[governance] Possible CS text on forum

[Vittorio Bertola]

Tuesday, on my train through Tuscany, I was re-reading the WGIG report, 
and noting that the WGIG text on the forum seems to me quite good, 
better than the text I've seen in most proposals. So I thought, why 
don't we build our own CS text proposal for section 5, for the forum 
part, on that text?

I've tried it, and this is the result - see whether you like it. Most of 
it is text of the WGIG report. I've just added some of my favourite 
ideas into 4., you're of course welcome to discuss them.

======
1. We recognize the lack of a global multi-stakeholder forum to address 
Internet-related public policy issues. Thus we commit to the creation of 
such a space for dialogue among all stakeholders (hereafter referred to 
as “the forum”). [WGIG para 40]

2. Such forum should allow for the participation of all stakeholders 
from developing and developed countries on an equal footing, and foster 
full participation in Internet governance arrangements by developing 
countries. Balance and diversity of participation as regards, inter 
alia, geography, language, culture, gender, professional background, 
should be ensured. [WGIG para 41-43]

3.	Such forum should be open to all stakeholders from all countries; any 
stakeholder could bring up any Internet governance issue. It could 
assume, inter alia, the following functions:
	•	Interface with intergovernmental bodies and other institutions on 
matters under their purview which are relevant to Internet governance, 
such as IPR, e-commerce, trade in services and 
Internet/telecommunications convergence.
	•	Identify emerging issues and bring them to the attention of the 
appropriate bodies and make recommendations.
	•	Address issues that are not being dealt with elsewhere and make 
proposals for action, as appropriate.
	•	Connect different bodies involved in Internet management where necessary.
	•	Contribute to capacity-building for Internet governance for 
developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and 
expertise.
	•	Promote and assess on an ongoing basis the embodiment of WSIS 
principles in Internet governance processes.
It should start its work by also addressing the issues and 
recommendations identified by the WGIG in its report. [WGIG para 45]

4. Such forum should operate through public consultations open to all 
stakeholders, similar to the open consultations of the WGIG process, and 
make extensive use of online instruments for remote participation. It 
should be supported by a very lightweight Secretariat and coordinated by 
a multi-stakeholder Executive Group, whose members would serve as peers 
in individual capacity. Overlap or duplication with existing 
institutions should be avoided and the best possible use should be made 
of research and work carried out by others. [WGIG para 46 revised]

5. We ask to the Secretary General of the United Nations to appoint an 
initial Secretariat and Executive Group so that the forum can be 
convened in 2006. [WGIG para 44 turned into practice]
-- 
vb.             [Vittorio Bertola - v.bertola [a] bertola.eu.org]<-----
http://bertola.eu.org/  <- Prima o poi...
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