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<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>&nbsp;</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'>Before the official summary of the GAID Steering
Committee (19 September 2007) meeting is released by the GAID Secretariat, find
below some preliminary information on the progress made during 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>&nbsp;</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'>Communities
of Expertise</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 Steering took a more flexible approach than
proposed by the GAID Secretariat, and only discontinued one CoE which already
had unilaterally terminated its activities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>All other CoEs are continued, and members of those
CoEs not active enough will be contacted by the GAID Secretariat; those CoEs will
be looked at and supported for better progress. <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>&nbsp;</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'>Connect
<st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place></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'>Dr Hamadoun Tour&eacute;, ITU SG, gave an update on
the organisation of the Summit &#8216;Connect Africa&#8217; (Kigali, Rwanda,
29-30 October 2007), organised by the ITU, the African Union, the World Bank
and GAID. This meeting is planned to be done in a result oriented nature, with
the support of the presence of the ITU SG and a number of Heads of States in <st1:place
w:st="on">Africa</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>&nbsp;</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'>GAID
Business Plan for 2008</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'>Comments made on the CS Plenary List were forwarded
to the Steering Committee. The two additional proposed focus themes (</span></font><u><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Connectivity
and Access</span></font></u><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> and <u>Financing for Development</u>).
On FfD, the main comment focused on how GAID can have a specific value in the Follow
up Conference on FfD to review the implementation of Monterrey Consensus (Doha,
2008) and to the UNGA High Level Segment on Financing for Development (New
York, 23-24 October 2007). The need to consider not only innovative ways, but
also traditional and additional ways of financing mechanisms for ICT4D was also
stressed, as well as the need for both quantity and quality of aid.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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 Flagship Partnership Initiative &#8216;Open training
platform&#8217; proposed by UNESCO was supported by the Steering Committee. See
proposal paper attached. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>An additional idea discussed was that <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
expressed the wish to act to connect all schools free. ITU expressed the
interest to take as one of its operational points so that a focal point will be
set up on that at 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>&nbsp;</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'>Budget</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 Steering Committee reiterated its call for
contribution to the GAID budget to all members of the Strategy Council and Steering
Committee (except civil society). There was an agreement that fundraising strategies
should be linked with GAID specific activities and that all contribution made
should be published. <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>&nbsp;</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'>Renewal
of GAID structures membership</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'>It was agreed that more consultation was needed
within the various stakeholders groups in the process of renewing the membership
of the Steering Committee and the Strategy Council. Therefore the deadlines for
the nominations and appointment processes are as follows:<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0
 style='border-collapse:collapse'>
 <tr>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  border-left:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>GAID Steering Committee<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  border-left:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>GAID Strategy Council<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Deadline for new nominations for membership <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></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'>30
  November 2007<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></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'>30
  November 2007<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Announcement of the Appointment of new members<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></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'>End of
  December 2007<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></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'>End of
  December 2007<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Office taking of the new members<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></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'>1 April
  2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></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'>1
  April 2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Date of the GAID structure with its renewed
  membership<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <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'>May
  2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
   w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;
    font-family:Arial'>Kuala Lumpur</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
  size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border-top:none;border-left:
  none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'>
  <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'>May
  2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
   w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;
    font-family:Arial'>Kuala Lumpur</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
  size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>Next
GAID meetings</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 Steering Committee supported the invitation by
the Government of Malaysia to host the next GAID Strategy Council and Global
Forum meeting in May <st1:metricconverter ProductID="2008, in" w:st="on">2008,
 in</st1:metricconverter> conjunction with the World Congress on Information
Technology (18-22 May 2008). The dates of the Steering Committee meeting will be
confirmed soon, even though it was recognised that there is a risk of
conflicting with some ALF meetings in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></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>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</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'>We will of course forward you any documentation
coming from GAID in this regard.<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'>Feel free to get back to us for any other question.<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Philippe<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
line-height:120%'><st1:PersonName ProductID="Philippe Dam" w:st="on"><b><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;
 font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Philippe Dam</span></font></b></st1:PersonName><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;
font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><br>
<u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><u3:country-region u4:insAuthor="Inter" u4:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u4:endInsAuthor="Inter" u4:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><u5:COUNTRY-REGION u6:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:endInsAuthor="Inter" u6:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:insAuthor="Inter"><u5:PLACE u6:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:endInsAuthor="Inter" u6:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:insAuthor="Inter"><u3:place u4:insAuthor="Inter" u4:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u4:endInsAuthor="Inter" u4:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z">CONGO
-</u3:place></u5:PLACE></u5:COUNTRY-REGION> WSIS CS Secretariat <br>
</u3:country-region></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:PLACE><ns0:country-region u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"></ns0:place></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:PLACE></ns0:country-region>11,
Avenue de <u1:PERSONNAME u2:st="on" ProductID="la Paix"><ns0:PersonName u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" ns1:ProductID="la Paix">la
Paix</ns0:PersonName></u1:PERSONNAME><br>
CH-1202 <u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:CITY u2:st="on"><ns0:City u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z">Geneva</ns0:place></ns0:City></u1:CITY></u1:PLACE><br>
Tel: +41 22 301 1000<br>
Fax: +41 22 301 2000<br>
E-mail: </span></font></b><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><a
href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>wsis@ngocongo.org</span></span></span></font></b></a></span></font><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span 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="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><font
color=navy title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org"><span lang=FR style='color:navy'>www.ngocongo.org</span></span></span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;
font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>&nbsp;</span></font></b><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><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=3 color=red face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p>&nbsp;</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"><ns0:country-region u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><u8:place u7:st="on"><u8:country-region u7:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</u8:country-region></u8:place></ns0:place></ns0:country-region></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:PLACE></st1:place></st1:country-region>)
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:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><ns0:country-region u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><st1:country-region u7:st="on"><st1:place u7:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region></ns0:place></ns0:country-region></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:PLACE></st1:place></st1:country-region>'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.&nbsp; For more information see our website at <a
href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org/" target="_blank"
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/&#10;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>

</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'>De&nbsp;:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
plenary-bounces@wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-bounces@wsis-cs.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>De la part de</span></b> CONGO WSIS - <st1:PersonName
ProductID="Philippe Dam" w:st="on">Philippe Dam</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Envoy&eacute;&nbsp;:</span></b> vendredi, 14.
septembre 2007 19:44<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>&Agrave;&nbsp;:</span></b>
plenary@wsis-cs.org; governance@lists.cpsr.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Objet&nbsp;:</span></b> [WSIS CS-Plenary]
Preparations for the next GAID Steering Committeemeeting (NY, 19 September
2007)<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Importance&nbsp;:</span></b> Haute</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>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</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'>This is to remind you the up-coming GAID Steering
Committee meeting taking place in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">New
  York</st1:State></st1:place> on 19 September 2007. As you know, Renate will
participate in this Steering Committee meeting, and we would be happy to forward
your view and feedback on some of the issues to be discussed, in particular:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>- New focus themes of
GAID to be included in the 2008 GAID Business Plan (Connectivity and Financing
for Development);<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>- Preparations for the
GAID Strategy Council and Global Forum in 2008;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>- Updates on the GAID
Strategy Council and Steering Committee membership renewal;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>- Up dates on the GAID
outreach and media strategy.<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Business plan of GAID in 2008:<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Proposed focus on Connectivity and access
and Financing for ICT4D<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</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 current proposal of the GAID Business Plan for
2008 is mainly to update the 2007 Business Plan. Among the noticeable changes,
it is proposed to add, in addition to the existing focuses on Education,
Health, Entrepreneurship and Governance, a focus on:<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:35.4pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>- <u>Connectivity and
Access</u>: this follows the agreement at the <st1:City w:st="on">Santa Clara</st1:City>
meeting (February 2008) to have a stronger focus on Connectivity (in particular
in <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>). The Steering Committee will
therefore discuss how GAID should develop its activities in this area. (Fyi,
the draft text to be added in the 2008 Business Plan reads as follows: &#8220;<i><span
style='font-style:italic'>It was decided at the February 2007 meeting of the
Steering Committee in Santa Clara, that, in 2008, significant attention will be
paid to the topics of connectivity and access, with special consideration given
to Africa, with the intention of taking a global view of connectivity issues in
developing regions in the following period</span></i>&#8221;). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:35.4pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:35.4pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>- <u>Innovative
mechanisms for financing for ICT for Development</u>: in the context of the 5-year
review of the UN Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development, to be held
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Doha</st1:City></st1:place> (August
2008), such a GAID focus would help to feed into the preparations of the Doha
Review Conference. (Fyi, the draft text to be added in the 2008 Business Plan reads
as follows: &#8220;<i><span style='font-style:italic'>Specifically, GAID could
make an important contribution in the area of innovative mechanisms of
financing, including microfinance. Members may note that in August <st1:metricconverter
ProductID="2008, a" w:st="on">2008, a</st1:metricconverter> major conference
&#8211; a five-year review of the <st1:City w:st="on">Monterrey</st1:City>
Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) &#8211; will be held in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Doha</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Qatar</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
Innovative mechanisms of financing will be one of the important issues on the
agenda, as significant initiatives in this area have been taken by several
countries as well as by other stakeholders. Some of these initiatives also
pertain to innovative financing mechanisms for ICT for development. This issue
will be a significant theme at the 2008 session of the Strategy Council. The
outcomes of these deliberations will be fed into the preparations for the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Doha</st1:City></st1:place> review conference on
FfD as a contribution of GAID</span></i>&#8221;)<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>&nbsp;</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'>We would be happy to have some feedback from you on
those two proposals, based on the proposed inclusions to be included in the
2008 Business Plan.<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Next Strategy Council and GAID Global Forum
meeting (May 2008)<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><b><i><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>It is proposed that the next Strategy Council and
Steering Committee meeting will be held in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
 w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place> in May 2008, following an offer
by the Government of Malaysia. This would take place in conjunction with the World
Congress on Information Technology (WCIT).<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>&nbsp;</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'>Find attached the preliminary concept paper outlining
the proposed format and content of the two meetings. It was proposed in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Santa Clara</st1:City></st1:place> that the 2<sup>nd</sup>
GAID Global Forum in 2008 would focus on the issue of Connectivity.<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>&nbsp;</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'>We will of course stress the need to find financial
support for a number of grassroots NGO representatives to join these meetings.
We will also call for a needed coordination with the CSTD Secretariat and the
Secretariats of international organisations involved in WSIS implementation, to
avoid conflicting dates with the IS week in Geneva! <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>&nbsp;</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 send us some comments and feedback that could
be forwarded to the Steering Committee meetings.<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Renewal of GAID Strategy Council and
Steering Committee membership:<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Postponement of the deadlines for new
nominations<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><b><i><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>It seems that the various categories of stakeholder
had difficulties to reply to the GAID Secretariat summer call for candidates.
Therefore, it is currently proposed that the deadlines for nominations and
consultations within stakeholders&#8217; groups be extended until 30 November
2007.<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>&nbsp;</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'>This would give CS constituencies a chance to engage
in a timely self-selection process between now and 30 November. The new
membership of both the Steering Committee and the Strategy Council would be
announced by the UN SG in December this year and would enter in function in
April 2008 (before the May 2008 proposed meetings).<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>&nbsp;</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'>Any comment on 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>&nbsp;</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'>Let me remind you here that the deadline for current
members of the Strategy Council to announce their interest to serve in the
Council is 1 October 2007.<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Progress Report:<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>Review the progress of Flagship Partnership
Initiatives and Communities of Expertise<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><b><i><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

</div>

<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'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>The Steering Committee will consider looking at the
work achieved by the various GAID Communities of Expertise, and see whether
some inactive CoEs should be disconnected from GAID.<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>&nbsp;</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 GAID Steering Committee might at this stage
consider only discontinuing those CoEs having announced to the GAID Secretariat
that they are not willing or not able to continue their engagement.<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>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><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'>GAID Media Strategy and Outreach<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#E6E6E6'><b><i><font
size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</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'>Find attached also a draft note on GAID outreach
activities. <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'>We did not yet consider it, but would also be
interested in getting your feedback in this regard.<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>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</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'>Feel free to ask us any question in this regard.<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'>Attached documents:<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'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
- Draft Agenda of the Steering Committee meeting.<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'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
- Preliminary concept paper on the proposed next GAID Strategy Council and
Global Forum.<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'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
- Draft note on GAID outreach activities<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>&nbsp;</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'>Sorry for the rather long message&#8230;<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>&nbsp;</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'>Philippe<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
line-height:120%'><st1:PersonName ProductID="Philippe Dam" w:st="on"><b><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;
 font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Philippe Dam</span></font></b></st1:PersonName><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;
font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><br>
<u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><u3:country-region u4:insAuthor="Inter" u4:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u4:endInsAuthor="Inter" u4:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><u5:COUNTRY-REGION u6:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:endInsAuthor="Inter" u6:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:insAuthor="Inter"><u5:PLACE u6:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:endInsAuthor="Inter" u6:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u6:insAuthor="Inter"><u3:place u4:insAuthor="Inter" u4:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u4:endInsAuthor="Inter" u4:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z">CONGO
-</u3:place></u5:PLACE></u5:COUNTRY-REGION> WSIS CS Secretariat <br>
</u3:country-region></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:PLACE><ns0:country-region u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"></ns0:place></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:PLACE></ns0:country-region>11,
Avenue de <u1:PERSONNAME u2:st="on" ProductID="la Paix"><ns0:PersonName u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" ns1:ProductID="la Paix">la
Paix</ns0:PersonName></u1:PERSONNAME><br>
CH-1202 <u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:CITY u2:st="on"><ns0:City u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z">Geneva</ns0:place></ns0:City></u1:CITY></u1:PLACE><br>
Tel: +41 22 301 1000<br>
Fax: +41 22 301 2000<br>
E-mail: </span></font></b><a href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>wsis@ngocongo.org</span></span></span></font></b></a><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span 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="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><font
color=navy title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org"><span lang=FR style='color:navy'>www.ngocongo.org</span></span></span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:120%;
font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>&nbsp;</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></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
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p>&nbsp;</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"><ns0:country-region u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><u8:place u7:st="on"><u8:country-region u7:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">CONGO</u8:country-region></u8:place></ns0:place></ns0:country-region></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"><ns0:country-region u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><ns0:place u7:insAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region u7_x003a_st="on" w:st="on">CONGO</ns0:place></ns0:country-region></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.&nbsp; For more information see our website at <a
href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org/" target="_blank"
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/&#10;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>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

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