[bestbits] Re: [governance] civil society co ordination group - call for comments

Sonigitu Ekpe soekpe at gmail.com
Sat Jan 25 14:18:56 EST 2014


+1 to Avri's comment.

Sonigitu Ekpe

Mobile +234 805 0232 469    Office + 234 802 751 0179
 "LIFE is all about love and thanksgiving"



On Sat, Jan 25, 2014 at 6:30 PM, avri doria <avri at ella.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I don't really know how IGC finds its way back to a cordial functionality
> in diversity that enables legitimacy. One of the many reasons I did not put
> myself forward as a candidate for anything.
>
> But being eternally hopeful, except for when I lapse into despair, I think
> it could be done by a reasonable, dedicated and devoted set of coordinators
> and a little honeymoon good will from us a all.
>
> Which makes me think, I would really like to see our candidates' answer to
> your question.
>
> avri
>
> Sent from a T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Jeanette Hofmann
> Date:01/25/2014 12:06 (GMT-05:00)
> To: governance at lists.igcaucus.org,Avri Doria
> Subject: Re: [bestbits] Re: [governance] civil society co ordination group
> - call for comments
>
> Hi Avri,
>
> given that it is unlikely for the IGC to rise like a phoenix, how would
> you then go about the current legitimacy hole?
>
> jeanette
>
> Am 25.01.14 16:03, schrieb Avri Doria:
> > Hi,
> >
> > (left the x-posting in since it concerned both groups)
> >
> > As IRP is a multistakeholder group I think with have a category
> mismatch..
> >
> > I still also have an issue with both BB and IGC being represented.
> >
> > BB - is still in formation with only a self appointed group in the
> > leadership.  Once they get their whole plan together and the group buys
> > into it and if the differentiation becomes clear, then the combined
> > groups should take a look at it.
> >
> > IGC - has been in a free fall state of crisis for the past 2 years and
> > until it manages to right itself, it has no business in a
> > representational role.
> >
> > But the people and organization, the civil society stakeholders,
> > distributed through those 2 groups are indeed important participants in
> > Ig.  So while I dispute the legitimacy the members of BB and IGC being
> > twice represented at this point, I do believe it is a good idea for them
> > to be represented by a singular BB/IGC representative that is an active
> > participant in both groups nd who can be supported by the combined voice
> > of the groups.
> >
> >
> > avri
> >
> >
> > On 25-Jan-14 08:58, Rafik Dammak wrote:
> >> Hi Nnenna,
> >>
> >> as small correction, NCSG is part of the co-ordination group with BB,
> >> IGC, Diplo and APC.
> >>
> >> Best,
> >>
> >> Rafik
> >>
> >>
> >> 2014/1/20 Nnenna Nwakanma <nnenna75 at gmail.com
> >> <mailto:nnenna75 at gmail.com>>
> >>
> >>     How about a "network nomcom"?
> >>
> >>     Having followed all teh models above, I am tending towards a kind of
> >>     improvement of what we have now.
> >>
> >>     What do we have now? A cordination of individual representatives of
> >>     different networks: IRP, APC, Diplo, BB and IGC.
> >>
> >>     Here is my suggestion:
> >>
> >>     1. Extend the Coordination group to include other
> networks/coalitions
> >>     with the criteria above. I still prefer "extend" to "expand" :)
> >>     2. Have a Non-voting Chair for 1 year, renewable.
> >>     3. Each participating coaltion/network will chose from within
> itself,
> >>     a person/persons to  represent it in  a nomcom
> >>     4. Nomcoms will not be static but will be convened when needed
> >>     5. We have a nomcom Chair but nomcom members will be chosen by their
> >>     networks to form a "nomcom of networks". Networks/coalition may
> >> decide
> >>       the method that is best suited to  them to appoint qualified
> >> person/s
> >>       for the task at hand.
> >>
> >>     What will be the merits of a "NomCom of Networks"?:
> >>     1. Its members are  sent by their constituent network/coalition
> >>     2.  Networks/coalitions can chose a NomCom  person based on the
> >>     person's expertise  on the subject for which CS reps are being
> called
> >>     for
> >>     3. Networks/coalitions are free to  use whatever methods they deem
> >>     best to  select their network rep on the "Nomcom of Networks"
> >>
> >>     In summary, we have a Nomcom of Networks non-voting Chair for 1
> year,
> >>     and membership of nomcom is Networks/coalitions and not persons.
> Each
> >>     time there is need for CS representation then each network notifies
> >>     the Chair or their rep on the NomCom
> >>
> >>
> >>     Best
> >>
> >>     Nnenna
> >>
> >>
> >>     On 1/20/14, Suresh Ramasubramanian <suresh at hserus.net
> >>     <mailto:suresh at hserus.net>> wrote:
> >>      > A prequalification for either nomcom duties or being selected to
> >>     represent
> >>      > the caucus in some forum could be a history of prior engagement
> >>     with the
> >>      > caucus and prior track record in igov.  [And to increase the
> >>     inclusion, this
> >>      > could mean engagement with multiple caucus members in good
> >>     standing on other
> >>      > civil society fora, if not necessarily this specific caucus]
> >>      >
> >>      > This prevents the sort of ballot stuffing you have noted, where
> >>     there are
> >>      > endorsements for specific individuals from random people or
> >>     groups that have
> >>      > no prior engagement with the caucus or track record on igov
> >> issues.
> >>      >
> >>      > --srs (iPad)
> >>      >
> >>      >> On 20-Jan-2014, at 12:27, "Ian Peter" <ian.peter at ianpeter.com
> >>     <mailto:ian.peter at ianpeter.com>> wrote:
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> I’m posting here some thoughts recently discussed among  members
> >>     of the
> >>      >> civil society co ordination group for comments and input. It
> >>     relates to
> >>      >> some options for this group. It would be good to have comments
> >>     and input.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> What we are proposing is a period of on line discussion, after
> >>     which we
> >>      >> will probably conduct some sort of on line straw poll to get a
> >>     feeling for
> >>      >> how people think about options emerging. So please comment and
> >>     digest, and
> >>      >> we will look forward to getting wide input.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> But firstly- is there a need for such a group?
> >>      >>
> >>      >> There certainly was in the context of appointing
> >> representatives for
> >>      >> Brazil and 1net, and we would argue that it is highly
> >> advisable for
> >>      >> functions such as MAG nominations.  Perhaps there are no other
> >>     great needs
> >>      >> at this stage, but they might arise. And certainly a continuing
> >>      >> communication between groups working in the area of internet
> >>     governance
> >>      >> might be useful.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> The alternative to all of this re-organisation would be for the
> >>     group to
> >>      >> go into recess until another urgent need arises. But that choice
> >>     would
> >>      >> simply reinforce the criticism that exists of this group (or its
> >>      >> successors) when there is a need again - or alternatively lead
> to
> >>      >> fragmented selection processes that hinder civil society
> >>     representation.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 1. EXPANSION OF THE CO-ORDINATION GROUP
> >>      >>
> >>      >> This has been the subject of previous discussion with a number
> of
> >>      >> different parties and it was decided to defer further
> >>     considerations until
> >>      >> after Brazil nominations were complete. There was also some
> >>     discussion  on
> >>      >> list here immediately before Christmas about some possible
> >>     criteria for
> >>      >> involvement.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> One possibility we would suggest here is we could decide to
> >>       enlarge the
> >>      >> group to (say) 9 -12 people. The current voting members could
> >>     remain and
> >>      >> would be joined by one of the incoming IGC Co-ordinators. For
> >>     additional
> >>      >> voting members, we suggest that we open it up to expressions of
> >>     interest –
> >>      >> but not only from organisations, but also from individuals. That
> >>     allows
> >>      >> involvement of representatives of multistakeholder groups with a
> >>     strong
> >>      >> relationship with civil society (eg IRP). That might be a good
> >>     step, and
> >>      >> to this we could add rotation of members.... or leave such
> >>     questions until
> >>      >> the co ordination group is fully populated.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> That’s the first issue where clarity is needed. But how to
> >>     select....
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 2. SELECTION PROCEDURES (possibly for expanding the co
> >>     ordination group,
> >>      >> but also for any future CS representation).
> >>      >>
> >>      >> We present three different options here.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> OPTION ONE - VOTING
> >>      >>
> >>      >> This works well within one organisation, but is more difficult
> >> with
> >>      >> multi-organisational elections – who is in for voting, who is
> >>     out? And
> >>      >> some of us remember the original ICANN at large elections, where
> >>     suddenly
> >>      >> thousands of people with no previous involvement got involved in
> >>     support
> >>      >> of one candidate who was elected with a large majority. The
> >>     context for us
> >>      >> here is that, without a consolidated  membership list of all our
> >>      >> organisations, this is very open to capture and manipulation.
> >>     And setting
> >>      >> up and maintaining a multi-organisation single voting list is a
> >>     fairly
> >>      >> time consuming administrative task. (and then we need to ask
> >> which
> >>      >> organisations mailing lists and/or membership lists would be
> >>     included)
> >>      >>
> >>      >> So there are a few issues to solve if we take that direction.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> OPTION TWO – RANDOM NOMCOM
> >>      >>
> >>      >> This option has been widely used in IETF and was adopted in the
> >>     Charter of
> >>      >> IGC. We are not aware of anywhere else it is used but there may
> >>     be some
> >>      >> other examples.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> While this form is gospel to some people, others have
> >> reservations.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> Ian Peter writes, as one critic with some experience of this
> >>      >>
> >>      >> “My personal reservations arise from involvement with perhaps 9
> >>     or so
> >>      >> random Nomcoms, with the following results:
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 2 included known trolls.
> >>      >> Only one of 9 had all members active – most worked on the basis
> >>     of only
> >>      >> one or two active members.
> >>      >> One refused to work with the appointed Chair
> >>      >> One had the Chair drop out mid process and ended up with one
> >>     individual
> >>      >> making decisions
> >>      >> Gender and geographic balance are purely left up to chance.”
> >>      >>
> >>      >> To this we would add issues involved with random selection when
> >>      >> factions/different organisations are involved. It is easy in
> >>     this case for
> >>      >> important sections of CS to be left out entirely from
> >> deliberations
> >>      >> because they weren’t randomly selected.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> So some of us caution against use of this form in the context
> >> of a
> >>      >> multi-organisational steering group, arguing that these are
> >>     important
> >>      >> matters of representation best not left to chance.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> OPTION THREE – APPOINTED NOMCOM
> >>      >>
> >>      >> This is the most widely used form and is used by technical
> >>     community,
> >>      >> business community, ICANN, and just about any other organisation
> >>     we can
> >>      >> think of. It’s the safest way, providing that transparent,
> >>     accountable and
> >>      >> inclusive processes are used to select the members of the
> >>     Nomcom. That
> >>      >> would be something the coordination group mentioned above could
> >>     undertake
> >>      >> when in place.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> And I am sure there are other variations. But they need to be
> >>     agreed to
> >>      >> and sorted out.
> >>      >>
> >>      >> CRITERIA
> >>      >>
> >>      >> We also need criteria for selection. Previously we discussed
> >>     these in
> >>      >> terms of determining suitable organisations who would nominate
> >>      >> representatives. But if we are looking at individuals as well,
> >>     they will
> >>      >> need to change. But for reference, the previous discussions left
> >>     these
> >>      >> under consideration
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 1.       Is it a coalition which is globally representative -
> >>     all regions
> >>      >> covered?
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 2. Is it non-commercial and public interest oriented (as
> >> opposed to
> >>      >> business)?
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 3.  Would it more properly fit under technical community,
> >> academic,
> >>      >> business or government in its categorization?
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 4.  Is a large part of this coalition's members already covered
> >>     by one of
> >>      >> the existing  members?
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 5. The internal governance of the coalition is adequately
> >>     transparent and
> >>      >> accountable to its members.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> 6. Does the coalition have a substantial current involvement
> >> in and
> >>      >> knowledge of internet governance issues
> >>      >>
> >>      >> Obviously if individuals are to be considered these have to
> >> change.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> Over to everyone for comments.
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> Ian Peter
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >>
> >>      >> ____________________________________________________________
> >>      >> You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
> >>      >> governance at lists.igcaucus.org
> >> <mailto:governance at lists.igcaucus.org>
> >>      >> To be removed from the list, visit:
> >>      >> http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing
> >>      >>
> >>      >> For all other list information and functions, see:
> >>      >> http://lists.igcaucus.org/info/governance
> >>      >> To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
> >>      >> http://www.igcaucus.org/
> >>      >>
> >>      >> Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t
> >>      >
> >>
> >>     ____________________________________________________________
> >>     You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
> >>     bestbits at lists.bestbits.net <mailto:bestbits at lists.bestbits.net>.
> >>     To unsubscribe or change your settings, visit:
> >>     http://lists.bestbits.net/wws/info/bestbits
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
>      governance at lists.igcaucus.org
> To be removed from the list, visit:
>      http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing
>
> For all other list information and functions, see:
>      http://lists.igcaucus.org/info/governance
> To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
>      http://www.igcaucus.org/
>
> Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.igcaucus.org/pipermail/governance/attachments/20140125/44d5a79a/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
     governance at lists.igcaucus.org
To be removed from the list, visit:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing

For all other list information and functions, see:
     http://lists.igcaucus.org/info/governance
To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/

Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t


More information about the Governance mailing list