KICTANet Civil Society Caucus Meeting Monday, October 3, 2005 Held at Jacaranda Hotel, 11.00 - 14.30hrs, Nairobi, Kenya I) WORKING DEFINITION KICTANet (Kenya ICT Action Network) is a network of stakeholders moving the Kenya ICT Policy into Action. It comprises Trade Associations, Civil Society, Private Sector, Professionals, Media, and other interested individuals working on ICT issues in Kenya. II) DRAFTING CONSORTIUM The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus that proposes the following ten resolutions and action items is comprised of: Dorcas Muthoni (LinuxChix Kenya) Wainaina Mungai (OneWorld International) Alex Gakuru (KICTANET) Bill Kagai (FOSSFA) Alice Wanjira (APC/CATIA) III) FORCING FACTORS Acknowledging; . That Civil Society voices and issues have not been adequately represented not only within the network but throughout the general ICT policy development process at the national level as well as the global WSIS process that is currently underway . That the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is an important multi stakeholder forum, which has provided space for different stakeholders interested in ICT issues to come together and by focussing on the collective goal of sharing skills, resources to stimulate and catalyse ICT related activities in Kenya. . That Civil Society Organisations particularly NGO's working in communication/ICT sector have not been involved in a unified and organised manner. . That Civil Society Organisations will require strengthening and capacity building to empower them to participate actively not only within the multi stakeholder network, but also contribute to our government's efforts to harness ICTs for national development. We the KICTANet Civil Society Caucus thus resolve; . The Kenya ICT Action Network Civil Society Caucus has been formed. The caucus focal point is One World. The caucus will strive to represent Civil Society voices within the multi stakeholder network KICTANet. . The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus is aware that diversity is a reality and will work with all the other stakeholders represented within the network, including government, private sector entities, trade associations, media and others, to strength the effectiveness of the joint collaboration, to improve impact, while articulating civil society perspectives on the ICT policy development and implementation process for our beloved country Kenya. IV) STATUS CONSTANTS KICTANet Civil Society Caucus therefore makes the following ten resolutions: 1. KIP mailing list should be moved to KICTANet list. a. The list should be localized in line with developing local content. b. Creation of sub mailing list groups along thematic as well as sector specific lists. These lists already exit; they were previously used to contribute to the ICT policy development process. We should continue using them for the various groups, which include KICTANet civil society, KICTANet Media, KICTANet private sector, KICTANet gender, KICTANet academia, KICTANet Youth. The KICTANet.or.ke website will be managed by LINUX CHIX Kenya. 2. Civil society needs to be empowered to participate effectively within the network. Therefore, we shall create a web log for CS issues within KICTANET website, and other Internet tools which will be used to represent CS voices. 3. KICTANet civil Society Caucus will develop a communication strategy 4. OneWorld is the focal point for KICTANet civil Society Caucus. Their role will be inter alia to strengthen civil society participation within the KICTA network. 5. One World has been mandated to organise a one-day strategising/brainstorming meeting. This meeting will focus on needs for civil society to empower the sector to engage in network activities. 6. Fundraising for KICTANet Civil Society Caucus activities will be coordinated by One World 7. The KICTANet civil Society Caucus will engage as an equal partner with other stakeholders, including government, private sector, media and others, in harnessing and accelerating ICT development in Kenya. 8. KICTANet civil Society caucus will actively promote participation of marginalised groups within the network and nation as a whole 9. The Caucus will work towards harmonising its activities towards government efforts to harness ICTs for development 10. The Caucus will aim to ensure that it is represented not only at the network level but also at national implementation of WSIS Action Plans, including representation in implementation of the Digital Solidarity Fund, and the National Universal Access Fund. The Caucus will ensure that there is civil society issues articulated at most ICT policy and implementation related activities in Kenya as well as at the regional and global levels V) ACTION FRAMEWORK 1. OneWorld is mandated to take the lead in rejuvenating Civil Society within the Kenya ICT Action network. Activities will include, outreach, capacity building, understanding other sectors, etc 2. LinuxChix Kenya will coordinate the development of a communication strategy, which will include participation in the development of the multi stakeholder website KICTANet.or.ke, newsletter and as well as capacity building for civil society organisations within the network 3. KIP mailing list members willing to remain engaged and informed of ICT policy development and implementation activities/processes will be requested to subscribe to various sector/thematic specific lists as well as the general KICTANET list before the IDRC Kenya ICT Policy project closes in October 4. One world will organise a one day civil society workshop early November 2005 before the Tunis summit 5. Oneworld International and LinuxChix Kenya will represent civil society voices in the planning and organisation of the national ICT consumer awareness campaign activities 6. CATIA should continue to serve as the host and convenor for the KICTANet and should continue supporting and fundraising for network activities until such a time that another organisation/firm/corporation assumes leadership. 7. The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus has been formed and will take over the former Kenya WSIS Civil Society Caucus 8. The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus focal point One World will represent civil society organizations within national WSIS task force and will officially communicate the same to all stakeholders, including government ICT institutions development partners, private sector groups and others. 9. The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus will strive to engage NGOs and household community based organisations (CBOs) involved in ICT for Development to ensure their participation at the national and global arena. 10. FOSSFA will support the said NGOs and CBOs to have an internet presence established within the 'Making Civil Voices Heard' initiative supported by HIVOS.