[Kictanet] KICTANet @ WSIS (feedback needed)

[John Walubengo]

Internet Governance (IG) Issues are quite broad and diverse (ref Diplo Foundation, http://www.diplomacy.edu/).  However here is some that I picked up and thought would be relevant to Kenyans.  

1. Infrastructure:
a) Is the fact the US continues to reserve the sole right over the DNS, Root Server system (un)favourable to Kenya?
b) Is the fact that key (Internet eXchange Points, IXPs) are geographically located in the US   (un)favourable to Kenya?
c) What is our take on IP Number distribution- particularly with regard to IP ver 6, the next generation platform?

2. Legal:
a) What are the current cyber laws accross the globe and how would they affect Kenya if adopted as the standard?
b) What constitutes cyber-crime and who has the jurisdiction over the offendor, who and how does the victim get compensated?
c) To what extend are governments allowed to access citizen's data (email, financial,medical, and other records?)

3) Economic:
a) With regard to ecommerce, how will governements collect tax, should they?
b) Should eTax be payable at source (producer) or destination (consumer) leve
c) What about Patents (particularly on Software); Is the IP (Intellectual Property) Right skewed to favour developed nations?
d) What is the Kenyan position on Open Source Software?

4) Social-Cultural
a) Is eLearning as provided by developed countries and consumed by students in the developing nations robbing us of our Identity?
b) Is the internet too 'English'? Are indigenious languages endangered as more people  move online and find no footprint of e.g 'Kiswahili'?
c) Should the Internet be considered a Public good - on the same level as International Waterways, Air, etc.

What is the KICTAnet view on these (and other) issues?

walu.

   

>>> "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina at madeinkenya.org> 11/08/05 08:29pm >>>
*** This is a draft version. Kindly provide feedback where appropriate.  ***

============
KICTANet @ WSIS
============

OBJECTIVES
1. Identify and circulate position of KICTANet on issues before WSIS in Tunis.
2. Identify KICTANet participants and work as a team to enhance their participation at WSIS in Tunis.

1. KICTANet position in Tunis.
[ ISSUES]
a)  Internet governance
b)  Post Tunis Follow, implementation & Financing mechanisms
 

2. KICTANet TEAM @ Tunis (so far)
a) Bill Kagai - FOSSFA
b) Waudo Siganga - WGIG/CSK 
c) James Nguo - ALIN-EA
d) Lizette Kraft - IDRC?
e) Florence Etta - WSIS Gender Caucus
f)  Alari Alare - The Standard
g) Constance Khaendi - WSIS Youth Kenya
h) ????? please provide more names.

3. ACTIVITIES FOR KENYAN TEAM IN TUNIS
a) Kenya Pavilion where many government-related entities will be exhibiting
b) Engagement with government delegation (see list below) and strengthen "Kenya at WSIS" through a meeting of all Kenyan participants.
c) Possible meeting of KICTANet team in Tunis (need to facilitate)
d) Launch of the book "Developing Connections: " by IISD.
e) Distribution of materials (see: Guidelines for the distribution of publications, documents, and any other printed materials on the premises of the Summit - on http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/tunis/adm/4.html )


4. REFERENCE MATERIAL
- OVERVIEW OF ISSUES FOR PHASE TWO OF THE WSIS: Tunis phase of WSIS
Source: CCK website - http://www.cck.go.ke/html/child.asp?childcontid=135&childtitle=wsis_process&contcatid=12 

EVENTS
- 13-15 November 2005, Tunis: The Resumed PrepCom-3 : To discuss pending issues including  

-  16 to 18 November 2005, Tunis: The Summit

- PARALLEL Events (Visit http://www.itu.int/wsis/tunis/events/index.html )

- SIDE Events (Visit http://www.itu.int/wsis/tunis/events/side.html for details)


Regards,

-
Wainaina Mungai
http://www.madeinkenya.org 

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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