[governance] WGIGF inputs

[parminder]

Dear All

Excuse me to start a new thread in addition to the separate ones based 
on the different questions from the *draft* structure sent out for the 
WGIGF report. The reason for this is that while we discuss the details, 
we should focus on the fact that this is a much higher level exercise 
for seeking possible structural reforms in the IGF, beyond the kind of 
things that can be done through evolutionary practices guided by the 
MAG. The WGIGF report will be submitted to the UN GA which is expected 
to take an appropriate decision on what structural improvements are 
needed in the IGF.

A good way to begin at such foundational times is to look at the 'why' 
of the whole this. Why does the IGF exist and what do we want from it. 
Such an examination can then guide us to looking the the necessary 
structural changes.

The UN GA resolution for instance sought improvements specifically with 
a 'view to linking it to the broader
dialogue on global Internet governance', It also mentions IGF's 
complementarity to the enhanced cooperation process, which itself is an 
important issue to keep in mind for proposing structural improvements. 
The there is the WSIS mandate of the IGF against which we must check its 
present performance and look at required improvements. Added to it are 
the our own civil society interests of what 'change we want to see 
happen' and explore how IGF improvements can contribute to that basic 
objective.

How we (my organisation and the CS networks we work with) relate to the 
IGF is vis a vis our concern that the Internet is one of the most potent 
social forces today, and at present its development may to a good extent 
be determined by the interests of those who are already most powerful. 
We therefore look at every opportunity to democratise the 'control' over 
the directions that Internet's development takes. In this regard not 
only greater participation is necessary but actual forums where the 
required public interest policy making can take place are needed. The 
main focus here is global forums, because that is the context we are in 
here, and in any case the Internet is inherently global, and most of the 
decisions that shape the Internet are global in their impact.

We are not satisfied with IGF being just another global conference on IG 
issues, which is something any private actor could as well hold. Granted 
that IGF is open to anyone (who has the necessary funds) and that its 
agenda and structure is shaped by a multistakeholder group, which is a 
big plus. However, we need to judge it on its impact of real people's 
lives, which is mediated through its impact on global Internet related 
policies (we can discuss why in this context global is the primary 
focus). We dont judge IGF's performance too well on this count, and our 
efforts towards IGF improvement will be focused on this aspect on how it 
can have some to real global Internet policy impact.

It is necessary that IGC discusses and figures out what is its real 
intent/ objective in seeking IGF reform, wherefrom can flow concrete 
proposals for reform. But lets focus more on larger structural things - 
things like how can IGF's policy issues related outcomes be shaped and 
routed to appropriate places and the what kind of funding is appropriate 
for the IGF. Once we have our views on these critical issues, most other 
things become so much easier to sort out.

My fear is that if we spend too much time too early in looking at the 
details of what may be by comparison lesser issues, we will lose what 
may be the last opportunity to make structural reforms in the IGF. We 
may end up with an IGF with not much recognizable difference from the 
IGF we have today. And my judgment is that most actors in developing 
countries are not at all happy for the IGF to continue largely as it is 
today for the reasons discussed earlier.

Parminder











-- 


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.igcaucus.org/pipermail/governance/attachments/20110125/0d363d50/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
     governance at lists.cpsr.org
To be removed from the list, visit:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing

For all other list information and functions, see:
     http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance
To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/

Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t