[governance] Draft statement - preamble

Thu Jan 14 05:49:52 EST 2010

Dear all,

Interesting exchange as usual. A suggestion below regarding formulation of
the Preamble and its transformation into a point at the end of the document
under the title : "About the Internet Governance Caucus". plus some more
general remarks.

1. We have had recurring discussions on the nature of this list between very
open debate space and the development of advocacy positions. The delicate
balance between the two complementary dimensions is important to preserve.

In that context, the way the IGC presents itself in such contributions to
the IGF has an impact. The following description is the first paragraph of
the Charter :

*"The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) was originally created by individual
and organizational civil society actors who came together in the context of
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to promote global public
interest objectives in Internet governance policy making."*

I have always believed that this notion of *the promotion of the global
public interest* (and the necessary work to define what it exactly is) is
what actually unites the participants of the Caucus, and not their belonging
to one type of organization or another.

The value of this space is its *inclusiveness *: criteria for participation
is only the endorsement of such values. As the Charter states :
*"The members of the IGC are individuals, acting in personal capacity, who
subscribe to the charter of the caucus. All members are equal* and have the
same rights and duties."

Major credibility factors for external actors are the diversity of the
membership, the sheer amount of subscribers (more than 400) even if much
fewer actually post, and above all, the quality of the contributions that
result from intense exchanges.

I would therefore suggest that we do not lose too much time on the question
of the Preamble. The presentation of the IGC woudl be better placed in the
end under the title : "About the IGC". The Internet Governance Caucus is a
well-established brand and this is common practice for contributions.

Leveraging the Charter's first sentences, the paragraph could read :

*About the Internet Governance Caucus*

The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) was originally created by individual
and organizational civil society actors who came together in the context of
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to promote global public
interest objectives in Internet governance policy making. It now comprises
more than 400 individual subscribers to its mailing list, who have
subscribed to its Charter. More information is available at :
http://www.igcaucus.org.

2. This spirit of inclusion is the very spirit of the Internet Governance
Forum. And it should be of no surprise, given the influence of the IGC and
many of its members in the creation of the IGF itself, and since 2006, in
the open consultations and the MAG discussions that have helped shape the
current IGF working methods.

The IGF can and should be continuously improved, as it has already in its
first four years. In suggesting such improvements, it is important for the
IGC to balance the recognition of the achievements this innovation already
represents and the constructive impatience regarding what can be further
accomplished. The co-coordinators have a fundamental responsibility in
ensuring such a balance that truly reflect the broad consensus among all
participants. I trust this is what Jeremy is trying to accomplish here.

3. Finally, I'd like to highlight Eric Dierker's point regarding *the
influence discussions on this list have in broader circles*. Let's not
forget that a lot of actors, including governments and businesses are
actually subscribed to the list - even if they do not post.

In many cases, I've had exchanges with government colleagues and people from
other circles who were perfectly aware of the arguments exchanged and -
consciously or unconsciously - integrated them in their own analyzes. This
is good and should be kept in mind.

I hope this helps.

Best

Bertrand

On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 11:09 PM, David Souter <david.souter at runbox.com>wrote:

> My point about the preamble is simply this:  If the IGC is an association
> of
> individuals, it should not represent itself as a coalition of organisations
> - a description which it could not sustain if it were challenged.  I would
> suggest something like "an association of individuals in civil society who
> are actively engaged in internet governance and the IGF."  But there are
> many formulations that would work.
>
> David Souter
>
>
> Message sent by:
>
> David Souter
> Managing Director, ict Development Associates ltd
> Visiting Professor in Communications Management, Business School,
> University
> of Strathclyde
> Visiting Senior Fellow, Department of Media and Communications, London
> School of Economics
> Associate of the International Institute for Sustainable Development
>
> 145 Lower Camden, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5JD
> (+44) (0)20 8467 1148 (fixed line)
> (+44) (0)7764 819974 (cellular line)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeremy Malcolm [mailto:jeremy at ciroap.org]
> Sent: 13 January 2010 20:19
> To: governance at lists.cpsr.org; McTim
> Subject: Re: [governance] PLEASE RESPOND - draft statement on reform of the
>
> On 13/01/2010, at 7:24 PM, McTim wrote:
>
> > David,
> >
> > On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 9:48 PM, David Souter <david.souter at runbox.com>
> wrote:
> >> Dear Jeremy:
> >>
> >> I think there is a question here about IGC membership and how the IGC
> >> presents itself.
> >>
> >> According to the Charter, “the members of the IGC are individuals,
> acting
> in
> >> personal capacity, who subscribe to the charter of the caucus.  All
> members
> >> are equal and have the same rights and duties.”
> >>
> >> Can it really, therefore, introduce itself as “a global coalition of
> civil
> >> society and non governmental organisations and individuals”, as in the
> >> preamble to this draft?
>
> FWIW, this preamble was taken verbatim from a previous statement made in
> June last year.  But even so, please suggest specific improvements.
>
> --
> Jeremy Malcolm
> Project Coordinator
> Consumers International
> Kuala Lumpur Office for Asia Pacific and the Middle East
> Lot 5-1 Wisma WIM, 7 Jalan Abang Haji Openg, TTDI, 60000 Kuala Lumpur,
> Malaysia
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>
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> Celebrate with us as we continue to support, promote and protect consumer
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-- 
____________________
Bertrand de La Chapelle
Délégué Spécial pour la Société de l'Information / Special Envoy for the
Information Society
Ministère des Affaires Etrangères et Européennes/ French Ministry of Foreign
and European Affairs
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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