[CS Bureau] Re: [Working Methods] Quick check-in

[Robert Guerra]

Adam:

perhaps the lack of activity - of responses, and details on what is 
happening - might be due to christmas?

it's been quite often the case that there's a big burst of activity 
around a topic or activity - but it doesn't  stay sustained for far 
too long.

I agree with you - and have stated it repeatedly, in the past, and at 
the recent WSIS CSB meeting that words aren't enough, but actions and 
people committing to actually doing things is key.

at the Cape Town meeting,  i stated quite strongly that the PC 2 will 
be a real challenge, and a test if structures CS has created, like 
the CSB can really in fact prepare the logistical needs. Preparations 
need to, they must be open and transparent. Given the power of 
technology - it should not be left to the organizations physically 
present in Geneva to lead the show.

But when asked the question, who was willing to commit - only three 
organizations - CONGO, ICV and NGLS made a commitment. they committed 
to setup and establish a csb secretariat. But how it's setup, how it 
works, who funds it - and it's core mission - and all the rest of the 
details are still be clearly articulated and shared.

What are other willing to do - what tasks need to be done. All that 
and plenty more needs to be done - and you are right, we have far too 
little time. If we don't start soon - all the promises, all the great 
intentions - will be hard, if not impossible to accomplish.

This working group was setup and started with a great deal of energy 
and enthusiasm - can come back to that mode. As well, the CSB needs 
to move forward on the great words, statements and ideas mentioned in 
Cape Town. Let's hope that is a New Year's wish that can be 
accomplished.

regards

Robert


At 10:33 PM +0900 12/29/04, Adam Peake wrote:
>Silence.
>
>Perhaps a problem civil society must face up to is that while we 
>have great intentions, when it comes to action we often don't carry 
>through.
>
>This should be no surprise, we are (mostly) volunteers.
>
>Prediction:
>
>There will be a massive burst of activity as the PrepCom approaches, 
>we will struggle for 9 days in Geneva, and more than likely then 
>discuss our good intentions about working on new processes.
>
>There will be a lull for a couple of months, followed by frantic 
>drafting as we try to put something together for PrepCom 3.
>
>I think we've just seen something like this happen with the bureau 
>-- a meeting in Cape Town, a lot of effort (and I really do not mean 
>to be disparaging by saying all this, I have enormous respect for 
>"you lot"), followed by a couple of comments and then nothing.
>
>We're busy people, and I think we need to consider where WSIS CS 
>fits in our priorities and availability and be careful to build our 
>structures and processes around these. Realistically.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Adam
>

-- 
###
Robert Guerra <rguerra at privaterra.org>
Privaterra - <http://www.privaterra.org>