[bestbits] Important information for IGF2015 workshop proposers

[Seth Johnson]

Never mind, I think I'm mistaken.  I thought the IGF was going to
actually mean something this year, when I thought it was in September.
The project's status will be sewed up by the end of the year.

On Tue, Mar 24, 2015 at 12:49 AM, Seth Johnson <seth.p.johnson at gmail.com> wrote:
> This was originally going to be in September, right?
>
> On Mon, Mar 23, 2015 at 7:14 PM, Susan Chalmers
> <susan at chalmers.associates> wrote:
>> Dear colleagues,
>>
>> As many of you are aware, the deadline for IGF2015 workshop proposals is
>> fast approaching (30 March).
>>
>> I see that Lea shared the MAG's Call for Proposals document a week or so
>> ago, and I write as a follow-up. Mindful that there have been a number of
>> changes that proposers may not be aware of, I write to ensure that everyone
>> is on notice of these changes so that there are no last minute surprises.
>>
>> For instance, panel sessions require a background paper this year, while
>> different session formats (for example debate, birds of a feather, etc.) do
>> not. Rapporteurs for each session are also required, and fully-thought out
>> remote participation plans will be well-received. All of this information is
>> contained within the Call (excerpt provided below) but, understanding that
>> we are all very busy, I wanted to be sure to point these things out
>> expressly.
>>
>> Unofficial translations for this information in Arabic, Chinese, French,
>> Hindi, Japanese, Russian and Spanish are available here:
>> http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/workshop-proposals/considerations-for-workshop-proposers#unofficial-translations
>>
>> Please do share this information widely with your respective networks.
>>
>> Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to help.
>>
>> Sincere regards,
>> Susan
>>
>>
>>
>> Susan Chalmers
>> susan at chalmers.associates
>>
>> CHALMERS & ASSOCIATES
>> http://chalmers.associates
>>
>> 10 things for IGF workshop proposers to consider
>>
>> 1.    Use a new session format. The MAG will be looking for proposals that
>> use new and innovative formats to encourage greater diversity and
>> participant interaction. Break-out group discussions, debates, roundtables,
>> birds of a feather, and flash sessions are all options this year for
>> workshop sessions. You could also propose your own format for the session.
>> These six formats exist in addition to the traditional panel format, a
>> proposal for which requires a background paper (see number 7).
>>
>> 2.    Submit a proposal even if you have never been to an IGF. During the
>> evaluation process, preference is given to first-time workshop proposers, in
>> an effort to welcome new voices to the IGF discussions.
>>
>> 3.    Attention to proposers from developing countries, including least
>> developed countries: Preference is given to proposals from your areas, to
>> encourage greater diversity at the IGF event.
>>
>> 4.    Be clear about why the session should happen and how it will happen.
>> It is important to be clear on what Internet Governance issue the session
>> will address and how this will be discussed.
>>         o    Why: In your proposal, give a concise description of the
>> Internet Governance issue that your session is designed to explore.
>>         o    How: Then explain how the issue will be addressed through the
>> session format. For example, if the session is a debate on the “right to be
>> forgotten” explain what aspect of the issue will be discussed, the major
>> discussions points, and the perspectives to be covered. In addition, provide
>> the agenda of the debate, including timings for debaters, moderator and
>> audience.
>>
>> 5.    Choose the length of your session wisely. Workshop Sessions are either
>> 30, 60 or 90 minutes long. Pick the amount of time that is best for your
>> session. For example, if you wish to give a brief presentation on a topic,
>> the 30 minute Flash Session would be a good duration and format. Panel
>> sessions require longer times. Note that different formats have different
>> durations. Check the formats here.
>>
>> 6.    Plan for remote participation: The IGF is a global discussion, and
>> those who are not “on location” also need to be able to participate. This
>> year the MAG will pay special attention to the proposer’s plan for remote
>> participation, so ensure that you have considered how to accommodate remote
>> participants and that you have nominated a remote moderator in your
>> proposal. You could even check to see if a “remote participation hub” is
>> being planned by members of the Internet community in your locality or
>> region, and work with them.
>>
>> 7.    Background papers are required for panel sessions, optional for
>> others. The MAG has introduced a requirement this year for proposals in the
>> panel format. Panel session proposals must include a background paper. Check
>> the guidelines for this paper here.
>>
>> 8.    Assign a rapporteur. All workshop sessions this year require a
>> rapporteur to produce a summary report of the session (based on this
>> template). Reports must be submitted to the IGF Secretariat no later than
>> two weeks following the IGF event. If a report is not submitted, then the
>> workshop proposer will not be allowed to submit a workshop proposal for the
>> next IGF.
>>
>> 9.    Participants/Speakers need not be confirmed in the proposal. The MAG
>> understands that it is difficult to ask workshop session participants to
>> confirm their attendance to the IGF at the proposal stage, so confirmation
>> is not required. What is more important is a description of the part each
>> participant/speaker is meant to play in the workshop (e.g. one speaker will
>> share technical expertise on the issue, while another speaker will address
>> the economic considerations of the issue).
>>
>> 10.    Reach out if you need help. Please contact the secretariat of the IGF
>> at <igf[at]unog.ch> if you have questions about submitting a proposal.
>>
>> Finally, remember that you don’t need to organize or participate in a
>> workshop to participate in the IGF. All stakeholders are welcome to join the
>> meeting in Brazil. All relevant information can be found at
>> http://www.intgovforum.org/ .
>>
>>
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