[IRPCoalition] Multistakeholderism/ Was Time-sensitive: 24 hour sign on period for ITU Plenipot joint recommendations

Tue Oct 28 17:45:26 EET 2014

Thanks Baoudouin. I will include this in the synthesis.

Just a matter of scanvenging for time to consolidate threads and input :)

Many thanks again,
Sala

On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 3:28 AM, Baudouin SCHOMBE <b.schombe at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Sala Hello, hello to all,
>
> This explanation of the "multi" concept is peeled as the debates live. But
> I wonder whether we are in search of a definition of "multi-stakeholder"?
> In my humble opinion, this approach started from the PrepCom in 2003
> <http://www.worldsummit2003.de/en/web/735.htm> it makes sense to evaluate
> this approach since that time until now to identify the ins and outs to
> improve.
>
> Thank you so much for this reminder that lies in the debate.
>
> *SCHOMBE BAUDOUIN*
>
>
> *COORDINATION NATIONALE CAFECICANN/AFRALO Member*
> *ISOC Member*
> Téléphone mobile:+243998983491/+243813684512
> email                  : b.schombe at gmail.com
> skype                 : b.schombe
> blog                    : http://akimambo.unblog.fr
>
>
>
>
> 2014-10-25 12:24 GMT+02:00 Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro <
> salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro at gmail.com>:
>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> Sometime ago (many months ago) on the IGC there was some discussion on
>> the list about MSism. Here is a draft synthesis of what people were saying
>> at the time that really should go on the IGC etherpad for comment and
>> further discussion. I tried synthesising it but it needs a group of
>> volunteers to comb through IGC archives and help piece together the
>> different views etc.
>>
>> It is pointless to go on a debate that leads to nowehere except of course
>> where people can accept that there are diverse views and position but
>> resolve to agree to disagree etc.
>>
>>
>> Synthesis of Discussions on the IGC on Multistakeholderism
>>
>> These are interesting times in the context of enhanced cooperation
>> between various stakeholders within the Information Society. The following
>> is a synthesis of perspectives gleaned from the dialogue on the Civil
>> Society Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) list.
>>
>> What does "Multistakeholder" mean?
>>
>> Multistakeholder is a governance structure that brings diverse
>> stakeholders together to cooperate and participate in the dialogue,
>> decision making, and implementation of solutions to common problems or
>> goals[1].
>>
>> What is Multistakeholderism?
>>
>> Multistakeholderism is a framework and means of engagement; it is not a
>> means of legitimization[2]. Legitimization comes from people, from work
>> with and among people[3]. Multistakeholder processes could and should
>> enhance democracy by increasing opportunities for effective participation
>> by those most directly impacted by decisions and particularly those at the
>> grassroots who so often are voiceless in these processes[4]. It should
>> enhance democracy by ensuring that decisions made are reflective of and
>> responsive to local concerns and to the broadest range of those who must
>> bear the consequences[5]. It should enhance democracy by making democratic
>> processes more flexible and responsive, able to adjust to changing contexts
>> circumstances, technologies, and impact populations[6].
>>
>> In the context of Internet Governance, there exists a diverse set of
>> stakeholders that each have their respective framework which describes how
>> subscribers are to engage. There is no doubt a wide range of foras,
>> organisations, committees or groups where some form of "Multistakeholder"
>> governance is practiced whether various modes of vehicles including but not
>> limited to that of a Trust, Corporation, Organisation, Intergovernmental
>> Forum, an International Organisation or an ad hoc community.
>>
>> Multistakeholderism on an Organizational Level
>>
>> This can be seen within an organizational level, for example,
>> organisations such as Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
>> (ICANN)[7] has its Bylaws[8] which sets out its mission and core values and
>> describes the various constituencies within ICANN.
>>
>> Each constituency within ICANN has specific framework governing how each
>> stakeholder conducts its affairs.
>>
>> There are many other organisations within the Information Society that
>> have some form of Multistakeholder engagement and these organisations have
>> guidelines that help to act as a framework for relations.
>>
>> Multistakeholderism in Working Groups and Committees
>>
>> This can also be seen with regard to Working Groups, take for example the
>> Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation.
>>
>> The United Nations General Assembly, at its 67th session, adopted Resolution
>> 67/195 on Information and communication technologies for development[9]. This
>> Resolution invited the Chair of the United Nations Commission on Science
>> and Technology for Development (UN CSTD)[10], to establish a working group
>> on enhanced cooperation to examine the mandate of the World Summit on the
>> Information Society regarding enhanced cooperation as contained in the
>> Tunis Agenda.
>>
>> The Tunis Agenda[11] pivots on focusing on financial mechanisms for
>> bridging the digital divide, on Internet governance and related issues, as
>> well as on implementation and follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis decisions.
>>
>> The GA RES 67/195 requested the Chair of the UN CSTD to "ensure that the
>> working group on enhanced cooperation has balanced representation between
>> Governments from the five regional groups of the Commission and invites
>> other stakeholders, namely the private sector, civil society, technical and
>> academic communities, and intergovernmental and international
>> organisations".
>>
>> Challenges of Multistakeholderism: Issues within Civil Society
>>
>> In 2004, Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) participated in a
>> Civil Society Meeting in Berlin and identified principles and examined
>> issues affecting Civil Society[12]. The meeting comprised of a
>> representative from the ICANN At Large Advisory Committee[13], Humanistiche
>> Union[14], Internet Governance Caucus Coordinator[15], the UN Non-
>> Governmental Liaison Service[16], and African Civil Society for the
>> Information Society[17] and Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship
>> with the United Nations[18].
>>
>>
>>
>> Principles that were identified in the 2004 meeting included:
>>
>> ·   Legitimacy;
>>
>> ·   Representation;
>>
>> ·   Transparency; and
>>
>> ·   Accountability.
>>
>> Issues of legitimacy, representation, transparency and accountability
>> continue to surface over the years on a global, regional and national scale
>> (Anja Kovacs & Nnenna Nwakanma).
>>
>> Navigating Through the Maze
>>
>> Just as context differs, whether it is for an organisation or a
>> committee, it is important to acknowledge that context differs whether
>> these are organisations or intergovernmental organisations that are subject
>> to diverse rules and procedures. The United Nations for instance is bound
>> by the Resolutions of its members as per the General Assembly and can only
>> act when mandated.
>>
>> ICANN on the other hand is bound by its Bylaws and its Affirmation of
>> Commitment.
>>
>> Similarly, the Working Groups are bound by their respective mandates
>> whether these are in the form of formal documentation such as organizing
>> instruments or where these are loosely organized in an ad hoc fashion.
>>
>> Whatever, the context, one thing is certain, bringing a diverse group of
>> people poses significant challenges to building consensus and bridging
>> relationships particularly when there are diverse if not polarized
>> perspectives and strong views from various stakeholders.
>>
>> Purpose Precedes Method
>>
>> To this end, a practical means of dealing with diversity is to clearly
>> establish the purpose from the outset (David Allen). After this is
>> established, it is useful to develop the methods where the purpose(s) can
>> be fulfilled (David Allen and Parminder).
>>
>> Given that the nature of Multistakeholder engagement implies the
>> inclusion of civil society, private sector and the public sector, it
>> follows that each categorization has unique concerns and characteristics
>> that relate to its identity.
>>
>> Often the disenfranchisement, turf wars or propaganda is motivated by
>> fears and it is important that these fears are addressed. Part of
>> establishing purpose means to create a safe environment where genuine
>> collaboration can commence.
>>
>> Multistakeholderism is not a replacement (David Allen) and does not take
>> away from each component or part. Rather it is the sum of all parts.
>>
>> Multistakeholderism is not a policy making forum as this is reserved for
>> democratic contexts (David Allen).
>>
>> Multistakeholderism is a means of moving towards greater engagement and
>> enhanced cooperation among diverse stakeholders (Michael Gurstein).
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multistakeholder_Governance_Model
>>
>> [2] Statement by Anita Gurumurthy, Executive Director, IT for Change at
>> the closing ceremony of WSIS plus 10 review held by UNESCO from 25th to
>> 27th February, 2013
>>
>> [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multistakeholder_Governance_Model
>>
>> [4] ibid
>>
>> [5] ibid
>>
>> [6] ibid
>>
>> [7] A Californian Non Profit Public-Benefit Corporation
>>
>> [8] http://www.icann.org/en/about/governance/bylaws
>>
>> [9] http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ares67d195_en.pdf
>>
>> [10] Ambassador Miguel Palomino de la Gala is the current Chair of the
>> UN CSTD
>>
>> [11] http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/tunis/off/6rev1.html
>>
>> [12] Meeting Record on Working Methods of Civil Society (20th November
>> 2004), Berlin, Germany
>>
>> [13] Vittorio Bertola
>>
>> [14] Dr Christoph Bruch
>>
>> [15] Jeanette Hoffman
>>
>> [16] Ramin Kaweh
>>
>> [17] Nnenna Nwakanma
>>
>> [18] Rik Panganiban
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Oct 25, 2014 at 3:30 AM, michael gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> It is interesting to see that those who are amongst the most vocal and
>>> public advocates for MSism are also those who refuse to actually indicate
>>> what they mean by MSism.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> M
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>
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