[governance] Comments on CSTD WG in IGF improvements, May 2011

Adam Peake ajp at glocom.ac.jp
Tue May 24 06:05:16 EDT 2011


Anriette, thank you.  Very practical.

Just a couple of comments.  Section 1.  Extending 
the mandate of the CSTD working group.  Perhaps a 
first step is to gain agreement on what that 
mandate includes and does not, the WG's scope. 
Does the initial questionnaire, attached, 
essentially define the WG's scope?  It seems to. 
Insisting on discussing issues that some feel out 
of scope will only lead to disagreement later, 
waste time.  Get the impression some of the 
problems of the first phase came from the chair 
not controlling the discussion better.

Might be worth remembering that for the first 
five IGF meetings the process was often described 
as an experiment, different things were tried, 
wasn't always expected that they'd be 100% right. 
IGF's a new process so best to accept a measure 
of experimentation.  This acceptance of 
experimentation could be helpful when thinking 
about the first three issues in the questionnaire 
(if the questionnaire's relevant as I think...)

You might suggest that when the WG is then unable 
to reach consensus it follow the precedent of 
WGIG and propose options.

Section 2.  I don't understand the reasoning 
behind the timeline, isn't a report required 
before March 2012?  (when will ECOSOC/GA need to 
think about the IGF again?)  But the items make 
sense.  Except perhaps involving the MAG which 
unless formally renewed and repopulated (Catch 
22?) isn't really in a state to be a partner in a 
consultation.

Section 3.  Proposed new MAG structure is 
pragmatic.  It would help to rebalance the 
membership without taking away from any other 
stakeholder (which won't happen, no one gives up 
seats in such situations.)

Best,

Adam



>Dear all
>
>I have not had time to draft a statement on the working group on IGF
>improvements but I have discussed the matter with lots of people and
>this morning, on the panel dedicated to this, I thought of making the
>following points.  I will check in with Parminder and Marilia first, but
>based on what we have been discussing the key points are:
>
>1. It is important for the working group to continue / have its mandate
>extended:
>* The IGF needs to address some key weaknesses if it is to be a
>meaningful forum for dialogue on global internet policy among different
>stakeholders.
>* There are enough good proposals for IGF improvements on the table. The
>working group has received sufficient input from stakeholders,
>complemented by proposals made by members of the working group.
>What it did not complete was synthesising proposed changes, and reaching
>agreement on such changes.
>* Inspite of some disagreement, there was also substantial common
>ground, e.g. on the importance of the IGF and its fundamental character
>as a forum for dialogue as opposed to a policy negotiating forum.
>
>2. Continuation should be linked to a clear decisions on the work
>procedures and work schedule/timeline of the working group. In particular:
>
>* Assigning a chair and a co-chair.
>* Assistance from the secretariat (who, how, what)
>* Convening a small drafting group with representatives of all
>stakeholders (I would propose one person per non-governmental
>stakeholder group = 3 + 5 government representatives selected by the
>group keeping regional spread in mind. But there will no doubt be other
>formulas proposed.)
>* A phased approach to its work, e.g:
>- finalise work procedures etc. by 31 July 2011 (ncluding a schedule of
>meetings)
>- reassess and cluster all input from stakeholders by 31 August 2011
>- make use of the Nairobi IGF in September 2011 to have a face to face
>meeting as a group, and also gather feedback from IGF stakeholders in an
>open platform
>- have meeting focused on IGF improvements with the MAG during the
>November 2011 open consultation
>- have a consultation with the UNGIS group in November 2011
>- have a consultation with developing country representatives in Geneva
>also in November 2011 (as their participation is a key goal of IGF
>improvements)
>- compile a draft report by the end of December 2011
>- gather feedback on the report during January and February 2012
>- finalise the report by the end of March 2012
>
>3. With regard to the composition of the MAG I have a particular
>proposal which is that along with 5 CS, 5 business, 5 technical
>community, a new cluster of 5 is added for the academic and research
>community.
>
>I think this is more likely to succeed that asking for more CS
>representatives than the other stakeholder groups have.
>
>However, this still needs further discussion in this space. I have run
>it by several people, some like it, but some have concerns which they
>can share here.
>
>Any other suggestions?
>
>Anriette
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 22/05/11 11:48, Marilia Maciel wrote:
>>  Hello Wolfgang and all,
>>
>>  Anriette has been working on a statetement from CS supporting the
>>  continuation of the CSTD WG. IGF improvements and WSIS review will be
>>  discussed on Tuesday, so we should have news after that. CS is having an
>>  informal dinner with representatives from the technical community and
>>  the business sector on Monday night to chat about CSTD. I am really
>>  happy that we will have the opportunity to do it.
>>
>>  So far, as long as we know, the only one to support extintion of the WG
>>  is the United States. They sent a letter to CSTD saying that. You can
>>  access it here:http://www.unctad.info/en/CstdWG/ (on the right side)
>>
>>  The members of CSTD bureau will meet tomorrow morning, before the
>>  conference, to talk about proposals of resolutions. Europe will be
>>  proposing one resolution about IGF improvement, but we dont know its
>>  exact content. I heard their goal is not to let discussions in WG go
>>  completely to waste. Europe has been supportive, and they (Hungary)
>>  backed me up when I complained about lack of executive coordinator and
>>  chair for the IGF process, during WSIS tacking stocks session.
>>
>>  I will be in the meeting, but not exactly as CS representative, because
>>  my organization does not have ECOSOC status. I will be there invited by
>>  the Brazilian delegation, so I am not sure about my possibility to
>>  intervene. But Anriette will be there as APC, Katitza will be observing
>>  as EFF and we heard Parminder will be here as well, but not sure.
>>
>>  Best,
>>  Marília
>>
>>  On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 5:19 AM, Katitza Rodriguez <katitza at eff.org
>>  <mailto:katitza at eff.org>> wrote:
>>
>>      Hi Wolfgang:
>>
>>      I am not familiar with the UNCSTD meeting. Anriette and Marilia are
>>      our representative there.
>>
>>      Katitza
>>
>>
>>      On 5/22/11 9:15 AM, "Kleinwächter, Wolfgang" wrote:
>>
>>          Thanks Katitza,
>>
>>          any information about outcomes from the MAG meeting?  And who
>>          nis going to monitor (or make a statement) in the forthcoming
>>          UNCSTD meeting?
>>
>>          wolfgang
>>
>>
>>
>>          ________________________________
>>
>>          Von: governance at lists.cpsr.org
>>          <mailto:governance at lists.cpsr.org> im Auftrag von Katitza Rodriguez
>>          Gesendet: Sa 21.05.2011 19 <tel:21.05.2011%2019>:01
>>          An: governance at lists.cpsr.org
>>          <mailto:governance at lists.cpsr.org>; Katitza Rodriguez
>>          Betreff: [governance] Civil Society Members in Geneva
>>
>>
>>
>>          Hi there,
>>
>>          I want to let you know that civil society members in Geneva worked
>>          extremely hard during the open consultation and the open MAG
>>          meeting.
>>          Those identify with civil society were: APC Anriette Esterhuysen
>>          and Joy
>>          Liddicoat, Marilia Maciel, Adam Peake, and Bill Drake. Please
>>          apologize
>>          me if I forgot of anyone else.
>>
>>          All the best,
>>
>>          Katitza
>>
>>
>>          On 5/21/11 6:19 PM, Katitza Rodriguez wrote:
>>
>>              Dear IGC members (plus other stakeholders in this list):
>>
>>              I want to inform civil society IGC members that only four civil
>>              society MAG members were able to attend the last Open
>>              Consultation and
>>              MAG meeting. The civil society MAG members were: Valeria
>>              Betancourt,
>>              Fouad Bawja, Graciela Selaimen, and myself.
>  >
>>              It is important to understand that four civil society MAG
>>              members are
>>              not enough to allow civil society to effectively monitor and
>>              shape
>>              "all" the main sessions for the next IGF. During the OC, we have
>>              requested the IGF Secretariat to provide us with a better
>>              understanding of the current list of civil society MAG
>>              members, and
>>              the need to fill out those civil society slots in the MAG so
>>              we can
>>              keep the balance between all stakeholders.
>>
>>              In this MAG meeting, we were able to cover between 3-4
>>              sessions. In
>>              the next days to come, we will be monitoring the other
>>              sessions (which
>>              will not be able to monitor in-situ) to make sure civil
>>              society voice
>>              is included. As a MAG member, my main concern is the SOP
>>              session. If
>>              you want to send me a "private message" about the issues
>>              that you
>>              consider should be discussed, please do so by sending an
>>              email to
>>              katitza at eff.org <mailto:katitza at eff.org> Our main input for
>>              discussion is the February Open
>>              Consultation where many of you (and other stakeholders) provided
>>              valuable comments, and we will work hard to ensure that those
>>              suggestions are included.
>>
>>              I also would like to call attention to the fact that this
>>              list is open
>>              to other stakeholders including public authorities, government
>>              officials, technical community, and business sector
>>              representatives.
>>              Therefore, members need to understand that MAG members have
>>              a very
>>              difficult task to share strategies in a public list. Any public
>>              strategy that we can share here, can always harm our collective
>>              efforts in spaces where disclosing your strategy in advance
>>              is a big
>>              problem and can harm our work.
>>
>>              I would like to ask the coordinators to create a list for
>>              IGC-only
>>              members that is close to their members. In that way, civil
>>              society MAG
>>              members will be able to provide a better report after the
>>              meeting.
>>
>>              All the best, Katitza
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>              ____________________________________________________________
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>>
>>          --
>>          Katitza Rodriguez
>>          International Rights Director
>>          Electronic Frontier Foundation
>>          katitza at eff.org <mailto:katitza at eff.org>
>>          katitza at datos-personales.org
>>          <mailto:katitza at datos-personales.org> (personal email)
>>
>>          Please support EFF - Working to protect your digital rights and
>>          freedom of speech since 1990
>>
>>          ____________________________________________________________
>>          You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
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>>               http://www.igcaucus.org/
>  >
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>>
>>
>>          ____________________________________________________________
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>>
>>      --
>>      Katitza Rodriguez
>>      International Rights Director
>>      Electronic Frontier Foundation
>>      katitza at eff.org <mailto:katitza at eff.org>
>>      katitza at datos-personales.org <mailto:katitza at datos-personales.org>
>>      (personal email)
>>
>>      Please support EFF - Working to protect your digital rights and
>>      freedom of speech since 1990
>>
>>      ____________________________________________________________
>>      You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
>>         governance at lists.cpsr.org <mailto: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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  --
>>  Centro de Tecnologia e Sociedade
>>  FGV Direito Rio
>>
>>  Center for Technology and Society
>>  Getulio Vargas Foundation
>>  Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
>
>--
>------------------------------------------------------
>anriette esterhuysen anriette at apc.org
>executive director, association for progressive communications
>www.apc.org
>po box 29755, melville 2109
>south africa
>tel/fax +27 11 726 1692
>____________________________________________________________
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