[governance] French contribution on Reforma

Fri Jan 15 11:13:39 EST 2010

Dear Eric,

Thanks for your appreciation of the French contribution.

However, as you may have noticed from a previous post from Jeremy on this
list, I have issued a note of caution upon the use of the term "reform" in
this case. It is useful to make a distinction between "reform of the IGF"
and "constant evolution of the IGF working methods in a self-organizing
manner".

The term "reform" implies a strong approach and seem to suppose a
preliminary negative assessment of the object of the reform. As the
Merriam-Webster dictionary indicates in its definition :

*REFORM*
*transitive verb* *1 a* *:* to put or change into an improved form or
condition *b* *:* to amend or improve by change of form or *removal of
faults or abuses*
*2* *:* to *put an end to an evil* by enforcing or introducing a better
method or course of action
*3* *:* to induce or cause to *abandon evil ways* <reform a drunkard>.

This is even stronger for the noun :
*1* *:* amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved
*2* *:* a removal or correction of an abuse, a wrong, or errors

The latin etymology (re+formare) also evokes a somewhat radical structural
reconstruction.

On the other hand, the verb "improve" would have a more positive tone per
the same source :

*IMPROVE
**1* *:* to advance or make progress in what is desirable
*2* *:* to make useful additions or amendments

Finally, the term employed in the French contribution, "evolution"
introduces the notion of process that feels appropriate here :

*EVOLUTION*
*2 ** **c **(1)* *:* a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler,
or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state** *(2)* *:* a process of
gradual and relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance **
*3* *:* the process of working out or developing

In view of the above, should the IGF use the expression "Reform of the IGF"
as the overarching angle of its contribution, it would naturally be
understood as putting the accent on criticism rather than the possible
progress; it could further give the surprising impression that civil society
actors on this list position themselves on the outside of a precious and
fragile process that is more open to them than any in the international
arena, that they largely initiated and very positively contributed to shape
so far.

As mentioned in a previous mail, discussions within and statements from the
Internet Governance Caucus do carry weight in the broader community : this
brings additional responsibility to the IGC in defining precisely the
content and tone of its messages, in order to make sure that they are not
misused or misinterpreted.

This does not prevent suggestions for significant improvements, on the
contrary, as I hope our contribution illustrates.

I hope these elements help and respond to your interrogations. Thank you in
any case for having raised the point, which led me to examine the above
definitions that (fortunately) confirmed my initial gut feeling in the
preparation of this contribution.

Best

Bertrand

On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 4:29 PM, Eric Dierker
<cogitoergosum at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> So someone please explain to me this fear of telling the world that good
> governance is in need of and should constantly be in a state of *REFORM*.
> Doi Moi, Mao's revolution, the New Deal, European Commonwealth, Reforma de
> Lay.  At least Monarchs are naturally(or prenaturally) reformed on an
> ongoing basis. Each election cycle is a reform. And then I read these good
> and true opening words from the French contribution:
> ""As mentioned during the consultations on the continuation of the IGF
> held in Sharm el Sheikh, a major value of the flexible format of the IGF is
> its capacity to constantly evolve its working methods *in a
> self-organizing manner*.""
>
> Why not just be honest???
>
>
> --- On *Thu, 1/14/10, Bertrand de La Chapelle <bdelachapelle at gmail.com>*wrote:
>
>
> From: Bertrand de La Chapelle <bdelachapelle at gmail.com>
> Subject: [governance] French contribution for the IGF February
> consultations
> To: governance at lists.cpsr.org, "Jeremy Malcolm" <jeremy at ciroap.org>
> Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 9:38 PM
>
> Dear all,
>
> For information, you will find attached the contribution I just sent to the
> IGF Secretariat in the perspective of the February consultation. It explores
> possible further improvements of the IGF working methods.
>
> I hope you'll find it interesting/useful.
>
> Best
>
> Bertrand
>
> --
> ____________________
> 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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-- 
____________________
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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