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<TITLE>Re: [Telecentres] Robinson contribution</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Scott and all, <BR>
Agreeing completely with the principle that grassroots participation is –precisely- organic to telecentres, and that the grassroots can make a (sadly) unique and needed contribution to WSIS.... <BR>
<BR>
But I’m hung up on the focus on representation. The strength of this list, it seems, is as a “network of telecentre networks.” And one strength of ICTs in this context is that they can replace representation with participation. <BR>
<BR>
Can we devise a process and mechanism that goes beyond representation? Can we reach out through our networks to achieve a rough consensus as to a message (or a platform) that has been scanned and vetted by a few hundreds or a few thousands of telecentre personnel working AT the grassroots in countries throughout the world?<BR>
<BR>
And if this can happen, I believe that it also makes sense (as Don has suggested) for there to be a process that engages WSIS delegates in responding directly. <BR>
<BR>
Best, <BR>
<BR>
Ed Gaible<BR>
<BR>
On 9/27/04 5:03 PM, "Scott Robinson" <ssr@laneta.apc.org> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana"><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>Telecentres list colleagues:<BR>
<BR>
Given recent comments by Don, Florence, Arun and others before, plus<BR>
the fact there is such a wealth of experience concerning the real work of<BR>
Telecentres on this list, I suggest one of the main things that is lacking <BR>
within WSIS is the voice of the grassroots with most of those participating <BR>
speaking for other people's experiences rather than from their own. <BR>
<BR>
Therefore, may I suggest that we adopt as a rule that our representation <BR>
in WSIS II consist of those with direct and on-going experience of the real <BR>
activity of Telecentres in a Development context (which could include both <BR>
in LDC's and in Development contexts within Developed Countries.<BR>
<BR>
We seem to have a wealth of such talent on this list and by choosing this<BR>
route we can defuse some of the issues linked to "representation".<BR>
<BR>
Scott Robinson<BR>
Mexico DF<BR>
Vinculart A.C.<BR>
somos@telecentros www.tele-centros.org<BR>
<a href="http://www.tele-centros.org/"><http://www.tele-centros.org/></a> www.uam-antropologia.info<BR>
<a href="http://www.uam-antropologia.info/"><http://www.uam-antropologia.info/></a> <BR>
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