<DIV>Dear all</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Please find below the statement that will be read this afternoon after incorporating the different contributions received.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Nnenna</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Statement on behalf of Civil society Working group <BR>on WSIS Implementation and Follow-up<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Sub-Committee B – WSIS PrepCom3 – Sept 20, 2005<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">(V3)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">In November, the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Summit</st1:place></st1:City> itself will be over. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Geneva</st1:place></st1:City> produced valuable Principles and a comprehensive Agenda for Action. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tunis</st1:place></st1:State> must now produce an innovative and inclusive follow-up framework that lives up to the challenge. This framework must be both effective and flexible. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><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-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">It is not efficient enough to merely encourage actors to keep doing what they have always done. The present GFC draft is much too weak. We all need stronger commitments from governments and more enabling mechanisms. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><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-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Flexibility is the second criterion : nobody wants a heavy architecture, cast in iron, but rather an enabling framework. We must avoid generating a rigid, hierarchical and top-down mechanism that could stifle initiatives and establish control under the guise of coordination. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">In this first meeting of Sub Committee B, and before a decision is made on which document or model discussions will be based upon, we want to outline the following key elements that any framework must contain to be efficient and flexible.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>1)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Any framework must reaffirm the <B>key principles and values</B> of the Geneva Declaration and Plan of Action, including among others :<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 72.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Sustainable development and global solidarity<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 72.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>The respect of human rights and particularly freedom of expression and privacy<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 72.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Women’s empowerment and gender equality<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 72.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Non-discrimination<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 72.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Cultural diversity and multilingualism<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>2)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Any framework should be based on <B>a sincere multi-stakeholder approach</B>, and we strongly oppose the deletion of the terms “full and effective” to qualify CS participation in the most recent GFC draft; <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>3)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Any framework should address the <B>national, regional and international levels</B> but also organize the relations between them in the three dimensions of policy debate, implementation and evaluation; <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>4)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><SPAN dir=ltr><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">Regular Review Meetings</SPAN></B></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> must be held to allow all actors to review progress in an open and multi-stakeholder format. This may mean more frequent and innovative formats beyond +5 and +10 Summits. It also means more than the insertion of a few paragraphs in an annual report by the Secretary General to Ecosoc or the UN GA<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Frequency and convenors of such Thematic, Regional and Global review meetings should be defined with
full and effective participation of civil society;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>5)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Any framework should enable the progressive grouping of issues in larger <B>Thematic Clusters</B>, taking into account, but not exclusively, the Geneva Action Lines;<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>6)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Any framework should encourage the formation of <B>Thematic Multi-stakeholder Initiatives</B>, ideally with a minimum of<B> </B>common criteria for their formation and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>functioning;<B><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>7)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>All <B>international organizations</B>, according to their mandate or geographical competence, should integrate in their own activities the outcomes of the WSIS and actively support and facilitate the Thematic Multi-stakeholder Initiatives that emerge;<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>8)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Governments should individually “pledge” to establish, at the national level, “<B>multi-stakeholder implementation frameworks</B>” to define e-strategies, facilitate concrete initiatives and provide open policy fora for debate;<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>9)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>A space for <B>Global Policy Debate</B> is needed to handle issues emerging in a fast changing Information Society. It should build on lessons learned through the WSIS process and particularly the WGIG. Its setting up should take into account the result of negotiations in Sub-Committee A. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>10)</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN dir=ltr><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Finally<B>,</B> <B>Resolution 57/270 B</B> in no way prevents the WSIS to establish a specific and more efficient follow-up mechanism, as the 2003 report to the General Assembly on Resolution 57/270 has clearly established.<B> </B><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The above key elements will guide our specific drafting amendments in the coming days. They will also be the benchmarks by which we will judge the Operational Part of the Tunis Document.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">We sincerely thank the Chair for establishing this flexible and efficient mechanism for interaction in this Sub-Committee. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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