Communiqué of the Joint Committee

Regarding parallel events for WSIS Phase II

[Non official translation by CONGO]

In order to facilitate an exchange of experiences, to improve opportunities for dialogue and to favour a dynamics of partnership in the building of the Information Society, Tunisia, WSIS Phase II Host Country, has decided to offer an ICT4All Space at the Kram Center to the accredited parties, for the organisation of parallel events to the Summit. The responsibility of the organisation of Parallel events, except for the exhibition, belongs to the Joint Committee composed of the Tunisian Authorities and of the WSIS Executive Secretariat.

Participation to this space was subject to guidelines, jointly established by the Tunisian Authorities and of the WSIS Executive Secretariat, which where brought to the knowledge of the participants in WSIS PrepCom-2 and published on the WSIS official websites.

In response, 229 requests were received, on a full amount of 315 proposed side events (find enclosed the requests received and submitted to the Joint Committee for consideration).

This number, which surpasses initial estimates, requires a deeper consideration by the Joint Committee.

The Joint Committee believes that every initiative to be taken by side events applicants to merge their activities dealing with similar thematic issues would facilitate a wider participation of all diverse actors. To this end, applicants are invited to inform the Joint Committee (on the side events e-mail addresses), as soon as possible and no later that 15 July 2005, of all initiatives in that direction.

In accordance with the guidelines, the Joint Committee will retain the programme of activities to take place in the space for diverse activities, as well as for global parallel events, along with available resources (space, calendar, etc…).

Due to the importance for the organisers of the practical preparation for those parallel events, as well as of time constraints, the Joint Committee proposes to set up the list of retained parallel events as soon as possible.

Tunis, 5 July 2005

WSIS Joint Committee

for Parallel Events

[Non official translation by CONGO]

Communiqué du Comité Conjoint

Chef de Cabinet

2005-07-08

Inter