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

Suresh Ramasubramanian suresh at hserus.net
Fri Mar 22 04:36:19 EDT 2013 

Nnenna has asked ALL the right questions.

--srs (iPad)

On 22-Mar-2013, at 13:09, 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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> 
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