[governance] Forum Function: statement read and support

[Milton Mueller]

This statement is quite good. I support it. I suspect other IGP partners
will also. 

My only warning is to recall the sage who said, "be careful what you
ask for - you might get it." I can just begin to feel the sweat and
blather that would accompany the creation of the Forum and subsequent
jockeying to control it. 

>>> karen banks <karenb at gn.apc.org> 09/27/05 7:18 AM >>>
dear all

We had an opportunity to input on the forum function this morning in 
sub-committee - with insufficient time to prepare/consult.

Avri and jeanette drafted a statement based on the CS response to the
WGIG 
report and comments posted in the governance list this past week, but
there 
were some changes based on based on a discussion this morning based
on:

- UN secretary general initiating the free standing organisation
- toning down on the language about treaties

As we clearly don't have consensus on this, but had to make the most of
the 
opportunity, the statement was read by adam, submitted by GLOCOM, but
not 
on behalf of the caucus.

We will need to discuss this at the meeting this afternoon 2.30 - room

e3056/58 to see if there is broader support for the statement

the text follows..

karen, avri, jeanette

Adam Peake, GLOCOM, Sub-Committee A, 10:00-1300 session, Sep 27

We also recognize that while some policy issues are dealt with in the 
existing institutional structure there is a lack of space in particular
for 
cross cutting issues. There is no global-mulit-stakeholder forum to
address 
Internet-related public policy issues.

We recommend the UN SG to initiate a forum that incorporates the Geneva

principles for significant multi-stakeholder participation. We
recommend 
that the forum not be anchored in any existing specialized
international 
organization, but rather be organized as a legally free-standing entity

Stakeholders from all sectors must be able to participate in such a
forum 
as peers.

We recommend that the forum provides the following functions:

a.      inclusive dialogue, with a differentiated architecture allowing
for 
peer-level interaction.

b.     comparative, cross-sectoral analysis of governance mechanisms,
with 
an eye toward "lessons learned" and best practices that could inform 
individual and collective institutional improvements

c.     assessment and monitoring of horizontal issues applicable to all

Internet governance arrangements, e.g. the promotion of transparency, 
accountability, inclusion, and other guidelines for "good governance,"
such 
as the WSIS principles;

d.     identification of weaknesses and gaps in existing governance 
mechanisms, especially multidimensional issues that do not fall neatly

within the scope of any existing body;

e.     efforts to promote enhanced coordination among existing
governing 
bodies

f.      provide a clearing house for coordination and resource
mobilization 
to supporting meaningful developing country participation and capacity

building;

g.     release recommendations, best practices, proposals and other 
documents on the various Internet governance issues.

We recommend that operations are designed in such a way that physical 
attendance is not strictly required and disadvantaged stakeholders 
(developing countries, civil society organizations, individuals) are 
proactively supported. We recommend the forum have clear organization
and 
decision-making procedures. It is also important that the structure
that 
will be given to the forum is able to produce practical results.

The forum will not have a mandate to negotiate hard instruments like 
treaties or contracts. However, in very exceptional circumstances when
all 
stakeholders agree that more formal arrangements are desirable, the
forum 
could request an appropriate international organization to negotiate
such 
instruments. The forum focuses on the development of soft law
instruments 
such as recommendations, guidelines, declarations, etc.

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