[governance] IGF MAG Chair

Sun Jun 30 15:01:51 EDT 2019

There was at least an overture here, couched as a proposed discussion
of process/criteria.  Just nobody piped up for 19 days and just as the
deadline the MAG folks would be meeting was arriving.

Strikes me that there could be value in articulating something like
how word the UN was entering a selection process might have been
divulged to fora and communities where discussion of the selection
could be approached.

The point of this would be less about how this supposedly should have
been done than about having recommendations to incorporate in some
sort of positive statement that could be issued whenever either the
candidates or the selectee are divulged, roughly of the form of "We
the undersigned endorse xx, and offer our criteria for candidates
going forward, as well as channels by which the civil society
constituencies could be engaged."  The second part of that could be
even phrased not so much as a recommendation as an observation: "xx
channels would be suitable for engagement in this process."

Seth

On 6/29/19, Ayden Férdeline <ayden at ferdeline.com> wrote:
> Hi Arsene,
>
> I do appreciate the response. Thanks.
>
> I think you are right to flag the question of legitimacy, and that this
> mailing list is not necessarily representative of the voices of all of civil
> society.
>
> That was why I was wondering how it was that the civil society
> representatives on the MAG did engage with civil society; the consultation
> does not need to happen on this list necessarily, and I would certainly
> understand if it didn't, but I would be curious to better understand how it
> is that you and others obtained inputs from a diverse array of informed and
> relevant stakeholders.
>
> I would suggest that the civil society MAG members have a discussion,
> privately if necessary, to discuss whether they will be sharing with us the
> name of the individual(s) that they have endorsed. I do not understand why
> this would be kept secret. I can understand not sharing the names of all
> considered candidates, and the rationales for endorsing/not endorsing
> someone, but I see no reason not to share the name(s) of those who have
> received an endorsement from those who claim to represent civil society on
> the MAG.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Ayden Férdeline
>
> ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
> On Saturday, 29 June 2019 06:10, Arsène Tungali <arsenebaguma at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> In some circumstances, it is hard to balance confidentiality and
>> openess/transparency, especially when those involved in the process
>> haven’t discussed and agreed upon the level of confidentiality and
>> transparency to consider for such a process. Trying to say something that
>> I hope comes across clearly as i am thinking about it.
>>
>> I am glad that finally this community is discussing this topic but as i
>> think I said, it is too late. When i started this thread, that was the
>> best moment and opportunity for this community to shape the process
>> somehow. One of the things i expected was a good discussion about the
>> ideal candidate in order to help us better carry the responsibility we
>> were given by the Secretariat.
>>
>> We will always complain about CS MAG members not consulting with their
>> group but until we are able to have one voice, in a single platform where
>> these types of communications can happen, the same will remain. I am
>> referring here to the other thread about merging/uniting under one label.
>> I feel connected to this group because i feel like i belong here and it is
>> this group that sent me to the MAG this year, that’s why i am doing my
>> best to keep you in the loop whenever i am able to.
>>
>> But we should remember that not all CS MAG members belong here, that’s why
>> you don’t read them here. Maybe they have another group/community where
>> they feel connected to and where they consult. Many were not selected
>> through the CSCG!
>>
>> Back the discussion re: MAG Chair.
>>
>> As i said, since the level of transparency was not discussed within the CS
>> group on the MAG, i could not share the names of those who showed interest
>> in being considered for the position. I posted on this list when we were
>> tasked to select names and i am sure that’s what triggered those
>> interested to reach out privately either to me or to other CS MAG.
>>
>> Many of those candidates whose profiles were discussed are on this list
>> and i am glad Anriette disclosed herself. And I would encourage the others
>> to say it by themselves.
>>
>> To Ayden’s question: I will personally be comfortable to share the outcome
>> of our discussions and deliberations once the process has officially ended
>> and i even tend to think i should wait until the name of the selected had
>> been published by the UN.
>>
>> My colleague Helany or anyone else can decide to proceed differently,
>> again, it will be their choice since nothing was agreed upfront on
>> disclosure. Sorry for making it feel like MAG members are that powerful :)
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Arsene
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On 28 Jun 2019, at 17:21, Ayden Férdeline <ayden at ferdeline.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Arsene,
>>>
>>> Can you please advise what name it is that you put forward?
>>>
>>> I apologise, I must have missed the consultation with civil society here
>>> - I have been a bit behind on reading emails lately.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Ayden Férdeline
>>>
>>> ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
>>> On Friday, 28 June 2019 12:07, Arsène Tungali
>>> <governance at lists.riseup.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> It would have been through MAG members but it is too late at this stage
>>>> as many have already made their minds on the candidate per stakeholder
>>>> group. For CS, we have made our mind on one name that was communicated
>>>> to the Secretariat.
>>>>
>>>> My apologies for brievity and typo, boarding a flight now
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On 28 Jun 2019, at 12:04, Fouad Bajwa <fouadbajwa at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Is there a particular announcement against which one can send name
>>>>> suggestions?
>>>>>
>>>>> Best
>>>>>
>>>>> Fouad
>>>>>
>>>>> On Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 11:59 AM Arsène Tungali
>>>>> <governance at lists.riseup.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> MAG Chair selection has always been the responsibility of the UN,
>>>>>> through the UNDESA as far as i know. This year, MAG members have been
>>>>>> asked to discuss and suggest names. There is no point for this to go
>>>>>> through any formal CS consultation
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 28 Jun 2019, at 11:52, Sheetal Kumar <sheetal at gp-digital.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dear Helani, Arsene, all
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for sharing this information. Is there any information on the
>>>>>>> process for selection? Is there a timeline in mind? We could request
>>>>>>> CSCG to run this,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Fri, 28 Jun 2019 at 10:27, Helani Galpaya <helani at lirneasia.net>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dear Aresene and others:
>>>>>>>> Where is the discussion and nomination process taking place for the
>>>>>>>> Civil Society nomination(s) for MAG chair?
>>>>>>>> I mean in which list?
>>>>>>>> Apologies if these questions were answered elsewhere and I'm just
>>>>>>>> not seeing it.
>>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>> Helani
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Helani Galpaya
>>>>>>>> LIRNEasia
>>>>>>>> www.lirneasia.net
>>>>>>>> +94 77 3600 766 (m-LK); +44 7415 865222 (m-UK)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Sun, Jun 9, 2019 at 7:39 PM Arsène Tungali
>>>>>>>> <governance at lists.riseup.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dear all,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> As you know, the current MAG Chair is Lynn St Amour, she is ending
>>>>>>>>> her term this year!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> There is a need to have another chair starting right after IGF
>>>>>>>>> Berlin. Was wondering, maybe we need to discuss the profile of a
>>>>>>>>> good MAG Chair?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Though we will not choose on this list, but wanted to share that
>>>>>>>>> consultations are going on within different stakeholder groups
>>>>>>>>> within the MAG, each one of them being asked to suggest a name (s)
>>>>>>>>> to the IGF Secretariat.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Just throwing this out here.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Arsene
>>>>>>>>> ---
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>>>>>>>>> List help: <https://riseup.net/lists>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ---
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sheetal Kumar
>>>>>>> Programme Lead | GLOBAL PARTNERS DIGITAL
>>>>>>> Second Home, 68-80 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5JL
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> ---
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>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Regards.
>>>>> --------------------------
>>>>> Fouad Bajwa
>>>>> Public Policy Analyst
>>>>> Follow my Tweets: http://twitter.com/fouadbajwa
>>>>> My Blog: Internet's Governance:
>>>>> http://internetsgovernance.blogspot.com/