[bestbits] Call for nominations for CSTD WG on Enhanced Cooperation

[Anriette Esterhuysen]

Dear colleagues

*Call for nominees from civil society to join the CSTD Working Group on
Enhanced Cooperation*

I have been asked by Mr. Miguel Palomino de la Gala, Chairperson of the
Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) to act as
the focal point for gathering nominations for the 5 civil society
positions on the CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation.

Please pass this invitation around to other civil society organisations
or networks you work with.

*Background*

The formation of such a working group (WG) was first discussed at the
15th session of the CSTD in May 2012. The request to the Chairperson to
convene the group was confirmed in resolution 67/195 of the 67th session
of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/67/195

The task of the WG will bes to examine the "mandate of the World Summit
on the Information Society regarding enhanced cooperation as contained
in the Tunis Agenda, through seeking, compiling and reviewing inputs
from all Member States and all other stakeholders, and to make
recommendations on how to fully implement this mandate". The working
group has to report to the Commission at its 17th session in 2014 as an
input to the overall review of the outcomes of the WSIS. I am not in a
position to say how many times the WG will meet, but assume it is likely
to meet at least twice before submitting its report in May 2014.

*Role of the civil society focal point*

The role of the focal point for civil society is to assist the CSTD
Chair in reaching out to interested parties among civil society who
would like to be considered for participation in the group. The Chair of
the CSTD will decide on and announce the final composition of the
Working Group.

*Composition of the WG*

The WG will be made up of representatives from 22 Member States (four
per regional group plus the two that have hosted the World Summit on the
Information Society) and as invitees, five representatives each from (a)
the private sector, (b) civil society, (c) the technical and academic
communities and (d) intergovernmental and international organizations.

*Process for nominations*

If you would like to nominate yourself, or another individual, please
send an email to me (anriette at apc.org) copying Emilar Vushe
(emilar at apc.org).

Please include:
1. Your name, email and contact number
2. The civil  society entities (network or organisations) that you are
affiliated to
3. The capacity of this affiliation if applicable (e.g. "member" or your
job title)
3. Your country of residence
4. Your nationality and your gender

Could you also please answer the following questions to assist the CSTD
chair in making the final selection:

5.What experience and expertise do you have in public-interest oriented
policy processes that involves cooperation between governments, and also
between governments and non-governmental stakeholder groups (note that
people from sectors other than internet/ICTs are welcome and could have
a lot to contribute)?

6. What experience and expertise do you have in enhanced cooperation in
the context of the WSIS process and internet governance in general?

7. Are you able to commit to the time needed to travel to WG meetings
and participate in these meetings? Meetings will mostly be in Geneva.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I will try to answer them
to the best of my ability.

Sincerely

Anriette Esterhuysen

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anriette esterhuysen anriette at apc.org
executive director, association for progressive communications
www.apc.org
po box 29755, melville 2109
south africa
tel/fax +27 11 726 1692