[governance] On Funding and Incorporation

[Eric Dierker]

I ask a very serious question that seems to not be a "wanted" subject.
 
Do we want this outreach into the underdeveloped nations and regions so that more individuals in poverty have a voice?
 
I really do not see the goal outlined anywhere.  Is there another reason for focusing on developing nations?  For the purpose of moving forward in governance, I do not see the connect between this feel good "feed the people" approach and actually developing policy in governance.  What goal is being achieved?  We are not in a position to help them set up their own governance, and they are not in a position to help set up global policy on internet governance.  If we are not extending rights to vote or freedoms heretofor denied or feeding someone -- what are we doing?

--- On Sun, 12/13/09, Bertrand de La Chapelle <bdelachapelle at gmail.com> wrote:


From: Bertrand de La Chapelle <bdelachapelle at gmail.com>
Subject: [governance] On Funding and Incorporation
To: governance at lists.cpsr.org
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2009, 2:26 PM


Dear all,

just two cents on the topics in the title recently raised on the list. 

1) on funding 

Irrespective of possible sources, amounts, structures, procedures, etc... there is a function that the IGC has some legitimacy to undertake (whether it is called a "project" or not) : facilitating the participation of civil society actors from developing countries in Internet Governance Processes.  It can take the form of supporting/organizing remote hubs and participatory tools, supporting the emergence of local (national and regional) IGFs, or even selecting and funding the physical participation of individuals in the global IGF. All this is already done to a certain level. Soliciting funding from Foundations to develop such activities (provided there is clear procedures, transparency, etc...) would be very valuable. 

In addition, this would require defining selection criteria and procedures that would be fair, transparent, as well as geographically and gender balanced, which is not an easy task. But any solution that the IGC would come up with could be an important contribution. Everybody is trying to find a proper answer to this question, including well intentioned governments : apart from elections and NomComs, what are the possible modalities to form multi-stakeholder groups (like the MAG or any thematic working group) ? The IGC has been instrumental in dreaming the Forum; can it now contribute to developing some of its working methods ?

2) On incorporation

As I think I have mentioned a few years ago on this list when the same discussion had emerged, the challenge is : what are the possibilities to create a structure directly at the international level ? Today, any association must be based in one country and then develop its activities in other countries by setting up subsidiaries, etc... Could there be a way to establish something directly at the global level ? 

We have heard that Switzerland has created a new status for international non-for profit organizations that would do just that, ie : allowing the creation of an international organization that is not inter-governmental. I do not need to highlight on this list that efficient exploration of this question is of a certain value in the discussion on the future legal status of ICANN. 

As long as no solution is available to create non-profit organizations directly at the global level, we are all stuck with the alternative of either an entity based in one country (and then why this one rather than another one ?) or an international organization in the traditional sense (that requires a treaty between states). 

---------------------------

For all the reasons above, and even if for a large part the debate is a rehashed one, those two issues have an importance that goes beyond the IGC itself. Do not hesitate to address them, the contribution can be greater than you think.

Best

Bertrand (in a personal capacity of course)




-- 
____________________
Bertrand de La Chapelle

Tel : +33 (0)6 11 88 33 32

"Le plus beau métier des hommes, c'est d'unir les hommes" Antoine de Saint Exupéry
("there is no greater mission for humans than uniting humans")

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