Dear all
Our non-negotiables document is now in version two and renamed as Civil
Society Essential Benchmarks.
I have tried to incorporate all of the comments and feedback i've =
received
up until tonight. If you have submitted text and do not see it in the
revision, it is due to either feeling that the essence of a comment is
included in an existing section, or is duplicated, or - is incorporated =
in
re-structuring of the document.
I would like to point out a couple of such examples.
(1) I have restructured the document so that it now includes a new =
section
titled 'Social Justice', which follows Human rights and Sustainable
development.
** nilo - i would like to include a specific paragraph on indigenous
peoples, rather than include a phrase in the human rights paragraph - =
can
you send me something urgently **
(2) after discussion with a few people, we felt it important to include =
a
paragraph on access and infrastructure, which has been included in =
various
Civil society priority documents in the past.
(3) we would like to re-title the section on ' open access to scientific =
information' to include access to information in the public domain.. but =
i
am too tired to write it ;).. could someone take a look and make a =
suggestion..
i think they are the major changes, apart from line edits etc
I have a tracked version of the document for those who would like to see =
changes from the first version more clearly, and will ask ralf to put =
that
online. Below, is the text version
======
** I will work on a 3rd version in the early hours of tomorrow. If you =
have
URGENT modifications to the EXISTING text - NOT new whole sections
- please send them to me by 0900 GMT tomorrow morning. That will have =
to
be the final deadline **
*** please send comments to karenb@apcwomen.org - but only quote the =
text
you are proposing essential changes to ***
thanks
karen and drafting crew @ the CICG @ Very late!
=====
Civil Society Essential Benchmarks for WSIS
1. Introduction
The approach to the "Information Society" on which the WSIS has been =
based
reflects, to a large extent, a narrow understanding in which ICTs means
telecommunications and the Internet. This approach has marginalised key
issues relating to the development potential inherent in the combination =
of
knowledge and technology and thus conflicts with the broader development =
mandate given in UNGA Resolution 56/183.
Civil society is committed to a people-centred, inclusive and
development-oriented approach based on respect for human rights =
principles
and development priorities. We believe these principles and priorities
should be embedded throughout the WSIS Declaration of Principles and =
Action
Plan. This paper sets out the benchmarks against which civil society =
will
assess the outcomes of the WSIS process and the commitment of all
stakeholders to achieving its mandate.
2. Human rights
The WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, should take as =
their
foundations the international human rights framework. This implies the =
full
integration, concrete application and enforcement of civil, political,
economic, social and cultural rights, including labour rights, the =
right
to development, as well as the principle of non-discrimination. The
universality, indivisibility, interrelatedness and interdependence of =
all
human rights should be clearly recognized, together with their =
centrality
to democracy and the rule of law.
All Principles of the Declaration and all activities in the Action Plan, =
should be in full compliance with international human rights standards,
which should prevail over national legislative frameworks. The =
"information
society" must not result in any discrimination or deprivation of human
rights resulting from the acts or omissions of governments or of =
non-state
actors under their jurisdictions. Any restriction on the use of ICTs =
must
pursue a legitimate aim under international law, be prescribed by law, =
be
strictly proportionate to such an aim, and be necessary in a democratic
society.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is of =
fundamental
and specific importance to the information society, requiring that =
everyone
has the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to =
seek,
receive and impart information and ideas through any media and =
regardless
of frontiers.
3. Sustainable development
An equitable Information Society must be shaped by the needs of people =
and
communities and based on sustainable economic, social development and
democratic principles, including the Millennium Development Goals.
Only development that embraces the principles of social justice and =
gender
equality can be said to centrally address fundamental social, cultural =
and
economic divides. Market-based development solutions often fail to =
address
more deep-rooted and persistent inequalities in and between countries of =
the North and South.
Democratic and sustainable development of in the information society can =
therefore not be left solely to market forces and the propagation of
technology. In order to balance commercial objectives with legitimate
social interests, recognition should be given to the need for
responsibility of the public sector, appropriate regulation and =
development
of public services, and the principle of equitable and affordable access =
to
services and affordable cost should be reaffirmed.
People and communities must be empowered to develop their own solutions
within the information society, in particular to fight poverty and to
participate in development through fully democratic processes that allow =
community access to and participation in decision making.
4. Social Justice
4.1 Gender
An equitable and inclusive Information Society must be based on gender
justice and be particularly guided by the interpretation of principles =
of
gender equality, non-discrimination and women's empowerment as contained =
in
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the CEDAW =
Convention.
The Action Plan must demonstrate a strong commitment to an =
intersectional
approach to redressing discrimination resulting from unequal power
relations at all levels of society. To empower girls and women =
throughout
their life cycle, as shapers and leaders of society, gender responsive
educational programs and appropriate learning environments need to be
promoted. Gender analysis and the development of both quantitative and
qualitative indicators in measuring gender equality through an extensive =
and integrated national system of monitoring and evaluation are "musts".
4.2 Disability
Specific needs and requirements of all stakeholders, including those =
with
disabilities, must be considered in ICT development. Accessibility and
inclusiveness of ICTs is best done at an early stage of design, =
development
and production, so that the Information Society is to become the society =
for all, at minimum cost.
4.3 Labour rights
Essential human rights, such as privacy, freedom of expression, and the
right of trade unions to communicate with employees, should be respected =
in
the workplace. ICTs are progressively changing our way of working and =
the
creation of a secure, safe and healthy working environment , appropriate =
to
the utilisation of ICTs, respecting core labour standards, is =
fundamental.
ICTs should be used to promote awareness of, respect for and enforcement =
of
universal human rights standards and core labor standards.
4.4 Indigenous Peoples
*** Need a paragraph ****
5. Access and Infrastructure
Global universal access to communication and information should be a =
target
of the WSIS action plan and the expansion of the global information
infrastructure should be based on principles of equality and partnership =
and guided by rules of fair competition and regulation at both national =
and
international levels. The integration of access, infrastructure and
training of the citizenry and the generation of local content, in a
framework of social networks and clear public or private policies, is a =
key
basis for the development of egalitarian and inclusive information
societies. The evolution of policy should be coordinated =
internationally
but enable a diversity of appropriate solutions based on national and
regional input and international sharing of information and resources. =
This
should be people-centered and process-orientated, rather than
technologically determined and expert dominated.
6. Governance and enabling environment
6.1 Democratic governance
Good governance in a democratic society implies openness, transparency,
accountability, and compliance with the rule of law. Respect for these
principles is needed to enforce the right to take part in the conduct of =
public affairs. Public access to information produced or maintained by
governments should be enforced, ensuring that the information is timely, =
complete and accessible in a format and language the public can =
understand.
This also applies to access to information produced or maintained by
corporations where this relates to activities affecting the public =
interest.
6.2 Media
While allowing for government information services to communicate their
message, state-controlled media at the national level should be =
transformed
into editorially independent public service media organisations and/or
privatised. Efforts which encourage pluralism and diversity of media
ownership must be encouraged to avoid excessive media concentration
6.3 Community media
Community media, that is media which are independent, community-driven =
and
civil-society based, have a specific and crucial role to play in =
enabling
access and participation for all to the information society, especially =
the
poorest and most marginalised communities. Community media should be
supported and promoted. Governments should assure that legal frameworks =
for
community media are non-discriminatory and provide for equitable =
allocation
of frequencies through transparent and accountable mechanisms.
6.4 Internet governance
The global governance of ICT must be based on the values of open
participation, inclusiveness, transparency, and democratic =
accountability.
It should establish and support universal participation in addressing =
new
international policy and technical issues raised by the Internet and
ICT. No single body and no single stakeholder group is able to manage =
all
of the issues alone. Many stakeholders, cooperating in strict accordance =
with widely supported rules and procedures, must define the global =
agenda.
The non-government sector has played a historically critical role in
Internet Governance, and this must be recognized. The strength of the
Internet as an open non-Government platform should be reinforced, with =
an
explicit and stronger role for Civil Society. The role of Governments
should be no greater than that of any other stakeholder group.
7. Public Domain of Global Knowledge Global knowledge commons
7.1 Limited intellectual monopolies
Human knowledge is the heritage of all humankind and the reservoir from
which new knowledge is created. Human knowledgemust take into account =
the
knowledge of all peoples and communities, including those who are remote =
and excluded. A rich public domain is essential to inclusive information =
societies. Limited intellectual monopolies, such as patents, copyrights =
and
trademarks, should exist only with the purpose to benefit society, most
notably to encourage creativity and innovation. The benchmark should be =
how
well they fulfil this purpose against which they should be reviewed
regularly and adjusted where necessary.
7.2 Free software
Software is the cultural technique of the digital age and access to it
determines who may participate in the digital environment. Free software =
is
an essential building block for an equal and inclusive information =
society
including the freedoms of use for any purpose, studying, modification =
and
redistribution. No software model should be forbidden or negatively
regulated, but free software should be promoted for its unique social,
educational, scientific, political and economic benefits and =
opportunities.
7.3 Open access to scientific information
Would like something on access to information in the public domain-
relevant to all information that has been produced with full or partical =
support of the public sector of philanthropic organizations (in addition =
to
scientific information)
Free scientific information is a requirement for sustainable =
development.
Science is the source of the technological development that empowers the =
Information Society, including the World Wide Web. In the best tradition =
of
science, scientific authors donate their work to humankind and =
therefore,
it must be equally available to all, on the Web, in online Open Access
journals and online Open Archives.
8. Education and culture
8.1 Literacy, Education and Research
Literacy and free universal access to education is a key principle [and =
need new efforts to be really for all]. Knowledge societies require an
informed and educated citizenry. Capacity building needs to include =
skills
to use ICTs, media and information literacy, and the skills needed for
active citizenship including the ability to find, appraise, use and =
create
information and technology. Approaches that are local, horizontal,
gender-responsive and socially-driven and mediated should be =
prioritised. A
combination of traditional and new media as well as open access to
knowledge and information should be encouraged.
8.2 Cultural and linguistic diversity
Communications media and information technologies have a particularly
important role to play in sustaining and developing the world's cultures =
and languages. The implementation of this principle requires support for =
a
plurality of means of information and communication and respect for
cultural and linguistic diversity.
9. Environment
Increasing ecological efficiency over the long term is needed to =
reconcile
the Information Society with sustainable development. Governments and =
the
private sector should act to control and reduce the quantity of e-waste
through more environmentally benign reuse, recycling and disposal, and
programmes and projects for the environmentally sustainable production =
of
hardware and energy. Electricity consumption and unnecessary standby =
losses
should also be reduced.
10. Security and privacy
10.1 Integrity and security
Definitions of criminal and terrorist purposes in existing and emerging
policies and legislation are ambiguous and prevent the use of =
information
resources for legitimate purposes. The legitimate need for =
infrastructure
integrity must avoid shift to the highly politicized agenda =
characterized
by language referring to the integrity of the military field and the use =
of information resources for criminal and terrorist purposes.
10.2 Right to privacy
The right to privacy should be affirmed in the context of the =
information
society. The right to privacy is a human right which It must be defended =
in
public spaces, online, offline, at home and in the workplace. Every =
person
must have the right to decide freely whether and in what manner he or =
she
wants to receive information and communicate with others. The =
possibility
of communicating anonymously must be ensured for everyone. The =
collection,
retention, use and disclosure of personal data, no matter by whom, =
should
remain under the control of the individual concerned. The power of the
private sector and governments over personal data, including monitoring =
and
surveillance, increases the risk of abuse, and must be kept to a minimum =
under clearly specified, legal conditions.
_______________________________________________
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Civil Society Plenary: http://www.wsis-cs.org/
Content & Themes Documents:
http://bscw.fit.fraunhofer.de/pub/bscw.cgi/0/42953798