[governance] Action on Enhanced Cooperation, please
Lee McKnight
LMcKnigh at syr.edu
Thu Jan 11 11:58:56 EST 2007
I'll second Izumi on the spelling out, and then closing/sending this
out.
Lee
Prof. Lee W. McKnight
School of Information Studies
Syracuse University
+1-315-443-6891office
+1-315-278-4392 mobile
>>> aizu at anr.org 1/11/2007 8:52 AM >>>
Parminder, thanks for the further edit.
I think we can send this now.
One minor suggetion is to spell out IGC, and add Civil Society to
make it clear, so "Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus (CS-IGC)
would
like to..." reads better.
Thanks,
izumi
2007/1/11, Parminder <parminder at itforchange.net>:
>
>
>
> We still wait for more comments/ suggestions on the proposed letter
to
> Nitin
> Desai on enhanced cooperation. Meanwhile, I have tried to pull the
texts
> proposed by Milton and Bill together. To this text I have added the
fact
> of
> the mandate of the Tunis agenda in para 1 (para 2 from Bill already
had
> such
> a mention)
>
> The proposed text is
>
> We are writing to you because we understand you were asked by the UN
> Secretary General to begin informal consultations on how to start a
> process
> aimed at 'enhanced cooperation' on international public policy
issues
> related to the Internet, as required by the paragraph 71 of the
Tunis
> agenda.
>
> The IGC would very much appreciate an update on progress and news of
the
> current state of play with respect to "enhanced cooperation". In
> particular,
> we would welcome information on a)any concrete steps taken so far,
like,
> any
> discussions and consultations that have been held with governments
and
> other
> stakeholders on the substance and modalities of enhanced cooperation,
and
> b)
> the plans for involving civil society in the process per the clear
mandate
> in paragraph 71.
>
> (ends)
>
>
> Parminder
>
> ________________________________________________
> Parminder Jeet Singh
> IT for Change, Bangalore
> Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
> Tel: (+91-80) 2665 4134, 2653 6890
> Fax: (+91-80) 4146 1055
> www.ITforChange.net
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Adam Peake [mailto:ajp at glocom.ac.jp]
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 1:03 PM
> > To: Parminder; 'Milton Mueller'; governance at lists.cpsr.org
> > Subject: RE: [governance] Action on Enhanced Cooperation, please
> >
> > At 12:36 PM +0530 1/10/07, Parminder wrote:
> > > > We are writing to you because we understand you were asked by
the
> UN
> > >> Secretary General to begin informal consultations on how to
start a
> > >> process aimed at enhancing cooperation on international public
> policy
> > >> issues related to the Internet.
> > >
> > >Is it generally known that Secy Gen did ask Nitin Desai to begin
> > >consultation? ( I, for instance, did not know) Should we proceed
from
> > >this...
> >
> >
> > Yes.
> >
> > UN press release announcing set up of the IGF secretariat and
enhance
> > cooperation
> > <http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sgsm10366.doc.htm>.
Relevant
> > part:
> >
> > "On a separate issue, the Secretary-General has also decided to
ask
> > Mr. Desai to consult informally on how to start a process aimed at
> > enhancing cooperation on international public policy issues
related
> > to the Internet. The Summit had requested the Secretary-General
to
> > start such a process. "
> >
> > The words suggested for the question in the letter reflected this.
> > (and also one reason I think just asking the simple question is
> > best... but as said, more is OK if that's what all want.)
> >
> > Adam
> >
> >
> >
> > >Parminder
> > >
> > >________________________________________________
> > >Parminder Jeet Singh
> > >IT for Change, Bangalore
> > >Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
> > >Tel: (+91-80) 2665 4134, 2653 6890
> > >Fax: (+91-80) 4146 1055
> > >www.ITforChange.net
> > >
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: Milton Mueller [mailto:Mueller at syr.edu]
> > >> Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 7:53 PM
> > >> To: ajp at glocom.ac.jp; parminder at itforchange.net;
> > governance at lists.cpsr.org
> > >> Subject: Re: [governance] Action on Enhanced Cooperation,
please
> > >>
> > >> Parminder:
> > >> Thank you for an extensive effort on this draft. Perhaps some
of
> the
> > >> delay in getting there stemmed from what I think is your
> overestimate
> > of
> > >> the amount of work required.
> > >>
> > >> I really think in this case we need to be very concise and to
the
> > >> point. Something like,
> > >>
> > >> " Dear Nitin:
> > >> <insert a line or two of pleasantries if you wish>
> > >>
> > >> We are writing to you because we understand you were asked by
the UN
> > >> Secretary General to begin informal consultations on how to
start a
> > >> process aimed at enhancing cooperation on international public
> policy
> > >> issues related to the Internet.
> > >>
> > >> The IGC would very much appreciated an update on progress and
news
> of
> > >> the current state of play with respect to "enhanced
cooperation."
> What
> > >> concrete measures have been taken and what role is contemplated
for
> > >> civil society in them?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> >>> parminder at itforchange.net 1/9/2007 1:21 AM >>>
> > >> > Where are our coordinators? Wouldn't it be appropriate for
them to
> > >>
> > >> > initiate action on this, e.g. develop a draft?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I apologize for being amiss on this issue after promising on
30th
> last
> > >> to do
> > >> a draft in 3-4 days.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> A draft is enclosed for your consideration, and also pasted in
the
> > body
> > >> of
> > >> this email below.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> A couple of points about the draft.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Firstly, I have made it elaborate rather than concise - arguing
the
> > >> case and
> > >> making a formal claim to know the present position against
clear
> > >> commitments, as a stakeholder of the WSIS and post WSIS
process.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Secondly, between the options of considering 'enhanced
cooperation'
> > >> (EC) as
> > >> THE required public policy process(es) spoken of in paras 60
and 61
> of
> > >> Tunis
> > >> agenda, or considering it as one of the processes which gets
> discussed
> > >> in
> > >> more details in the subsequent parts, I have taken the latter
> option.
> > >> Tunis
> > >> agenda can be read either way, and there can be multitude of
> opinions
> > >> on
> > >> this issue. However, I preferred to avoid putting all our
'public
> > >> policy'
> > >> eggs in the EC basket. Also there is the problem that the
opening
> para
> > >> 69
> > >> that mentions EC for the first time seem to capture it in a
somewhat
> > >> exclusive governmental framework. The overall paras 61 however
is
> more
> > >> multistakeholder inclusive. In any case, other paras talk
about
> > > > different
> > >> public policy mechanisms/ processes etc for ccTLDs (63) and
gTLDs
> > >> (64)..
> > >> Keeping EC as just one of the envisaged/possible mechanisms of
> public
> > >> policy
> > >> also helps us to keep a way out of a situation where a
slightly
> > >> improved
> > >> GAC, is attempted to be passed off both as the EC as well as
all
> that
> > >> was
> > >> ever meant in Tunis agenda as any kind global public policy
space or
> > >> process
> > >> ..
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Parminder
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> (draft below, and also enclosed as attachment)
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> From the Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus
> > > >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Nitin Desai
> > >>
> > >> Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, United Nations.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Dear Mr Desai,
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Wishing you a happy and fulfilling 2007!
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) would like to congratulate
you
> > for
> > >> the
> > >> very successful first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum
> (IGF).
> > A
> > >> good
> > >> amount of the credit for this goes to your personal leadership,
and
> > >> that of
> > >> your advisory team. The first meeting of the IGF was a crucial
> > >> mould-setting
> > >> exercise, and we appreciate the fact that all parties
approached it
> > >> positively, and with due care. We have been able to set the
stage
> for
> > a
> > >> new
> > >> multistakeholder exercise in global governance which is indeed
> > >> path-breaking, not only in the area of governance of the
Internet,
> but
> > >> in
> > >> general as an outstanding example for future reforms in global
> > >> governance.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> IGF has got firmly established as an open platform, inclusive
to
> all,
> > >> which
> > >> gives an opportunity to discuss and debate public policy
issues
> > related
> > >> to
> > >> the Internet, and explore possibilities as well as
constituencies
> for
> > >> needed
> > >> change and reform. Some of these issues can even reach high
enough
> > >> degree of
> > >> consensus among the involved parties that can drive change on
its
> own
> > -
> > >> for
> > >> instance agreements on new technology or legal standards,
> > >> incorporating
> > >> agreed issues of public interest, that are acceptable to all
> > >> stakeholders,
> > >> civil society groups, business and the governments. However,
the
> fact
> > >> remains that most public policy processes at the IGF, at least
after
> > >> they
> > >> reach a level of maturity of debate and deliberation in the
IGF,
> > >> require
> > >> inputting into an appropriate political arena of global public
> policy
> > >> making. It is the lack of progress in this area in the post
WSIS
> > period
> > >> that
> > >> continues to cause concern to us.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> The Tunis agenda clearly recognizes 'that there are many
> cross-cutting
> > >> international public policy issues that require attention and
are
> not
> > >> adequately addressed by the current mechanisms' (paragraph 60
of
> Tunis
> > >> agenda). It further affirms, for this purpose, the 'need to
> initiate,
> > >> and
> > >> reinforce, as appropriate, a transparent, democratic, and
> multilateral
> > >> process, with the participation of governments, private
sector,
> civil
> > >> society and international organizations . (p 61). The Tunis
agenda
> > >> also
> > >> expressly calls for 'creating an environment that facilitates
this
> > >> development of public policy principles' (p 70). The intent
and
> > mandate
> > >> of
> > >> the Tunis agenda in terms of the importance and urgency to
proceed
> > with
> > >> the
> > >> task of developing public policy principles for the Internet,
and
> > >> processes/mechanisms for their development and application, is
quite
> > >> evident.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> As one form or possibility for this exercise, paragraph 71 lays
out
> > >> such a
> > >> clear mandate that it is worth quoting in full.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> The process towards enhanced cooperation, to be started by the
UN
> > >> Secretary-General, involving all relevant organisations by the
end
> of
> > >> the
> > >> first quarter of 2006, will involve all stakeholders in their
> > >> respective
> > >> roles, will proceed as quickly as possible consistent with
legal
> > >> process,
> > >> and will be responsive to innovation. Relevant organisations
should
> > >> commence
> > >> a process towards enhanced cooperation involving all
stakeholders,
> > >> proceeding as quickly as possible and responsive to innovation.
The
> > >> same
> > >> relevant organisations shall be requested to provide annual
> > >> performance
> > >> reports.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> However, as we enter the year 2007, there has been no word,
much
> less
> > > > action, on the broader issue of developing public policy
principles
> > >> and
> > >> processes for the Internet, and specifically, the more clearly
> > >> mandated
> > >> issue, with timelines, of initiating the 'process towards
enhanced
> > >> cooperation'. As a matter of paramount global public interest,
as
> well
> > >> as a
> > >> stated commitment of the WSIS, we, the IGC, as stakeholders of
the
> > WSIS
> > >> and
> > >> post-WSIS process, request to be informed on the status of
these
> > >> issues, in
> > >> terms of the action that has been taken, and is intended to be
> taken.
> > > >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> We also wish to claim the full participation of civil society
in the
> > >> envisaged process of 'enhanced cooperation' and other public
policy
> > >> processes, which is implied and mandated in the concerned parts
of
> the
> > >> Tunis
> > >> agenda, and we request you to ensure such participation. We
note
> with
> > >> concern that some parties have tried to claim 'enhanced
cooperation'
> > as
> > >> a
> > >> government-only process. This is completely at variance with
the
> > >> overall
> > >> envisaged approach to public policy issues for the Internet (p
60
> and
> > >> 61) as
> > >> well as in terms of the specific process of 'enhanced
cooperation'
> (p
> > >> 71).
> > >> We also offer our complete cooperation, and assistance as may
be
> > >> required by
> > >> you, for initiating these processes, in order to ensure
> incorporation
> > >> of
> > >> public interest in the development of the most powerful
technologies
> > of
> > >> our
> > >> times, that holds much promise for just and equitable social
change.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Thanking you.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Sincerely
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> > -----Original Message-----
> > >>
> > >> > From: Milton Mueller [mailto:mueller at syr.edu]
> > >>
> > >> > Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:49 AM
> > >>
> > >> > To: ajp at glocom.ac.jp; governance at lists.cpsr.org
> > >>
> > >> > Subject: [governance] Action on Enhanced Cooperation, please
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > >>> ajp at glocom.ac.jp 12/28/2006 4:17 AM >>>
> > >>
> > >> > >Any thoughts on writing to Nitin Desai asking for an update
on
> > >>
> > >> > >enhanced cooperation? And working on
statements/contributions to
> > >> the
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > >February consultation? (about 6 weeks away.)
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > I strongly agree with Adam that this is a desirable thing.
> Enhanced
> > >>
> > >> > cooperation, no matter how bullshit a formulation it is, was
> > supposed
> > >> to
> > >>
> > >> > be one of the key outcomes of WSIS, and represents a
critical
> point
> > >> of
> > >>
> > >> > contention between EU and USA.
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > There are (legitimate) worries about governments being
passive
> > >> watchers
> > >>
> > >> > of IGF "shows", expressed by Jeanette earlier. Enhanced coop
is
> one
> > >> of
> > >>
> > >> > the few areas where state politics can intersect with
post-WSIS
> > >> Forum
> > >>
> > >> > politics. At worst, making this inquiry may also bring us
face to
> > >> face
> > >>
> > >> > with the possible truth that the govts have no intention of
doing
> > >>
> > >> > anything and are playing games with WSIS/IGF. If so, we need
to
> call
> > >>
> > >> > their bluff
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > Where are our coordinators? Wouldn't it be appropriate for
them to
> > >>
> > >> > initiate action on this, e.g. develop a draft?
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > Adam has already laid out the basic outlines of what needs to
be
> > >> said:
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > >a letter asking for
> > >>
> > >> > >progress/update, why aren't we being told, and we would like
to
> be
> > >>
> > >> > >involved. And cc'ing govt and others we know interested to
see if
> > >>
> > >> > >they will also then ask the same questions might be
helpful.
> > >>
> > >> > >
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > ____________________________________________________________
> > >>
> > >> > You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
> > >>
> > >> > governance at lists.cpsr.org
> > >>
> > >> > To be removed from the list, send any message to:
> > >>
> > >> > governance-unsubscribe at lists.cpsr.org
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> > For all list information and functions, see:
> > >>
> > >> > http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________
> > You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
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> >
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>
> ____________________________________________________________
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>
--
>> Izumi Aizu <<
Institute for HyperNetwork Society
Kumon Center, Tama University
* * * * *
<< Writing the Future of the History >>
www.anr.org
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