[governance] Notes for input to opening session statement

[Fouad Bajwa]

Hi Grace,

I find too much process being discussed whereas it is already
happening through the CSTD IGF Improvements WG on which we have our
selected representatives. Why do we want to under utilize our few
minutes over process? Are we always going to stay afraid of the
process? Will we not be able to really address the emerging or
existing issues at hand? The starting point that I find significant
from Jeremy's points is actually in the end:

** The involvement of civil society adds democratic legitimacy to
Internet governance processes, by presenting often overlooked
perspectives, including those that transcend national borders. **

IMHO, most of the earlier points have always been at the core of most
discussions and statements, what has to be said now has to more or
less encircle what has been happening around us. You have the
opportunity to make a statement around the Theme of IGF as well, maybe
break it down from "Internet as a catalyst for change: access,
development, freedoms and innovation" to:

- Internet as a catalyst for change? What kind of change, will it save
lives, will it hurt lives, will it bring inclusiveness and
participation or it will deter the fundamental right to communicate
freely, openly etc?

- Access? Will the developing countries of the world still pay a heavy
price for connecting to the Internet? If not then what?

- Development? Has IG facilitated human development, if yes, how, if not, why?

Freedoms? What freedoms? Freedom to communication? Freedom to share?
Freedom to express? are Freedoms subjected to only a certain kind of
cartel of information/content/knowledge brokers to promote their
information, content or products at any price and in any circumstance
violating fundamental freedoms, privacy, safety of people connecting
to the Internet, is it information control, are people connecting to
the Internet consulted before their information is used by govts,
security agencies etc taken on orders from these entities, or are
Human Rights and the Freedom to access and share information for Human
Benefit

Innovation is happening all across the Internet, then why not at the
IGF. The Arab Revolutions, termination of Internet service, revoking
access to World Wide Web services, using the Web as a means to crack
down on innocent voices and transparent reporting of facts and the
real situations on the ground, issues of Human Rights with respect to
the Internet, Franc La Rue's report to the Human Rights Council
earlier this year has to be reemphasized, the eG8 fiasco and now the
IBSA discussions, where is the basic discourse on these issues at a
global level for all stakeholders concerned? Isn't IGF supposedly that
space? Has the IGF been subjected to evolve into that space so far? If
not why not?

Its time to take a strong stand in discussing Internet Policy, do we
have a common understanding of this amongst all the stakeholders of
the IGF process. No, rules, norms, principles, laws, legislation,
jurisdictions all collide against the basic perception of Human
Rights. Who is it that has to be controlled and why is this control so
necessary? Its time we stepped into this question so that the policy
discussion does come back to the IGF. Either we wait for
intergovernmental processes to address the issue of Policy or
otherwise trigger the discussion once again at the IGF to have the
dialogue here....

The challenges we have is acceptance of CS as an equal stakeholder and
I have to be firm on this, it really hasn't happened and it really
needs to be continuously stressed and said on every occasion. In all
the recent global IG related discussions around certain the privileged
countries that constitute those fora, it has been evident that CS is
the group that suffers the most (though has been the case historically
as well in other fora).

The basic freedom for CS to actively, equally, openly and inclusive
participation in IG related processes still lags (accept for the IGF
but within the IGF process, CS has its own set of headaches)

I hope your statement will look beyond the process.....the issues of
MAG renewals, funding, developing country participation are in every
text of IGF proceedings, what is missing is the actual things
happening, the evolution as mentioned earlier by Jeremy and what we
interface with on a daily basis. The CSTD IGF Improvements Working
Group recommendations from the preliminary documents already mention
these issues so kindly don't get bogged down by process, process,
process.........things happening around us, issues concerning us from
developing countries, Internet lockdowns and cuts in our regions have
nothing to do with these internal processes.

Again lets not let certain 'privileged' distractions move us away from
our real issues......this is the time for looking into CS
participation in global IG processes while at the same time
strengthening participation by helping the IGF to innovate in response
to what is happening around us!

-- 
Regards.
--------------------------
Fouad Bajwa



On Thu, Sep 22, 2011 at 3:23 AM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Good People
>
> I finally got a formal confirmation that I will be the CSO speaker during
> the opening ceremony. I am required to submit some sort of 'speech' by
> Monday.
> Jeremy had provided some talking points (thanks alot Jeremy) and Imran
> had made additions (again, thanks too Imran).
>
> I am now asking all of you to look at both Imran's and Jeremy's suggestions,
> agree, amend, add, subtract, and get back to me by friday evening. Is that
> alright? This is a multistakeholder process and offers equal opportunities
> for contribution. Remember, this will not be my speech, but YOUR speech.
> Kindly input.
>
> With Kind Regards
> Grace
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is
> all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth
> and rule the World!
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: ias_pk at yahoo.com
> To: governance at lists.cpsr.org; jeremy at ciroap.org
> CC: imran at igfpak.org
> Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 15:19:38 +0500
> Subject: RE: [governance] Notes for input to opening session statement
>
> Dear Jeremy and all Members,
>
> With reference to the proposal for the “IGF improvements”, I would also
> suggest following points / recommendations to be included in the agenda:
>
> 1.      The revision of the MAG members of the IGF. As the previous members
> were given letter of the extension of 1 year of their MAG membership.
> However, the status has been changed with the passage of time, revision and
> expansion of the memberships is required.
>
> 2.      During past meetings and consolation process regarding the
> governance, Civil Societies were not given appropriate privilege or at least
> equal level of opportunities comparing to other ones line those who have
> Governmental status etc. So, we should raise voices for equal opportunities
> and privilege for Civil Societies.
>
> 3.      To formulizer some Fellowship and Travel Support program for the
> candidate from Developing Countries to participate in IGF Meetings. There
> are different sponsor organizations on the board of IGF to host and organize
> the IGF meetings but there is no easy and predefined process to apply to
> obtain support.
>
>
>
> Thanking you and Best Regards
>
>
>
> Imran Ahmad Shah
>
> From: governance at lists.cpsr.org [mailto:governance at lists.cpsr.org] On Behalf
> Of Jeremy Malcolm
> Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 02:09 PM
> To: governance at lists.cpsr.org
> Subject: [governance] Notes for input to opening session statement
>
>
>
> This thread can be used for suggestions of topics to include in the opening
> session statement to be delivered by Grace Githaiga.
>
> Here are some of my thoughts, focussing on the theme of IGF improvements and
> policy messages, and also touching on accessibility and the role of civil
> society.  This is not to suggest that these are the only areas we should
> cover:
>
> During the first five year term of the IGF, it proved itself as a discussion
> forum. Over the next five years, rather than simply replicating the previous
> five, its evolution should continue.
> The IGF has the potential to be a public sphere in miniature for the
> Internet, where otherwise disenfranchised voices can have a real impact in
> shaping policy decisions taken elsewhere.
> Over the past year the commitment of some other institutions to the
> multi-stakeholder principles established at WSIS has proved weak. [Not sure
> if we want to point fingers, here.]
> This is a challenge that the IGF can confront by proving itself up to the
> task of providing concrete and useful inputs into the policy development
> processes of those institutions.
> In most other fora, the influence of the economically powerful, such as the
> entertainment and pharmaceutical industries, can can cloud policy-makers'
> view of the broader public interest.
> The IGF does not suffer from that same limitation, to the extent that all
> participants have equal status. But we must continue to improve the IGF's
> accessibility, including through online means.
> The involvement of civil society adds democratic legitimacy to Internet
> governance processes, by presenting often overlooked perspectives, including
> those that transcend national borders.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Dr 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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