ArialBertrand Thanks for your actions, and I do agree. This meeting must not be referred to as inclusive, or a representative consultation. Ralph Bendrath also received an invitation (I am not sure how the limited list was developed) and he did post it to the CS Plenary where there has been little response. Dr Francis Muguet is planning to attend and express similar sentiments to those you have penned in your letters. For the record, I believe that Rony Koven would have attended, but he has pointed out to the organisers that May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day - a key annual date for freedom of expression issues that rightly belong at the heart of any conception of an information society, so the date itself will prevent media information providers away since they will be preparing for the next day. I wrote to ArialJaroslaw K. Ponder and expressed concern that people from developing contexts would not be able to attend. He in reply indicated this is a small meeting, with limited seats available that would only last a few hours and suggested that I attend the forthcoming meeting in Korea, which there will be support to attend! On the one hand I was pleased that he took the time to explain, on the other I agree that this meeting must not be billed as more than the limited consultation it will be. My feeling is that people, not representatives, from the developing world need to be present, or another time should be appointed to discuss this topic. I agree that PrepCom 3 will present the most viable time, given the resources that need to be deployed. I guess the ITU are working on this matter between now and then and that is a factor in their wanting input now. I think the written letters are worth sending, but I want to make two points for consideration: 1. The Bureau did take a decision to appoint two external liaison members - Viola and Renata. So, whilst anyone can write to anyone, in terms of the CSB sending a letter we need to check that there is agreement and then make sure that Viola and Renata are aware of our response and can represent it. Renata, as you will have seen, is going to try to attend. 2. I would like to see reference made to the Bureau to Bureau meeting and follow up document (attached in a sep. message to you) from PrepCom 3, because while the inputs to Plenary are also important, there was tacit agreement at the Bureau to Bureau meeting that opportunities for engagement in what I called the 'decision thinking' as well as the decision making stages of planning, on all matters would be developed. As you will recall we put the case that CS has a great deal of expertise to bring to the multi-stakeholder table. This mail is getting long so I will encourage others to cast an opinion in a separate message. Thanks again for the initiative, Tracey Tracey Naughton NYAKA Communication for Development Consultant 201 Somerset Hall 239 Oxford Road Illovo 2196 South Africa landline & fax: +27 (0) 11 880 5030 cell / mobile: +27 (0) 82 821 1771 email: tracey@traceynaughton.com skype: tracey_naughton