[Kictanet] Fwd: [gc-steering] FYI - WSIS Prepcom3 September 19 - 30th
Florence Etta
Fetta at idrc.or.ke
Fri Aug 26 18:59:29 EAT 2005
> FYI
>
>
>What will happen during the PrepCom?
>
>
>Two documents will be negotiated during PrepCom III and taken to Tunis:
>
>
>
> Political Chapeau (Tunis Commitment)
> 'Operational Part' (Tunis Agenda for Action)
> In addition, a supporting document, the stocktaking report, will be
>presented, which summarises the ITU led stocktaking exercise.
>
>- Attempts to assess the likelihood of achieving the WSIS
>objectives by 2015
>
>- Includes a section on existing indicators, and indicators
>that are being developed, to assist in the mapping in b)
>
>
>
>Section 4 gives more information about the documents and how they
>relate to one another
>
>
>2. How will these documents be negotiated?
>
>a. In writing prior to PrepCom:
>
>
>- Contributions can be sent to the Secretariat according to
>various timelines.
>
>- all deadlines for submission of written material in
>relation to Internet Governance and Financing are now closed
>
>- written contributions in relation to the Political Chapeau
>and Chapters 1 and 4 of the 'Operational Part' may still be submitted
>via government delegations, or, possibly, direct to the President of
>Prepcom as Chair of the Group of the Friends of the Chair (this would
>need to be checked but please see below on the meetings of the GFC)
>
>
>b. Contributing to the final meetings of the Group of the Friends of the Chair
>
>
>The Group of the Friends of the Chair will meet twice again before
>PrepCom on Sep 5th and 6th, and on Sep 7th if needed. The GFC is only
>open to governments, with Business and Civil Society allowed in at the
>discretion of the Chair. If Civil Society advocates wish to influence
>the drafting at this stage, it would be advisable to:
>
>- contact your Civil Society Bureau members and/or CONGO
>representatives with texts you wish to include
>
>- try to get someone who is Geneva Based to attend the meeting
>
>- contact your government delegation and try to include text via them
>
>
>c. During PrepCom
>
>
>Via Sub-Committee
>
>Various documents, and parts of the documents, will be negotiated in
>Sub-Committee. There are two sub-committees.
>
>
>
>Sub-Committee A: deals with Internet Governance (Chapter 3 of the
>Operational part of the document), This Sub-committee is chaired by
>the Government of Pakistan. This committee will meet daily, from
>10:00-13:00, excepting Sep 10 and Sep 30 when there will be full
>plenaries.
>
>
>
>Sub-Committee B: deals with the Political Chapeau and Chapters 1
>(implementation all text), 2 (Financing Mechanisms bracketed text)
>and 4 (follow up all text) of the Operational part of the document.
>This Sub-Committee is chaired by the President of the Prepcom. This
>committee will meet daily, from 15:00-18:00, excepting Sep 10 and Sep
>30 when there will be full plenaries.
>
>
> 3. Civil Society Access to Sub-Committee, governments and drafting groups
>
>
>
>
>a. Oral interventions: Access to sub-committee is according to the UN
>WSIS 'Rules of Procedure'. These rules allow for approximately 45-60
>minutes oral intervention throughout each of the Sub-committees. This
>amounts to approximately 15-20 minutes per day for Civil Society.
>
>
>
>b. Monitoring sub-committee: Identify people who can work on a
>rotation to monitor and take notes during sub-committee. This is a
>very good way to get a sense of where government positions are, who
>are you allies, who are not, and who you can lobby. Monitoring
>sub-committee often means sitting in sessions for long periods of
>time, often well into the evening
>
>
>
>c. One to one lobbying: it is often more effective to identify
>sympathetic government delegates that you can lobby with your specific
>issues and recommendations. As noted above, you can often determine
>who those delegates are by monitoring sub-committee. The best way
>however, is to establish relations with your government delegation
>prior to PrepCom
>
>
>
>d. Organising meetings with your government counterparts: This can be
>a very effective way of building relationships with your government
>delegation, which can allow you to lobby more effectively. Try to
>organize this ahead of PrepCom and, as early during the 2 week period
>as possible.
>
>
>
>e. Drafting groups: Small drafting groups are normally formed early
>into PrepCom, who have the task of preparing draft texts for
>negotiation. It is very important to know who is on these drafting
>groups, and if possible, develop personal relationships with members,
>or is possible, the Chair of the drafting group.
>
>
>4. Civil Society Spaces and Orientation
>
>a. Civil Society Orientation
>
>
>CONGO will organize an orientation day on September 18th. It is well
>worth ensuring you have some delegates present for this, who can
>report back to your caucus or working group. The session will give an
>overview of how PrepCom will work, when meetings will take place, the
>rules of procedure, the status of documents and orientation of the
>issues being discussed.
>
>
>b. Civil Society Plenary
>
>
>Civil Society plenary will meet every morning, normally from around
>08:30 until 10:00 when plenary/sub-committee begins. It is a space for
>all working groups and caucuses to report back on issues, meetings,
>and other points they feel important. It can also be a space for
>indicating interest in speaking slots, but the actual slots are
>negotiated during the evening meetings of the Content and themes
>Group.
>
>
>c. Civil Society Content and Themes Group
>
>
>The Civil Society Content and Themes group is the body that identifies
>speakers and slots for sub-committee (and plenary). As there is such
>little time, it is often advisable to try to identify sympathetic
>caucuses who can collectively speak on similar issues. It normally
>meets from about 16:30 to 18:00 in the evenings.
>
>
>
>In terms of preparation, it is worth thinking about interventions
>before PrepCom, and even preparing short, ½ page statements that can
>be ready as drafts, when speaking slots are discussed. 300-500 words
>is usually the maximum you can expect to read as an oral intervention
>during sub-committee or plenary.
>
>
>d. Civil Society Working Groups and Caucuses
>
>
>Several caucuses and working groups will be active during PrepCom III,
>but, it is highly likely that much energy will be focused around the
>Internet Governance Caucus considering the heavy emphasis on Internet
>Governance during this PrepCom.
>
>
>e. About the Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus
>
>
>The caucus was formed during WSIS PrepCom2, February 2003 to provide
>civil society with expert opinion on issues around Internet
>governance, and to present civil society's views on Internet
>governance in WSIS. It is a means by which any interested organization
>or individual from civil society is able to contribute and
>participate. It provides a regular communication channel with other
>civil society caucuses and working groups and with the Civil Society
>Plenary. The Internet Governance Caucus is one of 29 such working
>groups established during the preparatory process of WSIS to provide
>civil society as a whole with expert advice on specific thematic
>issues.
>
>
>
>The caucus works mainly online. It uses a mailing list with over 250
>members, many from CS organizations accredited to WSIS. The Caucus
>made substantive written and spoken plenary contributions to the
>debate of Internet governance to the Summit in Geneva, and has been
>active in discussion in the WSIS Tunis phase.
>
>
>
>Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus meetings
>
>
>
>This caucus is likely to meet quite regularly during PrepCom though
>the exact times are not fixed yet. It is highly recommended that
>meetings can be attended by at least one representative who can report
>on the African CS positions on IG, and be updated on the status of the
>documents, interventions, key lobbying points etc,
>
>
>
>It is also important for all caucuses and working groups to be
>familiar with the position of the Internet Governance Caucus and be
>prepared either to:
>
>
>
>- support the work of the caucus where there is convergence
>
>- identify areas/issues where there is lack of convergence
>and inform the caucus of these differences (or gaps), It may well be
>that the IG caucus can incorporate these perspectives and provide a
>broad based platform for civil society around this issue.
>
>
>
>Considering the small amount of time Civil Society will have during
>PrepCom to make interventions, the more consensus we have, and more
>unified our voice, the more impact we can make.
>
>Nonetheless, this should not prevent any caucus from indicating
>interest in taking up independent speaking slots as civil society has
>a very broad and diverse range of positions and perspectives.
>
>
>f. Side-events
>
>
>There will be several side events focusing on internet governance and
>other issues such as Human Rights and Privacy and Security. Organising
>a side-event is a good way to present your perspectives, activities,
>priorities to a broader audience.
>
>
>
>"If you wish to reserve a room at the Palais des Nations for a
>parallel event or meeting, please fill in the attached request form
>and send it to CONGO office at wsis at ngocongo.org or by fax at +41
>(0)22 301 2000 (as soon as possible and before 7 September 2005).
>Requests will be processed on a "first come, first serve" basis. "
>
>
>
>
>5. Further information on the documents for PrepCom III and how they
>relate to one another?
>
>a. The Political Chapeau
>
>
>The Political chapeau is largely one of stated values, principles,
>objectives. In some ways, it is the counterpart to the Geneva
>Declaration. It aims to:
>
>
>
>- affirm the Geneva Documents
>
>- link WSIS, ICTS for Development with Poverty eradication
>and the MDGs and Declaration
>
>- note the unresolved issues of Financing Mechanisms and
>Internet Governance express commitment to redressing the 'digital
>divide' and the promotion of universal, equitable and affordable
>access
>
>- show special attention to the needs of women, youth,
>migrants, disabled excluded communities
>
>- note the importance of partnerships, follow-up etc..
>
>
>
>It has been widely commented on by all stakeholders, including
>comments from the following groups from Civil Society:
>
>- WSIS Gender Caucus, DAWN, AMARC Africa, IT for change (as one)
>
>- Cultural Diversity Working Group of Civil society
>
>- Association for Progressive Communications, Bread for All,
>CRIS, Instituto del Tercer Mundo, IT for change and Gender Caucus
>the 'informal financing coalition; (as one)
>
>
>
>And the following African Governments:
>
>- Ghana (independently and on behalf of the Group of African
>countries), Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria
>
>- Algeria, Morocco (with Saudi Arabia)
>
>
>b. The 'Operational Part'
>
>
>The 'operational Part' is in some ways the counterpart to the Geneva
>Plan Of Action a document that affirms a movement from 'principle to
>action'. It is in 4 sections:
>
>
>
>Operational part Chapter 1: Implementation Mechanisms
>
>
>
>This chapter
>
>- acknowledges ongoing work at national, regional and global levels
>
>- encourages existing and new partnerships and cooperation in
>implementing the Geneva Action plan
>
>- expresses commitment to achieving the WSIS indicative
>targets (those we expect to achieve by 2015)
>
>- advocates mainstreaming of ICT strategies into broader
>development strategies (1 - see below)
>
>- calls for international, regional and national evaluation
>and benchmarking (indicators) (2 - see below)
>
>- notes the importance of involving all stakeholders (3 see below)
>
>- calls for stakeholders to continue adding to the ITU
>stocktaking database
>
>- calls for a follow-up implementation mechanism (4 see below)
>
>
>
>Operational part Chapter 2: Financing Mechanisms
>
>The following issues on financial mechanisms for ICTD have not been
>agreed and are bracketed in the text on Chapter 2:
>
>- the question of a Virtual Finance Facility;
>- the question of a rapid response policy support mechanism;
>- Free and Open Source Software.
>
>African civil society needs to consider whether to advocate around
>these issues in the inter-governmental discussion on financial
>mechanisms.
>
>The argument for a Virtual Financing Facility is to have some form of
>co-ordination of existing financial mechanisms and the dissemination
>of information on how to access them. This is different from the DSF
>which is a new financial mechanism.
>
>The argument for a rapid response policy support mechanism is to
>provide an alternative source of ICT policy information and advice to
>developing countries that is different from the policy advice offered
>by the World Bank that is tied to its loan agreements.
>
>On FOSS there are three positions in Chapter 2. Only one of them
>clearly supports FOSS.
>
>
>
>Operational part Chapter 3: Internet Governance
>
>This chapter is currently empty. It is likely that a draft text will
>be prepared between now and PrepCom III for negotiation
>
>
>
>Operational part Chapter 4: Follow-up
>
>This is really a bureaucratic text, outlining needs to inform the UN
>Sec General of WSIS outcomes etc.
>
>
>c: The Stocktaking report
>
>
>The Stocktaking report provides a 'snapshot' of what has been
>accomplished by all stakeholders, at all levels, in relation to the
>Geneva Action Plan and would seem to provide additional/backup
>information for Chapter One of the Operational Document
>(implementation mechanisms).
>
>
>
>It assess the likelihood of achieving the WSIS indicative targets by
>2015, which partnerships are contributing most towards achieving these
>aims, and what indicators are being developed to assess/map
>achievement by 2015.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>The table below outlines each document, lobbying tips and strategies
>and when texts will be negotiated during PrepCom III.
>
>
>TABLE: Summary of Documents for PrepCom III, who/when text will be
>negotiated and suggested Lobbying points/strategies
>
>
>Document
>
>Lobbying points/strategies
>
>Text drafted by/negotiated by/when
>
>Political Chapeau
>
>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1516|0
>
>
>
>It is important to ensure that gains made with the WSIS Geneva
>Declaration are not 'overturned' in the Tunis political declaration.
>Recall the key issues from the first phase e.g. Human Rights,
>People-Centred, cultural and linguistics diversity, media pluralism,
>'digital divide' etc
>
>it would be worth noting the contributions of Civil Society to see
>whether these can be more broadly supported
>
>it would also be worth noting the African Government contributions to
>see which can and cannot be supported eg Ghana recommends stronger
>gender language
>
>Alternatively, it may be worth thinking about a different strategy
>altogether, recalling the civil society visionary declaration from
>Phase I and promoting that
>
>
>
>Drafts of the Political Chapeau have been developed by the 'Group of
>the Friends of the Chair'. The entire text will be negotiated during
>PrepCom III.
>
>
>
>The text will be discussed in Sub-Committee B every afternoon
>September 20/21/22/23 and 26/27/28/29
>
>Operational Part: Chapter 1 Implementation Mechanisms
>
>
>
>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1618|0
>
>
>
>Drafts of Chapters 1 and 4 of the Operational Part have been developed
>by the Group of the Friends of the Chair. The entire text will be
>negotiated during PrepCom III
>
>As with the political chapeau:
>
>
>
>note African Government contributions to see which can and cannot be
>supported it would be
>
>note contributions of Civil Society to see whether these can be more
>broadly supported
>
>1 - language on mainstreaming (paras 6a-6g) has been proposed by Ghana
>(for group of African Countries, Informal Coalition on Financing (CS),
>WSIS gender caucus, WSIS Youth caucus)
>
>2 - language on indicators (para 7) has been proposed by Civil
>SOciety groups, gender caucus, youth and human rights caucus
>
>3 much work has been done calling for the meaningful participation
>of all stakeholders, in particular, those from civil society and
>developing countries (para 8)
>
>4 the follow up mechanism is an important issue (paras 10, 11 and
>many proposed tables of organizational responsibility) with many UN
>agencies (global and regional) proposing roles for themselves in post
>WSIS implementation. Factors to consider would include how WSIS follow
>up mechanisms would work with other follow up mechanisms, such as
>outcomes of the Internet Governance process (the proposal for the
>Forum), the proposed Global Alliance (evolution of the UN ICT Task
>Force) etc
>
>Drafts of Chapters 1 and 4 of the Operational Document have been
>developed by the 'Group of the Friends of the Chair'. The entire text
>will be negotiated during PrepCom III.
>
>
>
>The text will be discussed in Sub-Committee B every afternoon
>September 20/21/22/23 and 26/27/28/29
>
>Operational Part: Chapter 2 Financing Mechanisms
>
>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1520|0
>
>
>
>The text for Chapter 2 was negotiated during PrepCom II and goes to
>Prepcom III unchanged (that is, there have been no developments
>since).
>
>
>
>Additional information about the text which remains bracketed (and
>hence will be negotiated during PrepCom III) will be discussed during
>the online discussion.
>
>
>
>Bracketed text of Chapter 2 will be negotiated during PrepCom III.
>
>
>
>The text will be discussed in Sub-Committee B, every afternoon
>September 20/21/22/23 and 26/27/28/29
>
>Operational Part: Chapter 3 Internet Governance
>
>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1695|0
>
>
>
>The text for Chapter 3 is currently empty. It is likely that a draft
>text will be developed between now and PrepCom III, based on the WGIG
>report and the responses received during the open consultation period.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Text will be drafted and negotiated during PrepCom III.
>
>
>
>The text will be discussed in Sub-Committee A, Chaired by the
>Government of Pakistan, every morning September 20/21/22/23 and
>26/27/28/29
>
>Operational Part: Chapter 4 Follow up
>
>
>
>Drafts of Chapters 1 and 4 of the Operational Document have been
>developed by the 'Group of the Friends of the Chair'. The entire text
>will be negotiated during PrepCom III.
>
>
>
>The text will be discussed in Sub-Committee B every afternoon
>September 20/21/22/23 and 26/27/28/29
>
>Stocktaking report
>
>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1665|0
>
>No negotiation, just a report.
>
>
>
>Thanks to Karen Banks of the APC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Titi Akinsanmi
>
>www.pin.itgo.com www.ycdo.net
>
>www.schoolnetafrica.net www.globalteenager.org
>
>IMPACT YOUR GENERATION!!!
>
>
>
>
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