[governance] CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation
michael gurstein
gurstein at gmail.com
Sun Mar 17 08:40:32 EDT 2013
Adam as anyone who has followed my work knows I have for much of my career
worked with colleagues towards enabling the broadest base of use and uses of
the Internet and particularly by marginalized populations. I, and dare I say
my colleagues and others including many in the tech community, consider that
to be well within the scope of the Technical and Academic Community as my
recent keynote address on this subject to the IEEE Conference on Technology
and Society in Singapore would possibly attest.
Alongside that and with, I believe no inconsistency, as anyone who has
followed my contribution to CS and to for example the Internet Rights and
Principles discussion, knows I have also long advocated that there should be
a right to access and use the Internet and particularly as a support to
marginalized populations.
I fail to see the inconsistencies in that or the possible conflicts of
interest but I'm assuming that you will enlighten us.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: apeake at gmail.com [mailto:apeake at gmail.com] On Behalf Of Adam Peake
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2013 5:21 AM
To: michael gurstein
Cc: governance at lists.igcaucus.org; Anriette Esterhuysen; bommelaer at isoc.org;
HASSAN Ayesha; Roger Harris
Subject: Re: [governance] CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation
Michael, give or take a day, at the time you were seeking to represent the
technical and academic community in one process (CSTD enhanced cooperation),
you were speaking as a representative of civil society at another related
event (WSIS+10). You're the only person I know of who has tried to flip
between stakeholder groups in this way. Good luck to you.
Adam
On Sun, Mar 17, 2013 at 9:04 PM, michael gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com>
wrote:
> Adam,
>
> My reasons for making the application through the T/A group are quite
> clear in the note I appended to the message I sent earlier to Ms.
> Bommalaer and which I sent as a request for endorsement to my
> "stakeholder group" -- academics/researchers involved in making the
> Internet accessible and usable to the widest range of global citizens
> and particularly those who might otherwise marginalized in the process.
>
> Since there are some 4-5 billion people in the would not as yet
> accessing or using the Internet, even with all of the best will and
> skill by the technical community there would appear to be the need for
> additional knowledges and skills to those currently being made
> available to ensure that we are building an Internet which is truly
> for all. It is from that basis and representing that community that I made
my application.
>
> If you disagree with what I wrote there or with the conclusion that I
> drew from that concerning applying through the T/A group I would be
> pleased to engage with you in that substantive discussion.
>
> Beyond that I believe there is nothing to discuss.
>
> M
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: apeake at gmail.com [mailto:apeake at gmail.com] On Behalf Of Adam
> Peake
> Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2013 4:51 AM
> To: governance at lists.igcaucus.org; michael gurstein
> Cc: Anriette Esterhuysen; bommelaer at isoc.org; HASSAN Ayesha; Roger
> Harris
> Subject: Re: [governance] CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation
>
> Hi Micheal,
>
> "double dipping" my terminology, not Constance.
>
> You are an active member of a civil society stakeholder group. You
> have sought nominations through CS to the MAG, to WSIS+10 speaking
> role (for which you were selected), and in a related process you
> decided to try a different path through a different stakeholder group.
> Good luck to you playing the field.
>
> Adam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 17, 2013 at 8:07 PM, michael gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>> Dear Ms. Bommelaer,
>>
>>
>>
>> I have no idea how you might have informed yourself concerning my
>> possible "nomination" through the CS focal point for the CSTD WG on
>> EC and thus to be engaged in, in your terminology "double dipping"
>> and "constituency shopping". My understanding was that the nomination
>> process within the CS grouping was in fact, confidential.
>>
>>
>>
>> That being by the by, I'm attaching below what I believe to be the
>> relevant correspondence between myself and Ms. Esterhuysen concerning
>> my
> "candidacy"
>> in this matter. I believe there to have been some confusion on her
>> part based on her being part of a professional email list (the
>> editorial board of the Journal of Community Informatics which I edit)
>> and to which I sent the note below with an explanation asking for
>> endorsement for my candidacy for the Technical and Academic grouping
>> several of which endorsements I believe you have received.
>>
>>
>>
>> BTW, I (and now I believe, we) still await a clear exposition of the
>> procedures followed in the determination of your "nominations"
>> including the basis on which you determined and applied "the criteria
> used".
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm afraid that a quiet chat between you and a few of your friends as
per:
>>
>> The names put forward were subject to considerable discussion as well
>> as oral dialogue with many individuals from Civil Society and the
>> Business community (including their focal points). The criteria used
>> were shared with all interested individuals as well as with the UN.
>>
>> is hardly sufficient for a matter of this significance and could by
>> some I believe, even be seen as undermining the legitimacy of the
>> multistakeholder approach to decision making itself, due to your
>> overall lack of formality, accountability and transparency.
>>
>>
>>
>> I believe an apology is in order. Also, I believe if your decision
>> and your communication with others was based on misinformation
>> whatever its source, I believe it only in order that you reconduct
>> your processes, this time based on formal and transparent procedures
>> with clearly identified and agreed upon criteria.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>> From: michael gurstein [mailto:gurstein at gmail.com]
>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 10:21 AM
>>
>> To: 'anriette at apc.org'; 'emilar at APC.ORG'
>>
>> Subject: RE: [JoCI] Request for Endorsement for UN Working Group on
>> Internet issues
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Anriette,
>>
>>
>>
>> I'll attach my bio, resume and "endorsements". (I'm not sure what you
>> mean by an application form. I filled one out for the MAG but I
>> didn't see one for the ECWG.
>>
>>
>>
>> In any case FWIW I've sent my application and the endorsements to
>> Constance as I'm applying for the "technical/academic" stakeholder
>> group. My intention would be to speak to/from the EC issues from a
>> community informatics/grassroots/end user
>> academic/technical/researcher perspective. in which I'm thinking I
>> have the requisite background and experience. Also, again FWIW I am
> prepared to put in the time required for this.
>>
>>
>>
>> Constance et al seem a bit perplexed by my application but we'll see.
>> She evidently has agreed to "accept" it, what happens after that I'm
>> not sure.
>>
>>
>>
>> Of course, an "endorsement" from you folks would be excellent :)
>>
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Anriette Esterhuysen [mailto:anriette at apc.org]
>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 4:29 PM
>>
>> To: Michael Gurstein; emilar at APC.ORG
>>
>> Subject: Re: [JoCI] Request for Endorsement for UN Working Group on
>> Internet issues
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Michael
>>
>>
>>
>> Really sorry.. but we are missing your application form.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please can you send today?
>>
>>
>>
>> Anriette
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> On 04/03/2013 09:45, michael gurstein wrote:
>>
>> Tks Roger,
>>
>>
>>
>> Yes, you are correct. The issues coming out of WSIS 2003/2005 were on
>> two tracks--"Information Society" (ICT4D and DD for example) and
>> "Internet Governance" (domain name management for example) on a
>> second track. The decision to pursue questions concerning "Enhanced
>> Cooperation" (concerning the overall global multistakeholder
>> governance of Internet related matters) was meant to integrate the
>> two
> themes/tracks.
>>
>>
>>
>> Of the four "stakeholders" -- government, civil society, private
>> sector, and technical/academic -- the interests (stake) represented
>> by the technical/academic has to date been represented almost
>> exclusively by Developed Country techies with an interest in the
>> maintenance of the technical infrastructure (the second track) and it
>> would be my intention on that committee to ensure that Information
>> Society issues were also being considered. There would be some
>> overlap of interest with the civil society reps--but their interests
>> would be rather more normative -- particularly around Human Rights and
normative principles.
>>
>> Given the specific wording and mode of selection for this position it
>> is likely that individual endorsments might be of most value and
>> particularly academics such as those on this list.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best and tks,
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------------
>>
>> From: joci-editorial-owner at vancouvercommunity.net
>> [mailto:joci-editorial-owner at vancouvercommunity.net] On Behalf Of
>> Roger Harris
>>
>> Sent: Monday, March 04, 2013 4:30 AM
>>
>> To: joci-editorial at vancouvercommunity.net
>>
>> Subject: RE: [JoCI] Request for Endorsement for UN Working Group on
>> Internet issues
>>
>>
>>
>> HI Mike,
>>
>>
>>
>> Happy to do this; you're certainly the right person to represent the
>> stance you describe.
>>
>>
>>
>> There's still talk around of digital divides and although I can
>> detect a slight drift towards the notion that they represent more
>> than mere access to devices, there's a danger the technologists will
drown this out.
>>
>>
>>
>> Suggest you draft the appropriate wording and I'll put my name to it.
>> Maybe the group could do the same; a kinda 'petition'?
>>
>>
>>
>> Rgds
>>
>>
>>
>> Roger
>>
>>
>>
>> Dr. Roger Harris
>>
>>
>>
>> Consultant in ICTs for poverty reduction and rural development.
>>
>> http://www.rogharris.org/
>>
>>
>>
>> Co-Editor-in-Chief; The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in
>> Developing Countries
>>
>> http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc
>>
>>
>>
>> Director Business Development; eBario Sdn Bhd
>>
>> http://www.ebario.org/
>>
>>
>>
>> Visiting Professor, Institute of Social Informatics and Technological
>> Innovation - Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
>>
>> http://www.isiti.unimas.my/
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>> From: joci-editorial-owner at vancouvercommunity.net
>> [mailto:joci-editorial-owner at vancouvercommunity.net] On Behalf Of
>> michael gurstein
>>
>> Sent: 01 March, 2013 3:07 PM
>>
>> To: ciresearchers at vancouvercommunity.net;
>> cracin-canada at vancouvercommunity.net; ci-research-sa at vcn.bc.ca;
>> joci-editorial at vancouvercommunity.net
>>
>> Subject: [JoCI] Request for Endorsement for UN Working Group on
>> Internet issues
>>
>>
>>
>> Colleagues,
>>
>>
>>
>> The UN General Assembly is in the process of establishing a "Working
>> Group on Enhanced Cooperation". The function of this Working Group is
>> to deliberate on an institutional framework for identifying and
>> responding to issues concerning the global impact and operation of
>> the
> Internet.
>>
>>
>>
>> As you know a wide range of Internet related issues have been rapidly
>> emerging concerning privacy and surveillance on the net;
>> infrastructure, access and cost of Internet use; freedom of
>> expression and censorship; the economic and other uses of personal
>> data by mega-corps like Facebook and Google; among others. To date
>> there are no structures in place where discussions can be undertaken
>> and, where necessary, decisions can be made concerning these matters
>> as they impact
> on the entire world.
>>
>>
>>
>> This Working Group is being established in response to a specific
>> direction from the World Summit on the Information Society where all
>> voices concerning these matters were given an opportunity to be heard.
>> This Group will function under the convenorship of the Chair of the
>> UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development. The outcome
>> of the Working Group will be one small, but not insignificant step in
>> a very long process, but as the first such development it will be
> significant.
>>
>>
>>
>> The Chair of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development
>> is required to ensure that the working group has balanced
>> representation between Governments and invitees from all other
>> stakeholders, namely, the private sector, civil society, technical
>> and academic communities, and intergovernmental and international
> organizations.
>>
>>
>>
>> In consultation with colleagues much more knowledgeable about these
>> processes than myself, I have decided to forward my candidacy as part
>> of the "technical and academic community". This in itself is
>> something of an innovation since the formulation "technical and
>> academic community" to date has included only those with a
>> specifically technical interest in Internet infrastructure and
>> technical operation althoughI believe this was not the original
>> intention which was rather, to have a broad range of such inputs
>> including those with an
> end-user oriented research interest.
>>
>>
>>
>> I believe that it is important that "non-techie" Internet
>> academics/researchers be represented in this most important
>> discussion and I believe it especially important that someone whose
>> academic/research interests are with ensuring the broadest base of
>> digital inclusion including among the marginalized, the rural, the
>> indigenous, women and others be also included and that matters
>> concerning these latter groups be raised as these global internet
> governance structures are being discussed.
>>
>>
>>
>> I see my role here as being something of a placeholder as I believe
>> that once the principle is established that technical and academic
>> interests with respect to the Internet must go beyond simply the
>> technical community there will be a range of opportunities for such
>> participation in other Working Groups that might follow.
>>
>>
>>
>> I should perhaps add that this participation is unfunded and it is as
>> yet unclear whether participation will be virtual or through face to
>> face meetings. (The absence of funding for these kinds of
>> multistakeholder activities should not be surprising since for the
>> most part the stakeholders involved including the technical community
>> folks are participating as part of their normal work activities with
>> their travel being covered by their
>> employers.)
>>
>>
>>
>> So colleagues, with this note I'm asking you, and particularly those
>> of you with academic or research positions to "endorse" my candidacy
>> by sending an email to the focal point for the "technial/academic"
>> community Ms. Constance Bommelaer bommelaer at isoc.org and with a copy
>> to
> myself.
>>
>>
>>
>> Your note need not be elaborate but it would be most useful to
>> indicate your academic title(s) as an indication of the breadth of
>> support for this candidacy. This matter has come up quite quickly and
>> the deadline is that endorsements should be forwarded no later than
>> March
> 6.
>>
>>
>>
>> Feel free to pass this along to others you think might have an
>> interest but my preference is to not have this too broadly
>> distributed outside of the wider Community Informatics community at this
time.
>>
>>
>>
>> With thanks,
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> Michael Gurstein, Ph.D.
>>
>> Executive Director: Centre for Community Informatics Research,
>> Development and Training (CCIRDT)
>>
>> Vancouver, BC CANADA
>>
>>
>>
>> tel/fax: +1-604-602-0624
>>
>> email: gurstein at gmail.com
>>
>> web: http://communityinformatics.net
>>
>> blog: http://gurstein.wordpress.com
>>
>> twitter: #michaelgurstein
>>
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this message.
>>
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>
>> Version: 2012.0.2238 / Virus Database: 2641/5639 - Release Date:
>> 02/28/13
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> 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 1
>>
>>
>>
>>
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