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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>By coordinating representation to WSIS do
we potentially place ourselves in danger of being perceived as just another
extraneous group of service providers of no real importance? – a group of
fragmented individuals offering nothing more than input to be evaluated by what
is in truth a rather insignificant and little known about process?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My thoughts on this may not be shared by
all, but to me Telecentre’s are the Information Society – We are
the ones at the fore of poverty alleviation through ICT’s; we are the
ones providing education, a voice and opportunity to the worlds impoverished
masses through access to skills and ICT’s. We are also the providers most
closely linked to communities, business and governments through affiliation,
the services we offer and the very nature of thousands of physical points of
access dispersed throughout the globe. Many of us are funded by government,
industry and community. Our depth and spread far exceeds that of WSIS, our
voice extends well beyond the limited representation offered by WSIS. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Rather than focusing on a few individuals
providing input into WSIS, should we not be recommending en-masse that if WSIS
truly intends to achieve relevance, should it not extend itself beyond the
anonymity of a few physical conference venues by utilizing the Telecentre
movement to actually join the information society? We do not need to present to
WSIS, there is little to be gained… however WSIS does need us if it ever
intends to become more than just another closed-door bureaucratic think-tank
offering nothing of value.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Perhaps we could discuss how we can best
help WSIS – as a process it does offer some value however it clearly
needs to extend itself if the desired outcomes are ever to be realized. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Rgds, Don <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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