[governance] intervention draft - why are the more progressive elements of IGF functions ommitted

Thu Feb 16 06:36:49 EST 2006

Dear Jeanette, 

The argument and the positions here are not against any people, but against some principles and politics. And my stand and voice in this regard will take various pitches depending on the exigency of the situation. Advocacy in favour of certain principles and politics is my full time occupation - and I cannot completely sacrifice this primary task at the altar of friendship and politeness. 

I have not just made un-substantiated comments - but argued the logic behind them. (not that I expect everyone to agree with them.) And I did what I did with complete responsibility - especially with the background of earlier problems on similar issues. Therefore I'd appeal to you not to take these comments personally. I have no option but to do what I am doing. 

Heartiest regards

Parminder

________________________________________________
Parminder Jeet Singh
IT for Change
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities 
91-80-26654134
www.ITforChange.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeanette Hofmann [mailto:jeanette at wz-berlin.de] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 10:25 PM
To: Parminder
Cc: 'Governance Caucus'
Subject: Re: [governance] intervention draft - why are the more progressive elements of IGF functions ommitted

Parminder,

I have mentioned weeks ago that the caucus should think about a 
statement for the Geneva consultation. I got no response, and nobody 
drafted anything. This is why I decided yesterday to put together a list 
of principles regarding the forum; principles I assume the caucus finds 
relevant.

Karen suggested that I include parts of Bill's Malta presentation. She 
attached that presentation so that everybody on this list could read it.
Nobody objected, so Jeremy and I added parts of Bill's presentation. As 
far as I am concerned, we can drop the second part or replace it by new 
language.

The point I want to make is that this statement reflects a collective 
process of thinking. I havn't invented anything, I merely merged 
elements of recent contributions.

Also, most of what you suspect further down in your email is simply not 
true or does not reflect my intensions. For example, I don't mean to 
give complete acceptance to any existing arrangements.

I would appreciate if you could comment on other people's work on this 
list in more polite and respectful way.

jeanette

Parminder wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Jeanette,
> 
>  
> 
> I first read only part 1 of the submission, and thought its first point 
> – ‘added value’ - was un-necessarily restrictive.
> 
>  
> 
> To say
> 
>  
> 
>> > The goal of the forum is to add value to the existing
> 
> institutional arrangements relevant to Internet governance>>>
> 
>  
> 
> is to give, more or less, complete acceptance to the existing 
> arrangements which has never been the view of this caucus, of general 
> WSIS CS and of most other participants at WSIS (especially when the 
> tunis agenda uses more substantive language – ‘build on the existing 
> structures of IG’). So, I wanted to take this point out and add one on – 
> ‘domain and competence’ of IGF taking points from many submissions we 
> have made on this point.
> 
>  
> 
> I was also not in favor of keeping the capacity building point at number 
> 2 and wanted to move it down. I also had some problems with the part of 
> the point on 'thematic autonomy' where the IGF function was made 
> un-necessarily restrictive by mentioning only diffusing 'best practises' 
> etc. We know we have always meant the IGF to have much greater functions.
> 
>  
> 
> I thought these omissions (from my point of view) were minor, and that 
> they came from different emphasis on different points - most of which 
> were, in their essence, shared among us.
> 
>  
> 
> However, when I saw part 2 of the proposed submission it was nothing 
> less than shocking. All the points mentioned here are taken from the 
> Tunis agenda para 72 with the (of course deliberate) omission of the 
> three most important points of this para
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> a)                 Discuss public policy issues related to key elements 
> of Internet Governance in order to foster the sustainability, 
> robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet;
> 
>  
> 
> e)       Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to 
> accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the 
> developing world;
> 
>  
> 
> j)         Discuss, /inter alia/, issues relating to critical Internet 
> resources;
> 
>  
> 
> So are we supposed to merely reiterate what are already accepted as the 
> functions of IGF – minus the parts that I and many others think are by 
> far the most important ones ???
> 
> With these omissions, you obviously do NOT want the IGF to discuss 
> public policy issues, take up issues of affordability and access of 
> Internet in the developing world, and discuss issues related to critical 
> Internet resources……
> 
> And I cant take it to be un-intended omission, because all your listed 
> points come from this para 72 (quoted below), so you CHOSE not to list 
> these three points….
> 
> I have some very basic problem with the politics that inform these 
> omissions. I have tried to be constructive and all in my engagements on 
> this list – but at this point I have no option but to state the matters 
> in the strong terms that I have done here.
> 
> I think it is time IG caucus decided at least its broad political stands 
> on the IG issues, within which the debate can take place. If CS is going 
> to seek great dilution (from a progressive standpoint - whatever it may 
> mean, but such terms are generally associated with CS) of commitments 
> already made by governments in official summit docs rather than trying 
> to take things further ahead, I don’t see the point in being with such 
> an CS engagement at all. I know the multi-stakeholder and CS 
> participations points are still there – but if these are the directions 
> that CS participation is going to take, Id rather be represented by my 
> country’s government’s nominee.  
> 
> regards
> 
> Parminder
> 
>  
> 
> I am quoting para 72 of Tunis agenda for anyone to make their 
> conclusions vis a vis clear specific exclusions mentioned above from the 
> list submitted in the proposed submission on behalf of the IG caucus.
> 
>  
> 
> * Para 72;  We ask the UN Secretary-General *, in an open and inclusive 
> process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new 
> forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the /Internet 
> Governance Forum/ (IGF).The mandate of the Forum is to:
> 
>  
> 
> * a)       *Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of 
> Internet Governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, 
> security, stability and development of the Internet;
> 
> * b)       *Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different 
> cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and 
> discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body ;
> 
> * c)       *Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organisations 
> and other institutions on matters under their purview;
> 
> * d)       *Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, 
> and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, 
> scientific and technical communities;
> 
> * e)       *Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to 
> accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the 
> developing world;
> 
> * f)        *Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in 
> existing and/or future Internet Governance mechanisms, particularly 
> those from developing countries;
> 
> * g)       *Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the 
> relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make 
> recommendations;
> 
> * h)       *Contribute to capacity-building for Internet Governance in 
> developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and 
> expertise;
> 
> * i)         *Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of 
> WSIS principles in Internet Governance processes;
> 
> * j)         *Discuss, /inter alia/, issues relating to critical 
> Internet resources;
> 
> * k)      *Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and 
> misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users;
> 
> * l)         *Publish its proceedings.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> ________________________________________________
> 
> 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 Jeanette Hofmann
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 4:19 AM
> To: Governance Caucus
> Subject: [governance] draft for a caucus intervention for Geneva
> 
>  
> 
> Hi, here comes attached and below, and as usual very late, a potential
> 
> caucus statement. Jeremy helped drafting it.
> 
>  
> 
> *Please let us know if the text is acceptable or which parts need
> 
> further editing or should be deleted because they are controversial.
> 
>  
> 
> *The text is still a bit long. Suggestions for shortening are welcome too.
> 
>  
> 
> Since I am travelling tomorrow, it would be good if somebody - perhaps
> 
> somebody already in Geneva ? Bill? - took over the editing function.
> 
>  
> 
> -------------------------------------------------
> 
>  
> 
> I Founding principles for the Forum on Internet Governance
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> •     Added Value: The goal of the forum is to add value to the existing
> 
> institutional arrangements relevant to Internet governance by extending
> 
> participation to a broader community and by improving the quality of
> 
> dialogue, discussion and development in this field.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Capacity-building: The IGF must contribute to building capacity in
> 
> Internet governance amongst all stakeholders directly engaged in
> 
> Internet Governance and ICT policy issues as well as within the wider
> 
> communities affected by them. The IGF must overcome the specific
> 
> barriers to effective participation, in particular from developing
> 
> countries, found in the current institutional structures of Internet
> 
> Governance.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Multi-stakeholder approach and openness: The forum must be open to 
> the
> 
> participation of all relevant actors from all sectors and regions
> 
> including governments, private sector, civil society and international
> 
> organizations. The multi-stakeholder approach should not only be applied
> 
> to the forum but to all bodies and processes related to the forum such
> 
> as the secretariat and a potential program committee.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Inclusiveness and remote participation: Physical attendance should 
> not
> 
> be required for participation. In order to strengthen the inclusiveness
> 
> of its collaboration, the forum should integrate new forms of remote
> 
> participation to enable contributions from stakeholders who are unable
> 
> to attend in person.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Equality of participation: It is vital to the legitimacy of the forum
> 
> that all stakeholders participate on an equal basis. Since the forum is
> 
> expected to act as a facilitating body without binding decision making
> 
> capacity, equal footing for all participants is the most effective
> 
> working principle to enable high quality results.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Thematic autonomy: The Forum must be free to choose its topics as it
> 
> considers appropriate. Most topics relevant to Internet Governance are
> 
> cross-cutting issues, which touch upon the responsibilities and
> 
> competences of existing organizations. However, the forum should not be
> 
> seen as their competitor. The IGF will function as a facilitator that
> 
> promotes enhanced cooperation amongst all involved bodies by generating
> 
> and diffusing "best-practice" and "lessons learned" forms of knowledge.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Forum as process: The forum should be designed as an ongoing process
> 
> with most of its work taking place throughout the year in smaller
> 
> thematic groups over the Internet. Its face to face meetings should
> 
> constitute just one element in this process.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Accessible location: The highest priority in choosing locations for
> 
> the forum should be accessibility to all potential participants. In
> 
> considering perspective locations issues such as: proximity to
> 
> governmental missions and the local hotel and transit infrastructure
> 
> should be balanced with concerns about travel costs and the availability
> 
> of entrance visas.
> 
>  
> 
> •     Transparency: For the sake of its legitimacy, the forum must take an
> 
> open and transparent approach to its structure, procedures, membership
> 
> and to all of its deliberations and recommendations. The forum must
> 
> publish regular and frequent reports detailing its activities.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> II Tasks of the Forum on Internet Governance
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> The Tunis Agenda for the Information Society calls on the Internet
> 
> Governance Forum (IGF) to play a multidimensional, catalytic role in
> 
> relation to existing Internet governance mechanisms.  Among other
> 
> things, the Forum should:
> 
>  
> 
> •     Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices between
> 
> bodies dealing with different international public policies regarding
> 
> the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any
> 
> existing body. In this regard the Forum should make full use of the
> 
> expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities;
> 
>  
> 
>      Interface: with appropriate inter-governmental organizations and 
> other
> 
> institutions on matters under their purview;
> 
>  
> 
>      Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing
> 
> and/or future Internet Governance mechanisms, particularly those from
> 
> developing countries;
> 
>  
> 
>      Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant
> 
> bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make 
> recommendations;
> 
>  
> 
> •     Contribute to capacity-building for Internet Governance in 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.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> jeanette
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> governance mailing list
> governance at lists.cpsr.org
> https://ssl.cpsr.org/mailman/listinfo/governance

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