[governance] RE: IGF workshops - more time is needed

[Parminder]

> Hi, the rationale for the deadline end of July is to give enough time
> for asking speakers or panelists. The MAG thought that well-known
> experts are difficult to get and need to be asked as early as possible.
> jeanette

Jeanette

I accept the rationale, but as I put it, getting partners take time. And I
argued that it takes more time operating from a developing country context -
because of the nature of local private sector (non) participation, little
linkages with the mostly-developed countries based private sector which does
attend these forums,   and wariness of governments to sign on
co-sponsorship. That's a real problem. And it takes more time to get new
players and partners in - which I am sure is what IGF will like to have. So,
is it possible we can do a 2 week extension, even if only on terms mentioned
by karen. And after all getting speakers for these workshops is the job or
workshop organizers. MAG and IGF secretariat can go ahead with choosing
speakers for main sessions. 


I re-assert that these are important 'participation' issues, and are also
real, because we are facing it right now. 

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: Jeanette Hofmann [mailto:jeanette at wzb.eu]
> Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 9:05 PM
> To: Parminder
> Cc: governance at lists.cpsr.org; 'Adam Peake'; 'Ken Lohento'; 'Qusai Al-
> Shatti'; robin at ipjustice.org
> Subject: Re: IGF workshops - more time is needed
> 
> 
> 
> Parminder wrote:
> > Adam (and other CS members of the MAG)
> >
> > I think that the time given for submitting proposals is too little,
> > especially when one has to get partners from different stakeholder
> groups,
> > which would mean first seeking partners, then collaborating on proposal
> text
> > and so on. I think there is no need to have people rush it, by giving
> around
> > 3 weeks to bring full proposals to the table. Even if this serves to
> keep
> > the number of workshops manageable - though I am not alleging that is
> the
> > motive here.
> 
> Hi, the rationale for the deadline end of July is to give enough time
> for asking speakers or panelists. The MAG thought that well-known
> experts are difficult to get and need to be asked as early as possible.
> jeanette
> 
> >
> > This works against new groups, and new partnerships, organizing
> workshops.
> > Most CS groups are just about learning about the workshop call and even
> in
> > this age of digital communications - these calls take time in moving
> away
> > from the centre towards relative peripheries. I just now saw the call
> for
> > IGF workshops put out in the WSIS Disability Causus, inviting ideas.
> What
> > we will have, in such short time, is the usual suspects in usual
> > combinations, and that's really against the main principles and ideals
> of
> > IGF. The idea is to get different kinds of people in, and different
> kinds
> > talking to each other (as Nitin keeps saying). This central objective is
> > defeated by giving such a short notice for completing workshop
> proposals.
> > This also works against less- resourced and less- connected people and
> > groups.
> >
> > I think we should move the deadline at least to July 15th. I see no
> great
> > reason for sticking to this timeline. I request CS MAG members to
> > communicate this request to the MAG and the secretariat. Others may also
> > give their views on this, and if others agree, it can be communicated on
> > behalf of 'some CS members'.
> >
> > This appeal comes directly from the problems being faced with some CS
> groups
> > in which I am involved, in terms of the required time, in reaching out
> to
> > new partners for some activities that we want to organize. And when I
> > thought of it I could see that most/many CS groups must be facing this
> > problem.
> >
> > Now, if the number of workshops goes beyond what can be handled
> > logistically, we will need to come out with some solutions for that. But
> for
> > the present lets open up the process more, in terms of the time
> available to
> > respond with full proposals for organizing these workshops. This will
> both
> > improve participation, and the diversity of partnerships of the
> workshops.
> >
> > 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
> >
> >

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