[governance] CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation

parminder parminder at itforchange.net
Sun Mar 17 09:52:29 EDT 2013


On Sunday 17 March 2013 06:22 PM, parminder wrote:
>
> However, on Michael’s issue ;
>
> 1. I have no idea why are you, and some others,  being deliberately 
> blind to the fact that Michael applied to the academic community part 
> of the 'technical and academic communities' and not the technical 
> community part.


And of course, Adam, you want to take *no note* of the fact that the 
criteria Constance gave us which ISOC applies to chose reps from 
'technical and academic community' which is, and I quote

"it referred to the community of organizations and individuals who are 
involved in the day-to-day operational management of the Internet and 
who work within this community"

/*simply and completely removes any academic representation, 
altogether.*/ So no academic rep at all in the 'tech and academic 
community'!!! Does it not sound strange? I bet it would to anyone, other 
than, perhaps, those just too committed to certain causes and 
interests.... So, without ceremony ISOC simply sweeps away all and any 
possibility of due academic representation that WSIS and UN GA asked 
for, and we all are expected to keep quite because ISOC are our friends 
. That sounds very very strange to me.

The ISOC criteria in fact also removes all the technical people who may 
not be managing "day-to-day operational management of the Internet " in 
the employment of a few organisations that we all know. And I know so 
many technical people who should be considered in 'technical community' 
and whose expertise should be used by UN bodies, but who do not work for 
an ICANN or ISOC, IETF or RIRs. (Including those who have never been in 
civil society, so no 'constituency shopping' excuse can be used in their 
case)

This cannot be a one sided redefinition of a category which fills as 
many places as the whole of civil society does in policy related bodies. 
And those who want to debate this issue cannot be reduced to some kind 
of mean petulant people who have nothing better to do than raise 
controversies. This is an important and central issue of 
multistakeholderism, ad we have a right to discuss it here and 
communicate our views on the matter.

MSism will the biggest loser if we refuse to construct the needed norms, 
principles and rules for it. And here we refuse to even discuss them. 
Selection of those who can be considered as reps for different 
stakeholders is one of the most central issues here.


parminder



>
> 2. There was no speaking slot for academic community at WSIS. It was 
> either civil society or technical community or private sector. So 
> whichever slot Michael tried would be flipping, right! And therefore 
> you seem to believe that an academic has no right to speak at the 
> opening panel at WSIS.
>
> 3. I also think that Michael took this thing up more to open the 
> process for possible academic nominees on such bodies, than for 
> himself getting a position, the chance for which in the current 
> circumstances was never going to be huge. Less I think than he had a 
> chance through the civil society process, which process he 
> deliberately forsook.
>
> parminder
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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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>
>

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