[governance] APC IGF workshop: future of internet governance decision-making

[karen banks]

hi again

and the third of the proposals..

karen

Title: Access to information and public participation for democratic 
governance: the Aarhus Convention as a protoype mechanism for 
ensuring adherance to WSIS principles and deepening democracy in 
internet govenance

1. Provide a concise formulation for the proposed workshop theme

This workshop will explore how adherance to the WSIS principles can 
become common practice in institutions involved in internet 
governance at any level. I will look at how the IG context can learn 
from the experience of the UNECE's Aarhus Convention onAccess to 
Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to 
Justice in Environmental Matters which was adopted on 25th June 1998 
by ministers of the environment in Europe. Signatories include 
governments and international institutions.

The workshop will explore what participants believe is necessary in 
terms of participation and access to information in IG to ensure that 
citizens can participate
meaningfully in decision-making processes. We will reflect on this 
with particular reference to key institutions (including governments) 
that are involved in IG decision making.

It will look at the experience of the Aarhus Convention and extract 
lessons of relevance in the IG context.

Outcome: Speakers will be ask to pin down what they feel are 
'non-negotiable' for citizens to have effective access to information 
opportunities to participate in relevant to policy-making processes.

2. Provide the Name of the Organizer(s) of the workshop and their 
Affiliation to various stakeholder groups. Describe how you will take 
steps to adhere to the multi-stakeholder principle, including 
geographical diversity.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Association for Progressive Communications
Internet Governance Project (IGP to be confirmed)

3. Why do you think the proposed theme is important?

Ensuring that the WSIS principles are adhered to and that they become 
part of the culture of how international organisations and 
governments make decisions related to internet governance is 
essential if the gains of the WSIS and the first IGF are not to be lost.

4. Describe the workshop's conformity with the Tunis Agenda in terms 
of substance and the mandate of the IGF.

It's primary focus will be to explore mechanisms that can support 
implementation of the Tunis Agenda and the mandate of the IGF.

5. Provide the Name and Affiliation of the panellists you are 
planning to invite.

Michael Stanlely Jones - Aarhus
Jeremy Wates - Aarhus
Pavel Antonov - Bluelink, Bulgaria
Anriette Esterhuysen - APC
Milton Mueller - IGP
Ken Lohento - PIWA

6. Describe the main actors in the field. Have you approached them 
and asked whether they would be willing to participate in proposed workshop?

The Aarhus convention is the main regional actor in this field, and 
there are many initiatives at national level in terms of application 
of the convention (such as the case of Bulgaria). It would be 
interesting to include other mechanisms (should they exist) that 
ensure participation in governance processes, and we would welcome 
collaboration if it could be facilitated.

7. List similar events you have organized in the past.

APC and the UNECE collaborated on a workshop during the inaugural IGF 
on as aspects of this theme, and both have organised numerous events 
at national, regional and international levels similar to that proposed.

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