seems best) time and date for the call. Hope that plenty of folks
>> can join -- we'll take and circulate good notes for those who can't make it.
>>
>> *The call will take place on Tuesday, December 4 at 16:00 UTC / 11:00
>> EST. *A list of international toll-free call-in numbers is attached. I
>> will circulate this again, along with a reminder, on Monday.
>>
>> As always, please feel encouraged to reply to the list with additional
>> ideas, questions, etc.
>>
>> Thanks all!
>>
>> Ellery
>>
>>  Ellery Roberts Biddle
>> Center for Democracy and Technology <http://cdt.org/>
>> (415) 814-1711
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Deborah Brown
> Policy Analyst
> Access | AccessNow.org
> E. deborah at accessnow.org
> S. deborah.l.brown
> T. deblebrown
> PGP 0x5EB4727D
>
>


-- 
Deborah Brown
Policy Analyst
Access | AccessNow.org
E. deborah at accessnow.org
S. deborah.l.brown
T. deblebrown
PGP 0x5EB4727D
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.igcaucus.org/pipermail/bestbits/attachments/20121204/a73f8cc3/attachment.htm>