> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
> SPECIAL EDITION
> WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY PREPCOM 2
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
> *APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the
> Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
> - March 2005 No. 51 -
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
> --THE ISSUES: INTERNET GOVERNANCE & FINANCING ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT--
> --PREPCOM 2 FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVES--
> --HUMAN RIGHTS & WSIS--
> --MULTISTAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS--
> --THE PEOPLE AT THE PREPCOM --
> --RECOMMENDED READING—-
> --WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? WSIS-RELATED WEBSITES--
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> -- WSIS UPDATE II – PrepCom 2 --
>
> The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a United Nations
> conference with the objective of developing a global framework to deal
> with challenges posed by new information and communication technologies
> (ICTs). The WSIS is a two phase process: the first one took place in
> Geneva in December 2003 and the second will take place in Tunisia in
> November 2005.
>
> From 17 to 25 February 2005, the WSIS second preparatory committee for
> the second phase, known as PrepCom 2, took place in Geneva. Last month,
> APCNews brought you resources and information on the issues to be
> covered in the PrepCom, now we bring you news, reports and interviews
> from the PrepCom attendees. http://www.apc.org/english/wsis/
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --THE ISSUES: INTERNET GOVERNANCE & FINANCING ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT--
>
> During the first phase of the summit in Geneva, governments were unable
> to agree on the language included in the official documents on two
> issues – internet governance (who controls) – and financing mechanisms
> (who pays), including the creation of a Digital Solidarity Fund for
> Africa. Since then two working groups have been mandated to discuss
> various options and bring recommendations back to stakeholders for
> further deliberation. PrepCom 2 was dominated by the presentation of the
> report of the financing working group and the consequent debate. The
> internet governance working group will present its final report at
> PrepCom 3 in September.
>
>
> --FINANCING ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT--
>
> APC REPORT: Finance of information and communication technologies for
> development (ICTD) at Prepcom 2
>
> $BE*(Bnternet Governance is Important$B)J(Bt would have been more so, if people
> HAD the Internet$B)-(BET$BC4(B TALK FINANCING FIRST!” proclaimed a t-shirt worn
> at PrepCom 2. Who will finance info technology for development is an
> intensely ideological issue. WSIS 1 established a Task Force on
> Financial Mechanisms to break the deadlock amongst governments and to
> make recommendations for WSIS 2 to adopt. Those recommendations were
> presented and debated at PrepCom 2. This report from APC looks at the
> issues on (and off) the table.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31483
>
>
> OPINION: The Digital Solidarity Fund and The Economist
>
> APC$BCT(B policy manager, Willie Currie, responds to an editorial on the
> digital divide from The Economist magazine in which it derided the
> Digital Solidarity Fund which had been welcomed by governments at the
> WSIS Prepcom 2.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31481
>
> --INTERNET GOVERNANCE--
>
> APC REPORT: The internet governance debate is one where civil society
> advocates can make a real difference
>
> Internet governance brings together two largely impenetrable realms for
> the average WSIS delegate: the nuts and bolts of the internet - what it
> is, how it works- and who manages those nuts and bolts. It is too early
> to predict what the final impact of the Working Group on Internet
> Governance (WGIG) will be. But there is no doubt that it has created a
> much-needed space. $BE"(Bt a time of global malaise, indifference and lack
> of faith and legitimacy in many of our global and national governance
> institutions, the internet governance debate is one where civil society
> advocates can make a real difference,” concludes APC in this new report
> which covers the main developments in the internet governance debate.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31485 (without footnotes)
> http://rights.apc.org/documents/internet_gov_0305_EN.pdf (with footnotes)
>
>
> INTERVIEW: Markus Kummer, coordinator of the internet governance working
> group – Diplomacy at the cutting edge
>
> As executive coordinator of the Secretariat of the Working Group on
> Internet Governance (WGIG), Markus Kummer prepares sessions, facilitates
> their work and writes up their reports after meetings. But, as he
> explains to Maud Hand in a quiet moment prior to PrepCom 2, Phase 2,
> unlike the classical secretariat tasks of any international working
> group, the multi-stakeholder make up of WGIG makes for a very different
> job.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31487
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --PREPCOM 2 FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVES--
>
> WSIS PrepCom 2: A South Asian perspective
>
> A divergent discourse between what governments say in Switzerland and
> what they say at home, the almost complete lack of interaction between
> government and civil society representatives and an absence of civil
> society voices from the non-technical sector, characterised the South
> Asian presence in Geneva conclude Bangalore activists, IT for Change.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31489
>
>
> WSIS PrepCom 2: A Latin American civil society perspective
>
> Olinca Marino from LaNeta, APC member in Mexico, has been following the
> WSIS process since its beginning. In this report she comments on the
> united front shown by Latin American governments at PrepCom 2 but notes
> that the front begins to fall apart significantly in two areas that
> civil society activists care passionately about – free software and
> community radio.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31491
>
>
> WSIS PrepCom 2: A Bulgarian civil society perspective
>
> Milena Bokova, executive director of the BlueLink Information Network, a
> digital network supporting environmentalists and civil society in
> Bulgaria, had the opportunity to participate in PrepCom 2. She shares
> some reflections with APCNews as an East European civil society activist
> and a new participant in the WSIS process.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31493
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --HUMAN RIGHTS & WSIS--
>
> IL FAIT BON VIVRE EN TUNISIE? The state of human rights in Tunisia, host
> of the next World Summit on the Information Society
>
> Attendees at the recent phase of WSIS couldn$BCU(B fail to notice the
> prolific presence of Tunisian delegates. From civil society plenaries
> through gatherings over coffee to the government sessions, they had
> their say in preparation for the November summit. But can a country
> whose government censors journalists, curtails web access and imprisons
> internet users without trial, be a fit host for the UN$BCT(B World Summit on
> the Information Society? Maud Hand seeks answers to one of the hottest
> questions of Prepcom 2 for APCNews.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31495
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --MULTISTAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS—-
>
> The WSIS is unique in UN processes because it is a $BAN(Bulti-stakeholder
> process’ - including the voices of governments, the private sector and
> civil society in the deliberations.
>
> Multi-stakeholder participation and ICT policy processes
>
> The complexity of the WSIS process has been discussed extensively. But
> APC executive director Anriette Esterhuysen questions whether the WSIS
> is *uniquely* complex. In this article for APCNews she explores
> multistakeholder participation in policy processes, particularly at
> national level, and examines consensus and conflict in the WSIS civil
> society space and why the issue of collaboration with the private sector
> has become so contentious.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31497
>
>
> Resources on multi-stakeholder participation in UN processes
>
> As part of our involvement in the WSIS, and our policy advocacy capacity
> building work at national and regional levels, APC has started to gather
> a list of resources on the topic. We want to thank members of the WSIS
> CS Plenary online space for their contributions. The list is a work in
> progress; do not expect it to be comprehensive. Please send additions
> to networking at apc.org.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31498
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --THE PEOPLE AT THE PREPCOM --
>
> ICTs for Grassroots: Women from South Asia
>
> Like bright flowers in a grey space, the grassroots women of India
> livened up February$BCT(B Prepcom proceedings and it wasn$BCU(B just their
> stylish saris that did the trick. Undaunted by the suits and officialdom
> of Geneva$BCT(B UN machinery, these Indian representatives vigorously
> demonstrated the value of ICTs in their working lives and made a cogent
> case for finances to build more equitable ICT infrastructures in
> developing countries like India. Over chappatis and chi, they shared
> their stories with Maud Hand for APCNews.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31500
>
>
> Interview with Ayesha Hassan, leader of the business sector at WSIS
>
> When Ayesha Hassan contributed to the Open Consultations on Internet
> Governance in the run up to WSIS, it was clear that the business
> sector$BCT(B concerns were in competent hands. This stylishly suited lawyer,
> a Senior Policy Manager on ICT for the International Chamber of
> Commerce, leads the CCBI - the Co-ordinating Committee of Business
> Interlocutors at the conference. Maud Hand hears how this business
> interlocutor stays in command of her committee during PrepCom 2.
> http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31501
>
>
> WSIS - Snapshots from PrepCom 2
>
> Maud Hand talked to more than 20 representatives from civil society,
> government, the business sector to bring you this snapshot of views and
> opinions from the people on the ground in Geneva at Prepcom 2 in
> February 2005.
> http://www.apc.org/english/wsis/prepcom2/
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --RECOMMENDED READING—-
>
> THEMATIC REPORTS: Reports on PrepCom 2 that we particularly recommend
> include the excellent series from Sally Burch of ALAI, Ecuador and
> Nestor Busso of ALER, Argentina supported by grants from the CRIS
> Campaign and EED and collected on the CRIS website.
>
> Sally Burch$BCT(B reports:
>
> Civil society reorganizing around content
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/733 [English]
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/736 [Spanish]
> Cultural diversity and education
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/7337 [English]
> Financial mechanisms - no commitments
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/743 [English]
> Internet governance - issues of democracy and human rights
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/748 [English]
> ICTs: Funding, development and democracy
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/752 [English]
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/751 [Spanish]
>
> Nestor Busso$BCT(B reports:
>
> Comienza el esperado evento
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/729 [Spanish]
> Mecanismos de financiamiento
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/730 [Spanish]
> The game is open
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/740 [English]
> Un lugar para los latinoamericanos
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/734 [Spanish]
> Mirada desde AmńÓica Latina
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/738 [Spanish]
> Solidaridad digital y radios comunitarias
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/739 [Spanish]
> Defensa firme del software libre
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/745 [Portuguese]
> Un show aparte: De eso no se habla. Esa palabra es fea, fea
> http://www.crisinfo.org/content/view/full/746 [Spanish]
>
>
> OVERVIEW: An overview of PrepCom 2 from Marc Raboy of McGill University,
> Canada
>
> The second preparatory meeting of the second phase of the World Summit
> on the Information Society closed on Friday night with a few cautious
> steps forward on intergovernmental projects, a great deal of on-site
> work by civil society, and above all a foretaste of what should be an
> important and heated debate on Internet governance.
> http://www.globalcn.org/en/article.ntd?id=2257&sort=1 [English]
> http://www.globalcn.org/en/article.ntd?id=2239&sort=1 [French]
>
>
> WEBSITE: Worldsummit2005.org
>
> Worldsummit2003.org offers background information and latest news on the
> WSIS process and on the issues and debates around the summit. It was set
> up by the Heinrich Boell Foundation in February 2003 and is part of the
> efforts of the Foundation to spread knowledge and information about the
> summit, both in Germany and internationally. The site editors are
> members of the German WSIS Civil Society Coordinating Group and are also
> active in the international civil society activities on WSIS. All
> articles by Ralf Bendrath unless otherwise noted.
>
> Vision lost or Back to Reality? PrepCom2 ends with long "to do" list
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/732.htm
>
> PrepCom debate on Internet Governance and WGIG preliminary report
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/730.htm
>
> Quo Vadis: Where do we go from Geneva?, by 'Gbenga Sesan
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/731.htm
>
> Finance negotiations slow down, but agreement on Digital Solidarity Fund
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/728.htm
>
> Conference on Freedom of Expression and the Information Society
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/729.htm
>
> Follow-Up to the UN ICT Task Force discussed
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/726.htm
>
> PrepCom debate on finance: Night session in Geneva
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/725.htm
>
> Civil Society event on Financing the Information Society
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/723.htm
>
> Prepcom 2: Week I Wrap Up, by Rik Panganiban
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/722.htm
>
> PrepCom2: Debate on financial mechanisms. Strong criticism by Southern
> governments
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/719.htm
>
> Financing Debate Heats Up. Task Force Report critizised, but consensus
> emerging?
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/719.htm
>
> What's next after Tunis phase?, by Johannes Schunter
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/717.htm
>
> WGIG is finalizing stakeholder input for the upcoming closed debate
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/716.htm
>
> Post-WSIS follow up process?, by Rik Panganiban
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/715.htm
>
> What is "Internet Governance? Open consultations dominated by definition
> controversy
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/714.htm
>
> Pre-Prepcom Ramblings and Rumblings, by Rik Panganiban
> http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/712.htm
>
>
> BLOGS: News from WSIS Bloggers
>
> Aggregated WSIS Blog: http://www.edwebproject.org/wsisblogs/
>
> Individual WSIS blogs:
>
> Rik Panganiban (English)
> http://rikomatic.objectis.net/news
>
> Robert Guerra (with mp3s from several civil society meetings)
> http://www.privaterra.org/activities/wsis/blog/
>
> Vittorio Bertola (week one – special focus on the Working Group on
> Internet Governance)
> http://hackun.bertola.eu.org/
>
> Markus Beckedahl (week one)
> http://www.netzpolitik.org/ [German]
>
> Bruno Oudet
> http://reso.blogs.com/smsi/ [French]
>
> Andy Carvin (week two, also podcasting)
> http://www.andycarvin.com/
>
> Terri Willard (only known female blogger)
> http://taikod.tigblog.org/
> WSIS feature at http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2005/commentary_general_2.pdf
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
>
> --WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? WSIS-RELATED WEBSITES--
>
> The ITU WSIS website has an extensive section on WSIS related websites
> (government, civil society, private sector and other) here
> http://www.itu.int/wsis/sites/index.html (summary) and here
> http://www.itu.int/wsis/sites/other.html (full list).
>
> Sites of particular note in terms of civil society analysis, perspective
> and diversity of languages include:
>
> - Choike - Portal on Southern Civil Societies – http://www.choike.org
> - Heinrich Boell$BCT(B Worldsummit2003 and worldsummit2005 -
> http://www.worldsummit2005.org/
> - Platform for Community Networks: various WSIS-related websites –
> http://www.globalcn.org
> - World Forum on Communication Rights: initiated by the Communication
> Rights in the Information Society campaign (CRIS) –
http://www.crisinfo.org
> - WSIS in Latin America and the Caribbean from APC$BCT(B LAC ICT Policy
> Monitor http://lac.derechos.apc.org/wsis
> - WSIS and Africa from APC$BCT(B Africa ICT Policy Monitor:
> http://africa.rights.apc.org/?apc=he_1&w=s&t=29740
>
> Websites which provide useful practical information on WSIS (including
> but not prioritizing analysis) include:
>
> - Civil society Meeting point http://www.wsis-cs.org
> - NGLS - UN Non-governmental Liaison Service: Special WSIS page –
> http://www.un-ngls.org/wsis.htm
> - wsis-online: consultation process allowing all stakeholders to
> identify issues of common concern or interest -
http://www.wsis-online.net/
>
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
> APCNews, in English, and APCNoticias, in Spanish, are distributed
> monthly by APC – a worldwide network supporting the use of internet and
> ICTs for social justice and sustainable development since 1990.
> APCNews Archive: http://www.apc.org/english/news/apcnews/
>
> Some rights reserved: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial Licence
> 2.0 2005 Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
> http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
>
>
>
>
> =======================================
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institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with
> APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy,
equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and
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> democratic and egalitarian societies.
>
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