Where we are in WSIS?
I think this is general question for most subscribers. Even for those who=
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attended to PrepCom III last month, this question could be fuzzy. Now, I=20
think it is just time for review what has been done up to now and what is=
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to be done particularly for Asian civil society group. I want to say my=20
thinking briefly. If there are some misunderstanding for my thinking, I=20
hope others to correct and complement my points.
1.=09As you know, PrepCom III has not yet finished in its legal=20
meaning. It would be extended to 10-14 November because member states=20
could not reach a consensus on both key documents. And before the Summit=20
of December, they will have another short sessions for getting final=20
consensus.=20
2.=09Civil Society had submitted our key concerns up to last minute of=20
this PrepCom III. (Now, I am not sure whether Civil Society group's final=
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comments were forwarded to this list or not. Our final comments on=20
Principle Document has been published in 2 pages document - If necessary,=
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I will forward it here soon. But our comments on Action Plan had not yet=20
been integrated into one document. To integrate those comments is very=20
tough because many documents had been updated up to last minute. Anyhow,=20
if necessary, I will try to introduce it as one integrated document. You=20
should understand that only a few paragraphs of Action Plan document could=
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get consensus among governments. For future on-going contribution, refer=20
to each caucus contact point. (http://www.wsis-cs.org/caucuses.html ) If=20
you have some more input to the current government documents, you should=20
send your idea to those caucus contact points.
3.=09As our last press conference document has shown, most civil=20
society attendees were deeply frustrated at the process and the fact that=
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almost few of our contributions were included in the current documents and=
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if any, those parts remains in square bracketed status (not yet=20
consensus).
4.=09One of important achievements in last PrepCom III is that we,=20
civil society group, decided to create "Civil Society Declaration", as one=
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alternative document. In 2nd week of this prepcom, we had largely=20
discussed how we could create this new document. Basically, one consensus=
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is that this document should be a civil society's shared vision not hinged=
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on the intergovernmental document although it could contain constructive=20
criticisms and innovations. With regard to our vision, the principles such=
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as inclusive, just, participatory, sustainable, equitable have been were=20
emphasized and information & communication society is multiple and is to=20
be people-centered. At the meeting site, one drafting coordinating group=20
was set up, which is coordinated by William Maciver and Claire Sheareman.=
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We, civil society attendees, have roughly discussed on the general=20
framework of the document. Then since the end of last prepcom, still there=
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have been no more communication. Although discussion made our conerns more=
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expanded, in its earlier discussion, we thought three documents could be=20
used as basic materials. Those are as follows;
A.=09Civil Society Coordination Group, Civil Society Statement to=20
Prepcom 2 on Vision, Principles, Themes and Process for WSIS ( December,=20
2002)
B.=09Contribution on Common Vision and Key Principles for the=20
Declaration (25, Feb. 2003) presented in PrepCom II and others
C.=09Civil Society Priorities Document - revised version (30 August=20
2003)
You could get the above documents from
http://mboom.draper.albany.edu/~mciver/WSIS/CSDeclaration/
I have a few preliminary discussion papers in a printed format which was=20
disseminated at C&T meeting place in PrepCom III, but it has not yet been=
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sent out in electronic format. If new drafting group start their works, I=
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will inform it to you as soon as possible.
5.=09A few days ago, Sacha forwarded Arne's questions regarding CS's=20
future strategy. I think that question is very important for our future=20
action. Arne has there suggested some reaction when governments' documents=
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would not reflect our "non-negotiables" as follows;=20
A.=09- present the CS declaration as alternative declaration?
B.=09- announce publicly that the multi-stakeholder process has failed?
C.=09- use our speaking slots at the government plenary to convey only=20
this message, or refuse to take part altogether?
D.=09- link up with side-events and alternative events around the=20
summit and focus on them?
E.=09Etc=A1=A6.
Then, A has been already being prepared as I explained above. And D is=20
also being prepared. CRIS communication rights workshop, Disabilities=20
workshop and etc. The pending question is how to effectively react as=20
civil society group when two important documents of governments would be=20
disappointed. As most attendee felt in PrepCom III, this situation could=20
be most plausible. We should discuss possible reaction from now on.=20
Looking forward to your responses!
Regards,
Chun
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Chun Eung Hwi
General Secretary, PeaceNet | phone: (+82) 2-2166-2205
Seoul Yangchun P.O.Box 81 | pcs: (+82) 019-259-2667
Seoul, 158-600, Korea =09 | eMail: chun@peacenet.or.kr
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