Blessings permit me to share your comments on a discussion we are having on a list. Colleagues this comments might be helpfull *Description:* I think IGF has done some remarkable things worth reckoning. Yes, you are right James, people do spit out the words, but action has also been done. The setting up of the IGF is a follow up by recommendations made by the WGIS which was set up by the UN Secretary general. The IGF may "identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations," but does not have any direct decision-making authority[see note 1] This means that if people are able to spit out the words, then the IGF is fulfilling its mandate. The following are the activities that take place during the IGF: Workshops, Best Practice Forums, Open Forums and meetings of the Dynamic Coalitions. The main themes of IGF are: openness, security, diversity and access. A new theme was introduced in IGF Brazil: critical Internet resources being one of the most debatable topics in the IG field at the moment. So you are also free to contribute on what is supposed to be done. That is what the IGF is all about, a discussion forum. Then based on what we discuss we can mae a decision. I however, also note that there are hiccups here and there but all in all there is tremendous progress. Dr. Jeremy Malcolm has written a very good paper on "Appraising the Success of the Internet Governance Forum" which you may need to read.[see note 2] NOTES ---------------------------------------------- 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Governance_Forum 2. http://www.internetgovernance.org/pdf/MalcolmIGFReview.pdf Author: Blessings Msowoya On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com>wrote:

Well on the internet governance Forum, i am not sure whether there are vested interests but purely from a knowledge and best practice point of view i i would suggest that it proceeds to the 5th Session. I know many have termed it as a talk show, however, this talk shows have fostered the spirit of cooperation and diplomacy, maybe the forum should be given more teeth under an appropriate UN agency, that notwithstanding i am curious to know the position of insiders Mr Vice President Dr. Siganga what is your position?

On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 6:20 AM, mwende njiraini < mwende.njiraini@gmail.com> wrote:

...

Good morning,

Welcome to the final day of the IG online discussion, 2009!

The Internet Governance Forum is scheduled to be held for first time in Africa at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (http://igf09.eg/). This presents an excellent opportunity to raise issues that are of importance to the continent, our region and country.

Some of the themes proposed to be discussed in the upcoming 4th IGF and contained in *IGF-Programme, Format and Schedule for the 2009 meeting* ( http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/progpaper/ProgrammePaper.01.05.2009.rtf) include:

- Internationalization of critical Internet resources management/Managing critical Internet resources - Balancing privacy, openness and security - Access - Round table discussions: on the empowerment and protection of children online, the accessibility for people with disabilities, multilingualism and access to local content. - Workshops: Access, Critical internet resources, Diversity, Openness, Security, Capacity building and Development. (Workshop proposals: http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/index.php/component/chronocontact/?chronoform... )

The forum will also provide an opportunity to discuss *Paragraph 76 of the Tunis Agenda* “*examine the desirability of the continuation of the Forum*”

- What method should be used to assess the impact of the internet governance debate through the two phases of World Summit on Information Society in Geneva, 2003 and Tunis 2005 and the 1st to the 3rd IGF? - What do you think needs to be addressed in the remaining two IGFs?

- How can we as Kenyans, effectively participate at the 4th IGF and translate the lessons learnt? - Do you think that the IGF should continue after the 5th IGF?

*You are encouraged to make your comment on day’s and any other of the previous days’ discussions*.

Kind regards

Mwende

*Disclaimer: Views expressed here (except those quoted or referenced) are the author’s own*

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-- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 http://projectdiscovery.or.ke To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones responsibility as a free man. Alan Paton, South Africa

-- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 http://projectdiscovery.or.ke To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones responsibility as a free man. Alan Paton, South Africa