[bestbits] CSCG - participation in selection of civil society representatives for NMI Coordination Council

[Anriette Esterhuysen]

Thanks for this Ian, and to others on the CSCG. This was a difficult
process and I feel you handled it with care and fairness.

Anriette

On 26/11/2014 11:55, Ian Peter wrote:
>
>  
>
> Dear Civil Society members,
>
>  
>
> After a substantial consultation with members across many different
> constituencies, the Internet Governance Civil Society Coordination
> Group (CSCG) has decided that, in accordance with its procedures and
> with the conditions in the letter below, it will engage in the process
> of selection of self nominated civil society representatives for the
> Co ordination Council of the Netmundial Initiative (NMI).
>
>  
>
> In doing so, we acknowledge and respect that Just Net Coalition has
> determined not to engage in this process, and that there are many
> civil society people in other coalitions who would also prefer not to
> engage at this time.
>
>  
>
> For those who choose to engage; if you wish to be a candidate, you
> must complete the form which can be found at
> https://www.netmundial.org/coordination-council-nominations, together
> with the associated documentation, by December 6. Please note that
> CSCG will not be endorsing nominations but playing a selection role as
> outlined in the letter below.
>
>  
>
> Thank you everyone who participated in this consultation and freely
> expressed their opinions. Below is a letter recently sent to the
> organisers outlining CSCG’s position and involvement.
>
>  
>
>  LETTER TO NMI TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL
>
>  
>
> Dear Virgilio, Richard and Fadi,
>
>  
>
> As members of the Internet Governance Civil Society Coordination Group
> (CSCG), we write to express our appreciation for your openness in
> working with us to negotiate the terms of civil society’s
> participation in the NETmundial Initiative; in particular, by
> accommodating our expectation, drawn from the NETmundial Principles,
> that if we are to participate on the Coordination Council, we should
> nominate our own representatives.
>
>  
>
> Since our initial agreement on this principle, we have been consulting
> with our constituents about whether civil society ought to avail
> itself of this opportunity at all.  We must say that this has been a
> difficult question, at the end of which there remain some very
> significant misgivings across a broad segment of civil society about
> the merits of our prospective involvement.
>
>  
>
> Among the underlying concerns of many are that the involvement of the
> World Economic Forum in the initiative signals an attempt by economic
> and political elites to secure a central role in Internet governance;
> that the Initiative has been organised in a top-down manner that
> privileges its three promoters above other stakeholders; and that
> devoting time and resources to the Initiative may detract from other
> processes such as the Internet Governance Forum.
>
>  
>
> On the other hand, others recognise the opportunity that exists for
> civil society to help shape the NETmundial Initiative into a mechanism
> (but not the only mechanism) that can advance the NETmundial roadmap.
> Despite significant shortcomings in the NETmundial Multistakeholder
> Statement stemming from influence exerted by powerful actors towards
> the end of the process, much of the document, including the roadmap,
> does enjoy broad civil society support.
>
>  
>
> OUR INVOLVEMENT AND PROCESS
>
>  
>
> In the end we have decided to facilitate the involvement of those from
> civil society who do wish to apply for membership of the Coordination
> Council, while acknowledging others have decided as a matter of
> principle that they do not wish to be involved—and indeed would rather
> that civil society did not participate at all. We acknowledge and
> respect that our colleagues from Just Net Coalition have taken that
> position and will not be participating with us in this exercise.
>
>  
>
> The process we have agreed to work with is
>
>  
>
> 1. At the close of nominations (December 6), CSCG Nomcom will review
> all nominations for civil society participation and evaluate each
> candidate’s suitability.
>
> 2. CSCG Nomcom will recommend one candidate per geographic region, and
> submits names to Transitional Council with reasons.
>
> 3. If necessary, NMI Transitional Council will convene a (virtual)
> meeting with CSCG Nomcom to discuss any issues arising, with a view to
> reaching a rough consensus agreement if there are any issues with our
> nominations. If there is a strong dissenting voice from another area
> of civil society they may also be invited to participate after discussion.
>
>  
>
> CONDITIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
>
>  
>
> Although we will work with the NETmundial Initiative’s organising
> partners to select willing civil society representatives from amongst
> those who self-nominate through the Initiative’s nomination process,
> we also outline five simple conditions that we believe representatives
> are likely to affirm following their appointment to the Coordination
> Council:
>
>  
>
> 1. We would like the Co-ordination Council to discuss whether CGI.br,
> WEF and ICANN should have permanent membership of the Coordination
> Council and what that implies. Whilst it is acknowledged that the
> above organisations are jointly funding the operational expenses of
> the Initiative for its first year, this might not remain so. We are
> not convinced that funding support is sufficient justification for
> such a role, and we believe that the full Coordination Council itself
> should approve any permanent seats and what that implies.
>
>  
>
> 2. To the extent that a stated objective of the Coordination Council
> is "promoting the distributed Internet governance model,” we want to
> point out that the status quo in Internet governance does not
> represent the fulfilment of this model. The NETmundial Initiative
> should not be used to legitimise existing inequalities and
> deficiencies of the present system and should not hold civil society
> back from advocating necessary reforms.
>
>  
>
> 3. While we acknowledge the progressive elements of the NETmundial
> Multistakeholder Statement, it is not the final and definitive
> statement of Internet governance principles; indeed the Statement
> itself acknowledges that it is only a work in progress. So we do not
> see the NETmundial roadmap as an immutable document. We look forward
> to its refinement and/or augmentation and hope that NMI ensures a
> bottom up collaborative process to undertake this work.
>
>  
>
> 4. A key performance indicator for the NETmundial Initiative must be
> the extent to which its activities strengthen and support the Internet
> Governance Forum, which remains the most significant global hub for
> general multi-stakeholder Internet governance policy discussions. If
> the IGF develops the capacity to assume further activities that
> currently might not fall within their capabilities, this should be
> facilitated, not opposed.
>
>  
>
> 5. We will wish to evaluate from time to time whether this engagement
> is providing effective and worthwhile results for our constituencies.
>
>  
>
> We trust that our participation in this Initiative can be accepted
> with these conditions, and we look forward to working with you to
> select a balanced, inclusive and capable slate of civil society
> nominees to join the Coordination Council.
>
>  
>
> Sincerely,
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
> *CSCG Nomcom for NMI Co ordination Council *
>
> ** 
>
> *Participating member coalitions*
>
>  
>
> Association for Progressive Communications, represented by Chat Garcia
> Ramilo, Deputy Executive Director
>
>  
>
> Best Bits, represented by Jeremy Malcolm, Steering Committee member
>
>  
>
> Diplo Foundation, represented by Ginger (Virginia) Paque, Internet
> Governance Programmes
>
>  
>
> Internet Governance Caucus, represented by Dr Mawaki Chango,
> Co-Coordinator
>
>  
>
> The Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group, (NCSG) represented by Robin
> Gross, NCSG Executive Committee
>
>  
>
> Ian Peter, Independent Chair
>
>  
>
>  
>
>
>
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-- 
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anriette esterhuysen
executive director
association for progressive communications
po box 29755, melville, 2109, south africa
anriette at apc.org
www.apc.org

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