[governance] FW: [TriumphOfContent] UN Officials Discuss Digital Divide

Sun Mar 4 15:47:53 EST 2007

Dear Linda, Michael, Sylvia and all others interested in what follow up is
happening to the Tunis WSIS meeting.

It was a thrill to go to WSIS in Tunis.

I have been asking the various UN officials that I see at press conferences
what follow-up there is to the WSIS events and it doesn't seem there is much
knowledge about what is happening. I do at times hear about the
U.N.'sGlobal Alliance for Information and Communications Technology
and
Development and have appeciated seeing Edoardo Bellano who recommended I see
Sarbuland Khan.

I did arrange an appointment with Sarbuland Khan but he had another
obligation at the time so it didn't happen then. I should try again to
reschedule it.

But the narrow nature of the Global Alliance was a bit of a surprise. That
it was so focused on the private sector seemed different from what I would
have expected given the WSIS events, which included the private sector, but
didn't put them in charge. I guess that was a bit of a naivite.

In any case, I also would be happy to talk with anyone else interested in
the continued nurturing and spread of the Internet and its participatory,
interactive nature and the means that the UN is pursuing with regard to
these developments.

In WSIS I was part of a session of the "Past Present and Future of the
Information Society" (an official side event of WSIS).

We had a set of very interesting talks in that session.
http://www.worldsci.net/tunis/program.htm#Hauben

The papers and overheads are online if anyone is interested.

2.6 The Origin and Early Development of the Internet and of the Netizen:
their Impact on Science and Society

Session Chair:

Ronda Hauben, Columbia University

This session will focus on the history of the development of computer
networks, the linking of these networks via the creation of the Internet,
and the emergence of the active participants in these networks, the netizens
(i.e.,net.citizens).

Ronda Hauben (Columbia University) - *The International and Scientific
Origins of the Internet and the Emergence of the
Netizen<http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/netizens/tunis-ppf/RHauben.ppt>
*

Jay Hauben (Columbia University Libraries, Columbia University) - *The
Vision of JCR Licklider and the Libraries of the
Future<http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/netizens/tunis-ppf/JHauben.ppt>
*

Werner Zorn (Hasso-Plattner- Institute at the University of Potsdam,
Germany) - *German-Chinese Collaboration in the First Stage of Open
networking in China<http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/netizens/tunis-ppf/wzorn.pdf>
*

Kilnam Chon (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department (EECS)
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea) - *The
Development of Networking and the Internet in Korea and Asia: A History
<http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/netizens/tunis-ppf/KChon.ppt>*

Anders Ekeland (Economist, NIFU STEP - Centre for innovation research/Senter
for innovasjonsforskning, Norway) - *Netizens and Protecting the Public
Interest in the Development and Management of the Internet: An Economist's
Perspective<http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/netizens/tunis-ppf/AEkeland.ppt>
 *

At the session there was some discussion of how the Internet has been spread
especially widely in South Korea and how netizens in South Korea are
exploring how it can be helpful toward exploring how to extend democracy. It
is interesting that the new Secretary General is from South Korea but as of
yet there has been no sign that the lessons from South Korea's remarkable
development of the Internet are being tapped as a means of extending the
spread and impact of the Internet via UN encouragement.

In any case, it would be good to discuss all this and to see if there is
some way of collaborating toward the wonder of the Tunis event can be
recognized and furthered.

cheers

Ronda

On 3/4/07, l. d. misek-falkoff <ldmisekfalkoff at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Ronda and all,
>
> This is a bit of a tailored note, but perhaps some of the content will be
> of general interest - therefore I retain the cc: on the message received.
> Also because at Commission on Status of Women (men welcome!) at UN/NYC last
> week I heard similar queries about topics other than ITC; a general question
> about civil society participation especially viz. a viz. "private sector"
> (are they both civil society? And who else is?) is certainly "in the air."
>
> It would be interesting indeed to compare the different meetings as to
> emphasis; we can expect different patterns according to venues (one
> sometimes hear east and west coast of USA called "left and right" coasts) -
> and there have been post WSIS Committee events elsewhere as well -
> collectively they might be a good sampling of post-Geneva, Tunis, and even
> Athens WSIS-related  events in addition to online convenings.
>
> I am interested in some of the same topics as you indicate and I know
> others are too and would welcome the conversation.
>
> For fun, but also a real thing, I have an alternative email address and am
> slowly working on a history:
> linda at 2007ismy50thyearincomputingandIamawoman.com
>
> I post this (above) not to weigh down your e-address book, but to indicate
> long standing interest in issues you discuss very eloquently.  As I was at
> Geneva, Tunis, Athens, perhaps we can trade observations online or off..
>
> Best wishes, LDMF.
>
> Dr. Linda D. Misek-Falkoff
> For I.D. here *Respectful Interfaces*
> The Communications Coordination Committee For the U.N.
>
>  On 3/4/07, Ronda Hauben <ronda.netizen at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > It would be good to know about the Committee convenings at the U.N. as I
> > have been covering the U.N. for OhmyNews lately.
> >
> > It seems the emphasis on commerical enterprises and private entities is
> > a bit of a diversion from the kind of focus that it would be more helpful to
> > see with regard to the following up on the Tunis WSIS events. Also I
> > recently saw the film Bamako which was helpful in showing how the focus on
> > privatization of the public systems in Africa has been a contributor to the
> > problems now being faced.
> >
> > As the Internet grew from a public and scientific origin and
> > development, it is seems important that that be recognized as what is needed
> > to continue the development and expansion.
> >
> > Also it seems that the Commission on Science and Technology for
> > Development (which is out of Geneva) is where the WSIS continuation
> > activities have been focused.
> >
> > I have been trying to learn what has been and is the follow up to WSIS.
> > Tunis was an important event.
> >
> > best wishes
> >
> > Ronda
> >
> >
> >
> >  On 3/4/07, l.d.misek-falkoff < ldmisekfalkoff at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >  Dear Michael and all:
> > >
> > > Yours and Sylvia's posts are very helpful. Much appreciated.
> > > Also there have been Committee convenings at the U.N. in New York.
> > > It will be helpful to gather the themes from all portals.
> > > Maybe we can pool comments.
> > >
> > > Sending best wishes, LDMF.
> > > Dr. L. D. Misek-Falkoff
> > > *Respectful Interfaces*;
> > > Communications Coordination Committee For The United Nations.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ____________________________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Netizens: On the History and Impact of Usenet and the Internet
> >
> > http://www.columbia.edu/~hauben/netbook
>
>
>

-- 
Netizens: On the History and Impact of Usenet and the Internet

http://www.columbia.edu/~hauben/netbook
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