Another perspective on the Tunis preparations, occasioned by the apparent
withdrawal of confidence of the old Geneva based CS Secretariat (Alain Clerc
and Louise Lassonde and co.)...
FYI
----- Original Message -----
From: Aliza Dichter <mediaaction@earthlink.net>
Cc: Tracey Naughton <t.naughton@IAFRICA.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 7:54 PM
Subject: [CRIS active] comments on WSIS Tunisia
> Dear WSIS advocates--
>
> I am forwarding a message sent last month by Tracey Naughton (with
> permission). I think it raises some important perspectives for us to
> consider, especially as I have heard many US advocates fairly
> dismissive of the Tunis Summit. I am not weighing in with any opinions
> here, am far too uninformed, but I thought it might be useful to pass
> on Tracey's remarks. Please feel free to forward if they are helpful to
> discussions you are having.
>
> Liza
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> > From: Tracey Naughton <t.naughton@IAFRICA.COM>
> > Date: April 16, 2004 11:40:49 AM EDT
> > To: OMIVPROGRAM@LISTS.OU.EDU
> > Subject: Re: RV: Comments
> > Reply-To: OMIV Program Working Group <OMIVPROGRAM@LISTS.OU.EDU>
> >
> > Hello to all from an extremely slow server in Tunisia where the WSIS
> > Civil Society
> > Coordination body has met to discuss matters pre and post WSIS 2
> > strategy and context. It
> > has been good to discuss the pessimissm that seems to be circulating,
> > especially from
> > northern contexts, about Tunisias ability to manage the event and the
> > environment here in
> > terms of human rights, media etc. I am convinced that much of the
> > negativity should be
> > suspended and that the Tunisians are well on their way to an open
> > environment which suits
> > their values and current realities. I am dissapointed by the
> > reactionary stance that is
> > often taken to developing contexts apparently because they fail to
> > achieve reforms that
> > equate them to developed counties fast enough for observers. Having
> > said that, sure there
> > is a long way to go, but the way is planned.
> >
> > Rarely is whether or not external values and practices are desirable
> > or acceptible open
> > for debate. I am often shocked by developed nation intolerance to
> > diversity and different
> > ways of seeing. It has been insightful to meet here with the new
> > independent radio station
> > staff and the founders of the soon to be opened independent television
> > station.
> >
> > I am still forming an impression and yes mine will be a developing
> > continent perception
> > but I hope to be able to discuss this more as part of the concept of
> > building
> > communication societies, which I agree with and thank you all for
> > coming up with while I
> > have been off line.
> >
> > WSIS 2 is going to be Africas Summit. The Tunisian Government seems
> > very clear that the
> > first phase did not produce anything tangible enough for the global
> > context where have
> > what could be the last moment in history to harness the inequalities
> > using the new
> > communication tools that we have. It has been stated here by numerous
> > people that a major
> > failure of Phase 1 was the lack of inclusiveness, but there is an
> > understanding of
> > divergent views among governments.
> >
> > There is a lot to report on from here but I am struggling with the
> > arabic keyboard so
> > enough for now.
> >
> > Tracey Naughton
>
>
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