[CS Bureau] CSB stand on caucus issues

[Tracey Naughton]

CSB members

I have been thinking about the weakening of the CSB decision to make and
advisory note to the Working Group on Working Methods. Here are a few
thoughts - 

1. The last moment of the meeting was a very bad time to make such a
significant intervention. In retrospect perhaps I should have seen this and
been more firm. It was not a moment that anyone was prepared to re-engage
the issue.

2. In speaking to a few of the WGWM, I understand that while its talks are
fruitful, little has actually been produced yet to guide or offer to CS for
discussion. In the meantime, there are problems with caucus's (at least the
ones that we listed during the meeting), and these issues are being allowed
by the weakening of our statement, to fester. There is the potential for
'escalation'.

I think now, on reflection, that we are being negligent. All we wanted to do
is send a wake up call to the WGWM to do its work, and to note the actual
problems that have been reported and which we see.

Although Bureau Bashing is a sport of WSIS Civil Society, I don't think this
should cause us to waver in our responsibilities. If we as members of the
CSB are at all concerned with 'taking the heat' then we need to withdraw and
find replacements, or withdraw and not find replacements. (It's not
compulsory to be on the CSB - even if it is desirable in terms of
information flow and democratic decision making).

I know this is strongly worded but I am feeling very concerned that we have
neglected a real and pressing responsibility here.

I urge that we don't have a long debate about this but that we consider
reverting to the original agreed position.

Tracey
 

Nyaka - Communication & Development
Tracey Naughton
Consultant
201 Somerset Hall
239 Oxford Road
Illovo  2196
South Africa

Phone/fax:    +27 (0) 11 880 5030
cell:                 +27 (0) 82 821 1771
Email:              tracey at traceynaughton.com