Dear PatchA
We would like to endorse the letter. Please add Campaign for Popular
Media Reform to the list.
Cheers,
Ubonrat
----- Original Message -----
From: "PatchA" <patcha@patcha.jinbo.net>
To: <communication@wsisasia.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 11:52 AM
Subject: [communication 704] Letter to Secretariat from Korean Civil Society
Network for WSIS
> Dear all,
>
> Recently, we, Korean Civil Society Network for WSIS,
> discussed the important affairs related to the accreditation
> and observers' status in the official process of WSIS.
> And we sent our requests to the executive secretariat of WSIS.
> The letter is below. (I attach the MS file also)
>
> And we are now gathering endorsement to the requests letter
> from other civil society entities. If you want to join, please let me
know.
> and also if you have any comments, please let me know.
>
> Thanks and Warm Regards,
> PatchA
>
> International Coordinator
> Korean Progressive Network, Jinbonet
> http://www.jinbo.net
> patcha@patcha.jinbo.net
> Tel) +82-2-7744-551
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> To Executive Secretariat (wsis.csd@ties.itu.int)
> World Summit on the Information Society
> International Telecommunication Union
> Place des Nations
> 1211 Geneva 20
> Switzerland
>
> Dear Executive Secretariat for WSIS,
>
> We, Korean Civil Society Network for WSIS (KCSN), thank the executive
secretariat¨s efforts for WSIS. KCSN was launched in May, 2003 and
seventeen civil society organizations including Korean Progressive Network
(Jinbonet), PeaceNet, Labor News Production, Korean Federation for
Environment Movement, Korean Labor Net, People¨s Solidarity for the
Participatory Democracy, IPLeft, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions,
Korean Christian Network, Media Center, Civil Network for Cultural Reform,
Korea Women¨s Association United Citizens¨ Action Network, Korea
Contingent Workers Center, Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity, Research
Institute for the Disables' Rights and Interest, and Kangwon Branch of the
Korean People's Artists Federation have participated in KCSN.
>
> KCSN would like to propose the important amendments on the accreditation
and observers' status in the official process of WSIS, based on the
discussion and evaluation by the participating organizations and individuals
in KCSN. The detailed proposal is as follows.
>
> 1. Accreditation process
> WSIS secretariat announced that all of the civil society entities and NGOs
should get the accreditation in order to join the official process of WSIS.
The secretariat requests at least three materials for the accreditation --
annual report (2001 and 2002), financial report (2001 and 2002) and
constitutional status document. But, lots of civil society entities have
already been doing many activities for WSIS without any legitimated
accreditation. And civil society division of executive secretariat for WSIS
announced that it decided to gather the information regarding the national
initiatives that are developing around the summit in each county.
>
> Civil society organizations and NGOs have usually made coalition, caucus,
committee or network for WSIS and already carried out many activities at
national, regional and international levels.
>
> But now there is very serious problem to the accreditation process. If any
civil society entities including organization, network, caucus, and
committee don¨t get the accreditation, they cannot join the official
process of WSIS, however they should be considered as one of the most
important and active constituencies for WSIS, and can provide significant
contribution to the declaration and action plans for WSIS.
>
> Especially, anyone from newly launched organization, network, caucus, and
committee after 2002 cannot fundamentally take part in the official process
because of the accreditation. For example, Korean civil society network for
WSIS was launched in May 2003, and has organized many activities for WSIS at
national and regional levels. But this network has no documents which WSIS
secretariat requested for the accreditation. And many civil societies in
other countries are facing similar problems like us.
>
> Korean civil society network for WSIS requests that the accreditation
process should be modified to a new one based on more open, democratic and
transparent rules of procedure. As there are already many accredited
organizations and entities. We propose that the accredited organizations and
entities can recommend other non-accredited organizations and entities to
join the official process of WSIS, instead of the existing accreditation
process. The detailed process of alternative can be as follows.
>
> a. The WSIS secretariat receives the recommendation from accredited
organization.
> b. The WSIS secretariat announces it on the website for certain period
(about one week)
> c. On the condition that there is no objection of the recommendation, the
recommended organizations or entities will be considered to get the
accreditation, with the announcement by WSIS secretariat.
> d. If there is any objection, then there will be direct discussion with
the accredited organizations or entities, which recommended others, and
decide. (Detailed regulations on conflict resolution process should be made)
>
> 2. Observers' status
> Observers' status including civil society is very vague and mostly unfair
compared than the government status in the WSIS process. The UN announced,
"In Resolution 56/183 the General Assembly also encouraged contributions
from all relevant UN bodies and other intergovernmental organizations,
including international and regional institutions, non-governmental
organizations, civil society and the private sector to actively participate
in the intergovernmental preparatory process of the Summit and the Summit
itself." And It adds, "It (WSIS) aims to bring together Heads of State,
Executive Heads of United Nations agencies, industry leaders,
non-governmental organizations, media representatives and civil society in a
single high-level event. The roles of the various partners (Member States,
UN specialized agencies, private sector and civil society) in ensuring
smooth coordination of the practical establishment of the information
society around the globe will also be at the heart of the Summit and its
preparation."
>
> However, observers¨ participation in the official process of WSIS has
been varied and limited. Back in the situation to the PrepCom II, civil
society could speak only thirty minutes total in official meeting for two
weeks.
>
> Although the UN emphasizes that all the key stakeholders' participation
including government, private sector and civil society is very important in
this WSIS process, in reality, observers activities are very limited even to
speak their attitude and opinions.
>
> Korean civil society network for WSIS requests that fair status of
observers in the WSIS process should be guaranteed in every step and
process. At least, observers should be able to speak their opinion in the
equal position of the governments.
>
> Korean civil society network for WSIS honestly requests these two affairs
which we assume are critical factors for democratizing the process.
>
> Hope to hear you soonest.
>
> Sincerely yours,
>
> PatchA
> International Coordinator
> Korean Civil Society Network for WSIS.
> http://www.wsis.or.kr
>