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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thanks Philippe, I see some useful progress in the following text.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<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><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 (<u>Connectivity
and Access</u> 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 (<st1:City
w:st="on">Doha</st1:City>, 2008) and to the UNGA High Level Segment on
Financing for Development (<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>,
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=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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The addition of ‘traditional’ ways of funding – which
stands for public funding – in addition to ‘innovative’ ways –
which mostly are about private sector funding (though there is this important
but under-explored area of community funding and ownership, an area in which
some civil society groups, including my organization is working) is an important
gain. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I think we are seeing some shifts in the ‘dominant’ ICTD
paradigm. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This shift is also seen in how ICT access has begun to be seen as a
public good, and public infrastructure. There is already a flagship project
under GAID about free connectivity to schools, now the Swiss government seems
to re-emphasize this issue, and ITU is taking this idea under its wing. <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'>>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=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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It is important to note the far-reaching significance of such
assertions, and early policy directions. ICT infrastructure has hitherto been pushed
in developing countries either as a pre-dominantly business and commercial infrastructure,
and even if to be used for development, revenue models and financial sustainability
have been the first and foremost principle of every ICTD project, distorting
all other development objectives. This thinking is now making some retreat,
with the understanding that (1) ICTs are even more importantly a social infrastructure
and (2) they have such fundamental role in many basic and valued social
processes that their provision as public goods/ public infrastructure is
something that policies should give serious attention to. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>If schools/ students should have free Internet access, there is hardly
much of a conceptual jump to communities needing free Internet access for their
basic knowledge requirements, as well as access to and participation in society’s
governance, education, health, livelihood and all other systems. So, well, we
are making progress </span></font><font face=Wingdings><span style='font-family:
Wingdings'>J</span></font>. Not being at a school cannot be a disqualification
for all these basic needs, entitlements and rights – sooner or later we
all will see the absurdity of this notion. <o:p></o:p></p>
<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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>And good that civil society is explicitly excluded from ‘financial
contribution norms’, which acknowledges the CS advocacy on this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<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=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).<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=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>UNESCO’s initiative ‘open training platform’ is also
an useful addition, as promoting institutional forms of sharing knowledge on
non-commercial open basis. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<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 style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Parminder <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><o:p></o:p></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><o:p></o:p></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, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:City></span></font><o:p></o:p></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><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>Tel: (+91-80)
2665 4134, 2653 6890</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=gray face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:gray'>Fax: (+91-80)
4146 1055<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://www.itforchange.net/"
title="http://www.itforchange.net/"><em><i><font size=2 color=black face=Arial
title="http://www.itforchange.net/"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>www.ITforChange.net</span></font></i></em></a></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt'>
<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'>
gov-bounces@wsis-gov.org [mailto:gov-bounces@wsis-gov.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>CONGO WSIS - Philippe Dam<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, October 10, 2007
12:01 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Virtual WSIS CS Plenary Group
Space'; governance@lists.cpsr.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> gov@wsis-gov.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Gov 89] Update on the
GAID Steering Committeemeeting (NY,19 September 2007)</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=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'>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> </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> </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> </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 Touré, ITU SG, gave an update on the
organisation of the Summit ‘Connect Africa’ (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> </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 (<u>Connectivity
and Access</u> 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> </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 ‘Open
training platform’ 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> </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:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region></st1:place>
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> </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> </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> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<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>
</td>
<td width=205 valign=top style='width:153.55pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
5.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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:0in 5.4pt 0in 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> </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> </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'>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> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=FR 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 lang=FR 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 lang=FR 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 lang=FR style='color:navy'><a
href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org 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 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="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org http://www.ngocongo.org"><font
color=navy title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org 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 lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
120%;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b><font
color=navy><span lang=FR 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
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"><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. For more information see our website at <a
href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org/" target="_blank"
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/ 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 lang=FR 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 lang=FR style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>De :</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=FR 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'>Envoyé :</span></b> vendredi, 14.
septembre 2007 19:44<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>À :</span></b> plenary@wsis-cs.org;
governance@lists.cpsr.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Objet :</span></b> [WSIS CS-Plenary]
Preparations for the next GAID Steering Committeemeeting (NY, 19 September
2007)<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Importance :</span></b> Haute</span></font><span
lang=FR><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<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'>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:.5in'><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:.5in'><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:.5in'><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:.5in'><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> </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> </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> </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><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> </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: “<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>”). <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> </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: “<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
– a five-year review of the <st1:City w:st="on">Monterrey</st1:City>
Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) – 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>”)<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'>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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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’ 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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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'>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'>
- 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'>
- 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'>
- 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> </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…<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'>Philippe<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=FR 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=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><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 lang=FR 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 lang=FR 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><span lang=FR><a href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org 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><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="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org http://www.ngocongo.org"><font
color=navy title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org http://www.ngocongo.org"><span
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org 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 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"><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:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</u8:country-region></u8:place></u8:country-region></ns0: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"><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: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. For more information see our website at <a
href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org/" target="_blank"
title="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/ 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 lang=FR
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
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