RE: FW: Hamadoun Touré Op-Ed in Wired +

[michael gurstein]

Hi Pranesh,

I agree and it would be good if that were spelled out, but even if it is only at the level of theory it is something that CS should be supporting (or at least not criticizing/rejecting... 

I can see (although not agree with) why some might be so concerned by a "UN (ITU) 'takeover' of the Internet" that they would take completely rejectionist stance towards the ITU, but I see no reason why CS should take such a position. 

I think that our position as an international and internationally representative group should be rather more nuanced and particularly around issues of extension of access to those currently without such access which has to be one if not the most central of our concerns.

M


-----Original Message-----
From: bestbits-request at lists.igcaucus.org [mailto:bestbits-request at lists.igcaucus.org] On Behalf Of Pranesh Prakash
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 9:43 AM
To: michael gurstein; bestbits at lists.igcaucus.org
Subject: Re: FW: Hamadoun Touré Op-Ed in Wired + 

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Michael, I think the real question there is: what can the ITRs do to aid affordable access to the underprivileged. That has not been answered.

michael gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com> wrote:

>Hamadoun Touré has an Op-Ed in Wired
>
>http://www.wired.com/opinion/2012/11/head-of-itu-un-should-internet-reg
>ulati
>on-effort/
>
>
>
>-----------------------
>
>
>
>I'm unclear as to why Civil Society should be aligning itself with the 
>almost universal chorus of corporate and Developed Country national 
>voices condemning Toure/the ITU if, as he says, in his opening 
>paragraph…>
>
>
>
>With over 90 percent of the world’s people now within reach of mobile 
>phones, the challenge today is bringing internet access to the 
>two-thirds of the world’s population that is still offline. This 
>challenge is compounded by the need to ensure connectivity is 
>affordable and safe for all.
>
>
>
>and then
>
>
>
>The conference will chart a globally agreed-upon roadmap that offers 
>future connectivity to all, and ensures sufficient communications 
>capacity to cope with the exponential growth in voice, video, and data. 
>The sole focus of the event is making regulations valuable to all 
>stakeholders, creating a robust pillar to support future growth in 
>global communications.
>
>
>
>and
>
>
>
>The conference will address issues that relate to improving online 
>access and connectivity for everyone.
>
>
>
>Surely these are appropriate goals for Civil Society as well and, 
>rather than joining the universal condemnation of the WCIT, CS should 
>be looking for ways of supporting the above goals while pursuing its 
>own goals of enhanced transparency and multi-stakeholder involvement in 
>ITU processes; as well, of course, aligning with potential allies in 
>the corporate sector and national governments in areas where there may 
>be a clear consistency of interests as in ensuring rights of privacy 
>and free expression.
>
>
>
>Mike

- --
Pranesh Prakash
Policy Director
Centre for Internet and Society
T: +91 80 40926283 | W: http://cis-india.org PGP ID: 0x1D5C5F07 | Twitter: @pranesh_prakash

Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
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