[governance] CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation
David Allen
David_Allen_AB63 at post.harvard.edu
Sun Mar 17 09:56:11 EDT 2013
Ah, once again, the fundamental dynamics of tribe-based polities rear
their ultimately confounding head ...
Let's see. How many of us have overlapping memberships in different
affinity groups? Affinity groups - one form for the present-day
outcropping of tribes.
Hmmm ... Well, that would be all of us. We all have, often
orthogonal but also sometimes overlapping, memberships in work,
family, avocation, sports, maybe religion, the list goes on ... And
how many of us - occasionally - may rise to leadership positions in
more than one of those affinity groups? Well, that happens less
frequently. But it happens.
The human social animal comes innately equipped this way.
As noted in the earlier post, democracy - so very hard won - stepped
beyond this structure. One person gets one vote. Governance by and
for all of us. Then representation - in groups any larger than a
smallish group - enshrines the power of that one vote.
Not the ultimately irresolvable conflicts, as tribes go at it. And so-
very-much worse, the detritus of history - often horrific - as the
exercise of, the struggle for, power can lead to the most truly ugly
outcomes.
That struggle is also built into the human genome.
And those politics of power are all too evidently in play, in the
arenas at stake here. (And all too often often ignored or downplayed,
in the dialog - also.)
No - most decidedly, no - not all of us are "attached to" the
"multistakeholder principle." Quite the contrary, some of us look
with fear and consternation on another human proclivity - that is, to
mimic and follow trends and fads, most unfortunately sometimes like
lemmings, with little or no thought to the underlying realities. In
the case here, even to proselytize for a so-called multistakeholderism.
Governance structures do most decidedly need to refine, especially as
new ideas ('technology') have enabled ever-widening circles - of
affinity. And it is a natural outcome - from our genome - that we who
had no say earlier will revel in newfound power. Including me, too.
But woe betide us if we revert - from whatever impetus - back to
tribal rudiments. Democracy has just been too very hard won.
We can do better. We must. We can use our other built-in talents to
get to a better place.
(And no, I did not, earlier, point at a minority within the caucus -
only at the overall (very) most extreme minority that is the caucus in
the larger 'democracy.')
David
On Mar 17, 2013, at 8:20 AM, Adam Peake wrote:
> 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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>>
>
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