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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Linda and all,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Pls find below the full text. Best Rikke</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoList style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold'>WSIS Civil Society Statement <i><span style='font-style:italic'>DRAFT
V3.1</span></i></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoList style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>last
change: </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span lang=ES style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>30/11/2005
18:52</span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> CET</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><b><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:
bold'>I. Introduction – Our perspective after the WSIS process</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The WSIS
was an opportunity for a wide range of actors to work together to develop
principles and prioritise actions that would lead to democratic, inclusive, participatory
and development-oriented information societies; societies in which the ability
to access, share and communicate information and knowledge is treated as a
public good and takes place in a ways that strengthens the rich cultural
diversity of our world.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Civil
society entered the Tunis Phase of WSIS with these major goals: </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Agreement on financing mechanisms
and models that will close the growing gaps in access to information and communication
tools, capacities and infrastructure that exist between countries, and in many
cases within countries.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Ensuring that our vision of the
‘information society’ is human-centred, framed by a global
commitment to human rights, social justice and inclusive development.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Achieving a sea change in
perceptions of participatory decision-making. We wanted the WSIS to be a
milestone from which the inclusion of civil society participation would become
more comprehensive and integrated at all levels of governance and decision
making at local, national, regional and global levels.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Agreement on strong commitment to
the centrality of human rights, especially the right to access and depart
information and to retaining individual privacy.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Civil society wants to affirm that it has contributed
positively to the WSIS process, a contribution that could have been greater if
our participation was allowed to be more comprehensive. Our contribution will
continue beyond the </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Summit</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>. It is
a contribution that is made both through constructive engagement and through
challenge and critique.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-style:italic'>[Note: This paragraph still could be
more comprehensive and better summarize the issues below]</span></font></i></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>While we
value the process, and the outcomes, we believe more could have been achieved.
Each of the issue of greatest concern to civil society is discussed in sections
II and III of this statement. For most of the items, the results were mixed
with some small success but with much remaining to be done. Some of the
greatest concerns involve people centred issues such as the attention paid to
human rights and freedom of expression, financial mechanisms to promote the
development that was the impetus for the WSIS process, and support for capacity
building.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>II. Issues addressed during the </span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold'>Tunis</span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> phase of WSIS</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=heading9 style='margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:0cm'><span
dir=LTR><span class=Internetlink1><u><font size=3 color=navy><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Social Justice, </span></font></u></span></span>Financing<span
class=Internetlink1><u><font size=3 color=navy><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> and People-Centered Development</span></font></u></span></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>WSIS had
the official mandate of addressing long-standing development problems in new
ways that have opened up with the ICT revolution. The summit was expected to
identify and articulate new development possibilities and paradigms made
possible in the information society, and to evolve public policy options for
enabling and realising these opportunities. WSIS in general has failed to live
up to these expectations. Especially the </span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> phase
which was presented as the “summit of solutions” did not provide
concrete achievements to meaningfully address development priorities. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The summit did discuss the importance of new financing
mechanisms for ICT for Development (ICTD), however it failed to recognize that
ICTD financing presents a challenge beyond that of traditional development
financing. It requires new means and sources and the exploration of new models
and mechanisms. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Investments in ICTD - in infrastructure, capacity
building, appropriate software and hardware and in developing applications and
services – underpin all other processes of development innovation,
learning and sharing, and should be seen in this light. Though development
resources are admittedly scarce and have to be allocated to with care and
discretion, ICTD financing should not be viewed as directly in competition with
financing of other developmental sectors. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Financing ICTD requires social and institutional innovation,
with adequate mechanisms for transparency, evaluation, and follow-up. Financial
resources need to be mobilised at all levels – local, national and
international, including through realization of ODA commitments agreed in the
Monterrey Consensus.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Internet access, for everybody and everywhere, especially
among disadvantaged populations and in rural areas, must be considered as a
global public good. Markets may not address the connectivity needs of these
sections, and these areas. In many such areas, initial priority may need to be
given to provide traditional ICTs - radio, TV, video and telephony - while
developing conditions to bring complete internet connectivity to them. </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><u><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>While the summit in general has failed to agree on
adequate funding for ICTD, civil society was able to introduce significant
sections in the Tunis commitment (paragraph 35) and in Tunis agenda (paragraph
21) on the importance of public policy in mobilizing resources for financing.
This can serve to balance the pro-market orientation of much of the text on
financing. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The potential of ICTs as tools for development, and not
merely tools for communication, should have been realised by all states. Therefore,
national ICT strategies in developing countries should be closely related to
national strategies for development and poverty eradication. Aid strategies in
developed countries must also include clear guidelines for incorporation of
ICTs. ICT should therefore be integrated in the general development assistance
and thereby contribute to mobilisation of additional resources and increase the
efficiency of development assistance.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Human Rights</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><u><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The Information
Society must be based on human rights as laid out in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. This includes civil and political rights, as well as social,
economic and cultural rights. Human rights and development are closely linked.
There can be no development without human rights, no human rights without
development. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>This has been
affirmed time and again, and was strongly stated in the Vienna World Conference
of Human Rights in 1993. It was also affirmed in the WSIS 2003 Declaration of
Principles. All legislation, politics, and actions involved in developing the
global information society must respect, protect and promote human rights
standards and the rule of law.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Despite the </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Geneva</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>
commitment to an Information Society respectful of human rights, there is still
a long way to go. A number of human rights were barely addressed in the Geneva
Declaration of Principles. This includes the cross-cutting principles of
non-discrimination, gender equality, and workers’ rights. The right to
privacy, which is the basis of autonomous personal development and thus at the
root of the exertion of many other fundamental human rights, is only mentioned
in the Geneva Declaration as part of "a global culture of
cyber-security". In the Tunis Commitment, it has disappeared, to make room
for extensive underlining of security needs, as if privacy were a threat to
security, whereas the opposite is true: Privacy is an essential requirement to
security. The summit has also ignored our demand to ensure the privacy and
integrity of the vote if and when electronic voting technologies are used. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><b><i><u><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Other rights
were more explicitly addressed, but are de facto violated on a daily basis.
This goes for freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of
association and assembly, the right to a fair trial, the right to education,
and the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of
the individual and his or her family. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Furthermore, as
the second WSIS phase has amplified, one thing is formal commitment, another
one is implementation. Side events open to the general public were organised by
civil society both at the </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Geneva</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> and
Tunis Summit, in line with a long tradition of UN summits. The Citizens’ </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Summit</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> in </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> was
prevented from happening. At the Geneva Summit, the "We Seize" side
event was closed down and then reopened. This is a clear reminder that though
governments have signed on to human rights commitments, fundamental human
rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly can not be taken
for granted in any part of the world. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><u><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric'><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The summit has
failed define mechanisms and actions that would actively promote and protect
human rights in the information society. Post WSIS there is an urgent need to
strengthen the means of human rights enforcement in the information society, to
enhance human rights proofing of national legislation and practises, to
strengthen education and awareness raising on rights-based development, to transform
human rights standards into ICT policy recommendations; and to mainstream ICT
issues into the global and regional human rights monitoring system – in
summary: To move from declarations and commitments into action. Toward this
end, an independent commission should be established to review national and
international ICT regulations and practices and their compliance with
international human rights standards. This commission should also address the
potential applications of ICTs for the realization of human rights in the
information society.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=heading5 style='margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:0cm'><span
dir=LTR><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Internet Governance</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Civil society is pleased with the decision to create an
Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which it has advocated since 2003. We also are
pleased that the IGF will have sufficient scope to deal with the issues that we
believe must be addressed, most notably the conformity of existing arrangements
with the Geneva Principles, and other cross-cutting or multidimensional issues
that cannot be optimally dealt with within those arrangements. However, we reiterate
our concerns that the Forum must not be anchored in any existing specialized
international organization, meaning that its legal form, finances, and
professional staff should be independent. In addition, we reiterate our view
that the forum should be more than a place for dialogue. As was recommended by
the WGIG Report, it should also provide expert analysis, trend monitoring, and
capacity building, including in close collaboration with external partners in
the research community.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We are concerned, however, about the absence of details on
how this forum will be created and on how it will be funded. We insist that the
modalities of the IGF be determined in full cooperation with civil society. We
emphasize that success in the forum, as in most areas of Internet governance,
will be impossible without the full participation of civil society. By full
participation we mean much more than playing a mere advisory role. Civil
society must be able to participate fully and equally in both plenary and any
working group or drafting group discussions, and must have the same
opportunities as other stakeholders to influence agendas and outcomes.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The Tunis Agenda addressed the issue of political
oversight of critical Internet resources. This, in itself, is an achievement.
It is also important that governments recognized the need for the development
of a set of Internet-related public policy principles that would frame
political oversight of Internet resources. These principles must respect,
protect and promote the civil and political rights protected by international
human rights treaties, ensure equitable access to information and online
opportunities for all, and promote development.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>It is important that governments have established that
developing these principles should be a shared responsibility. However, it is
very unfortunate that the Tunis Agenda suggests that governments are only
willing to share this role and responsibility among themselves, in cooperation
with international organisations. Civil society remains strongly of the view
that the formulation of appropriate and legitimate public policies pertaining
to Internet governance requires the full and meaningful involvement of
nongovernmental stakeholders.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>With regard to paragraph 40 of the Tunis Agenda, we are
disappointed that there is no mention that efforts to combat cybercrime need to
be exercised in the context of checks and balances provided by fundamental
human rights, particularly freedom of expression and privacy.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>To
ensure that Internet governance and development take place in the public
interest, it is necessary for people who use the Internet understand how the
DNS is functioning, how IP addresses are allocated, what basic legal
instruments exist in fields like cyber-crime, Intellectual Property Rights,
eCommerce, e-government, and human rights</span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> and promoting
development</span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>. </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The responsibility of creating
such awareness should be shared by everyone, including those at present
involved in the governance and development of the Internet and emerging </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>information
and communication platforms.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><u><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Global governance</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>A world that is increasingly connected faces a greater
number of common issues which need to be addressed by global governance
institutions and processes. While civil society recognises that there are flaws
and inefficiencies in the United Nations system, we believe strongly that it
remains the most democratic intergovernmental forum, where rich and poor
countries have rights to speak and participate and make decisions together.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We are concerned that during the WSIS it emerged that many
governments, </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>especially from the North,</span></font> <font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>lack
faith in, and appear to be unwilling to invest authority and resources in the
existing multilateral system. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>In our understanding summits take place precisely to
develop the principles that will underpin global public policy and governance
structures; to address critical issues, and decide on appropriate responses to
these issues. Shrinking global public policy spaces raises serious questions of
the kind of global governance that we are headed towards, and what this
signifies for people who are socially, economically and politically
marginalised: people who most rely on public policy to protect their interests.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=heading6 style='margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:0cm'><span
dir=LTR><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;text-decoration:none'>Participation
</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>In the
course of four years, as a result of constant pressure from civil society,
improvements in civil society participation have been achieved, including
speaking rights in official plenaries and sub-committees and ultimately rights
to observe in drafting groups. The UN Working Group on Internet Governance
created an innovative format where governmental and civil society actors worked
on an equal footing and civil society actually carried a large part of the
drafting load. </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Due to
the pressure of time and the need of governments to interact with civil society
actors in the Internet Governance field, the resumed session of PrepCom3 was in
fact the most open. We would like to suggest <i><span style='font-style:italic'>[better
formulation?]</span></i> that this openness, against all odds, contributed to
reaching consensus. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>WSIS has demonstrated beyond any doubt the benefits of
interaction between all stakeholders. The innovative rules and practices of
participation established in this process will be fully documented to provide a
reference point and a benchmark for participants in UN organizations and
processes in the future.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Civil society thanks those governments that greatly
supported our participation in the WSIS process. We hope and expect that these
achievements are taken further and strengthened, especially in more politically
contested spaces of global policy making such as intellectual property rights,
trade, environment and peace and disarmament. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We note
that some governments of the South were not actively supportive of greater
observer participation as they believe it can lead to undue dominance of debate
and opinions by international and northern civil society organisations and the
private sector. We believe that to change this perception, they should engage
in efforts to strengthen the presence, independence and participation of civil society
constituencies in and from their own countries.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>As for the period beyond the summit, the </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>
documents clearly establish that the soon-to-be created Internet Governance
Forum, and the future mechanisms for implementation and follow-up (including the
revision of the mandate of the ECOSOC Commission on Science and Technology for
Development) must take into account the multi-stakeholder approach. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We want
to express concern at the vagueness of text referring to the role of civil
society. In almost every paragraph talking about multi-stakeholder
participation, the phrase “in their respective roles and
responsibilities” is used to limit the degree of multi-stakeholder
participation. This limitation is due to the refusal of governments to recognize
the full range of the roles and responsibilities of civil society. Instead of
the reduced capabilities assigned in paragraph 35C of the Tunis Agenda that
attempt to restrict civil society to a community role, governments should have
referred to the list of roles and responsibilities assigned to civil society by
the WGIG report. These are:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Awareness
raising and capacity building (knowledge, training, skills sharing);</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Promote
various public interest objectives;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Facilitate
network building;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Mobilize
citizens in democratic processes;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Bring
perspectives of marginalized groups including for example excluded communities
and grassroots activists;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Engage
in policy processes;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Bring
expertise, skills, experience and knowledge in a range of ICT policy areas
contributing to policy processes and policies that are more bottom-up,
people-centred and ­inclusive;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Research
and development of technologies and standards;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Development
and dissemination of best practices;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Helping
to ensure that political and market forces are accountable to the needs of all
members of society;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Encourage
social responsibility and good governance practice;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Advocate
for development of social projects and activities that are critical but may not
be ‘fashionable’ or profitable;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Contribute
to ­shaping visions of human-centred information societies based on human
rights, sustainable development, social justice and empowerment.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Civil society has reason for
concern that the limited concessions obtained in the last few days from
countries that refuse the emergence of a truly multi-stakeholder format will be
at risk in the coming months. </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Default style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Civil society actors therefore
intend to remain actively mobilized. They need to proactively ensure that not
only the needed future structures be established in a truly multi-stakeholder
format, but also that the discussions preparing their mandates are conducted in
an open, transparent and inclusive manner, allowing participation of all
stakeholders on an equal footing.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>III. Issues addressed in the </span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold'>Geneva</span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> and </span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold'>Tunis</span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> phases</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Gender Equality</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Equal and active participation of women is essential,
especially in decision-making. This includes all forums that will be
established in relation to WSIS and the issues it has taken up. With that,
there is a need for capacity building that is focussed at women’s
engagement with the shaping of an information society at all levels, including
policy making on infrastructure development, financing, and technology choice.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>There is a need for real effort and commitment to
transforming the masculinist culture embedded within existing structures and
discourses of the information society which serves to reinforce gender
disparity and inequality. Without full, material and engaged commitment to the
principle of gender equality, women’s empowerment and non-discrimination,
the vision of a just and equitable information society cannot be achieved.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Considering the affirmation of unequivocal support for
gender equality and women’s empowerment expressed in the Geneva
Declaration of Principles and paying careful attention to Paragraph 23 of the
Tunis Commitment, all government signatories must ensure that national
policies, programmes and strategies developed and implemented to build a
people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society demonstrate
significant commitment to the principles of gender equality and women’s
empowerment.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We emphasise that financial structures and mechanisms need
to be geared towards addressing the gender divide, including the provision of
adequate budgetary allocations. Comprehensive gender-disaggregated data and
indicators have to be developed at national levels to enable and monitor this
process. We urge all governments to take positive action to ensure institutions
and practices, including those of the private sector, do not result in
discrimination against women. Governments that are p</span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>arties to the
UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
are in fact bound to this course of action.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Culture, Knowledge, and the Public Domain</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Each generation of humankind is depending upon its
predecessors to leave them with a liveable, sustainable and stable environment.
The environment we were discussing throughout the WSIS is the public domain of
global knowledge. Like our planet with its natural resources, that domain is
the heritage of all humankind and the reservoir from which new knowledge is
created. Limited monopolies, such as copyrights and patents were originally
conceived as tools to serve that public domain of global knowledge to the
benefit of humankind. Whenever society grants monopolies, a delicate balance
must be struck: Careless monopolization will make our heritage unavailable to
most people, to the detriment of all.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>It has become quite clear that this balance has been upset
by the interests of the rights-holding industry as well as the digitalization
of knowledge. Humankind now has the power to instantaneously share knowledge in
real-time, without loss, and at almost no costs. Civil Society has worked hard
to defend that ability for all of humankind. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Free Software is an integral part of this ability:
Software is the cultural technique and most important regulator of the digital
age. Access to it determines who may participate in a digital world. </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>While in
the </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Geneva</span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> phase, WSIS has recognised the
importance of Free Software, it has not acted upon that declaration and fallen
behind it in the </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> phase. In the
Tunis Commitment, Free Software is presented as a software model next to
proprietary software, but paragraph 29 reiterates “the importance of
proprietary software in the markets of the countries.” This ignores that
a proprietary software market is always striving towards dependency and
monopolization, both of which are detrimental to economy and development as a
whole. Proprietary software is under exclusive control of and to the benefit of
its proprietor. Furthermore: Proprietary software is written in modern
sweat-shops for the benefit of developed economies, which are subsidized at the
expense of developing and least-developed countries in this way. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>While WSIS has somewhat recognised the importance of free
and open source software, it has not asserted the significance of this choice
for development. It is silent on other issues like open content (which goes
beyond open access to academic publications), new open telecom paradigms and
community-owned infrastructure as important development enablers. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The WSIS process has failed to introduce cultural and
linguistic diversity as a cross-cutting issue in the information society. The
information society and its core elements - knowledge, information,
communication and the information and communication technologies (ICTs)
together with related rules and standards - are cultural concepts and
expressions. Accordingly, culturally defined approaches, protocols, proceedings
and obligations have to be respected and culturally appropriate applications
developed and promoted. In order to foster and promote cultural diversity it
must be ensured that no one has to be mere recipient of Western knowledge and
treatment. Therefore development of such cultural elements of the Information
Society must involve strong participation of all cultural communities. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black;font-style:italic'>[needs
agreement / editing from Cultural Diversity and PCT caucuses]</span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Indigenous cultures
provide for rules and regulations on communicating, sharing, using and applying
traditional knowledge. </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>WSIS has failed to offer solutions
on how to </span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>protect the
traditional </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>knowledge, lore and culture </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
color:black'>of indigenous peoples from exploitation by third parties. It has </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>not even
considered the problems that arise for Indigenous peoples who cannot rightfully
access their traditional heritage lest they infringe some private company's
copyright or patent.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=heading8 style='margin-left:0cm;text-indent:0cm'><span dir=LTR><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Education and research </span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>If we want future generations to understand the real basis
of our digital age, freedom has to be preserved for the knowledge of humankind:
Free Software, open courseware and free educational as well as scientific
resources empower people to take their life into their own hands. </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>If not,
they will become only users and consumers of information technologies, instead
of active participants and well informed citizens in the information society. </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Each
generation has a choice to make: Schooling of the mind and creativity, or
product schooling? Most unfortunately, the WSIS has shown a significant
tendency towards the latter.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We are happy that universities, museums, archives,
libraries have been recognized by WSIS as playing an important role as public
institutions and with the community of researchers and academics.
Unfortunately, telecenters are missing in the WSIS documents. Community
informatics, telecenters and human resources like computer professionals, and
the training of these, have to be promoted, so that ICTs serve training and not
training serves ICTs. Thus special attention must be paid to supporting
sustainable capacity building with specific focus on research and skills
development.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Problems of access, </span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>regulation,
diversity and efficiency require attention to power relations both in the field
of ICT policy-making and in the everyday uses of ICTs. Academic research should
play a pivotal role in evaluating whether ICTs meet and serve the
individuals’ and the public's multiple needs and interests - as workers,
women, migrants, racial, ethnic and sexual minorities, among others - across
very uneven information societies in the world. Furthermore, because power
relations and social orientations are often embedded in the very designs of
ICTs, researchers should be sensitive to the diverse and multiple needs of the
public in the technological design of ICTs. Similarly, educators at all levels
should be empowered to develop curricula that provide training not only in the
uses of ICTs as workers and consumers, but also in the critical assessment of
ICTs, the institutional and social contexts of their development and
implementation, as well as their creative uses for active citizenship. These
issues have largely been ignored by WSIS.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We furthermore have repeatedly underlined the unique role
of ICTs in socio-economic development and in promoting the fulfilment of
internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the
Millennium Declaration. This is not least true in the reference to access to
information and universal primary education. To secure the fulfilment of these
goals, it is of key importance that the issue of ICTs as tools for improvement
of education is also incorporated in the broader development strategies at both
national and international levels.<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<p class=heading5 style='margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:0cm'><span
dir=LTR><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Media</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-PreformattedText><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We are pleased that the principle of freedom of
expression has been reaffirmed in the WSIS II texts and that they echo much of
the language of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While
we are also pleased that the Tunis Commitment recognises the place of the media
in a new Information Society, this should never have been in question.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>In the future, representatives of
the media should be assured a place in all public forums considering
development of the Internet and all other relevant aspects of the Information
Society. As key actors in the Information Society, the media must have a place
at the table, and this must be fully recognized both by governments and by
Civil Society itself.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>While recognizing media and
freedom of expression, the WSIS documents are weak on offering support for
developing diversity in the media sector. They specifically neglect a range of
projects and initiatives which are of particular value for civil society:
Community media, telecenters, grassroots and civil society-based media. These
media empower people for independent and creative participation in
knowledge-building and information-sharing. They represent the prime means for
large parts of the world population to participate in the information society
and should be an integral part of implementation of the goals of the Geneva
Declaration.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-PreformattedText><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The WSIS documents also mostly focus on
market-based solutions and commercial </span></font><font face=Verdana><span
style='font-family:Verdana'>use. Yet the internet, satellite, cable and
broadcast systems all utilize public resources, such as airwaves and orbital
paths. These should be managed in the public interest as publicly owned assets
through transparent and accountable regulatory frameworks to enable the
equitable allocation of resources and infrastructure among a plurality of media
including community media. We reaffirm our commitment that commercial use of
these resources begins with a public interest obligation.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Health Information</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-style:italic'>[Health and ICTs WG is working on making
it more specifically relate to the WSIS outcomes]</span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>WSIS has failed to recognize the importance of access to
health information and knowledge as essential to collective and individual
human development and a critical factor in the public physical and mental
health care crises around the world. It is essential that health care systems
include a holistic approach that addresses the prevention, treatment, and
promotion of mental and physical health care for all people and to achieve the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>It is important to recognize that physical and mental
health expertise and scientific knowledge is essential to aid disease stricken,
as well as traumatized populations affected by war, terrorism, disaster and
other events, and the implementation of ICT systems for physical and mental
health information and services must be a two-way path recognizing cultural and
community norms and values. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>It is essential that healthcare specialists,
practitioners, and consumers participate in the development of public policy
addressing privacy and related issues regarding physical and mental health
information affecting information and delivery systems.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold'>Children and young people in the information society</span></font></b></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><i><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-style:italic'>[Current text is edited Children’s Rights Caucus
contribution. Youth Caucus will submit its part later.]</span></font></i></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We support articles 11, 13 and 16
of the Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action; articles 90q and 92
of the Tunis Declaration and article 24 of the Tunis Commitment. In doing so,
we encourage the greater inclusion of children and young people – as key
current and future telecom users and creators. We support the great
opportunities that ICTs offer children and young people and recognize the
potential dangers that children and young people face in relation to ICTs. In
this regard we had hoped that WSIS supports our proposals on children’s
rights, participation and protection in the information society. These include,
inter alia, making ICTs and connectivity available to all children; making ICTs
an integral part of the formal and informal educational sectors; protecting
children and young people from the potential risks posed by using new
technologies, including access to inappropriate content, inappropriate or
unwanted contact and commercial pressures; fighting the use of ICTs to exploit
and abuse children. Through this, we are committed to work in the WSIS follow-up
process towards a world where telecommunication allows children and young
people to be heard one-by-one and through their voices, fulfil their rights and
true potential to shape the world.</span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Ethical Dimensions</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Values and ethics should be held as the ideal vision to
underpin all aspects of individuals and organizations. Both should be regarded
as central and thematic when evaluating ICTs as tools to enable just and
peaceable conditions for humanity. The ethical dimensions are overarching and
imperative and not value-added dimensions. These dimensions are clearer and
stronger in the Geneva Declaration than the </span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> texts.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The Tunis Agenda and Commitment are commendable in that
they affirmed the Geneva Declaration’s emphasis on a people-centred,
sustainable development-oriented and human rights-based information society.
But WSIS in </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> failed to restate what </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Geneva</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>
considered acts inimical to the information society such as racism, intolerance,
hatred, violence and others.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Geneva</span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> lifted the ethical values of
respect for peace and the fundamental values of freedom, equality, solidarity,
tolerance, shared responsibility, and respect for nature as enunciated in the
Millennium Declaration. </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> should have
improved on these by including the principles of trust, stewardship and shared
responsibility together with digital solidarity.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The strong emphasis on technology in the </span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> texts
must not eclipse the human being as the subject of communication and
development. Our humanity rests in our capacity to communicate with each other
and create community. The technologies we develop, and the solidarities we
forge, must build relationships, trust, and cohesion. It is in the respectful
dialogue among peoples and in the sharing of values among peoples, in the
plurality of cultures and civilizations that meaningful and accountable
communication thrives. The </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> texts do not
give clear indications on how this can happen.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Beyond </span></font><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tunis</span></font><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>, we must
encourage all stakeholders to weave ethics and values language in working on
semantic web knowledge structures. This can help balance current dominant
market values and the commodification of knowledge and attendant business
logic. Communication rights and justice is about making human communities as
the home of technology and human relationships as technology’s heart.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>IV. Where to go from here – our </span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
font-weight:bold'>Tunis</span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> commitment</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-style:italic'> </span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Civil society is committed to continuing its involvement
in the future mechanisms for policy debate, implementation and follow-up on
information society issues. To do this, civil society will build on the
processes and structures that were developed during the WSIS process.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Element one: Evolution of our internal organization</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Civil society will work on the continued evolution of the
current structures. This will include the use of existing thematic caucuses and
working groups, the possible creation of new caucuses, and the use of the Civil
Society Plenary, the Civil Society Bureau, and the Civil Society Content and
Themes Group. We will organise at a date to be determined to launch the process
of creating a Civil Society charter.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Element two: Involvement in the Internet
Governance Forum</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>In specific reference to the Internet Governance Forum, in
addition to continuing to develop the consensus notion of the CS Internet
Governance caucus, discussions are under way to create a new working group that
will focus on making recommendations on the modalities of the new forum.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Element three: Involvement in follow-up
and implementation</span></font></b></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=WW-Index style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>In order
to ensure that the future implementation and follow-up mechanisms respect the
spirit and letter of the Tunis documents and that governments uphold the
commitments they have made during this second phase of the WSIS, civil society mechanisms
will be used and created to ensure</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>the proactive monitoring at the
national level of the implementation of the Geneva Plan of Action and the Tunis
Agenda by governments;</span></font></span></p>
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-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>a structured interaction with all
UN agencies and international organisations to ensure that they integrate the
WSIS objectives in their own work plan, and that they put in place effective
mechanisms for multistakeholder interaction;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>that the information society as a
complex social political phenomenon is not reduced to a technology-centred
perspective. The ECOSOC Commission on Science and Technology for Development
will have to significantly change its mandate and composition to adequately
address the needs for being an effective follow-up mechanism for WSIS whilst re-affirming
its original mission of developing science and technology, in addition to ICTs,
for the development objectives of poor countries;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>not only that the reformed
Commission on Science and Technology for Development becomes a truly
multi-stakeholder commission for the information society, but also, that the
process to revise it's mandate, composition and agenda is done in a fully open
and inclusive manner.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=HTMLPreformatted style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;letter-spacing:4.85pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Element four: Lessons learned for the UN
system in general</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We see the WSIS process as an experience to be learned
from for the overall UN system and processes. We will therefore work with the
United Nations and all stakeholders on </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>developing clearer and less
bureaucratic rules of recognition for accrediting civil society organisations
in the UN system, for instance on obtaining ECOSOC status and summit
accreditation, to ensure that national governmental recognition of civil society
entities is not the premise for official recognition in the UN system;</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:
-18.0pt'><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Symbol'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></font><span dir=LTR><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>ensuring that all future summit
processes be multi–stakeholder in their approach, allowing for due
flexibility. This would be achieved either by recognition of precedents set in
summit processes, or by formulating a rules of procedure manual to guide future
summit processes and day-to-day civil society interaction with the
international community.</span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Element five: Outreach to other
constituencies</span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The civil society constituency that closely associated
with the WSIS process is conscious that the information society, as its name
suggests, is a society-wide phenomenon, and advocacy on Information society issues
need to include every interest and every group. We therefore commit ourselves
in the post-WSIS period to work to broaden our reach to different civil society
constituencies that for various reasons have not been active in the WSIS
process, may have shown scepticism over the role of ICTs in their core areas of
activity, or for other reasons have remained disengaged from the information
society discourse.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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