[governance] IGC statement to Open Consultations: support Remote Participation

[Ginger Paque]

I agree with the strong concern I see for bringing more minority and hidden
groups to the IGF debates. So I think it is a good time to revisit the
possibility of supporting Remote Participation at the IGF.

Supporting Remote Participation at the Internet Governance Forum is a way
for the Internet Governance Caucus to foster concrete, positive change, by
promoting an initiative that makes real life improvements in inclusion in
the IGF process. The IGC should include a statement of support for Remote
Participation and the work of the RP Working Group in its statement to the
Open Consultations in February. This is a chance to have a tangible effect
as a result of our discussions and theory, at the same time as we continue
our theoretical debates on IG on the list. 

It is important that the IGF community recognize the success of the Remote
Participation effort at the IGF 2008, with more than 500 remote
participants, some attending throughout the night in their time zones.
Imagine the level of inclusion and local participation that will be possible
if the IGC and others support the Secretariat to showcase the Internet at
its very best through a renewed commitment to RP at the IGF 2009 in Cairo.
Of all the IG meetings held in the world, (IGF, ICANN, ITU and others) the
IGF has achieved the highest level of multistakeholder diversity and
inclusion. Greater inclusion in the IG debates is one of the IGF's principal
reasons for existing. Precisely in this moment of review of the IGF itself,
a project like RP - which added a significant number of participants through
its first serious effort - should become a high priority.

The Remote Participation Working Group (RPWG) is currently working on a
report about the IGF 2008 RP experience. However, because the report must be
accurate and provide details and feedback from the hubs and remote
participants, including the technical data collated by Dimdim, it will not
be ready before the IGC presents its statement at the open consultations. 

Therefore, we roughly summarize the RP experience at the IGF 2008 at
Hyderabad as follows:

Dimdim (http://www.dimdim.com/) was used to enable remote participation
during the IGF (Internet Governance Forum) 2008 meeting held in Hyderabad,
India, December 3 to 6. Five hundred twenty-two attendees from around the
world joined the main session and monitored seven different workshops. These
attendees participated in panel discussions through live chat and live audio
and video streaming, during the four-day event that broadcasted more than
450 event hours.

The number of hours attended averaged about 130 attendees per day and 16
attendees per room. There were 8 rooms in all, 1 main room and 7 workshop
rooms. Each web meeting averaged four remote hubs simultaneously connected.
Particular note was made of the possibilities offered for disabled persons.

Pre-IGF Training and on-site preparation were provided by Dimdim.
Registration was done through the IGF Secretariat.

In addition to individual attendance at the Hyderabad meetings through
remote participation, it is important to note that the majority of these
remote participants were part of remote hubs, or IGF RP meetings in Buenos
Aires (Argentina), Belgrade (Serbia), Sao Paolo (Brazil), Pune (India),
Lahore (Pakistan), Colombia, Barcelona (Spain) and two in Madrid (Spain).
These hubs were able to carry on significant discussions in relating the IGF
proceedings to their own regions, permitting the construction of foundations
for future projects and policies at local and regional levels. The RP also
generated and provided a platform for pre- and post- IGF discussion of
panels, workshops and ideas. Some videos from participants are available at:


Comment from the Sao Paolo, Brazil hub:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=7cZwbIQJrXQ

Comment from the Buenos Aires, Argentina hub:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=puRjbwL0O3M
 
Other video information available:
Marilia Maciel, RP WG coordinator:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=YC81UPStpcU 

Dimdim video:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=tHi3Dz7iHFc 


A statement from the IGC recognizing the success of the RP and encouraging
the Secretariat would be very helpful, in particular, if it proposes that
the Secretariat:
1.	Recognize the RPWG as a collaborating organization for the RP at the
IGF 2009, especially in the area of Hub participation.
2.	Formally appoint a contact person in the Secretariat to liaise with
the RP WG.
3.	Formally appoint a contact person in the Host Country to work with
the RP WG to prepare, to publicize and to facilitate contacts.

RP has the capacity to expand the group of stakeholders that is least likely
to attend the IGF in person and the least likely to be heard. The IGF is
about discussion. Through Remote Participation we can include more facets of
the IG debates. Remote Participation will support the Secretariat and IGF
missions of inclusion and multistakeholderism, strengthening the IG and IGF
processes and helping balance the input of North and South. The IGC should
work to actively support Remote Participation. Including emphasis on RP in
the statement to the OC is a great way to do so.

I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Thanks, Ginger










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