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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Dear Colleagues, Partners and
Friends,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The WSIS Gender Caucus is organizing an
email-based discussion to identify the relevant issues and develop methods and
strategies for integrating gender perspectives into the WSIS deliberations at
PrepCom3 in September and the Tunis Summit in
November.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">BACKGROUND
INFORMATION<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">==========================<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US>This discussion, organized and moderated
under the Electronic Networking Project component of the WSIS Gender Caucus,
will be for a period of three weeks, from July 25th to </SPAN><?xml:namespace
prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date
Year="2005" Day="13" Month="8"><SPAN lang=EN-US>August 13th
2005</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN lang=EN-US>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">This online discussion is aimed at
furthering the efforts of the Gender Caucus to integrate gender perspectives and
concerns into the WSIS deliberations, and to further explore the concrete
measures that will enable us to achieve this integration.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">As we move towards Tunis 2005, we call for
your participation to help create a collective understanding of gender
perspectives in four critical areas:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=1>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Internet Governance:
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">There is a general agreement that we need to
adopt a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet Governance. The recently released
WGIG report also underscores the importance of gender balanced representation in
all aspects of Internet Governance, if we are to have a system that is equitable
and democratic. In addition, the gendered construction of all technology makes
it imperative that we embed gender concerns in the evolution of the Internet.
Hence it is vital that we engage in the current debates on a multi-lateral vs.
multi-stakeholder approach, and public versus private leadership in Internet
Governance. These issues are raised in the WGIG report and will form the
backdrop of our discussions as the report raises many questions – How does
Internet Governance concern the interests of women? What do gender equality
advocates think about these issues? What are the important issues related to
Internet Governance with which gender equality advocates and women’s rights
activists must be engaged? <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=1 start=2>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Millennium Development
Goals (MDG) and WSIS:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Many argue that the WSIS process reflects a
strong technologically deterministic approach to development. If they are
correct, then<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>we have to work to
bring the development focus back into WSIS. Some suggest that an MDG focus, for
which the WSIS was in fact mandated by the UN General Assembly, is a good peg to
achieve this. However, there are others who feel that such a focus on MDGs is
limiting and constraining on ICTD opportunities presented by WSIS. Such debates
raise interesting questions - Do investments in technology and structural
changes implied in ICTD frameworks provide a new way to look at global debates
on development priorities and development assistance? Can MDGs be achieved
without such investments in enabling technologies and consequent structural
changes? Are such opportunities for structural and institutional change the best
time to get gender perspectives and concerns considered?
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=1 start=3>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Funding and Financing
Mechanisms for ICTD:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Markets and the private sector have rightly
taken much of the credit for the ICT revolution. The question however, is – Are
current free market mechanisms adequate to take the benefit of<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>ICTs to everyone, especially
disadvantaged groups, such as women? What is the correct role of public
institutions? To provide a regulatory environment that enables private
investment to<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>meet goals of social
equity? What is the role of public and community finance in providing for not
just cheap/free connectivity but also appropriate technology (telecom, software,
hardware) and capacity? Does the basic technology infrastructure and
capabilities represent a global public good, like education, that needs to be
provided to all as a public responsibility? Or will such efforts of extensive
public investments undercut the innovation-incentive system represented by
market-based strategies, and thus be counter productive? How are issues of costs
and coverage of rural/far flung areas of special significance for women? How
critical are interoperability and interconnection of infrastructure at regional,
sub regional and national levels for reducing cost of
access?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=1 start=4>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Implementation and
Follow-up of WSIS:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">For gender equality advocates it has been
easy to adopt a gender sensitive approach at the level of ideals and principles.
But it seems that there is a difficulty in successfully integrating this
approach into specific plans of action. In the WSIS documents, as one moves from
the preambles and opening statements through the plans of actions and on to
actual implementation, the references to the lofty ideals of gender equality
rapidly diminish. It is therefore important for us to discuss which
organizations should play a pivotal role in the implementation stage, and which
other organizations should play necessary supplementing roles? Which ones are
poised to take up the responsibility, and what is their record on gender issues?
Which ones can be expected to represent the interests of women better/ what
should be the role of specialized agencies representing women’s interests like
the UNIFEM? What principles should be laid down to ensure a gender-equal
representation in any multi-stakeholder body, which will have an implementation/
follow up role?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">WHAT DO WE WANT TO
ACHIEVE<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">=============================<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Our discussions have a two-fold
objective:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>1)</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><SPAN lang=EN-US>We hope that this discussion
will enable us to identify, discuss and integrate gender perspectives into the
upcoming WSIS deliberations in </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Geneva</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US> (prepcom 3) and
</SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Tunis</SPAN></st1:place></st1:State><SPAN
lang=EN-US>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>2)</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT size=3>We would like to create a
space for wider participation of women in the WSIS
process<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">We hope that our discussions will provide us
with deep and significant insights that will enable the Gender Caucus to develop
well-articulated position papers on crucial issues at stake at WSIS which can be
used for advocacy-based activities at WSIS.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">HOW TO
PARTICIPATE<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">===================<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Joining this discussion list is very easy!
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Just send a blank email to </FONT><A
href="mailto:mailadmin@genderwsis.org"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>mailadmin@genderwsis.org</FONT></A><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">You will automatically be subscribed to the
4 discussion lists running concurrently (one for each theme namely, Internet
governance; Millennium Development Goals and WSIS; Funding and Financing
Mechanisms for ICTD; Implementation and Follow-up of WSIS). Subscription may
take up to 24 hours to be finalized. Please do not sign up more than
once.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">CONTACT
US<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">============<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The discussions are being moderated.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Your email will not immediately be
posted to the list. Please do not send multiple
copies.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">If you face any subscription problem, please
contact the WSIS Gender Caucus EN team at <A
href="mailto:en@genderwsis.org">en@genderwsis.org</A>
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">For more information about the Gender
Caucus, visit the WSIS Gender Caucus website </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><A
href="http://www.genderwsis.org">www.genderwsis.org</A>
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">We would be grateful if you could help us
disseminate this call for participation to your networks, organizations or to
individuals that may be interested to engage in these
issues.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Thank you, and looking forward to some
interesting and useful discussions soon.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Susana Fernandez</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>WSIS Gender Caucus</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><A
href="mailto:sfernandez@genderwsis.org">sfernandez@genderwsis.org</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><A
href="http://www.genderwsis.org">www.genderwsis.org</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face="Times New Roman"
size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>