[CS Bureau] NGO participation in the CSTD

[Meigs]

Le 12/02/07 16:33, « CONGO WSIS - Philippe Dam » <wsis at ngocongo.org> a
écrit :



Thank you Philippe for this summary. It seems to cover most of the basis,
and gives me the strange feeling that we have regressd since WSIS.
Best
Divina

> Dear all, 
>  
> Dear all,
>  
> Based on comments that we received from some of you and in preparation for
> tomorrow¹s meeting with the CSTD Secretariat, we put together some bullet
> points regarding arrangements for NGO participation in the UN CSTD. This is so
> far just a list of modalities for Plenary and informal CSTD meetings.
> Modalities for NGO participation will still have to be further considered in
> light with the other working methods of the CSTD. Find document attached and
> plain text below.
>  
> Fell free to send us additional remarks and comments in this regard
> (wsis at ngocongo.org).
>  
> Note again that tomorrow¹s meeting with the CSTD Secretariat will take place
> between 13:30 and 15:00 in Room XXIV (Palais des Nations, Geneva).
>  
> All the best, 
>  
> Philippe
>  
> Philippe Dam
> CONGO - WSIS CS Secretariat
> 11, Avenue de la Paix
> CH-1202 Geneva
> Tel: +41 22 301 1000
> Fax: +41 22 301 2000
> E-mail: wsis at ngocongo.org <mailto:wsis at ngocongo.org>
> Website: www.ngocongo.org <blocked::">http://www.ngocongo.org>
> <http://www.ngocongo.org>
>  
> The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international, membership association
> that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and
> decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the presence
> of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United Nations agencies
> on issues of global concern.  For more information see our website at
> www.ngocongo.org <blocked::">http://www.ngocongo.org/>
> <http://www.ngocongo.org/>
> 
>  
>  
>  
> NGO participation in the Commission on Science and Technology for Development
>  
> ECOSOC Resolution 2006/46 provides ground for the development of a
> multi-stakeholder approach in the work of the Commission on Science and
> Technology for Development. The reading of paragraphs 11 to 16 of Resolution
> 2006/46 offers strong guidance on the way how NGOs and civil society entities
> should interact with the Commission, in particular in relation to its role
> into the WSIS follow-up.
>  
> We understand that the participation of NGOs and authorised civil society
> entities will be framed by the provisions of ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31, which
> includes that ³organizations in general consultative status may propose items
> for the provisional agenda of commissions², that written statements may be
> submitted to the Commission and that NGOs may provide oral presentations
> during meetings. 
>  
> To that end, we would like to stress the following points:
>  
> * The modalities for participation of NGOs and civil society entities should
> guarantee the most effective interaction and partnership between all
> stakeholders involved in the work of the CSTD. This implies that the
> multi-stakeholder approach should be applied in all segments of the CSTD
> processes and under each agenda item, so that the best dialogue and exchange
> of views, information, suggestions and inputs leading to the fulfilment of the
> CSTD mandate and to the CSTD outcomes. The intergovernmental nature of the
> CSTD will of course be preserved since the decision taking will remain in
> hands of Member States of the Commission.
>  
> * In particular, building upon the working experiences within the WSIS, we
> support the adoption of a stop and go practice within the Plenary meetings of
> the annual session of the CSTD. NGOs and other observers should be reserved a
> minimum specific amount of time to address the CSTD Plenary at each of its
> meetings. The amount of time for each category of observers should guarantee
> that a diversity of views and expertise be expressed before the CSTD Plenary.
>  
> * At least one civil society speaker should be included in the high level
> opening ceremony of the CSTD annual session.
>  
> * Any subsidiary body of the CSTD, including committees, drafting groups or
> working groups, should accommodate a significant presence and participation of
> civil society entities. The participation of civil society representatives in
> such structures should be made fully interactive with the other stakeholders.
>  
> * Even though the decision taking procedure will remain intergovernmental,
> NGOs and civil society representatives should be fully included in the process
> of decision shaping. Informal consultations should be open to NGO, and oral
> contributions should be allowed. All information regarding draft decisions
> should be transparently circulated and accessible to NGOs. In addition,
> following the practice experiences in WSIS, NGOs should be allowed to make
> comments and suggestions the draft texts under discussion. The
> intergovernmental nature of the CSTD will be preserved by the fact that the
> final decision taking will be open to Member States of the Commission only.
>  
> * The CSTD Bureau should organise a consultation with NGOs in the course of
> the CSTD annual session, with the view to foster dialogue and strengthen the
> spirit of mutual partnership and understanding among stakeholders in the
> Commission. 
>  
> * The inter-sessional Panel of the CSTD should continue to provide a space for
> informal interaction among all categories of stakeholders. We appreciated the
> modalities applied at the last CSTD Panel (November 2006, Paris).
>  
> * NGOs should be able to organise side events during the annual session of the
> CSTD. This would foster dialogue and a common reflection among stakeholders,
> as well as make the CTSD more attractive to a wide range of stakeholders.
>  
> * We support the trust fund that has been established for the participation of
> under-represented categories civil society entities, including but not only
> grassroots NGOs and civil society from the LDCs.
>  
> Participation of all stakeholders should be streamlined within all processes
> of the CSTD. The friendly and innovative use of electronic media and platforms
> would also allow NGOs to better contribute to the CSTD process in between the
> sessions. This includes contributions in the intersession reporting activities
> and identification of themes to be addressed by the Commission.
>  
> To conclude, we believe that one of the conditions for the success of the CSTD
> will be based on the degree of involvement of all stakeholders, including
> entities accredited to WSIS and beyond. Beyond the actual practical modalities
> for interaction, the whole working methods and outcomes of the CSTD should be
> effective and attractive to build upon the WSIS momentum and represent a major
> annual event for all categories of stakeholders.
>  
> 


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