[governance] my opening statement at WSIS +10

[Sarah Kiden]

Grace,

Thank you. Great job and I can identify with you!

Sarah


On Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 11:31 PM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga at hotmail.com>wrote:

>  Good people
> Please find my opening statement made on Monday 25/02/13 during the
> opening ceremony. It was crowd sourced from the IGC, IRP coalition and
> bestbits.
>
> Thanks to Deidre, Ginger, Allon, Anriette, Deborah, Andrew, Trevor,
> Marianne, Nobert and all of you for your support and for your showing
>  faith in me.
>
> *Opening Remarks*
>
> *Acknowledge dignitaries and Participants*
>
> *
> *
>
> As CS, we applaud the efforts being made to provide accessible remote
> participation for this meeting, improving possibilities for inclusion and
> active engagement in this significant global policy process. It is exciting
> that WSIS is setting an example, which strongly supports timely
> interventions from remote participants, and registration as participants in
> the WSIS +10.****
>
>
> The civil society wishes to note the following developments that stand out:
> ****
>
> ·         Enormous growth in number of Internet users, in absolute
> figures, in percentage per country, in global reach. ****
>
> ·         At the same time most people in the world still can't access
> the Internet at all (for reasons of infrastructure, economics,
> disabilities, politics, etc.), or are experiencing censorship, limited
> bandwidth, physical accessibility, etc.)****
>
> ·         Others like the Small Islands Developing States that are
> susceptible to natural disasters have such challenges as ageing
> infrastructure, a lack of universal accessibility with Digital Inclusion
> and scarce resources. ****
>
> ·         Explosion of mobile phone use in particular in Africa, which
> are also facilitating adoption and use of internet. ****
>
> ·         Social media: People increasingly reaching beyond passive
> consumption of information to actively creating and sharing information.There is much
> wider involvement of citizens in debates on information society issues. **
> **
>
> ·         Growing awareness of the impact of policies on how we enjoy the
> Internet and on our lives in general.****
>
> ·         Continued incredible intuitiveness and creativeness with which
> people use, adapt and invent technology—a demonstration that the human mind
> is free. ****
>
> ·         A lot has been achieved in terms of consciousness-raising and
> shifting agendas. A very concrete achievement is the Charter of Human
> Rights and Principles for the Internet that has already been making its
> mark in the wider IG community.****
>
> *
> *
>
> *However:*
>
>
>
> The internet presents a new challenge in thinking about the protection and
> promotion of human rights, protection of the right to privacy, and data
> protection online. ****
>
>
>
> Therefore an understanding of the human rights environment online calls
> for an  understanding of the technical design of the internet and how it is
> shaped by commercial forces as well as looking at the kinds of content it
> carries, and the controls that apply to such content.****
>
>
>
> As we reflect on WSIS + 10, and as someone who comes from Kenya, I can
> attest to the fact that the multistakeholder model endorsed at WSIS IS
> doable and has worked for us. It has deepened efforts to expand access and
> therefore needs to be preserved.****
>
>
>
> There is need for all sectors, all countries to work together to bridge
> divides, tackle issues, and not allow geopolitical interests to prevail.**
> **
>
> ** **
>
> *Conclusion*
>
> The right to information, both to impart and to receive, is a fundamental
> right that impacts every country in the world. While the right to
> information is often regarded as being a "first world problem" that is
> secondary to the right to life, education, and health, neither of these
> rights can truly exist if we don't facilitate every means to achieve the
> right to information.****
>
> ** **
>
> As we take stock let us remind ourselves that this event is not just a
> reiteration of well-worn themes, or a self-congratulation 'festival' but
> that it really challenges and provides concrete examples of how and where
> to implement the WSIS plan of action in a holistic sense.****
>
> ** **
>
> We need to ensure that internet access is universal and affordable, and
> must therefore, be seen as a global public infrastructure. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Any positive agenda for internet freedom will need to address  issues rai
> sed by developing nations as well as being in line with the human rightsvalues,andbe
> negotiated through a multi-stakeholder process. ****
>
>
>
> A long-term objective would be to ensure that the internet continues to be
> a global, interconnected information commons governed in a dispersed and
> participatory manner by its users.          ****
>
> ** **
>
> I thank you for your attention.****
>
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