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<DIV><FONT
face="Times New Roman">-------------------------------------------------------<BR>WSIS
Papers Newsletter - October 2005 No.
12<BR>-------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>
<DIV><FONT size=3>In this issue: THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD TOWARDS
TUNIS</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Content: </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>- Civil Society participation<BR>- Key issues: Internet
governance<BR>- Key issues: Implementation and follow-up <BR>- Human rights
issues<BR>- After PrepCom: Towards Tunis<BR>- General information on
PrepCom-3</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Available online at:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> </FONT><A
href="http://wsispapers.choike.org/"><FONT
size=3>http://wsispapers.choike.org/</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>-------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) sprang into
being as an instance of global decision-making aimed at addressing the
challenges posed by the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
According to the political statements of governments, the main purpose of this
event is to create and implement common action frameworks for building a new
equitable and integrating information society aimed at development.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3) of
the second phase of the WSIS took place between September 19-30 in Geneva,
Switzerland. This was the last meeting scheduled prior to the second phase of
the Summit to be held in Tunis from November 16 to 28, 2005. The discussion on
possible modifications to the current model of "Internet governance" was placed
among the core issues to be analysed on the agenda, together with the decisions
on specific mechanisms aimed at ensuring the implementation and follow-up to
agreements reached in the two phases of the WSIS. The main input to discussions
were the final report of the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG),
presented in July 2005 (see the report "Everybody’s business in the information
society") and the text issued by the Group of Friends of the Chair (GFC),
proposed as a basis for negotiation on WSIS implementation and
follow-up.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Regarding the results of PrepCom-3, no one can be really
satisfied - except those who would want the WSIS process to come to an end
without firm and specific commitments. Although some progress has been made in
drawing up Tunis documents, no relevant consensus was reached regarding the core
issues under discussion. In the case of Internet governance, for example, a
strong divergence of opinion was evidenced between those who aim at a deep
reform of the current system - dominated by the ICANN and, therefore, with
preeminence of only one government over Internet’s common resources - and those
who aim at maintaining this system, with minor modifications. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>With respect to the establishment of specific mechanisms to
ensure the implementation of the WSIS consensus and their evaluation, no
agreement was reached between developed and developing countries. The latter
consider it unreasonable to end up such a long and complex negotiation process
without clear mandates to UN system organizations, which are essential to ensure
the implementation of commitments undertaken by governments.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Upon the impossibility to reach consensus on these issues and,
therefore, to close the documents to be signed by Heads of State and Government
in Tunis, the PrepCom entered into a pause, with the decision to continue
negotiations during the remaining period prior to the Summit. For this purpose,
two additional intergovernmental sessions will take place in Geneva between
October 24-28 and the PrepCom was called to continue sessions in Tunis between
November 13-15.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>The procedures established in the first phase of WSIS provided
for the participation of multilple stakeholders involved in information,
communication and development issues, including not only governments but also
the private sector and civil society. However, the process was characterized by
the lack of openness in terms of participation of non-governmental stakeholders,
which ended up excluding civil society and the private sector from key
negotiation instances such as the drafting groups created to solve particularly
conflictive issues. Nor the participation of these stakeholders in the WSIS
final instances is clear, thus questioning the strength of goodwill statements
included throughout the documents with respect to building a information society
with broad participation of all relevant actors. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>The PrepCom-3 was also characterized by an increased number of
proposals about the critical human rights situation evidenced in Tunisia, host
country of the second phase of the Summit. Civil society organizations
expressed, in an open letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, their "profound
concern" about the attacks on the freedom of expression registered in the
country.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><BR><FONT
size=3>----------------------------------------------------------------<BR> Civil
Society
Participation<BR>----------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Statement of civil society at closing
plenary<BR>Source: APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor<BR>Civil society organisations
expressed that "After 2 weeks of PrepCom the governments have still not reached
agreement on Internet governance. The Geneva principles create the opportunity
for this impasse to be resolved constructively and creatively by including the
perspectives and expertise of all stakeholders. We believe this would have been
more effective than the ongoing deadlock that emerged from counter positioning
among governments"<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://africa.rights.apc.org/?apc=he_1&x=1750297"><FONT
size=3>http://africa.rights.apc.org/?apc=he_1&x=1750297</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* WSIS Gender Caucus Briefing Paper for PrepCom-3<BR>Source:
WSIS Gender Caucus<BR>The WSIS Gender Caucus is concerned by the fact that the
key principles and values expressed in the first phase of WSIS, and included in
the Geneva Declaration of Principles, do not appear to guide the discussions and
decision-making processes in the second phase. We therefore ask that the
discussions and decision-making processes of the second phase of WSIS be
conducted in correspondence with the key principles and values of the Geneva
Declaration, most specifically women’s empowerment and gender equality. PDF
format.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://wsispapers.choike.org/gender_caucus_prepcom3.pdf"><FONT
size=3>http://wsispapers.choike.org/gender_caucus_prepcom3.pdf</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Reintroducing Cultural Diversity in the WSIS
Process<BR>Source: WSIS Cultural Diversity Caucus<BR>Statement prepared by
Cultural Diversity Caucus/Indigenous Caucus to PrepCom 3: "The amendments as
proposed in this paper by the Cultural Diversity and Indigenous Caucuses should
be accepted. Proper care should be taken by all stakeholders to maintain what
has been achieved so far in the WSIS-Process with regard to aspects of cultural
diversity and to avoid any regressions in that area." PDF format.<BR>-->
</FONT><A
href="http://wsispapers.choike.org/cultural_diversity_caucus_prepcom3.pdf"><FONT
size=3>http://wsispapers.choike.org/cultural_diversity_caucus_prepcom3.pdf</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Civil Society statement on the decision to exclude
non-governmental stakeholders from drafting groups<BR>Source: Choike <BR>Civil
Society statement on participation read by Avri Doria, Sep 28th: "The decision
to exclude non-governmental stakeholders from the drafting groups is not about
rules and procedure – it is a matter of political courage and principle. You
have a choice to be inclusive or exclusive, to work in partnership, transparency
and openness. Or not. Do not hide behind rules and procedures."<BR>-->
</FONT><A href="http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3398.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3398.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Civil Society issues stong protest against
exclusion<BR>Source: Heinrich Böll Foundation <BR>The uncertainty connected with
the speculation about the final decision regarding the presence of civil society
members in drafting groups has finally turned into an open confrontation. Civil
society representatives read a formal protest statement at the end of the open
plenary this morning. The statement contained clear language about the exclusion
of "non-governmental stakeholders from meaningful participation in the drafting
groups" being "not acceptable as a matter of principle".<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/789.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/789.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Activists denounce "erosion" of NGO participation in
Summit<BR>Source: IPS<BR>The unprecedented cooperation among governments, civil
society and the private sector that has characterised the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) process for the last three years was undermined by a
decision adopted by government representatives. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=30472"><FONT
size=3>http://ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=30472</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Decision on closed drafting groups delayed<BR>Source:
Heinrich Böll Foundation <BR>After intense discussions during the weekend Civil
Society was anxiously awaiting the announcement of the PrepCom’s decision on
whether or not Civil Society groups will be locked out from drafting groups in
the ongoing sessions of the Subcommittees finalizing the text of the Tunis
summit declaration. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/787.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/787.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>----------------------------------------------------------------<BR>Key
issues: Internet
Governance<BR>----------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Debate over Internet governance gets to the core<BR>Source:
Heinrich Böll Foundation<BR>While the last Preparation Conference to the WSIS
has only one day left to produce real results that could be presented at the
Tunis Summit in November, an agreement on future mechanisms for the regulation
of the Internet is still far from reach. Frontlines are drawn between a status
quo position and the establishment of a new UN oversight body for Internet
regulations. It is a battle between an isolated, but determined United States
government and the developing world, in which the European Union tries to
mediate. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/796.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/796.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Internet governance proposals at PrepCom-3<BR>Source:
ITU<BR>This ITU website contains a collection of Internet Governance
contributions presented by governments, international organizations, NGOs and
civil society entities, ITU sector members and business entities.<BR>-->
</FONT><A
href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/listing.asp?lang=en?&c_event=pc2|3&c_type=co|sca"><FONT
size=3>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/listing.asp?lang=en?&c_event=pc2|3&c_type=co|sca</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* PrepCom 3: Coalition on Financing ICTD reacts to major
Internet governance document <BR>Source: APC<BR>Six major international civil
society networks working on questions of access and affordability of the
internet have emitted a joint statement on 27 September 2005, during the third
Preparatory Meeting (PrepCom 3) of the WSIS process. The statement of the
Informal Coalition on Financing ICTD goes beyond a document released by the WSIS
Chair of a Sub-Committee on Internet Governance and suggests a series of steps
to be taken to make the internet a true tool for development.<BR>-->
</FONT><A href="http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=1632351"><FONT
size=3>http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=1632351</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Africa civil society issues statement on Internet governance
<BR>Source: APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor<BR>The Africa civil society caucus
presented a statement on internet governance to the Subcommittee A plenary with
proposals on follow-up and possible future arrangements. A related statement was
also issued previously regarding multilingualism and education.<BR>-->
</FONT><A href="http://africa.rights.apc.org/?apc=he_1&x=1657352"><FONT
size=3>http://africa.rights.apc.org/?apc=he_1&x=1657352</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) <BR>Source:
WGIG<BR>The first phase of WSIS agreed to pursue the dialogue on Internet
governance in the Declaration of Principles and Action Plan adopted on 12
December 2003 in Geneva, with a view to preparing the ground for a decision at
the second phase of the WSIS in Tunis in November 2005. In this regard, the
first phase of the Summit requested the UN Secretary-General to establish a
Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG). The WGIG has been asked to present
the result of its work in a report "for consideration and appropriate action for
the second phase of the WSIS in Tunis 2005." The WGIG fInal report proposes four
possible models for Internet governance. Three of the four models call for the
formation of a UN-linked body. Depending on the proposal, the new body would
either replace or complement the ICANN. PDF format.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.wgig.org/"><FONT size=3>http://www.wgig.org/</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Internet governance: A review in the context of the WSIS
process <BR>Source: WSIS Papers<BR>Carlos Afonso<BR>This document provides
information on the current Internet governance transition processes, discussing
some of the approaches being submitted to public discussion, and reviews the
final report of the WGIG. It also provides brief historical and reference
information on the current global governance system specifically created for the
Internet. In addition, it presents a review of the perspectives on Internet
governance from the point of view of the organized groups of civil society
organizations who have been involved in the corresponding discussions both
within and outside the WGIG. PDF format.<BR>--> <A
href="http://wsispapers.choike.org//papers/eng/carlos_internet_governance.pdf">http://wsispapers.choike.org//papers/eng/carlos_internet_governance.pdf</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* WSIS Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus <BR>Source:
WSIS Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus<BR>Civil society organizations
interested in Internet governance started a discussion process at the occasion
of the second preparatory meeting for WSIS phase one, in February, 2003 that led
to the formation of a CS caucus. The IG caucus' initial goals were to help
ensure that not only organizations but also individuals participate in the WSIS
process; to help set up language communities and let them be connected to the
relevant parties for globally available resources and to critically monitor
ICANN contracts, processes and activities. Since then, a lot of new ground has
been covered by the caucus in a far more sophisticated debate, embracing nearly
all themes of WSIS itself.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.net-gov.org/"><FONT
size=3>http://www.net-gov.org/</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Internet governance: Everybody's business in the Information
Society<BR>Source: Wsis Papers<BR>Special Choike report on Internet
governance.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3292.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3292.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>----------------------------------------------------------------<BR>Key
issues: Implementation and follow
up<BR>----------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Working Group on implementation and follow-up of United
Nations Conferences and Summits<BR>Source: United Nations <BR>The General
Assembly at its 57th session established an open-ended ad hoc working group to
produce concrete recommendations to ensure an integrated and coordinated
follow-up of the United Nations conferences and summits, in the economic, social
and related fields.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/wgga/wgga.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/wgga/wgga.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Governments drop serious commitments to
implementation<BR>Source: Heinrich Böll Foundation <BR>The PrepCom subcommittee
that currently is working on the implementation and follow-up part of the summit
documents has dropped the language for serious follow-up to the summit. This
means that one of the most important issues of the whole second phase of the
world summit is not taken serious by the governments anymore. It is hard to
understand how one can have a four-year long process with lengthy negotiations
and huge expenses and then ignore the most basic question: How to make sure that
there is something coming out of this, that the summit leaves the Geneva UN
bubble and has an impact on the real world? <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/785.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/785.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* CS Working Group on Follow-up contribution to the PrepCom
3<BR>Source: CS Working Group on Follow-up<BR>Contributions of the Civil Society
Working Group on WSIS Follow-up to Paragraphs 16 to 22 and 40 to 41 of the
operational Part of the draft Tunis Declaration. PDF format.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://wsispapers.choike.org/cs_follow_up_comments.pdf"><FONT
size=3>http://wsispapers.choike.org/cs_follow_up_comments.pdf</FONT></A><BR><FONT
size=3> <BR>* Statement to PrepComm-3 on behalf of Civil society Working
group on WSIS Implementation and Follow-up<BR>Source: WSIS Cs Plenary<BR>"In
November, the Summit itself will be over. Geneva produced valuable Principles
and a comprehensive Agenda for Action. Tunis must now produce an innovative and
inclusive follow-up framework up to the importance of the challenge. This
framework must be both effective and flexible" stated civil society in this
declaration. PDF format.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/nuevo_eng/jump_inf.cgi?ID=3366"><FONT
size=3>http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/nuevo_eng/jump_inf.cgi?ID=3366</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Implementation and follow-up proposals at
PrepCom-3<BR>Source: ITU<BR>This ITU website contains a collection of
contributions on implementing and following-up WSIS commitments, presented by
governments, international organizations, NGOs and civil society entities, ITU
sector members and business entities.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/listing.asp?lang=en?&c_event=pc2|3&c_type=co|scb"><FONT
size=3>http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/listing.asp?lang=en?&c_event=pc2|3&c_type=co|scb</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Civil society organisations submission to the 7th meeting of
the WSIS GFC <BR>Source: Choike<BR>Joint submission to the 7th meeting of
the WSIS GFC (5-6 September 2005, Geneva, Switzerland) by civil society
organisations and individuals on the proposed draft text for paragraphs 10, 11
and 29 of the operational part of the Tunis document. CS organisations suggests
there that implementation and follow-up mechanisms for WSIS must be based on
multi-stakeholder teams around action lines with a well-defined overall
co-ordination body.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3299.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3299.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* After Tunis: A summit without implementation and civil
society? <BR>Source: Heinrich Böll Foundation<BR>2 September 2005. Civil society
groups active in the WSIS have voiced their protest against a serious
development related to the Tunis summit outcomes. The latest draft for the
summit document on implementation and follow-up are lacking a meaningful
commitment to implementation, and they also are a serious setback for the
multi-stakeholder approach.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/781.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/781.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Beyond WSIS - Is there any hope for a global IS policy
forum? <BR>Source: OneWorld South Asia<BR>As there is no definitive structure of
implementing the information society Plan of Action (PoA) in place, IT for
Change has started advocating for creating an implementing mechanism in PrepCom
III. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.dgroups.org/groups/oneworld/OneWorldSA/docs/Beyond_WSIS-1.doc"><FONT
size=3>http://www.dgroups.org/groups/oneworld/OneWorldSA/docs/Beyond_WSIS-1.doc</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Discussions on implementation and follow-up after
WSIS<BR>Source: Heinrich Böll Foundation<BR>This document provides background
information of the discussions on implemantation and follow up prior to the
PrepCom-3. It stated the danger of this substantial issue being lost due to the
dominance of financing and Internet governance negotiations in the second phase
of WSIS. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/756.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/756.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* WSIS Stocktaking <BR>Source: ITU<BR>The WSIS Stocktaking is
intended to fulfill the dual purpose of providing an inventory of activities
undertaken by governments and all stakeholders in implementing the Geneva
decisions and taking stock of the progress made in building the Information
Society. The stocktaking was launched in October 2004 and continues to be
updated as a dynamic portal to this rich source of information, open to
all.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/stocktaking/index.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.itu.int/wsis/stocktaking/index.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>----------------------------------------------------------------<BR>Human
rights
issues<BR>----------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* World Summit on the Information Society PrepComm-3: Civil
Society letter to Kofi Annan <BR>Source: AMARC - WFPC<BR>The civil society
organizations participating at the Prepcom 3 of the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva (17 - 30 September 2005) express their deep
concern about the conditions in which the WSIS is about to take place in Tunis
from 16 - 18 November 2005, specially about the violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms by the Tunisian authorities.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3433.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/3433.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Open Statement from the Human Rights Caucus<BR>Source:
APC<BR>Civil society organizations active in the WSIS process strongly condemn
the continuous blocking of Human Rights in China (HRIC) accreditation to the
WSIS process. At the WSIS PrepCom-3 opening Plenary, the People’s Republic of
China (PRC) was able to block a vote on HRIC’s accreditation with a procedural
maneuver that revealed both the politicized nature of the process and the
adverse impact on the WSIS principles of building a "people-centered, inclusive,
and development-oriented Information Society".<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=1639610"><FONT
size=3>http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=1639610</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Freedom of expression experts question credibility of UN
World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia<BR>Source: IFEX<BR>"Tunisia
is not a suitable place to hold a United Nations World Summit" according to the
latest report of the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG) released two months before
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), scheduled to take place in
Tunis, 16-18 November 2005. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/69467"><FONT
size=3>http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/69467</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Human Rights at the Information Society Summit<BR>Source:
IPS<BR>The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) managed to avoid a
scandal over the exclusion of a group of Chinese activists, but controversy will
be difficult to defuse when discussion turns to human rights violations in
Tunisia, the host country of the Summit's second phase. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=30378"><FONT
size=3>http://www.ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=30378</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* NGOs protest deterioration of rights in Tunisia two months
ahead of WSIS<BR>Source: IFEX<BR>International and Tunisian non-governmental
organisations express their outrage at the rapid deterioration of the human
rights situation in Tunisia just two months prior to the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS), to be held in Tunis, November 15-18, 2005. After
prohibiting the founding congress of the Tunisian Journalists' Union (SJT) on
September 7, authorities prevented the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH)
from holding its 6th Congress.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/69142/"><FONT
size=3>http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/69142/</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* WSIS host country again threatens journalists<BR>Source:
Heinrich Böll Foundation<BR>Joint declaration by members of the Tunisia
Monitoring Group of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX-TMG).
<BR>--> </FONT><A href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/777.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/777.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* The state of human rights in Tunisia, host of the next WSIS
<BR>Source: APC<BR>Attendees at the recent phase of WSIS couldn’t fail to notice
the prolific presence of Tunisian delegates. From civil society plenaries
through gatherings over coffee to the government sessions, they had their say in
preparation for the November summit. But can a country whose government censors
journalists, curtails web access and imprisons internet users without trial, be
a fit host for the UN’s World Summit on the Information Society?.<BR>-->
</FONT><A href="http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31495"><FONT
size=3>http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=31495</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Tunisia and the World Summit on Information Society
<BR>Source: International Federation for Human Rights<BR>Three international
Human rights NGOs release a joint report on the information society in Tunisia
and on the operational conditions for the preparation of the World Summit on
Information society to be held in Tunis in November 2005. The document is
available for download in PDF format.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=2418"><FONT
size=3>http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=2418</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>----------------------------------------------------------------<BR> After
PrepCom: Towards
Tunis<BR>----------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Intersessional work and resumed PrepCom-3<BR>Source:
ITU<BR>As mandated by PrepCom-3 of the Tunis phase of WSIS, the PrepCom Bureau
has decided the dates of the intersessional negotiation work ahead of the Tunis
phase as well as on the dates, venue and modalities of the resumed PrepCom-3
back to back to the Tunis Summit. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Road to Tunis paved with questions<BR>Source: IPS<BR>With
just six weeks to go before the second phase of the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis, a number of key issues remain unresolved,
including the highly debated questions of Internet governance and civil society
participation. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=30527"><FONT
size=3>http://ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=30527</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* PrepCom closes in disarray<BR>Source: Heinrich Böll
Foundation <BR>The last preparatory conference, less than 60 days before the
Tunis summit, ended without an agreement. The open questions will have to be
dealt with in the time before Tunis – and basically without civil society
participation<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/797.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/797.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* Tunis ‘summit of solutions’ now in sight<BR>Source: ITU
<BR>The third Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3) of the Tunis phase of the World
Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) closed its doors after a gruelling two
weeks of day and night sessions that saw agreement on large sections of the
Summit text, some major developments in the international community’s approach
to Internet governance, but ultimately disappointing progress on a raft of
contentious issues.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/newsroom/press_releases/wsis/2005/30sep.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.itu.int/wsis/newsroom/press_releases/wsis/2005/30sep.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>--------------------------------------------------------------<BR> General
information on
PrepCom-3<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* PrepCom-3 official website<BR>Source: ITU<BR>International
Telecommunication Union site. It contains information about the meeting, as well
as links to news and documents.<BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* General report on Prepcom-3<BR>Rik Panganiban
<BR>Source: CONGO (Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations)<BR>Who should
manage the internet? How to coordinate the bridging of the "Digital
Divide" across the United Nations system and beyond? Will the
extraordinary multi-stakeholder model set by the World Summit on the Information
Society continue beyond Tunis in November? These were some of the
key questions that governments and other stakeholders were to address during the
final preparatory committee of the World Summit on the Information Society, held
at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 19-30 September. <BR>-->
</FONT><A
href="http://www.ngocongo.org/ngomeet/WSIS/Prepcom3/ReportWSISPrepcomIII.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.ngocongo.org/ngomeet/WSIS/Prepcom3/ReportWSISPrepcomIII.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* WSIS PrepCom-3, Tunis Phase<BR>Source: Heinrich Böll
Foundation<BR>Day by day information on the main developments at the third
meeting of the Preparatory committee for the WSIS. <BR>--> </FONT><A
href="http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/767.htm"><FONT
size=3>http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/767.htm</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><BR><FONT
size=3>-------------------------------------------------------<BR> Related
Choike's in-depth
reports<BR>-------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>* World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)<BR>-->
</FONT><A href="http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/703.html"><FONT
size=3>http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/703.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
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size=3>--------------------------------------------------------------<BR>- "WSIS
Papers" and "Choike" are projects of the<BR>Instituto del Tercer Mundo (ITeM)
- Third World Institute</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>- "WSIS Papers" is supported by the<BR>International
Development Research Centre (IDRC) /
PanAmericas<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
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