While i agree with Waudo and Florence as regards WSIS, I think we need to be reminded of the structure and protocol of WSIS, who it is for and how it is administered. For that please see http://www.itu int/wsis/ (It is first and foremost a government stakeholder meeting in which all other stakeholders are invited participants) As was evidence in the Accra precom meeting it was obvious we lacked certain modalities.( details which those present raised after Accra see below ) I believe we agreed to change things and this is the time to do so. In this respect,I believe we have a WSIS team (government organ) chaired by Katundu Michael of CCK. Since WSIS is first and foremost a government stakeholder meeting with all other stakeholders (ie. civil society as invited participants) i think we should ensure that proper protocol is followed in this regard and direction should be led from this team and the PS who commissioned this team? At the end of the day implementing of policy while possible from civil society ( as evidence by Kicanet and all other NGO activities going on country wide) -government needs to lead the way. What we as KIP/KiCTNet should be demanding is to be included as part of the delegation such that the structure that represents in Kenya is inclusive of all stakeholders and that we feed off each other given our respective strengths expertise and authority. Previous uses raised/observed at WSIS meetings Kenyas participation in international policy making-A brief from Accra WSIS conference I wish to make some comments /suggestions based on observations on International participation and policy making: The issues: Ø At the Accra conference it was observed that most of the Kenyans present were unaware of their colleagues and which organizations they represented Ø It was also evident that the split in participation was delineated along the lines of Civil Society, Government, Private sector and Media Ø Many had not been involved in Policy making from an international (Africa regional perspective) and therefore due process and how things were conducted was lacking Ø There was also a lack of knowledge on the ongoing issues of WSIS and its history by many of the participants who had come in for the first time. The following was suggested from the Kenyan meeting held with the PS Ø Kenyas participation (as a country, more so in this case the ICT sector) should be representative of all sectors of the economy. Therefore Private sector, civil society , media and Government as stakeholders should be part of the team involved in regional participation . This would ensure that we have all stakeholders have adequate representation in meetings and are well briefed on what Kenyas position is on the various issues. Ø All meetings should have frequent update and feedback. A wonderful case in point is a representative at the UN WGIG Waudo who has involved all participants through the KIP list of the current deliberations as well as what is taking place.as well as the Kenya Policy coordinator- Dr. Florence Etta and all involved at IDRC who have facilitated an inclusive stakeholder participation through the use of a group email KIP LIST Ø As Kenyans we may need to ensure that this goes on irrespective of IDRC It was concluded that a report and feedback be done on the various issues raised. FUTURE OF POLICY MAKING IN KENYA We all need to change our attitude on who takes part in policy making. Policy making is not a prerogative of Government but rather the participation and inclusiveness of all stakeholders in society. The Governments role is to ensure that these suggestions are mandated through Acts in parliament. It is noted with disappointment that Parliament is no longer a place where policies are mandated and hope to see this change in the near future The Governments central role in policy making necessitates that they would in most cases receive the invitation to take part in regional and international meetings. It is suggested that the Government take a more participatory role in inviting stakeholders to such meetings. The continuity of policy making is crucial to the development of any sector. It is suggested that an update on all meetings pertaining to Kenyas role in the international and regional arena in ICT be documented and our position stated for each meeting. The ministry website www.information.go.ke would probably be a good place to compile this. Questions to be addressed: Ø How can we ensure effective participation in policy making? Ø How can government ensure that representation to meetings is efficiently and effectively coordinated? Ø How can we ensure that feedback from such meetings is channeled through to the grassroots and/or all stakeholders? Ø What channels can best be used for this? Best wishes Monica Kerretts-Makau ICT policy Analyst PhD Candidate and Academic Staff School of Social Science and Policy International relations and Policy Morven Brown G22 Tel: 61-2-9385 2331 Fax: 61-2-9385 1040 Email: m.kerretts@unsw.edu.au Blog: www.pampazuka.blogspot.com -------Original Message------- From: KIPlist Date: 08/26/05 00:18:21 To: KIPlist Cc: kiplist-cl@lyris.idrc.ca Subject: Re: Fwd: [wsisnigeria] FW: ONE DAY STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON WSIS Sure this preparation is crucial. But it needs a champion, facilitation and implementation. My suggestion is Florence, IDRC and KiCTNet respectively. Waudo Siganga At 05:46 AM 8/25/2005, Florence Etta wrote:
Below fyi Anything similar happening here? I. e Participatory preparation for prepcom 3 and WSIS Tunis. Who's planning it? Is KICTAnet involved or should it? We need to copy good practice where ever we find it. No? I am sorry if there has been or is work ongoing on this matter. I have been away for a long time. FE
======================================= Thread-Topic: ONE DAY STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON WSIS
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 10:08:12 +0100 Subject: [wsisnigeria] FW: ONE DAY STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON WSIS
---------- From: Majekodunmi Oluwolw [mailto:oluwole_majekodunmi@msn.com] Sent: Tue 8/23/2005 2:08 PM To: ehikioya@ncc.gov.ng; rebloome@yahoo.com; bolaji28@yahoo.com; >felix_aniokoye@yahoo.com; rolaitan@fmf.gov.ng; wareowei@yahoo.com; >eunice.sampson@zenithbank.com; volatunji@nitda.gov; VINCENT OLATUNJI Subject: ONE DAY STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON WSIS
INVITATION TO A ONE-DAY STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON THE WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY (WSIS) SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2005
The PrepCom-3 meeting for the Second Phase of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) is scheduled to hold in Geneva from 19th 30th September, 2005. This will prepare the ground for the Summit proper in Tunis from 16th 19th November, 2005.
2. The National Planning Committee for the Second Phase of WSIS has scheduled an interactive session with representatives of other Stakeholders on the Country s participation in the PrepCom-3 meeting in Geneva. The meeting will discuss some of the key issues regarding the Second Phase of WSIS.
3. Based on your previous participation and interest shown in the WSIS process, you are invited to this meeting which has been scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Conference Room on Thursday 1st September, 2005 at 12.00pm.
4. Please note that each participant will be responsible for the cost of their participation at this meeting.
5. Participants representing Stakeholders are to prepare to make submission on activities of their groups to allow for greater harmonisation of our input into the PrepCom-3 meeting. Please confirm your participation or your representatives to the under signed.
Signed Majekodunmi, O. O. for: Honourable Minister of Communications
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--- Submitted by: Florence Etta <Fetta@idrc.or.ke> 2005-08-25 08:52:02 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [csk@nbi.ispkenya.com] To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%%
--- Submitted by: csk@nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-08-25 10:21:36 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [m.kerretts@unsw.edu.au] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-101723S@lyris.idrc.ca