September 25, 2005- Draft

1. The decision to exclude non-governmental stakeholders from meaningful participation in the drafting groups is a matter of principle. The WSIS and the WGIG have affirmed that governance of the Internet must be based on real partnerships with the participation of all stakeholders in an open, inclusive and transparent manner. These principles are central to the Geneva documents.

The decision to exclude non-governmental stakeholders from meaningful participation in the groups breaks these conditions and will undermine the legitimacy of all outcomes of the WSIS. The sincerity of commitments made by governments to these principles is now open to question.

2. The decision to exclude non-governmental stakeholders from the drafting groups is not about rules and procedure – it is a matter of political courage and principle. You have a choice to be inclusive or exclusive, to work in partnership, transparency and openness. Or not. Do not hide behind rules and procedures.

3. The Internet is the creation of the multi-stakeholder cooperation of academia, civil society, governments, private sector and technologists. There has never been a more successful multi-stakeholder partnership than the one that has created and nurtured the Internet. Governments in Geneva are now jeapordising this partnership. The Tunis declaration will be meaningless if it is not seen as legitimate to all those involved in the creation and evolution of the Internet, its applications, services and content.

4. The WGIG process demonstrated that civil society organizations contribute positively. Our exclusion will deprive the prepcom of valuable knowledge, expertise and perspectives. Civil society has been, and will continue to be, the main force for promoting capacity building and development of the Internet in developing countries. Civil society understands what is needed in order to continue that work, and exclusion from the drafting groups will only make it more difficult for us to continue that work effectively.

5. The WSIS Plan of Action cannot be implemented by governments alone: the active engagement of civil society actors is needed in the follow-up stage; our exclusion today will discourage many from engaging after Tunis and will therefore reduce the chances of effectively implementing the ambitious objectives of Geneva.

6.We strongly protest your decision to exclude non-governmental observers from the drafting groups. Civil Society should be able to make statements on the same basis as we do in subcommittee, to remain in the room as observers for the entire session and to further contribute at the discretion of the chair. Again, the Tunis declaration will be meaningless if it is not seen as legitimate to all those involved in the creation and evolution of the Internet, its applications, services and content.


If you have a comment or need information please contact:
Avri Doria - email : avri@acm.org