[governance] malta/Composition and Organisation of the InternetGovernance Forum
Parminder
parminder at itforchange.net
Mon Feb 13 23:04:55 EST 2006
Robert, thanks a lot for the notes. I found the following quote from the
presentation by the former rector of Univ of Malta very interesting.
"decision taking powers should be located where the flow of information, the
relevant flow of information is more intense. This gives us a general
principle of governance that has the kind of self- justifying validity."
It is a strange principle and justification for governance. But I must say
that it does not reside only in the fancies of this presenter. This
'principle' - with its basis in expertise and 'apparent interest' based
governance authority, without exploring other structural issues of
'information intensity' - has some significant acceptances in real world
practices. This issue has relevance in many CS related participation and
governance issues as well. And it is also an emerging principle of a
neo-liberal model of governance that favours the already entrenched, and
seeks ideological justifications for such a model.
Reminds me also of Castells's analysis of the spiraling processes of
inclusion and exclusion of information age social structures, and the wreck
that it promises to cause.
(http://www.unrisd.org/unrisd/website/document.nsf/ab82a6805797760f80256b4f0
05da1ab/f270e0c066f3de7780256b67005b728c/$FILE/dp114.pdf)
Regards
Parminder
________________________________________________
Parminder Jeet Singh
IT for Change
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
91-80-26654134
www.ITforChange.net
-----Original Message-----
From: governance-bounces at lists.cpsr.org
[mailto:governance-bounces at lists.cpsr.org] On Behalf Of Robert Guerra
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 3:22 PM
To: Governance Caucus
Subject: [governance] malta/Composition and Organisation of the
InternetGovernance Forum
here are my notes from the session this morning
--
Composition and Organization of the Internet Governance Forum
Markus Kummer:
- OECD as a possible model for the IGF
- what might be a common ground - there is a srong wish among ng
actors that the forum, should be very open, that all relevant actors
can participate and that procedural issues don't bog it down
- wgig consultation process should be the model ( also mentioned by
Canada in it's reply to the questionnaire)
- that stake-holders have an equal footing with governments
- the Tunis agenda mentions a bureau. this is slightly confusing as
it seems to refer to a secretariat in the common sense. Bureau has a
connotation that's bureaucratic. A more novel approach would be to
call it a "program committee" instead, as its role is to prepare the
next meeting.
- the first meeting should be kicked off with a positive agenda. For
example, an issue that is not contra-versional - ie. spam & multilingual
- format of the issue: more conducive to have focused discussion on a
given issue. 1-2 priority issues to be dealt in depth.Also need a
slot for a general discussion
- Greeks have proposed that the meeting is "short & snappy". 2-3
meeting maximum, would carry a good participation.
- Format; should not follow a plenary format, but instead a more
dynamic and interactive exchange.
- there is a general mood to be "positive" about the IGF. Business &
CS, and govts see it as positive. Govts don't see it as a platform to
engage in a constructive dialogue.
Comments from the floor:
Greek Amb: Can you expand your comments on the program committee.
Kummer:
- we need such a body. PC would be very useful to prepare a meeting.
Perhaps after next
- the program committee should be multi-stakeholder. members of PC
would be envisioned to have an open consultation with their
constituency, to get ideas and suggestions.
- membership of the PC would be recommended after consultation with
the various stakeholder groups.
- the mandate is quite "fuzzy"
Question:
- worried about the participation of developing countries on the IGF
Kummer:
- we all share this concern. there are donors that are willing to
make a contribution to help developing countries. but it isn't that
easy. you need a process to evaluate candidates for fellowships
- will have to use ICTs - video conference and other tools - to
facilitate remote participation. Discussion could also be done via
proxies of persons in the room.
Greek:
- understand the PC to provide the intellectual thrust. but who will
provide the logistical support. Will there be a secretarait. there
are many things that need to be clarified
Kummer:
- if PC is a good way to proceed, then it will possible. CBBI has
questions about having a secretarait.
- let's go to the consultations next week and see
- the secretarait could provide the support for the program committee
Question:
- any views on where the meetings should be held. should they be in
one permanent place or in alternate venues - for example in
developing countries.
Kummer:
- Greece kicked it off proposing a first venue. However you can't
force a country to be a host. If there isn't a permanent seat, then
the natural seat would be Geneva.
- However once it gets settled, then it would be good to have
geographical balance and move meetings to developping countries.
Peter Serracino Inglott, former Rector of the University of Malta
have been involved in various constitutional exercises, including the
european constitution. Also the commonwealth attempts for constitutions.
As networks - not produce a constitution of the type onf the us or
intl organizations, but should provide a self-description. it should
be a unique description of a network
An obvious starting point, the internet - the network of networks -
should not have a formal description.
- decision making power should be as distributed as possible
- need a version of the principle of subsidarity. Which is closer to
the network structure.
- decision taking powers should be located where the flow of
information, the relevant flow of information is more intense. This
gives us a general principle of governance that has the kind of self-
justifying validity.
other principles, using the pattern for the development of human rights
- right to existence & life: would mean efficiency needs to be the
overriding principle.
- recognition that no existence is absolute. only existence in a
sytem of relationships. justice exercised between the different parts.
3 parts : the nodes (ideally of equal status).
-subject to sustainability
- the most open flow possible between the nodes
- openness to communication needs to be subject to checks & balance
to ensure its sustainability and existence
- limits : limits are produced by the very act of declaring what it
is. pragmatic considerations
- one final consideration : comparison between internet and common
heritage of mankind.
Need to distinguish between the technical enterprise and the
authority for distributing the benefits (which would reflect the
developing world).
If the internet is a common heritage for mankind (comes from
resources of the seabed ).
Questions:
- regarding the theoretical model. The IGF will be introduced into an
already existing system.
- regarding efficiency : it is problematic because basing only on
efficiency may not be the most legitimate one.
the most important aspect, in my view, is the importance of the lines
of communication.
Answer:
- greatest sympathy with what just said. As there already is a system
is the reason i mentioned efficiency .
Professor Ang Peng Hwa, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Title: a very modest proposal
what is the problem to solve ? who can help us address this mandate.
Essential elements:
1. a secretariat
2. advisory bodies - open and inclusive. Would be self-organizing
3. information mechanism
4. financial mechanism
- proposal that IGF run the .INT registry and use income from that
revenue stream to help fund the forum . it's currently free, so it
would be logically.
Meetings:
- forum might be around other meetings
- presence of developing countries essential
- no votes
- don't call it a bureau, as they will be called bureaucrats
- twice yearly meeting because internet time is faster, and more
importantly - to build trust among the participants. meeting more
than once a year is essential.
Question -
- In terms of models, would like to point out the UN forum on
forests : it now has a multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaborative
dialogue present
Question -
- Finance related question.
Question -
- See the IGF not as a forum, but as an ongoing structured dialogue.
would not see it as one meeting and prepare for it.
- The forum should be part of the process .
- there should also be a channel where new things could be discussed.
Question -
- an important decision would be set the agenda of the first meeting
and NOT have it as an ongoing never ending UN process/meeting.
Question -
- Comments on looking @ the UN permanent forum on indigenous peoples.
Ayesha Hassan
- need national level consultations as well
- use of rules of procedure for intergovernmental organizations would
not be appropriate. would recommend procedure used in WGIG
- need translation. can be an obstacle, but much needed for true
engagement of all stakeholders
Questions:
- what will be the exact link for the UN?
- If you have UN link then you need rules of procedure. your comments.
The business community sees the forum as an outcome of a UN process,
as a forum for discussion.
- this is a forum for discussion. The WSIS was a negotiation and had
it's rules, this is a forum for discussion - which is more open and
flexible.
Karen Banks
- forum should be seen as a networked decentralized process.
- the experience of the process, spirit and innovation which existed
in the WGIG was a good one.
- the forum success : has to motivate and engage all stake-holders.
needs to outreach and network.
- there should be a clear framework to concretizing the developing
country focus.
- proposed that the issue of affordable internet access be a first
issue to be discussed.
- civil society is much more diverse,and harder to consult. CS is
firmly behind the IGF.
- Agenda setting and the engagement of CS will be very important.
- Issues seen by CS to put forward : of affordable access, human
rights, privacy
- importance to build capacity at the national level. APC has had
positive experience in this regards.
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