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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks Bill, I think what you suggest will
be useful. We should try to organize such a sign-on letter. Regards Parminder <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>________________________________________________</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>Parminder Jeet
Singh</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>IT for Change</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>Bridging
Development Realities and Technological Possibilities</span></font></i></em><font
size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Arial Narrow";color:gray'> </span></font><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>91-80-26654134</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><a href="http://www.itforchange.net/"
title="http://www.itforchange.net/"><em><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="http://www.itforchange.net/"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy;text-decoration:none'>www.ITforChange.net</span></font></i></em></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>William Drake<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, February 15, 2006
2:57 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">plenary@wsis-cs.org</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ITU
reform consultation (1 Feb. 2006)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Book Antiqua"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua"'>Hi Parminder,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Book Antiqua"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua"'>Actually, I did briefly mention the high
cost of ITU materials and their limiting effects on information access in the
course of listing CS concerns and ITU non-compliance with the WSIS principles;
Philippe's quick summary didn't purport to be a word for word record. But
there was not any focused discussion on the point in this
meeting. Anyway, the issue has been debated off and
on within ITU for at least fifteen years, especially since they shut down
Carl Malamud's Bruno experiment (free gopher access to the CCITT red book, many
thousands of downloads), and there have been various proposals from members and
staff on the point. It will undoubtedly resurface at the fall Plenipotentiary
Conference, and I would guess there's a good chance of a change with respect to
technical standards. Printed, bound materials, such as treaties and SPU
studies, may be a different story. It would be useful to submit a strong
CS sign-on letter that proponents of change could point to in supporting their
position. Post-WSIS, there is unprecedented sensitivity to CS criticisms,
and that can be leveraged.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Book Antiqua"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua"'>Best,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Book Antiqua"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua"'>Bill</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org
[mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org]<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf
Of </span></b>Parminder<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, February 14, 2006
3:43 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">plenary@wsis-cs.org</st1:PersonName>;
'<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region>
- Philippe Dam'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ITU
reform consultation (1 Feb. 2006)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Hi Philippe, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Thanks a lot for your report. Just had one question. The official
meeting summary (attached) at </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><a
href="http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html"
title="http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html">http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html</a>
submitted by the chair of the meeting does mention <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Point 5.3 ITU
publications and standards should be freely available for downloads.----<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>So apparently the issue of open access to ITU publications did come
up – and was discussed in a positive light. This appears encouraging. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>But I do not find the mention of this issue in your report.
Apparently, the two interventions by the CS that you describe in your report
did not raise this issue. Do you remember who really did raise the issue, and
how did the discussion on it go. And if it was not discussed how come the issue
is mentioned in such straight-forward terms in the chair’s meeting
summary. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Thanks once again, and best regards<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Parminder <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>________________________________________________</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>Parminder Jeet
Singh</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>IT for Change</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>Bridging
Development Realities and Technological Possibilities</span></font></i></em><font
size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Arial Narrow";color:gray'> </span></font><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>91-80-26654134</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><a href="http://www.itforchange.net/"
title="http://www.itforchange.net/"><em><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="http://www.itforchange.net/"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy;text-decoration:none'>www.ITforChange.net</span></font></i></em></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org
[mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf
Of </span></b><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">CONGO</st1:country-region></st1:place>
- Philippe Dam<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, February 02, 2006
9:45 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">plenary@wsis-cs.org</st1:PersonName>;
bureau@wsis-cs.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> rbloem@ngocongo.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [WSIS CS-Plenary] ITU
reform consultation (1 Feb. 2006)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=FR
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Dear all, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Please find below a summary of the discussion during
the consultation on ITU Reform (1 February 2006, ITU, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>). With regard to better inclusion of
civil society in the work of the ITU and although some delegations and Chairman
Grin showed their reticence towards any change for better inclusiveness, two
ideas were brought into the discussion:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:53.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Opening
up of sector membership within ITU-D to civil society with no or much lower
fees (Private sector, NGOs, and at the end of the meeting <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:53.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>New
modalities for participation or consultation beyond / in addition to existing
modalities for ITU membership (NGOs, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region>,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Information on this meeting: <a
href="http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html">http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html</a><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'>, <a href="http://www.itu.int/reform">http://www.itu.int/reform</a>
</span></font> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The on-line forum will remain open to collect new
ideas on this issue (<a
href="http://www.itu.int/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=428&start=0">http://www.itu.int/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=428&start=0</a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Best regards<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Consultation on ITU Reform<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>ITU Council WG on WSIS<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>1 February 2006<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>A few delegations expressed some general comments at
the beginning of the meeting. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
mentioned that WSIS would impact on the evolution of ITU terms of reference.
New approaches should be considered for tackling WSIS action lines, and <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
insisted on the need to broaden ITU’s mandate to replicate all WSIS
issues under the ITU. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
later on also stated that Internet Governance issues should also be dealt with
by the ITU. Ambassador Karklins answered to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> that ITU should focus on its
own mandate for themes and actions lines, though playing an important role in
the implementation and follow-up process, based on ITU Council Decisions. He
highlighted the need for deeper interactions to be established with civil
society, NGOs and the private sector. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName ProductID="Renate Bloem" w:st="on"><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Renate
Bloem</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> (Conference of NGOs) drew attention
to the last-minute possibility for some non-ITU member NGO representatives to
attend the meeting, stressing their willingness to also be much more deeply
involved in this overall reflection on ITU reform. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> answered that non State
actors are already involved in the work of the ITU through Sector membership
for more than 600 entities, <i><span style='font-style:italic'>provided that
they pay their dues</span></i>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>ITU
Vital Activities<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>There is quite an agreement to recognise that,
although ITU-T (Telecommunication Standardisation) and ITU-R
(Radio-communication) should not be abandoned, WSIS would have a strong impact
on the work of <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>ITU-D (Development)</span></b>,
taking into account the provisions of WSIS outcomes and reconsidering the
structures of this sector. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
proposed that ITU-D should also deal with processing, in addition to infrastructures,
and stressed that ITU-D should be in charge of Action Line 5 on security. <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Vanuatu</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place> stressed ITU-D role in
bridging the digital divide. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Canada</span></font></st1:country-region><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place>
pointed out the <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>member driven</span></b>
approach and the importance of ITU member inputs. <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region> mentioned that
a strong reference should be given to <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>paragraph
64 of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>
Declaration</span></b> of Principles to define the up-coming core activities of
the ITU. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>ITU member Private Sector (Cisco System, Compass
Rose) and non-for-profit (AfriNIC) highlighted the need for more strengthened <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>relationships with other actors</span></b> in the
post-WSIS environment with private sector, small companies, civil society and
NGOs to increase the <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>inclusiveness and
cooperation</span></b> in the vital activities of the Union. On the question of
membership fees, Compass Rose called for more consideration to the financial
situation of potential members: ITU-D is a portal for sector members from
developing countries, gender agencies, youth organisations, so that a new
participation approach should be made more affordable for all and more
efficient. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>ITU
activities that must be cutback</span></font></i></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Only minor activities should be abandoned, in line
with the content of the ITU strategic, operational and financial plan to be
adopted at the next Plenipotentiary Conference. Lower priority issues as
established in this strategic plan would have to automatically be abandoned by
the ITU, depending on available resources. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Civil
society participation</span></font></i></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The first delegations to take the floor expressed
their preference for a statu quo. Indeed <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place> mentioned that ITU is already
open to all legal entities, and that non members could also participate through
their national delegations. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
proposed that all civil society should appear under the appellation of sector
members as well, with the same conditions for membership, including ITU rules
for fee exemption when applicable. Max-Henri Cadet, head of ITU External
Affairs Unit, clarified the various memberships and related fees (4.000 CHF for
ITU-D Sector members, 2.000 CHF for ITU-D associate members) and the conditions
for fees exemption (the entity must represent a specific value for the ITU), as
well as why it is a ‘<i><span style='font-style:italic'>good investment</span></i>’
for civil society to become ITU member. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName ProductID="Renate Bloem" w:st="on"><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Renate
Bloem</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> underlined the change which had
come to the ITU being the leading agency in the WSIS process and embracing the
new multi-stakeholder approach. This approach was the logical consequence of
former UN World Conferences of the 90ies, each time more open, reflecting thus
a change of mindset in society and to some extent of the UN, as pointed out by
Kofi Annan last week in Davos<font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>.</span></font>
The WSIS process had clearly raised the expectations of CS to also engage with
the ITU in all follow up mechanisms. In order to do this the ITU needs to adopt
some consultative arrangement with CS similar to other agencies. Membership
fees – even the lowest – are still out of range for most of CS. The
ITU, in wanting to help bridge the digital divide, would gain from civil society
expertise on the ground and also from technical expertise in many areas. After
WSIS it would be quite anachronistic for the ITU to fall back into its old
patterns. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Switzerland</span></font></st1:country-region></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
supported that point of view, stressing ITU should find its own way for civil
society participation, taking into account ITU financial problems and in
accordance with ITU rules. Civil society approach could indeed allow for more
concrete and efficient projects for ITU. Chairman Grin distinguished CS in WSIS
implementation and CS in core ITU sectors. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place> took the floor a second time
to clarify that civil society views would be more useful in societal issues,
which are more concentrated within ITU-D, whereas the other ITU sectors are
much more technical in nature. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
also proposed to evaluate further possibilities to better involve in WSIS
implementation, which could be limited to ITU-D sector. WSIS implementation
activities should also reinforce ITU capacity to build networks. Compass Rose
(Private Sector) also supported a broader opening of at least ITU-D to civil
society and small companies. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>William Drake (CPSR) highlighted that ITU is the only
organisation both within and outside of the UN where civil society has so many
access problems. He stressed that ITU membership should actually be changed in
terms of fees and criteria. However civil society entities do not only want to
be sector members but would like to be able to come in workshops and
conferences as observers in a more flexible way, without having any additional
cost for the ITU. AfriNIC also supported additional ways of participation for
civil society, beyond the current membership. That is what Chairman Grin
interpreted as a willingness to <i><span style='font-style:italic'>participate
without obligation</span></i>. However the discussion opened some alternative
options to membership for participation of civil society. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Change
in the name of ITU<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Syria</span></font></st1:country-region><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
supported the change of ITU name, as proposed by the Arab Group, to adapt to
new realities of the expended role of the organisation. But there was no
support for such an initiative, because of the cost it would imply and the
questioning of ITU well-established <i><span style='font-style:italic'>trademark</span></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>External
aspect: ITU activities to implement <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Summit</st1:City></st1:place>
decisions</span></font></i></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Syria</span></font></st1:country-region></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
proposed that ITU should more focus on internet issues, because member states
should play a leading role in this area. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> suggested the organization of
an ITU Internet Forum in April 2007 about the role of governments in the
internet governance. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>There is a general agreement that ITU should have a
leading role in only implementing the Action Lines and themes as defined on the
Annex to the Tunis Agenda (<st1:City w:st="on">Cisco</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Latvia</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region></st1:place>). The ITU work program
should reflect these key areas on specific projects that can be implemented
with the available budget (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Alcatel</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region></st1:place>).
Ambassador Karklins (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Latvia</st1:country-region></st1:place>)
insisted on the fact that ITU should not impose its leading role on issues
which naturally belong to other organisations, but contribute and collaborate
with international agencies. Referring to the up-coming meeting on 24 February,
he also stressed that ITU should not infringe on the establishment of the
leading facilitating role to be played by the ITU, UNESCO and UNDP, to be set
up by the UN SG, and on the ECOSOC activities, which only belongs to member
States. Chairman Grin, answering this remark, noticed that ITU, UNESCO and UNDP
were asked by the UN SG to hold some consultation about that.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>At the end of the meeting, Max-Henri Cadet announced
the on-line open consultation forum would remain active for additional comments
on the ITU reform from non ITU members. The ITU Secretariat will therefore
continue to collect ideas in this regard, until better solution for civil
society participation would be established within the ITU structures.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
line-height:120%'><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=FR
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
font-weight:bold'>Philippe Dam<br>
<U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><U3:COUNTRY-REGION u1:insAuthor="Inter" u1:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u1:endInsAuthor="Inter" u1:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z"><U3:PLACE u1:insAuthor="Inter" u1:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u1:endInsAuthor="Inter" u1:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z">CONGO
-</U3:PLACE></U3:COUNTRY-REGION> WSIS CS Secretariat <br>
</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE><U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"></U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE><st1:place
w:st="on"></st1:place><st1:country-region w:st="on"></st1:country-region>11,
Avenue de <U1:PERSONNAME ProductID="la Paix" u2:st="on"><st1:PersonName
ProductID="la Paix" ns1_x003a_ProductID="la Paix" w:st="on">la Paix</U1:PERSONNAME></st1:PersonName><br>
CH-1202 <U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:CITY u2:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Geneva</U1:CITY></U1:PLACE></st1:place></st1:City><br>
Tel: +41 22 301 1000<br>
Fax: +41 22 301 2000<br>
E-mail: </span></font></b><span lang=FR><a href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"
title="mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>wsis@ngocongo.org</span></span></font></b></a></span><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><br>
Website: </span></font></b><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:Arial;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'><a href="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org"
title="http://www.ngocongo.org"><font color=navy title="http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="http://www.ngocongo.org"><span lang=FR style='color:navy'>www.ngocongo.org</span></span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b><span
lang=FR><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
line-height:120%'><b><font size=3 color=red face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=FR style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
line-height:120%'><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
font-weight:bold'>The Conference of NGOs (<U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">CONGO</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE></st1:country-region></st1:place>)
is an international, membership association that facilitates the participation
of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, <U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">CONGO</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE></st1:country-region></st1:place>'s
major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the
world's governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global
concern. For more information see our website at <a
href="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/" target="_blank"
title="http://www.ngocongo.org/">www.ngocongo.org</a></span></font></b><b><font
color=red><span lang=EN-GB style='color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=FR
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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