[bestbits] Open letter from APC to organisers of the International Conference on Global Internet Governance

[michael gurstein]

FWIW, probably due to my oversight (I assumed that the endorsements for the
letter were an opt in rather than opt out), I'm listed as one of the
endorsers of this letter.

While I agree with almost everything in the letter and I think it is well
crafted and covers many of the important issues from a CS perspective I
can't agree with the final paragraphs where there is I think, an undue
emphasis on and endorsement of the IGF.  

I think the IGF and particularly the current structuring and operation of
the MAG is deeply flawed and at this juncture would not be able to support
any of the additional functions which, based on this letter would be
indicated as being assigned to it.

To my mind, I would want to see a fully reformed MAG/IGF and a
democratically realized MAG operational before I was willing to entrust
significant IG responsibilities to it. Even then I'm not sure I would want
the IGF to have additional  responsibilities since I think that this might
be a back door way of introducing a potentially highly suspect form of
Multistakeholderism into IG.

By way of a brief explanation.  My primary identification for my involvement
with Internet Governance issues is through my some 15 years work in various
aspects of community informatics/grassroots use of ICTs for community
enablement and empowerment. My concern with IG has been and continues to be
to ensure that the often unheard voices of grassroots ICT  users and
particularly those at the margins--the rural populations, indigenous
peoples, slum dwellers, those with physical disabilities are given due
recognition in the deliberations that might affect them concerning their
future with the Internet.   

In these areas I see little attention being given or interest in these areas
within the IGF/MAG as they might impact what would be a very large
proportion and probably majority of the global population and an even larger
proportion of those currently lacking Internet access. I also see a very
extensive concern (particularly as presented through Civil Society) with
individual rights, but almost no attention being given to issues of
collective rights to the Internet such as those which are of special
interest to Indigenous peoples and those for whom affordable individual
internet access and use is for the foreseeable future an unrealizable dream
or given distinct cultural priorities a matter of only indirect interest. As
well, I see the Internet as a huge creator of wealth and opportunity but I
equally see little attention among those discussing Internet Governance
issues on how such wealth and opportunity might be more equally distributed
including to marginalized populations to ensure the well-being of all and
not simply the exaggerated wealth of some.

If the letter is further circulated I  would ask that my name be removed
from it.

Thanks (and in future I'll be rather more attentive to these matters as I
see now that the sign on in APC is an opt out/rather than an opt in.

Best,

Mike


-----Original Message-----
From: bestbits-request at lists.bestbits.net
[mailto:bestbits-request at lists.bestbits.net] On Behalf Of Valeria Betancourt
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 5:59 AM
To: &lt bestbits at lists.bestbits.net&gt
Subject: [bestbits] Open letter from APC to organisers of the International
Conference on Global Internet Governance

Dear all,

Sharing here a letter from APC members to the Brazilians.  We actually
started drafting this the week just after the IGF, but it took a while.

It is not intended to bypass any other process. It was just an attempt to
give input on the agenda from APC members.

Valeria


>