[bestbits] Fw: civil society coordination group membership

[Ian Peter]

FYI below is a copy of a letter just sent to Michael Gurstein as regards his recent request to join this group.

Ian Peter

From: Ian Peter 
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2013 8:12 PM
To: Michael Gurstein 
Subject: civil society coordination group membership

Dear Michael,

 I am replying to your request to the civil society coordination group to make you a member of the group, representing Community Informatics. You have suggested that no reply from us affirming you as a member in a time frame of about 30 hours would be considered by you as a “no”,  and that you would be informing others and taking various actions.

 You have also pointed out in correspondence that the “decision that you folks make will have quite serious ramifications both for yourselves, for civil society in internet governance, and perhaps even for internet governance itself”

 We also take this decision seriously. We do not think it is appropriate to make such a decision without due consideration, including considering a number of other organisations who would have equal and perhaps better cases to make as regards joining a co-ordination group which must be kept to a manageable size.

 Accordingly, and because any decisions we make here can have substantial ramifications, we have decided to delay any decisions on expansion of membership of the co ordination group until they can be considered properly. In the current circumstances of limited availability for many people, that will be after we have completed the Brazil committee nomination processes in mid January. With the holiday season and other commitments as well as the Brazil processes, we simply do not have time to do this now with the thoroughness it deserves.

 We understand the sincerity of your desire to have your groups viewpoints heard and considered, which prompted your actions. I can assure you that the members of the co-ordination group take their roles seriously, and are determined that their actions and the representatives appointed through this process will represent the diversity of viewpoints and perspectives held within civil society, and not just individual organisations.

 I will be copying this reply to the Best Bits and IGC lists so that others are also aware of this situation and our reasons for not making a decision at this stage.



Sincerely,





Ian Peter

for Co-ordination Group - Virginia Paque (Diplo), Robin Gross (NCSG), Chat Ramilo (APC), Jeremy Malcolm (Best Bits) ; replacement member for IGC still being determined.
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