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

[Jeanette Hofmann]

Parminder wrote:
>> 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. 

Ok, I will suggest a two weeks extension. Still I think finding 
co-sponsors for workshops is more important at this stage than 
confirming panelists.
jeanette
> 
> 
> 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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