[governance] Some thoughts regarding the selection of the next MAG Chair (possible criteria)

[Isolated Network]

Hello Bertrand, Ian,



On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 5:28 AM, Ian Peter <ian.peter at ianpeter.com> wrote:

>  Hi Bertrand,
>
> Let me put on my requirements ranking hat and respond to your various
> criteria by labelling them MANDATORY, HIGHLY DESIRABLE, DESIRABLE, and LESS
> IMPORTANT (in line below with some reasoning where it might help)). Hope
> that helps in moving the discussion forward.
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *Bertrand de LA CHAPELLE <bdelachapelle at gmail.com>
> *Reply-To: *<governance at lists.cpsr.org>, Bertrand de LA CHAPELLE <
> bdelachapelle at gmail.com>
> *Date: *Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:11:31 +0100
> *To: *<governance at lists.cpsr.org>
> *Subject: *[governance] Some thoughts regarding the selection of the next
> MAG Chair (possible criteria)
>
>
> Dear all,
>
> As we are preparing for the February IGF consultations and the first
> (unfortunately closed) meeting of the WGIIGF (or WOGII : WOrking Group on
> Improvements to the Igf), there is one element that deserves some attention:
> the future selection of the future MAG Chair.
>
> In order to launch the discussion on this list, I have listed below *some
> possible criteria* that could be taken into account and used as input by
> CS participants in the WOGII. They are largely based on the reasons why
> Nitin Desai has been exemplary in this role and they constitute a useful
> benchmark for any successor, albeit a difficult one to match.
>
> This is only a seed and comments are of course welcome.
>
> 1)    First and foremost, *the new MAG Chair must elicit trust among all
> stakeholder groups*, by his/her reputation in terms of neutrality,
> patience, understanding of the notion and challenges of multi-stakeholder
> dialogue, and capacity to moderate discussions on sensitive topics, foster
> consensus and constructively summarize complex exchanges into actionable
> items.
> MANDATORY
>
>
> 2)    Even if in principle it should be possible to choose this person from
> any stakeholder group (and in a long-term perspective this should be the
> case), the next five year period would probably benefit from *a MAG Chair
> with governmental (or international organization) experience*, in order to
> facilitate acceptance even by the critical governments. If this is the case,
> an additional experience within civil society, the business sector or the
> technical community would certainly be a plus.
> HIGHLY DESIRABLE
>
>
> 3)    During his/her tenure, *the MAG Chair should preferably not be in an
> active position within an organization actively involved in the IGF process
> *, in order to limit potential conflicts of interests, illustrate
> neutrality and ensure time availability for the critical meetings. This
> points to people that are retired, or willing to leave their current
> function (but the Chair position is not full-time and is not paid) or active
> in different domains with schedule flexibility.
> MANDATORY
>

Rather this criterion may be dismissed.  We need a MAG chair from within the
IGF process, and those who are part of this process are part of one
stakeholder group or another.  If association with an IGF related
organization could cause raise conflict of interests, how is  "Governmental
of Intergovernmental experience" considered desirable in (2) any different?


>
> 4)    *The MAG Chair should have attended at least one recent IGF* (and
> hopefully more than one), to have a concrete experience of the unique format
> of the event and its dynamics. This is necessary because the working methods
> of the IGF have evolved through time and they are not formalized and
> documented yet. Knowledge of the existing good practices is therefore
> essential. Having sponsored, participated in or organized workshops or
> moderated panels would be a plus.
> HIGHLY DESIRABLE
>
>
> 5)    Additionally, *the MAG Chair should preferably have himself/herself
> been a member of the MAG, at least for one year*: this is where the role
> of the Chair is the most important and firsthand understanding of the
> potential and limits of this particular structure could prove critical in
> fulfilling this role.
> NOT IMPORTANT. I think this narrows the field too much and could lead to a
> more incestuous future rather than the capacity to invoke new directions and
> possibilities
>

Criterion 4 calls for some basic familiarity with the IGF process, but
Criterion 5 requires the candidate to be an insider. Limits the choice to a
very small group.


>
>
> 6)    Finally, and ideally, *the MAG Chair should have participated in the
> WSIS, at least its second phase*, to have a holistic understanding of the
> history and the delicate balance that allowed consensus around the creation
> of the IGF in the first place.
> DESIRABLE
>

Why WSIS, why "at least its second phase" ?  Further short lists the small
number of choices (from 5 above) to an even smaller group.

Unless there is a worthy and proper candidate who fits into Criteria 1
though 6, the criteria should be relaxed.

Thank you
Sivasubramanian M


>
> These criteria are not absolute requirements and are more or less listed in
> order of importance. However, the first one (eliciting trust among all
> stakeholder groups) should be considered an absolute must. The other
> criteria are contributing to this essential trust-building in the second
> mandate of the IGF.
>
> I hope this helps foster a useful discussion on this list and - hopefully -
> in the Working Group.
>
>
> Looking forward to more discussion.
>
>
> Best
>
>
> Bertrand
>
>
> --
> ____________________
> 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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