[governance] Blogpost: Multistakeholderism vs. Democracy: My Adventures in "Stakeholderland"

Fri Mar 22 04:27:18 EDT 2013

Dear All,

I thought I should perhaps add a different take on the current discussions
so far. If we examine the foundation on why representation is needed or the
need to ensure that there is extensive stakeholder engagement - it is
simply so that there is a sense of "inclusion". In the mind of the UN
General Assembly when they invited the CSTD to form a Working Group, it was
clear that there was a diverse range of issues that the Group would need to
examine and discuss. The manner in which the Chair of the CSTD expressly
allocated seats for the Working Group and even in the instructions to the
civil society focal point, to select 3 from the developed countries and 3
from developing countries is testament to his desire for this "balance".

The questions and issues that surface in light of the composition of things
like the MAG, CSTD or other critical forums where multistakeholder
engagement can always be improved. Just as almost everything in life is
subject to improvement whether it is technology, processes, human
development, societies, communities - there is always room for progress and
improvement.

There has been mention of things like "Accountability" and "Transparency".
This no doubt is important as well.

Someone else raised the issue of "legitimization" by the people. It would
be good to tease out thoughts in this regard.

As such, it is important in light of the current debate on this thread to
examine some key considerations. Nnenna's suggestions are particularly
useful in this regard. Does anyone else have other considerations or
principles that would be useful in examining how we can constantly
strengthen existing processes?

Let's use this opportunity productively for constructive dialogue on
teasing out some of the core issues and/or principles that we think should
be in place that could help things progress.

Warm Regards,
Sala

On Fri, Mar 22, 2013 at 7:39 PM, Adam Peake <ajp at glocom.ac.jp> wrote:

> And perhaps as a starting point, Nnenna's email from a few days ago.
>
> Adam
>
>
> "The discussion, I think, has started. It might have taken off in a
> not-very-comfortable way, but it certainly cannot be killed off now.
>
> In many "CS"-related issues now, my ready answer is "Thanks, but no,
> thanks". And mostly because of  the lack of clear principles on
> methodology.  We have been in this "process" for 10 years (at least
> for some) and we still have not adopted principles for selection and
> for representation.
>
> The time for that discussion is right.  We may not get a full
> consensus, but at least a partial one will help future "focal points".
>  Were it not for discussions, we would not have a Charter as a group.
>
> Having been in a lot of "focal point" and representative "positions"
> for Africa Civil society, I can only say that a 3, 4, or 5 principles
> document, that has been discussed and has met a level of consensus
> here will be VERY helpful.
>
> My thoughts are that we need to discuss methods for:
>
> 1. Informing on and disseminating opportunities/positions/calls. For
> the CSTD, I actually had to tweet that I have been impressed by the
> way Anriette and the APC group shared the information. I cannot say if
> it because I am in so many mailing lists with APC folks.. but I can
> tell you that there was a "a clean, clear and determined decision to
> disseminate information".
>
> 2. Understanding of "developed and developing" nations. One may be
> tempted to follow the UN categories... but in the case of Internet and
> IG issues.. Global Information watchdogs may want to differ.  I would
> love to hear others on this though
>
> 3. Gender mainstreaming. How do we ensure this in representations.
> Should we discuss a minimum quota?
>
> 4. Older vs newer blood. This is perhaps the most critical dilemma
> that any "xyz selection team or focal point" may face. Are we going to
> have the same faces (albeit with a greater tinge of gray) all the
> time? How do we strike the balance between getting newer/younger
> people to follow in our paths while maintaining legacy? What
> orientation mechanism in process, issues and manners  around IG issues
> can we put in place to help people who will arrive "after us" to be
> able to follow. Most selection are looking for "qualified" people...
>
> 5. What will be the better  choice in the cases where a choice must be
> made between experience and representation, or between experience and
> opportunity for growth?
>
> 6. Is there a certain limit (at least in the case of IG-related
> issues) to which an individual can "represent civil society"? When can
> someone say "we" and when does it need to be "I"? Will representation
> always be synonymous with "people who can travel and be there
> physically"?
>
> 7. How does "CS" curb what is beginning to appear to me as "an extreme
> need to be selected" in which I see certain names in almost anything
> that has "selection, representation and travel" attached to it?
>
> 8. ..... many more...:)
>
> Nnennna "
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 22, 2013 at 4:16 PM, Adam Peake <ajp at glocom.ac.jp> wrote:
> > I don't see this going anywhere if it's just about blaming others.
> > (says he who has been more than happy to throw stones...)
> >
> > So why not discuss what we think should happen, what's the right
> > process.  Starting with what's right for civil society.  And
> > respecting that business and the tech community isn't CS and might not
> > enjoy the self-flagellation/ridicule we favor :-)  Or, more seriously,
> > might have their own reasons for doing things differently.
> >
> > Adam
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Mar 22, 2013 at 2:54 PM, parminder <parminder at itforchange.net>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> On Friday 22 March 2013 10:59 AM, Suresh Ramasubramanian wrote:
> >>>
> >>> parminder [22/03/13 10:25 +0530]:
> >>>>
> >>>> A most surrpsing statement!! Almost anything can be said, right, when
> you
> >>>> have the winds blowing to back you. By winds I mean the the sheer
> power of
> >>>> the status quo, which, judging by your statement, has given up even
> the
> >>>> pretence of democratic values and norms.... And the civil society is
> an
> >>>> accomplice in its silence.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Either that or you have a view that is in the minority
> >>
> >>
> >> Fortunately, in the civil society we have not yet officially declared a
> >> handful as 'the' civil society. And I have a pretty good idea of what
>  civil
> >> society generally makes of these kind of 'captures' as witnessed in the
> case
> >> of the recent tech/acad community related episode...
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> - which might not be
> >>> quite to your taste, but that can't be helped.
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
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-- 
Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala
P.O. Box 17862
Suva
Fiji

Twitter: @SalanietaT
Skype:Salanieta.Tamanikaiwaimaro
Tel: +679 3544828
Fiji Cell: +679 998 2851
Blog: salanieta.blogspot.com
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