----- Original Message -----
From: John R. Gagain Jr. <j.gagain@funglode.org>
To: <bureau@geneva2003.org>
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 4:35 AM
Subject: Report from Content and Themes group
> The following is a report on the work of the civil society Content and
> Themes group since Prepcom 2 (text and RT version).
>
> World Summit on the Information Society
>
> 13 July 2003
> Report on Activities
> WSIS - Civil Society Working Group on Content and Themes
>
> The Content & Themes group (CTG) is the main body created by
> the Civil Society Plenary of WSIS at the first Prepcom to
> bring together the content proposals of civil society
> organizations participating in the WSIS process. The CTG is
> open to all civil society organizations and particularly
> brings together delegates from the different thematic and
> regional caucuses. This document reports on the activities of
> the group since PrepCom-2 and prior to the Intersessional
> Meeting in Paris.
>
> Content production
>
> In response to the Secretariat's request for comments on the
> draft documents by 31 May 2003, the CTG encouraged thematic
> caucuses, regional caucuses and sector-based groupings within
> the CSP to develop their specific responses to the 21 March
> 2003 versions of the Draft Declaration of Principles
> (WSIS/PCIP/DT/1) and Draft Plan of Action (WSIS/PCIP/DT/2).
>
> The Content & Themes Group consulted with the caucuses on the
> possibility of also developing a joint response (in addition
> to the input already provided during Prepcom2). However, the
> civil society entities preferred to submit their proposals
> directly, so that their specific contributions could be
> included in full in the revised Draft Declaration of
> Principles and Plan of Action.
>
> It was agreed to produce a summary of civil society
> priorities for the 15 - 18 July 2003 Intersessional Meeting,
> underlying key issues that are absent or inadequately
> reflected in the WSIS draft documents, and based on the
> proposals of the caucuses and revision of the new reference
> documents. After a wide range of inputs and several rounds
> of consultations, a group document was issued, which was
> circulated for endorsements on July 12. It will be presented
> formally to the Intersessional Meeting, submitted to the
> Secretariat and made available to the public. This document
> is being translated into several languages.
>
> Liaison with the Secretariat and Bureau
>
> In March a report on the CTG activities during Prepcom2 was
> sent to the WSIS Bureau and Secretariat and to the Civil
> Society Bureau and Plenary list.
>
> In June, the Executive Secretariat notified CSP caucuses and
> other entities that WSIS rules of procedure did not allow the
> submission of input directly from non-accredited bodies (e.g.
> the thematic caucuses of civil society). They requested that
> inputs be endorsed by civil society organizations accredited
> to PrepCom-2 and resubmitted. In response to concerns raised
> by CSP caucuses and other entities to this requirement, the
> Content & Themes Group submitted a letter to the Executive
> Secretariat asking that the caucuses be recognized in their
> own right. It was felt that while the group has coordinated
> and submitted input to the Secretariat in the past on behalf
> of the Civil Society Plenary and its Caucuses -- and will
> likely do so when future opportunities exist -- it is
> necessary for caucuses to have the flexibility of submitting
> input directly.
>
> Work spaces
>
> Following PrepCom-2, the Content & Themes group underwent an
> "on-line" reorganization as part of the overall effort by the
> Civil Society Plenary (CSP) at formalizing its structure. The
> included the creation of a Web site and e-mail lists for the
> Content & Themes Group as part of a new domain created by CSP
> (http://www.wsis-cs.org/). The group's Website is
> http://www.wsis-cs.org/content.htm. It's new e-mail list is
> ct@wsis-cs.org.
>
> Subsequently, the Content & Themes Group set up an on-line
> Web portal tool to help manage the drafting of documents by a
> wide range of collaborators, using the BSCW Shared Workspace
> system. This system was put to test, in conjunction with a
> mailing list, by the drafting team that worked on the
> priorities document.
>
> Preparations for the Intersessional Meeting
>
> The CTG has been active in preparing for the Intersessional
> Meeting. In addition to the priorities document, it has put
> forward criteria for assigning speaking spaces at the meeting
> and compiled a list of those who request to speak, exchanged
> ideas on how the caucuses can continue working, requested
> work spaces in Paris, and set up an interim group to
> coordinate the work.
>
>
> Report presented by:
> Sally Burch (ALAI) and William J. McIver Jr. (CPSR)
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Sally Burch - Directora Ejecutiva
> Agencia Latinomericana de Informacion -
> INTERNET: sburch@alainet.org
> Direccion: Casilla 17-12-877, Quito-Ecuador
> Telefono: (593 2) 250 5074 / 222 1570 / 252 8716
> Fax: (593 2) 250 5073 URL: http://alainet.org
> __________________________________________________________
>
>
>
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