<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; "><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;">I just recieved this from Conchita.</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;">Rik Panganiban</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;">CONGO</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;">----------------------------------------------</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center">REPORT ON THE « SIDE EVENT » CAUCUS MEETING</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center">OF THE WSIS</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center"> Wednesday, 28 September 2005, UN E-2064</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal" align="center"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Presiding: Saida Agrebi, (Tunisian Mothers Organization)</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Present: (See attandance sheet) </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText"> The meeting started with each participant introducing her/his name and organisation, followed by the Chair’s explanation that the Side Events Caucus was a response to a request from some Prepcom participants who wanted to bring up specific needs such as access and facilities for the disabled, space for parallel and side events, visas, accreditation, etc. The following are Zaida’s clarification and responses:</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText">· The Tunisian organizers are responsible only for facilitating and hosting.</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText">· UN and ITU are responsible for registration and accreditation to the Official Summit </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText">.</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText">Saida explained that the Tunisian organization has two committees: one on substance and the other on logistics, invited speakers, etc. She also informed the meeting that this was the last session of the Caucus in Geneva. She assured the participants that the organizers were doing their best to ensure success of WSIS II and felt confident that this would happen since it was actually the government of Tunisian who initiated the UN resolution to organize such an ICT World Summit. Note: Inside the KRAM Conference Centre and in the officially approved events is under the rules of immunity of the United Nations; Outside of these parameters, authority is under the Tunisian Government. :</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">VISAS AND CUSTOMS </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Tunisian government is going to give visas free of charge to all accredited entities. Proof of accreditation is the official invitation letter with reference accredited number from the UN/ITU. For those whose route is not the most direct, the Tunisian government has no jurisdiction over transit airports Saida suggested not to pass through the Charles de Gaulle airport as it has many gateways and could complicate visa control. She mentioned going through other airports such as Frankfurt.</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">.</DIV>FELLOWSHIPS<DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">The Tunisian Government has granted funds to enable the participation of least developed and developing countries. These funds have already been allocated as the deadline for submission was 30 April. Nevertheless there is about 2% still available and one can submit on-line to Haithem (see Internet address above.)</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">ACCOMMODATIONS</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> As regards hotels, a list is on-line. Concerning apartment/housing, this is not possible due to security reasons but Saida mentioned that her organization and their networks could accommodate requests on a personal-request basis</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText">EVENTS</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyText">She explained that there were 3 forms of activities being organized by multistakeholders during the WSIS II::</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· Side Events within the KRAM Conference Centre which will include exhibits,</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· Parallel Events inside KRAM will include meetings and showcases</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· Side events outside KRAM which has the same criteria as the side events </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Note: Events NOT inside the Conference Centre requires a rental fee, depending on the size of the space .requested.</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Deadline for submission of requests for space was 30 April 2005. However, due to many more requests received, the organizers have decided to consider these requests which should be sent on-line (smsitunis2005.tn)</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> TRANSPORTATION</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Shuttle buses - free of charge</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· To and from the airport, to hotel sites</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· To and from the Conference Centre (KRAM) to hotels as per schedule to be announced</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· Within the Conference Centre </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">· Note: Taxis will also be available at your expense</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Facilities for the Disabled</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Saida informed the meeting that the disabled are well covered as far as accessibility to transportation (lifting device), wheelchairs, hotel, conference rooms, and communication facilities will be available such as Braille, sign languages with interpretation in French, English and Arabic.</DIV><DIV class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> </DIV>MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANSWERS NOT COVERED ABOVE<DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Question: A Rural community representative from Senegal, who came to the Prepcom with a badge as a local Councilor, wanted to know if those that do not belong to any NGO could be accredited and what is the process.</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Answer: One cannot be accredited as an individual person since accreditation is based on ECOSOC status of NGOs. Saida suggested going to an accredited NGO from Senegal who might include him in their list. </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Question: What about possibility of obtaining visa at the Tunisian Airport which he understood from Ambassador Geiger.</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Answer: She was unable to give a precise answer and will refer it to the concerned Tunisian Committee</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Question: When is the deadline for submitting the request for meeting room/rooms for parallel events</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Answer: Before 30 September.</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Ms. Agrebi closed the session with a note of encouragement that the Tunisians will make it their utmost to meet all the needs of the participants to the WSIS II, recognizing that this is an important phase for society to ensure follow up implementation and ICT governance.. </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal">Submitted by Conchita Poncini (IFUW)</DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><DIV class="MsoNormal"> </DIV><BR><DIV> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">===============================================</FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">RIK PANGANIBAN <SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Communications Coordinator</FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO)<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">web: <A href="http://www.ngocongo.org">http://www.ngocongo.org</A></FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">email: <A href="mailto:rik.panganiban@ngocongo.org">rik.panganiban@ngocongo.org</A></FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"><BR></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">* Information on the WSIS at <A href="http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis">http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis</A></FONT></P> <P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><FONT face="Arial" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Arial">* Information on Millennium+5 at <A href="http://www.ngocongo.org/mdg">http://www.ngocongo.org/mdg</A></FONT></P> </DIV><BR></BODY></HTML>