<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">My greatest frustration is the lack of action that has taken place since the fact was known, months ago, that CS speakers had to be chosen by Oct. I, on numerous occasions have pointed out the fact.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I did not act, as with no funding - i thought the organization that has received a significant pool of funding for assisting CS participation and involvement in WSIS would take proactive actions and/or consultations. that did not happen, and it was "left" to be done at the end of week one of the prepcom. That, clearly is a lack of leadership - a fact that has not been challenged.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I have stated my reservation and frustrations . As the deadline is looming, I would like to be productive. I will try, as best that I can - given the time we have - to not only review already submitted names, but also propose possible speakers from the North American and European region which I represent on the bureau. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><DIV> <SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px">regards,</P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px">Robert</P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px">--</P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px">Robert Guerra <<A href="mailto:rguerra@privaterra.org">rguerra@privaterra.org</A>></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px">Managing Director, Privaterra <<A href="http://www.privaterra.org">http://www.privaterra.org</A>></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><BR></P><P style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px"> </P><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On 4-Oct-05, at 9:55 AM, Rik Panganiban wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Greetings Robert, Michael, et al,<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Just to clarify some issues that have been raised by several folks:</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>1. Selection Process: The selection process, including the committee composed of 1 representative from each regional group, one from the bureau and one from Content and Themes, was proposed by me in my personal capacity, not on behalf of CONGO. This was accepted by the CS plenary as our agreed procedure for selecting our speakers. The alternative proposal -- going through each and every nominee and voting on them -- seemed to me too painful, awkward and time-consuming a process for everyone.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>2. "Multiple" Nominations: As the selection committee reviewed the nominees, and selected some for the "high level segment" we realized that only one of our nominees would be selected. We decided to not remove from consideration any one who we had selected for the high level segment from other speaking slots that they had been nominated for. (That sounds more complicated than I intended, sorry.)</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-style-span">3. Caucuses versus Nominees / Issues: The intention of the committee was to choose people who would speak on a variety of issues, not that each caucus would get one person to speak in Tunis. A main consideration was the overall <B>diversity</B> of civil society concerns being brought by the speakers chosen, which might not equate to 1 person for each caucus.</SPAN></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I again re-iterate what I stated earlier:</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">As I reported during the last Content and Themes meeting on Friday, the selection committee worked hard to try and balance the selected list of civil society Tunis speakers based on a number of considerations, including gender balance, regional balance, and thematic diversity, as well as being at a high-level in their organization, being a "high-profile" person, general competence, involvement in the WSIS, and speaking ability. As I noted, we were not 100% satisfied with the nominations, particularly the lack of nominees from Latin America and the Carribean. But we felt all-in-all it was probably the best list we could provide in the time allotted and the restricted number of slots.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I also noted that it was likely that the ITU was going to to continue to receive individual nominations from organizations over the next days, and to present to the Selection Committee a final list for our consideration and feedback probably by the end of this week. At this point, the committee will see what can be done to make sure the final list of speakers in Tunis is the most representative speakers from civil society we can muster, within the requirements presented to us by the ITU.</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Unless someone can propose another selection process at this late-a-date, let's allow the selection committee (which Robert Guerra is a member of) a chance to review the proposed short list from the ITU, and try and fill in gaps where we can.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Respectfully,</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Rik Panganiban</DIV><DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On Oct 4, 2005, at 7:16 AM, Robert Guerra wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">On 4-Oct-05, at 6:14 AM, Gurstein, Michael wrote:</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV> <BR><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I'm also unclear as to rules, procedures and priorities/strategies</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">here...</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV> <BR></BLOCKQUOTE><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Michael:</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I will be more blunt.<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Let me be more harsh. I know my comments will be controversial - but i need to express to this list what I expressed verbally several times during the recent prepcom in Geneva.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">It is my personal view that the Civil Society (CS) process for<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>nomination of speakers names for the summit as developed at PC 3, is - well, a farce.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>developed a criteria, one that it left ngos less than a week to consult, one that only allowed those who had ONLY been already been involved and/or attended the wsis process to participate is unacceptable. Furthermore, the selection committee hastily created has - no - clue about who in fact would be a visionary, high level speaker (meaning only head of organizations need apply).</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">At phase one CS was given well over a month to consult to its constituencies. However this time, this was not possible. This is not due to the ITU, which in fact DID notify the civil society bureau (CSB) through CONGO about the need to consult and submit names by the first week in Oct. Despite recieving generous funds (well over 150,000 CHF) to help co-ordinate CS @ wsis , CONGO for some reason dropped the ball and did not start the process well in advance. In fact, the issue was not raised until late in the first week of the prepcom.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Leaving such a key and important issue almost until the end seriously compromises the ability of CS to find high level names to speak at<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>the very key summit events. For me this lack of leadership is , completely, unacceptable.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Three things to note :</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">1. NO funding of any kind is available for potential speakers to travel to, and attend the wsis summit (if they are selected)</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">2. As was the case in the Geneva phase, it is the ITU that has the ultimate decision on the selection. Thus, the process has always allowed for<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Individuals and/or organizations to contact and submit names to the ITU</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">3. Again, as i mentioned earlier - the selection criteria and process as developed at the prepcom is not one I support. I have protested quite vocally against its process, specifically only favouring an elite few who have had the chance to attend an existing official WSIS prepcom event.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Serious incidents have already arisen due to the lack of an open and clear process. <SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>For example, on Friday hours before the 2nd plenary session the gender caucus had to deal with the issue of <SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Saida "nomination" as an<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>an "excellent" personal to speak on behalf of the gender caucus at the summit. Magaly Pazello, the meeting chair refused. She reminded the attendees that<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>a process had to be followed first. After the meeting,<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Saida and agents basically swarmed and intimidated Magaly outside the serpentine bar. Luckily the swarming was witnessed by several (non-tunisian) government delegates.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">One has to ask the question,<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>will well known Tunisian agents be recommended as speakers at the summit ? If so, will we be OK with them speaking on the behalf of Civil Society ? Well, we have to deal with the issue...</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I have transmitted my concern and serious reservations about the last minute process that has been developed on this issue to the Canadian govt officials involved in the WSIS.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">In the meantime, i would<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>recommend the process be re-opened, allowing for suggestions of persons that might be good speakers to be further elaborated and developed in line with the comments sent by Michael Gurstein and others.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">regards,</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Robert</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">--</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Robert Guerra <<A href="mailto:rguerra@privaterra.org">rguerra@privaterra.org</A>></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Director, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR)</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">WSIS Civil Society Bureau, Focal Point for North America & Europe</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Tel +1 416 893 0377 Fax +1 416 893 0374</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></DIV><BR><BR><DIV> <SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><DIV>===============================================</DIV><DIV>RIK PANGANIBAN Communications Coordinator</DIV><DIV>Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO) </DIV><DIV>web: <A href="http://www.ngocongo.org">http://www.ngocongo.org</A></DIV><DIV>email: <A href="mailto:rik.panganiban@ngocongo.org">rik.panganiban@ngocongo.org</A></DIV><DIV>mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524 </DIV><DIV><BR></DIV><DIV>* Information on the WSIS at <A href="http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis">http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis</A></DIV><DIV>* Information on Millennium+5 at <A href="http://www.ngocongo.org/mdg">http://www.ngocongo.org/mdg</A></DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"></SPAN> </DIV><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>