[governance] Should the IGF be reformed?

Tue Mar 20 10:20:00 EDT 2018

Anriette,

I can't agree more with your statement.

*Michael L. Ilishebo,*

*Kitwe, Zambia*

*Social Media Handles*

*Twitter: @ilishebo*

*Skype: michael.ilishebo*

*"walk a mile,for a while,with a smile"*

On Tue, Mar 20, 2018 at 3:40 PM, Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette at apc.org>
wrote:

> Dear Ayden
>
> I attach the oral statement deliver by Julian Casasbuenas this morning on
> behalf of the APC. In it we say that the IGF should not be taken for
> granted. It is not perfect, but it is much better than anything else we had
> before and at this point I don't see a substitute. We need to challenge it
> and improve it.
>
> What are the spaces you refer to when you say important, consequential
> discussions are happening elsewhere? And how inclusive are these
> conversations? And how cross-issue (e.g. linking rights, with development,
> trade, education, etc.).
>
> There are other important events, e.g. RightsCon.. but it has its own
> important role to play and is not a substitute for the IGF.
>
> The IGF's link to the UN system and UN resolutions (at the Human Rights
> Council, the General Assembly and so on) remains valuable to those of us
> who try and work with our governments, as well as challenge them. Through
> this link we can make connections with  the SDGs...  you might be skeptical
> about all of these spaces and processes - I am often skeptical myself.. but
> ultimately I think that policy and agreed goals, and the accountability
> they can link to, make a difference.
>
> There is a kind of paradox around the IGF. Who is the  IGF? Is it the MAG,
> a rotating body with a limited mandate, focused on the programme? The
> Secretariat, a small team with a huge operational load and unclear
> political support? Is it UNDESA, the official "home" for the IGF but a body
> that is not actively involved in internet governance?
>
> When you talk about self-awareness, who is the self ? Everyone who
> participates, organise sessions, etc. are also part of the IGF.
>
> One of the IGF's innovations is that it does not have a top down
> institutional structure, but that is also a weakness when it comes to
> changing it.
>
> Nevertheless, I still think that it is a very powerful space, and if we
> lose it (and I am referring to specifically to civil society, with emphasis
> to those of us from the global South) it would leave a gap that will not be
> filled very easily. And considering how many other spaces for civil society
> are closing, I think we should work hard to keep this one open.
>
> I agree with Raul. We still need the IGF.
>
> Best
>
> Anriette
>
>
>
> On 20/03/2018 11:49, Ayden Férdeline wrote:
>
> I take no pleasure entering into this conversation and painting a purely
> negative picture, but I do think the time for saving the IGF has passed.
> I'm not convinced that it can be reformed, though I hope I am wrong,
> because there is definitely a need for an institutional home for
> stakeholders to effectively collaborate upon the development of global
> public policy for the Internet. Civil society aside - I know we engage in
> the IGF - I think other stakeholders have moved on. It is my perception
> that important, consequential discussions are happening elsewhere and
> unlikely to return to the IGF.
>
> I have only attended two IGFs, in Guadalajara and in Geneva, but it has
> been my perception that the IGF has never recognised its own shortcomings
> nor taken steps to address and overcome them. This lack of self-awareness,
> I believe, has hindered its own legitimacy.
>
> If the IGF can be reformed that would be wonderful. We need a venue which
> can credibly generate and communicate policy recommendations. I'm just not
> convinced the IGF is up to the job, be that because of a lack of funding, a
> lack of agility, or another reason altogether.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Ayden Férdeline
> linkedin.com/in/ferdeline <http://www.linkedin.com/in/ferdeline>
>
>
> ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
> On 20 March 2018 9:39 AM, Akinremi Peter Taiwo
> <governance at lists.riseup.net> <governance at lists.riseup.net> wrote:
>
> Thanks for Sharing Arsene. The Internet Governance Forum actually needs to
> be an avenue for concrete outcomes that feed into policies. I think those
> points raised by Raul was part of MAG discussions yesterday at the WSIS
> which I was privileged to attend. But though it goes beyond discussion to
> implementation.
>
> Regards.
> Peter
>
> On Tue, Mar 20, 2018 at 8:39 AM, Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette at apc.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for posting Raul's blog, Arsene. It is very good.
>>
>> Also posting here, in case we forgot to earlier  this year, the link to
>> APC's submission to the  stock taking. We will be reading a short version
>> today.
>>
>> http://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/index.php?q=filedepo
>> t_download/5916/1057
>> The synthesis paper on submissions prepared by the secretariat is here:
>>
>> http://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/index.php?q=filedepo
>> t_download/5915/1068
>>
>> Anriette Esterhuysen
>>
>> APC.org
>>
>>
>>
>> On 20/03/2018 00:12, Raoul Plommer (via governance Mailing List) wrote:
>>
>> I was asking him this as well and I think we'll know the result in the
>> next week. Let's keep each other posted on this. :)
>>
>> -Raoul
>>
>> On 19 March 2018 at 15:37, Arsène Tungali <governance at lists.riseup.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2018/03/lets-reform-igf
>>> -ensure-healthy-future/
>>>
>>>
>>> A blog from Raul (ISOC) about the need to reform the IGF. I know this is
>>> what so many other people believe we should do. Let’s talk about it!
>>>
>>>
>>> Can we discuss what are the changes that we would like to see happen to
>>> make the IGF as strong and powerful as it used to be? As of now, no one
>>> know where the IGF 2018 will take place and we are in March! All i know and
>>> heard from Chengetai is that they have 3 countries in mind but are yet to
>>> decide!
>>>
>>>
>>> Now that the new MAG was announced, what are our expectations of its
>>> members? What do you think of new and past members? What can we expect from
>>> our CS representatives there?
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Arsene
>>> -----------------
>>> Arsène Tungali,
>>> about.me/ArseneTungali
>>> +243 993810967 <+243%20993%20810%20967>
>>> GPG: 523644A0
>>> Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone (excuse typos)
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> *Akinremi Peter Taiwo*
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