[Mmwg] IGF workshops

[Milton Mueller]

>>> Adam Peake <ajp at glocom.ac.jp> 6/7/2006 5:58 AM >>>
>Right now there's no IGF advisory group outreach on this.  This is 
>just me asking so I can better understand what people are thinking 
>about the workshops.

Good for you! Nice to see someone taking initiative. 
Very interested in your last comment below, and a few miinor things I
throw in along the way.

>I am not trying to get any items excluded.  Some MAG members would 
>like the number of workshops limited. We're discussing that now.

I guess I was assuming that the number had to be limited because of
facility/space limitations. Perhaps you are talking about limitations
based on topics.

>I think that might happen. If there are many proposals for workshops 
>on the same/similar/complementary issues, then having people work 
>together, creating a dialogue would be sensible.

right. 

>My hope/opinion is if some group submits a workshop proposal, and 
>it's within some general scope, we should try to encourage dialogue 
>around that issue. Information about the workshop should be made 
>available so other people can see it, list(s) should be set up so 
>people can join in discussions. Some will be able to meet in Athens 
>and discuss the issue (and others in Athens might also get enthused 
>and join).
> There will be some remote participation so that those not 
>able to travel will not be totally excluded, and record of progress 
>should be maintained. Then after Athens discussion continues online, 
>develops (or withers away, can expect some ideas won't flourish.) 
>This kind of thing --enabling dialogue-- is what I understand the IGF

>to be about (broadly).  But just my view. Not that of the MAG (as far


Well, now that you put it that way, it seems that discussion around
these workshop proposals might form the basis of truly MS working groups
as we originally proposed. If so, maybe it would be useful and
interesting to push forward this idea -- even if it seems too elaborate
for a mere workshop. As you suggest, the real dialogue might form around
these. 

On the other hand, keep in mind the well-known limitations: governments
aren't used to engaging in open discussions (they prepare "official
statements" and seem to have trouble using email), businesses typically
prefer teleconferences limited to "important people," non-English
speakers, especially East Asians, tend not to flourish in those
environments, etc., etc.