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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Dear Colleagues,
Partners and Friends,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>The WSIS Gender
Caucus is organizing an email-based discussion forum on identifying and
integrating gender perspectives into the WSIS deliberations at PrepCom3 in
September and the Tunis Summit in November.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>BACKGROUND
INFORMATION<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>==========================<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><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 = st2 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st2:date Year="2005" Day="13"
Month="8"><SPAN lang=EN-US>August 13th 2005</SPAN></st2:date><SPAN
lang=EN-US>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=1>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Internet Governance: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </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 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and
WSIS:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Many argue
that the WSIS process reflects a strong technologically deterministic approach
to development. In this scenario we have to bring development agenda 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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </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 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Funding and Financing Mechanisms for
ICTD:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Markets and
the private sector have rightly taken much of the credit for the IT revolution.
The question however, is – Are market mechanisms adequate to take the benefit of
the new ICTs to everyone, especially disadvantaged groups, such as women? Is it
enough for the role of public institutions to be restricted to providing a
regulatory environment that enables private investment in meeting 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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </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 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Implementation and Follow-up of WSIS:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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
pushing for this approach into specific plans of action. In the WSIS documents
as one moves on from the preambles and opening statements through plans of
actions and to actual implementation, the references to ‘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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>WHAT DO WE WANT
TO ACHIEVE<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>=============================<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Our discussions
have a two-fold objective:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=1>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><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><st2:City><st2:place><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Geneva</SPAN></st2:place></st2:City><SPAN lang=EN-US> (prepcom 3)
and </SPAN><st2:State><st2:place><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Tunis</SPAN></st2:place></st2:State><SPAN
lang=EN-US>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>We would like to create a space for wider participation of women in
the WSIS process.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>HOW TO
PARTICIPATE<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>===================<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Joining this
discussion list is very easy! <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Just send a
blank email to <A
href="mailto:mailadmin@genderwsis.org">mailadmin@genderwsis.org</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>CONTACT
US<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US>===================<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>The discussion
list is being moderated by Anu Mundkur from IT for Change. Email: <A
href="mailto:anu@ITforChange.net">anu@ITforChange.net</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>If you face any
subscription problem, please contact the WSIS Gender Caucus Electronic
Consultant Taran Rampersad at <A
href="mailto:cnd@knowprose.com">cnd@knowprose.com</A> or the
</SPAN><st2:PersonName><SPAN lang=EN-US>WSIS Gender Caucus Manager
</SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas:contacts"
/><st1:GivenName><SPAN lang=EN-US>Susana</SPAN></st1:GivenName><SPAN lang=EN-US>
</SPAN><st1:Sn><SPAN lang=EN-US>Fernandez</SPAN></st1:Sn></st2:PersonName><SPAN
lang=EN-US> at <A
href="mailto:sfernandez@genderwsis.org">sfernandez@genderwsis.org</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>For more
information about the forum, visit the WSIS Gender Caucus
website </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US><A
href="http://www.genderwsis.org">www.genderwsis.org</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>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></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Thank you, and
looking forward to some interesting and useful discussions soon. </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><st2:PersonName><st1:GivenName><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Susana</SPAN></st1:GivenName><SPAN lang=EN-US> </SPAN><st1:Sn><SPAN
lang=EN-US>Fernandez</SPAN></st1:Sn></st2:PersonName></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>WSIS Gender
Caucus</SPAN></P>
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size=2></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>