[governance] Dealing with "Controversial issues" (was : Re: GPLv3 implementation of "user centri

[Milton Mueller]

>>> Garth Graham <garth.graham at telus.net> 3/30/2006 2:27:19 PM >>>
> reminder that there's an actual community of practice in existence  
> on the issue (of which I am NOT a member, merely an observer who  
> happened to drop by and remained curious).  To the best of my  
> knowledge, that community has no idea yet that IGC is discussing  
> the issue as an IGF agenda topic.  Somehow, we have to make our  
> [focus?] on THEIR issue known to them.  I'm sure we have people who  
> have a foot in both worlds, but I don't yet know who they are.

This is an important point. 

The existence of those communities should serve as a source of humility and moderation to those who believe in a more top-down or centralized model of policy making. Knowledge about these issues is widely dispersed. The people involved are fully capable of self-organization. The IG Forum may indeed be a fifth wheel in many cases. Unfortunately, the people who most need these reminders -- policy makers in government -- are typically the least appreciative of these facts. 

In pushing for the free expression theme, I confronted the same problem and went out and solicited support from other groups who are not involved in this list. With moderate success. If the IG Forum discussions do not fully engage established communities of practice and reach out to other groups who are not involved in WSIS or IG, it will not fulfill its most promising potential. 




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