[governance] Re: what is it that threatens the Internet community or 'who is afraid of the IGF'

[Jeanette Hofmann]

Hi,
at this state of things I would argue very much against any formal 
decision making authority for the MAG. We are still in a state of 
experimenting with multi-stakeholder processes. For many governments it 
is not easy to deal with a membership so heterogeneous in terms of 
authority and legitimacy. Even to acknowledge each other can be a 
challenge. Processes such as WGIG or the MAG need a protected space in 
order to evolve. No decision-making power is one element of this protection.

Another aspect: On this list I have repeatedly argued against any 
decision-making authority for civil society in binding international 
policy processes. Unless there are formal processes in place that 
specify on whose behalf we participate in decision-making I think we 
simply lack legitimacy to do so.

jeanette

Parminder wrote:
> 
> I must though mention (in relation to my earlier email on Brazilian 
> co-chair)  that I agree with the Brazilian position stated at the May 
> consultations and re-stated in September consultations that instead of 
> the present situation where all authority and power is vested in the UN 
> Secy General, and the MAG merely advises him, it is better to move 
> towards a more empowered IGF committee or something (this is not 
> necessarily connected to IGF's recommendation giving possibilities, 
> which can be discussed separately, and not also to a 3 or 4 part bureau) 
> that exercises authority on its own behalf. We should be happy to have a 
> multistakeholder body exercise this authority rather than the UN Sect 
> General and the connected bureaucracy.
> 
> I don’t see members of IGC taking any view on this, which is surprising. 
> What is the justification in not wanting IGF related powers to be with a 
> multistakeholder group, rather than this group that just advises the UN 
> Secy General.  Why are we not promoting real CS stakeholdership in 
> global governance, and rather pulling back from a process that seeks to 
> do so?
> 
> Why our exaggerated fears of a strong IGF more important that the 
> possibility of CS being an equal part of a substantive and self 
> governing global governance body?
> 
> However, I won’t like to see governmental co-chairship of MAG as a 
> process towards such substantive strengthening. I prefer a UN Sec Gen 
> nominated chair.
> 
> 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
> 
____________________________________________________________
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