Dear friends
After "decompressing" after PrepCom2, and catching up on work here, I write
on a few initial things occasioned by a follow-up letter sent to me by the
CS Secretariat. (See below.) Angela and I probably recieved this together,
as we are the contact persons of the Asian CSO caucus cum "family" in
PrepCom2. It was sent by Alain Clerc and Louise Lassonde, through their
assistant Liliane, as their "post PrepCom2" message/reminder.
So some PrepCom2 reports. (I was only involved in the week one
discussions--till up to the morning meetings of 23 February--before we
transitioned to Angela Kuga Thas of KHRYSS-Malaysia/APC-WNSP as our rep
there. I am sure others can give a few updates also soon.)
Up to the time I was there, we took the lead in a drafting group to pin down
the "terms of reference" for the bureau, which they refer to in the attached
note. I still have to see how much it was changed from my original draft.
But we tried our hardest to put down in writing all our concerns for
transparency, participation, efficiency, and open-endedness.
We had also expressed our interest in contributing to a still to be convened
Finance group (Adam was one of our volunteers here), as well as to the
envisioned Information/Outreach Group--both of these were still being
organized at the time. Amir, our new colleague from Iran, was already
participating in the Liaison team with the Content and Themes group (which
were being supported by Angela and I don't know how Week 2 eventually shaped
the External Liaison functions of the CSB (i.e, liaison with SubComm2, the
Plenary, the INtergovernmental Bureau, etc.). Patcha and a few others were
involved in the Content group as well. (If I missed some names, please just
fill in.)
Angela will have the latest updates on this starting from the 5 pm CSB
meeting of 23 Feb. I hope all of us there in Geneva can contribute to a
(semi) formal report to this list on what happened in PrepCom2, our
participation, and our gains/accomplishments...
When we were nominated to be reps to the CS Bureau, it was on the
understanding that the CSB was an evolving structure--there were still a lot
of doubts about it in the early days of PrepCom2--and that we would try to
influence its nature and functioning. From day one, I think we did exactly
that. It will be more of a challenge now, between PrepCom2 and 3, especially
as we are not physically in Geneva.
PICKING A REPRESENTATIVE:
What I would like to consult now is a matter of our (Asia-Pacific CSOs)
representation to the Bureau post PrepCom2. My understanding is our (myself
and Angela, as rep and alternate respectively) participation was only for
PrepCom2. Therefore business matters like the ones referred to in the letter
below should be discussed under the lead of whoever this group picks as its
actual CSB rep/alternate. (Or steering committee?)
Therefore, people on this list should speak up on who you want to represent
the Asian CSO "family" in the subsequent work and discussions of the CSB.
***I suggest an informal nomination process be started now, and a referendum
be conducted so whoever is picked is assured of some level of support backed
up by a satisfactory and reasonably transparent selection process.***
I leave to other colleagues who were in Geneva to answer any clarifications
others may have on this matter: Patcha, Bob SAgun, Bobby Garcia, YJ, Oh,
Adam, Izumi, Angela, RAijeli, Lee, etc. Please amplify on this if needed and
start the ball rolling with nominations.
(* On a personal note: I have been playing a convening/facilitating role for
Asian CSOs since PrepCom1 and the Bangkok meetings, even all throughout the
Tokyo Regional and Geneva P2 meetings. It increasingly is a role that I do
not relish, what with the inherent difficulties of balancing diverse
interests (and personalities) and the exhausting requirement to exhibit
patience in the face of sometimes frustrating circumstances :-). Though I am
personally committed to see the WSIS processes through (and my
organization/s FMA and APC are also organizationally committed as well) I am
sure there are other people who want to take my place and can do so easily.
So please think of the best person to lead this group, and please do not
assume that because I had played part of this role before, that it has to be
me.)
On that note, I am requesting Angela to give as well her updates especially
on week 2 (of course all the other people there are also encouraged to post
final reports, etc.). This report may help us figure out what type of
leadership we need at the moment...
Then, as this mailing list is an unmoderated one, I assume the discussions
will be self-propelling, and certain people will just take the lead when any
lead has to be taken.
Thanks.
Al
P.S. This note is sent with a fervent prayer for all of us grappling with a
global situation in flux. There have been some terrorist bombings recently
in a southern city in Mindanao here, with 20 dead and more than a hundred
injured, and we also appeal for your prayers...
PEACE.
----- Original Message -----
From: Liliane Ursache <liliane.ursache@ties.itu.int>
To: <alalegre@fma.ph>
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 11:57 PM
Subject: follow-up Prepcom 2
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Civil Society Division /WSIS ES, we would like to thank you
for your participation in the Prepcom 2. Thanks to your efforts, a Civil
Society Bureau is now established and operational. This
development opens important new opportunities for civil society
participation in the WSIS process.
In the following weeks we will be working closely together to strengthen the
CS Bureau and ensure that civil society at large can benefit from these
opportunities. Concretely, we shall maintain regular exchange of
information and, as discussed during Prepcom 2, we will follow-up on issues
of immediate concern:
1. The Terms of Reference of the Civil Society Bureau have been posted on
the www.geneva2003.org web site. Please check the site and send us your
comments and suggestions for improvement.
Suggestions will be forwarded to the Task Group on information and outreach;
2. To improve the understanding of the CS Bureau, kindly send us a short
description of your respective family (if not yet done);
3. Any ideas on how you plan to communicate with organizations within your
respective families are most welcome. Please send us the lists of the main
networks and organizations composing your family if
you wish to add them to our discussions lists;
4. As planning for Summit events will start shortly, we would be grateful if
you could identify and forward to us event proposals from your respective
family. As many different families may be interested in the
same theme, events must be theme-oriented We remain at your disposal to
discuss any such proposals and ensure their coordination at the Summit;
5. Inter-sessional modalities are still being discussed in the Executive
Secretariat and with the Chairperson of Sub-committee 2 Working Group on
content and themes. As soon as these will be established,
we will send an announcement to all civil society entities (no later than 15
March);
6. The Report of last CS Bureau meetings is being compiled at the moment.
We will send this as soon as available (by mid next week at the latest).
We hope that this short reminder proves useful. Please do not hesitate to
contact us for any further questions.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Alain, Louise, Liliane
CSD /WSIS ES