[governance] Suggested statement on MAG's future

Tue May 4 21:59:48 EDT 2010

A required "all in agreement" would necessitate a statement that is so compromised as to be meaningless.

--- On Mon, 5/3/10, Fouad Bajwa <fouadbajwa at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Fouad Bajwa <fouadbajwa at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [governance] Suggested statement on MAG's future
To: governance at lists.cpsr.org, "Ginger Paque" <gpaque at gmail.com>
Cc: "Jeremy Malcolm" <jeremy at ciroap.org>
Date: Monday, May 3, 2010, 11:08 PM

I wonder where the other MAG members are. I would go with a statement
agreed by all the IGC MAG Members so that we have a combined mutual
stance to present and defend. This is a good starting point and I
would like us to continue this discussion till either we reach a final
statement or I would be willing to read the statement that is finally
available after edits even though we may not have a mutually agreed
wording due to the time constraint we may all face now.

Some repetition of text needs attention otherwise it is very close to
what was earlier discussed on the list. Good attempt Jeremy!

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 9:08 PM, Ginger Paque <gpaque at gmail.com> wrote:
> As Jeremy mentioned, as co-coordinators, we think we should facilitate IGC
> statements, not dictate them. Jeremy has drafted a statement based on
> discussions, and I strongly urge you all to opine. The IGC should use its
> strength wisely, but it should use it. We cannot be heard if we do not say
> anything.
>
> The OC meeting next week will focus on operational preparations for the IGF
> Vilnius, but if we have consensus on a statement for consideration by the
> MAG, we should make our voice heard.
>
> Please let us know what you think. Please also continue discussions. These
> help all of us define our positions, and allow MAG members to read your
> ideas.
>
> Thanks. Best, Ginger
>
> On 5/3/2010 7:36 AM, Jeremy Malcolm wrote:
>
> Ginger and I have been silent on the drafting of a statement on the future
> of the MAG for its meeting on the 12th, in the hope that such a statement
> would emerge from the bottom up, but in order not to let the opportunity
> slip, allow me now to propose some text for discussion.  There are six
> paragraphs.  If you have an issue, please state which paragraph is of
> concern, and please make your suggestions as focussed as possible.
> --- begins ---
> The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) supports the maintenance of
> the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) of the Internet Governance Forum
> (IGF), as the body that links the UN Secretariat to the stakeholder groups
> that are the joint sovereigns of Internet governance.  We would like to see
> the democratic legitimacy and effectiveness of the MAG strengthened as it
> continues into a renewed term for the IGF.
> To this end, in our statement for the February open consultation and MAG
> meetings, the IGC suggested that the composition of the MAG itself should be
> more evenly divided between the stakeholder groups.  We also reported that
> many believe that the stakeholders should have a more direct role in the
> selection of MAG members, and that MAG discussions should continue to be
> made more transparent.
> We also consider that care must be taken in balancing the respective roles
> of the Secretariat and the MAG.  Whilst the United Nations Secretary-General
> is the titular leader of the IGF process, this is a formal appointment only.
>  Rightful control of the IGF as a process or institution of Internet
> governance belongs ultimately to the stakeholders themselves.  Therefore,
> the Secretariat's role ought to remain a purely facilitative and technical
> one.
> In underlining this, the appropriate role of the MAG, as the only
> representative body of the stakeholders within the IGF process, becomes
> clear.  Namely, it should be responsible for every decision that effects the
> substantive work of the IGF.  This includes agenda setting, overseeing the
> preparation of briefing and synthesis documents, and reshaping the IGF's
> structure and working methods (such as the establishment of thematic working
> groups).
> In the future, its role may go further still.  Until now, the IGF has been
> largely just a forum for discussion.  Looking to the future, the
> Secretary-General's report on the continuation of the IGF envisages that it
> may come to produce some form of recommendations.  If so, the MAG will have
> a role in supporting that process too, likely in shaping the content of any
> statements that are to be issued in conformity with the consensus of the
> plenary forum.
> Whatever the future may hold for the IGF, the MAG will be integral to it.
>  This is why it is so important that the composition of the MAG is balanced,
> that the process of selection of its members satisfies the stakeholder
> groups from which they are drawn, that its operations are conducted with a
> high degree of transparency in order to ensure its accountability to the
> stakeholders at large, and that its legitimate role is not usurped.
> --- ends ---
> Perhaps time is too short for us to agree on this statement (extending the
> delay, I'm writing while away without Internet access), but let's try and
> see how far we get.
>
> --
>
> 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
> Tel: +60 3 7726 1599
>
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> Celebrate with us as we continue to support, promote and protect consumer
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-- 
Regards.
--------------------------
Fouad Bajwa
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