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Udvalget for Videnskab og Teknologi 2006-07
KOM (2005) 0234 Bilag 1
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Beretning

FN’s Verdenstopmøde om informationssamfundet

den 16.-18. november 2005

i Tunis, Tunesien

UDENRIGSMINISTERIET

MINISTERIET FOR VIDENSKAB, TEKNOLOGI OG UDVIKLING

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Indhold:

Beretning om FN’s Verdenstopmøde om informationssamfundet den 16.-18. november 2005 i

Tunis, Tunesien.

Bilag 1

Bilag 2

Bilag 3

Bilag 4

Bilag 5

Bilag 6

Bilag 7

Liste over deltagere i den danske delegation.

The Tunis Commitment.

The Tunis Agenda for the Information Society.

Statement by

His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the

United

Nations.

Statement by the Right Honourable Mr. Alun Michael, Minister of State for Indus-

try and Regions, United Kingdom.

Statement by Mr. Uffe Toudal Pedersen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of

Science, Technology and Innovation.

Civil Society Statement on the World Summit on the Information Society: “Much

more could have been achieved”.

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Beretning

FN’s Verdenstopmøde om informationssamfundet

den 16.-18. november

i Tunis, Tunesien

Baggrund

FN’s generalforsamling gav den 21. december 2001 med resolution 56/183 Den Internationale

Telekommunikation Union (ITU) til opgave at forberede et verdenstopmøde om informations-

samfundet (World Summit on the Information Society – WSIS). Resolutionen pegede blandt

andet på behovet for at udnytte det store videnmæssige og teknologiske potentiale til at fremme

de mål, som blev fastsat i sluterklæringen fra FN’s Millenium-topmøde i New York i 2000. I re-

solutionen opfordredes såvel regeringer, civilsamfund og den private sektor til at deltage aktivt i

forberedelsesprocessen.

WSIS skulle finde sted i to faser, hvor den første fase af topmødet fandt sted i Genève den 10.-

12. december 2003, mens den anden fase fandt sted i Tunis den 16.-18. november 2005. Uden-

rigsministeriet og Videnskabsministeriet har i marts 2004 afgivet en beretning vedrørende top-

mødets første fase i Genève, hvorfor nærværende beretning kun omhandler anden fase af top-

møde, som fandt sted i Tunis den 16.-18. november 2005.

Forberedelserne til topmødet i Tunis blev gennemført på regionalt og globalt niveau, ligesom

der i mange lande også blev gennemført en national forberedelsesproces med relevante aktører

indenfor området. Der har på globalt niveau været afholdt tre forberedelseskonferencer (Prep-

Com), hvoraf PrepCom 1 fandt sted i Hammamet i Tunesien i juni 2004, PrepCom 2 i Genève

i februar 2005 samt PrepCom 3 i Genève i september 2005. Forberedelseskonferencerne har

haft til opgave at forberede udkast til topmødets to slutdokumenter. Siden man imidlertid ikke

kunne opnå enighed om udkast til slutdokumenter under den sidste forberedelseskonference i

Genève i september 2005 blev konferencen genoptaget i Tunis den 13.-15. november 2005.

EU afgav skriftlige bidrag til forberedelsesprocessen forud for de afholdte forberedelseskonfe-

rencer, og den løbende EU-koordinering fandt som ved det forrige topmøde sted i Genève.

Desuden har selve forberedelserne til topmødet løbende været på dagsordenen for it- og tele-

ministrenes møder i Rådet. EU-kommissionen har i lighed med praksis i forbindelse med andre

verdenstopmøder vedtaget flere meddelelser om anden del af WSIS til Rådet, Europa-

Parlamentet, Det Europæiske Økonomiske og Sociale Udvalg og Regionsudvalget, senest den

2.juni 2005.

Udenrigsministeriet og Videnskabsministeriet har været ansvarlige for de danske forberedelser

til topmødet i Tunis, og der har været afholdt åbne debatmøder om WSIS den 11. november

2004 og den 14. september 2005 med henblik på at modtage input fra og skabe dialog med ci-

vilsamfundet, erhvervslivet, interesseorganisationer, forskningsverdenen, mediekredse og en-

keltpersoner om emner for topmødet.

Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society: The Contribution of the Euroean Union to the Second Phase of

the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) – COM(2005)234

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Forberedelsesprocessen for Verdenstopmødet og Informationssamfundet

Forberedelsesprocessen for Verdenstopmødet i Tunis blev gennemført under ledelse af den let-

tiske FN-ambassadør i Genève, ambassadør Janis Karklins. Det lykkedes ikke under den tredje

forberedelseskonference i september 2005 at nå til enighed om et udkast til slutdokumenter for

topmødet i Tunis, hvorfor det blev besluttet at suspendere forberedelseskonferencen i Genève

og genoptage konferencen i Tunis den 13.-15. november 2005 umiddelbart inden topmødets

begyndelse.

Derimod lykkedes det for den endelige forberedende konference i Tunis at nå til enighed om

udkast til slutdokumenter natten inden topmødets påbegyndelse. Der opnåedes dog først enig-

hed om de udviklingspolitiske og FN-relaterede emner efter, at der var fundet en tilfredsstillen-

de løsning på topmødets hovedproblematik vedrørende den fremtidige konsultationsproces for

en internationalisering af forvaltningen af internettet (Internet Governance).

Forvaltningen af internettet

I forhold til Internet Governance kom det til åben konflikt under PrepCom III i september

2005. Konflikten omhandlede primært et forslag om, at de særlige kontrolfunktioner vedrø-

rende internettets basale infrastruktur, som i dag udøves unilateralt af de amerikanske my n-

digheder, skal overgå til et internationalt sammensat organ med afsæt i en mellemstatslig afta-

le.

Forslaget drejede sig blandt andet om principperne for den overordnede fordeling af IP-

adresser, så der sikres en fair og effektiv fordeling af denne ressource. Forslaget tog tillige fat

på problemstillingen vedrørende procedurerne for ændringer i den såkaldte ”root zone file”

(den overordnede ”telefonbog” med basisoplysninger om identiteten på administratorer af

topdomænenavne, der er afgørende for, at internettrafikken fungerer korrekt, og at man ved

søgning på internettet finder den rigtige hjemmeside). Dette indebærer også principper for

godkendelse af nye generiske topdomænenavne (som f.eks. ”.com” og ”.net”) samt af æn-

dringer vedrørende administrationen af landetopdomænenavne (f.eks. ”.dk” og ”.de”). Her-

udover drejede det sig om ansvaret for det nødvendige beredskab, som skal sikre domæne-

navnssystemets centrale funktioner, om at få indført et internationalt voldgiftssystem til at l ø-

se konflikter samt om at fastsætte overordnede principper for administrationen af de ”root

servers”, som sikrer den nødvendige identifikation i forbindelse med trafik på internettet.

Efter lange forhandlinger, der til tider afspejlede åben strid om de helt essentielle spørgsmål,

endte den genoptagne forberedelseskonferencen imidlertid med, at der blev opnået enighed om

en tekst, der i vid udstrækning bygger på forslag fra EU. Dette skyldes ikke mindst en enestå-

ende indsats af formanden for underkomiteen, ambassadør Kahn fra Pakistan.

Med den tekst, der blev opnået enighed om, fastslås det blandt andet, at alle regeringer skal del-

tage i forvaltningen på lige fod, at regeringerne er ansvarlige for fastlæggelsen af globale prin-

cipper for opgavefordelingen mellem regeringerne og andre aktører og for, at internettet admi-

nistreres i overensstemmelse med berettigede offentlige interesser og international ret. Endelig

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fastlægges rammerne for den proces, der skal føre til disse resultater. Aktørerne i denne proces

bliver alle interessenter, og rammen om drøftelserne etableres i regi af relevante internationale

og/eller mellemstatslige organisationer.

Derudover blev det vedtaget, at FN’s Generalsekretær skal nedsætte et ”multistakeholder-

forum”, hvor de mere brede drøftelser vedrørende Internet Governance kan finde sted – med

undtagelse af de spørgsmål, som relaterer direkte til forvaltningen af domænenavnssystemet.

Hvad angik de udviklingspolitiske og FN-relaterede emner udestod der under forberedelses-

konferencen to hovedproblemer i udkast til topmødets slutdokumenter, som det ikke var lyk-

kedes at løse under den langvarige forudgående forhandlingsproces i Genève i september 2005.

Forholdet mellem menneskerettigheder og statssuverænitet

EU og WEOG-landene

USA, Canada, Schweiz og Norge modsatte sig diverse tekstforslag fra

Rusland, støttet af G-77-landene

(særligt den arabiske og den asiatiske gruppe), om at under-

ordne basale frihedsrettigheder nationalstaters kontrol med henvisning til bl.a. sikkerhedsbehov.

Også spørgsmålet om pressefrihed blev genstand for forsøg på udvanding fra særligt russisk

side, men også hér lykkedes det for EU m.fl. at forhandle acceptabelt sprogbrug ind i doku-

mentet.

Implementering og opfølgning af WSIS processen

Den primære uenighed vedrørende implementering og opfølgning på WSIS processen var kon-

centreret omkring, hvem der skulle have det overordnede ansvar for implementeringen og op-

følgningen på det officielle WSIS-resultat fra Tunis. Rusland støttet af bl.a. G-77-landene havde

hele tiden ønsket at give International Telecommunication Union (ITU) en klar overordnet ko-

ordinerende rolle i forbindelse med implementeringen og opfølgningen på WSIS, hvilket et

dominerende flertal indenfor EU og WEOG-landene imidlertid ikke ønskede, da man hellere så

implementeringen og opfølgningen på WSIS integreret i FN’s normale opfølgningsprocesser,

herunder mainstreamed indenfor de enkelt FN-organisationerne i henhold til deres mandat og

kompetenceområde. EU-holdningen var, at FN’s Generalsekretær selv måtte tage den endelige

beslutning herom og ikke påvirkes i den ene eller anden retning.

Forhandlingerne i Tunis afspejlede den klassiske nord-syd polarisering, hvor et hårdt presset

EU i elvte time, konfronteret med truslen om forhandlingssammenbrud, måtte acceptere et

kompromissprog, som langt fra var optimalt, men som dog fortsat var acceptabelt.

På positivsiden talte, at det lykkedes EU at få adresseret, at der ikke var behov for at skabe nye

operationelle enheder, men at opfølgningen skulle følge FN’s normale procedure for opfølg-

ning på topmøder. Dertil kom, at det lykkedes at skabe en klar opdeling mellem aktørerne for

henholdsvis implementering og opfølgning samt at etablere en kobling mellem WSIS processen

og 2015-målene. EU havde endvidere held med at få indplaceret implementeringsspørgsmålet i

FN's eksisterende øverste bestyrelse ”Chief Executive Board”.

Western Europe and Others Group

G-77-gruppen blev etableret i 1964 af 77 udviklingslande og er den største gruppe af 3. verdenslande i FN.

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På negativsiden talte, at G-77-landene fik held med at få oprettet en særlig gruppe om informa-

tionssamfundet under FN’s eksisterende ”Chief Executive Board”, samt at udpegning af for-

mand herfor burde ske med behørig hensyntagen til ITU, UNESCO og UNDP, hvilket man

fra EU’s side ikke på forhånd ønskede at lægge sig fast på. Ligeledes lykkedes det Rusland og

G-77-landene at få opbakning til et anneks i det operationelle afsnit med identifikation af le-

dende FN-organisationer med hensyn til den under WSIS topmødet i Genève vedtagne hand-

lingsplan, hvilket man fra EU’s side heller ikke ønskede at lægge sig fast på. I slutdokumentets

anneks figurerer FN (sær)organisationer som ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD samt delvist UNDP

prominent. Det lykkedes imidlertid for EU at få indsat en henvisning til, at annekset alene var

indikativt, samt at der kun blev udpeget mulige facilitatorer og moderatorer. Dertil kom en ud-

specificering af ”multi-stakeholder” tilgangen i annekset med henblik på at sikre inddragelse af

privatsektor og civilsamfund.

For så vidt angik spørgsmålet om opfølgning lykkedes det G-77-landene at få denne placeret i

Kommissionen for Videnskab og Teknologi under ECOSOC, baseret på en kommende

ECOSOC beslutning i 2006 om revideret mandat for og sammensætning af kommissionen. Fra

EU’s side kunne der ikke fremsættes et konkret alternativ hertil, hvorfor dette måtte accepteres.

Endelig lykkedes det G-77-landene at fastholde behovet for et generelt ”review” af implemen-

tering af WSIS i 2015, om end EU havde held med at få afvist en mere formaliseret og automa-

tisk opfølgningsproces.

Finansielle spørgsmål

Foruden de to ovennævnte centrale hovedproblemstillinger omfattede drøftelserne også finan-

sielle spørgsmål. Forhandlingerne vedrørende de finansielle mekanismer tog udgangspunkt i en

tekst udarbejdet af en arbejdsgruppe under formanden (Group Friends of the Chair), som var

skrevet på baggrund af konklusionerne fra en UNDP arbejdsgruppe-rapport om de finansielle

mekanismer. Rapporten understregede, at udviklingslandene burde indarbejde informations- og

kommunikationsteknologier (IKT) i modtagerlandenes fattigdomsstrategier samt udarbejde na-

tionale IKT-strategier. Det fremgik ligeledes af rapporten, at der i arbejdsgruppen ikke kunne

opnås enighed om, hvorvidt der ville være behov for en særlig finansieringsmekanisme eller et

forum til mobilisering af ressourcer til udvikling af informationssamfundet i udviklingslandene.

Fra EU’s side holdt man fast i, at der ikke var behov for oprettelse af nye, særlige finansie-

ringsmekanismer på IKT-området, men at man derimod skulle lægger vægt på, at IKT blev in-

tegreret via de eksisterende bistandsmekanismer, og at vurderingen af finansieringsbehovet til

sektoren skulle indgå i modtagerlandenes samlede planlægning af de nationale budgetter, her-

under i landenes fattigdomsstrategier. Det lykkedes for EU at fastholde, at den i Genève færdig-

forhandlede tekst vedrørende finansielle mekanismer blev baseret på frivillighedsaspektet, her-

under at teksten fra topmødet i Genève vedrørende den frivillige Digitale Solidaritetsfond ikke

blev genåbnet, som ønsket fra udviklingslandenes side.

Verdenstopmødets slutdokumenter

Den genoptagne PrepCom 3 sluttede ved midnat den 15. november 2005 efter tre dages inten-

sive forhandlinger og således inden den officielle åbning af Verdenstopmødet om Informati-

onssamfundet dagen efter. Det lykkedes dog først at nå til enighed om de beskrevne udeståen-

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de tekstafsnit efter, at der som beskrevet var fundet en tilfredsstillende løsning på topmødets

hovedproblematik om den fremtidige internationale forvaltning af internettet.

Udviklingslandenes gidselstagning af de beskrevne udestående problemstillinger, særligt for så

vidt angik menneskerettigheder samt spørgsmålet om implementering af og opfølgning på

WSIS processen, viste sig at være en effektiv strategi. Det endelige resultat på FN- og udvik-

lingsbistandsområdet vurderedes derfor at være et i sidste instans for Danmark og EU accepta-

belt kompromis, som ”tillæg” til topmødets hovedresultat vedrørende internettet.

De under PrepCom 3 færdigforhandlede udkast til topmøde slutdokumenter, omfattede ”Tunis

Commitment” (introduktionen) og ”Tunis Agenda for the Information Society” (det operatio-

nelle afsnit), blev godkendt uden ændringer under topmødet den 18. november 2005. Topmøde

slut dokumenterne er vedlagt som henholdsvis bilag 2 og 3.

Den danske delegation

Departementschef Uffe Toudal Pedersen fra Ministeriet for Videnskab, Teknologi og Udvikling

ledede under sin deltagelse i topmødet den 16.-18. november 2005 den danske delegation og

afgav det danske indlæg. Delegationen omfattede tillige medlemmer fra Folketinget, repræsen-

tanter fra Udenrigsministeriet og Ministeriet for Videnskab, Teknologi og Udvikling samt det

danske civilsamfund. Delegationslisten er vedlagt som bilag 1.

Den generelle debat under topmødet

FN’s Generalsekretær, Kofi Annan, anførte bl.a. i sit indledende indlæg, at Verdenstopmødet i

Tunis gerne skulle føre til, at IKT-teknologier blev anvendt på nye måde, således at de medfør-

te yderligere sociale fordele for alle klasse i verdenssamfundet. Mest af alt burde topmødet ge-

nerere nyt momentum for de fattigste landes økonomiske og sociale udvikling. Forudsætningen

for informationssamfundet var imidlertid frihed. Det var denne frihed som gjorde det muligt

for journalister at arbejde samt for borger at tilegne sig den nødvendige viden til bl.a. at holde

regeringerne ansvarlige for deres handlinger. Uden åbenhed og retten til at søge, modtage og

videreformidle information og ideer gennem medier uden hensyn til grænser ville informations-

samfundet være dødfødt.

FN-systemet var rede til at hjælpe med implementeringen af topmødets resultater, herunder

vedrørende internettet. Imidlertid skulle der ikke være nogen tvivl om, at FN ikke var interesse-

ret i at overtage eller føre opsyn med forvaltningen af internettet. USA skulle have en stor tak

for at have udviklet internettet og gjort det tilgængelig for verden, men det stod klart for alle, at

der i dag eksisterede et behov for yderligere international deltagelse i diskussionen omkring for-

valtningen af internettet.

Det britiske EU-formandskab repræsenteret ved den britiske Minister for Industri og regioner-

ne, Alun Michael, anførte bl.a. i et indlæg på vegne af EU, at EU hilste forhandlingsresultatet

velkommen. Tunis-dagsordenen var et vigtig bidrag til den globale anstrengelse med at bygge

bro over den digitale kløft, således at man sikrede, at fordelene ved IKT kunne komme alle til

gode. EU så frem til at samarbejde med alle aktører, således at man sikrede en fuldstændig og

effektiv implementering af begge faser af Verdenstopmødet om Informationssamfundet.

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EU var verdens største donor, men på trods heraf havde man besluttet at fordoble sit budget til

udviklingsbistand inden år 2010. En stigende andel af EU’s udviklingsbistand blev givet som

budgetstøtte til udviklingslandenes egne udviklingsplaner og budgetter, således at landene selv

kunne bestemme, hvor meget som skulle gå til IKT.

Departementschef Uffe Toudal Pedersen understregede bl.a. i sit indlæg, at IKT i dag var den

mest kraftfulde og effektive katalysator i verden, hvilket gjaldt for både rige som fattige lande.

IKT var nøglen til at stimulere bæredygtig økonomisk udvikling og forbedring af menneskers

livskvalitet overalt i verden. Endvidere gjorde IKT det muligt for den enkelte at tage et større

medansvar for sit liv og deltage aktivt i samfundsudviklingen, hvorved man også forbedrede

demokratisering og menneskerettigheder. Verdenstopmødet var af vital betydning, hvis man

ønskede at sprede de positive fordele og muligheder ved IKT til alle verdenshjørner.

I denne forbindelse var forvaltningen af internettet nok topmødets vigtigste emneområde.

Danmark var af den overbevisning, at den private sektor og civilsamfundet skulle vedblive med

at have en førerrolle i udviklingen af internettet. Derfor var det vigtigt, at man fandt en sand

måde at sikre legitimiteten af forvaltningen af internettet på. Løsningen var et forvaltningssy-

stem på internationalt niveau, som ikke kunne introducere nogen form for indholdskontrol

med internettet, og som samtidigt kunne beskytte kernen af internettets infrastruktur.

Alle parter burde også arbejde hårdere for at sikre ytringsfriheden, som var informationssam-

fundets mest vitale byggesten. Lande som ikke forstod dette princip ville i det lange løb tabe i

den globale konkurrence om investeringer og økonomisk udvikling. Hvert land burde derfor

sætte udviklingen af informationssamfundet høj på den nationale dagsorden. Udviklingslandene

havde specielt behov for at integrere deres nationale e-strategier i landenes fattigdomsstrategier.

Den danske stand

Danmark deltog med en stand på den åbne platform ICT4all (ICT for All) i forbindelse med

Verdenstopmødet i Tunis. ICT4all tiltrak ca. 38.000 besøgende gæster i løbet af de fem dage,

som arrangementet varede. 296 udstillende organisationer fra mere end 65 lande var tilstede på

platformen, hvor informations- og kommunikationsteknologiernes udviklingsperspektiver blev

drøftet og belyst gennem hundredvis af rundbordsdiskussioner, foredrag og konferencer.

Danmark var repræsenteret på platformen med 12 deltagere fra 5 danske virksomheder samt

Udenrigsministeriet, som redegjorde for ministeriets nye portal for integreringen af IKT i ud-

viklingsbistanden. Departementschef Uffe Toudal Pedersen var vært ved standens åbningsre-

ception, hvori deltog repræsentanter fra tilrejsende delegationer samt en lang række udenland-

ske organisationer.

FN-forbundet i Danmark koordinerede i samarbejde med den internationale sammenslutning

af FN-forbund (WFUNA) det danske civilsamfunds repræsentation på ICT4all, hvor man hav-

de en fælles stand. FN-forbundet havde med økonomisk støtte fra Udenrigsministeriet inviteret

samarbejdspartnere fra civilsamfundet i seks udviklingslande til at repræsentere deres lande på

ICT4all. Standen var godt besøgt, og der var især stor interesse for de nye muligheder for global

kommunikation, som blev præsenteret.

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Pressedækning og formidling

I forbindelse med Verdenstopmødet og standen deltog journalister fra danske medier. Som del

af de danske forberedelser til ICT4all blev der oprettet en hjemmeside (www.ict4all.dk), hvor

information om Verdenstopmødet og den tilknyttede platform blev formidlet til de danske del-

tagere. Samtidig fungerede hjemmesiden som kommunikationsredskab mellem deltagerne i pe-

rioden frem mod topmødet. Under selve afviklingen af topmødet og ICT4all-platformen var

hjemmesiden kernen til formidling og overblik, og hjemmesiden vil forblive tilgængelig i seks

måneder efter topmødet.

Civilsamfundets erklæring til WSIS-topmødet

Under første fase af WSIS formulerede de deltagende civilsamfundsorganisationer en særskilt

deklaration, som siden blev annekteret til den officielle Genève Deklaration. Denne deklaration

havde til hensigt at give civilsamfundets sammenhængende bud på fremtidens informations-

samfund, udover de forslag der blev inkorporeret i den officielle erklæring.

Under topmødets anden fase i Tunis arbejdede civilsamfundsorganisationerne med at formule-

re en særskilt erklæring, der supplerede deklarationen fra Geneve og som særligt gjorde status

over civilsamfundets arbejde og rolle i den forgangne proces, civilsamfundets fremtidige rolle

samt de opnåede tiltag. På grund af en meget hektisk optaktsfase og ikke mindst på grund af

sværere arbejdsvilkår for civilsamfundet under Tunis-topmødet, blev erklæringen ikke færdigar-

bejdet under selve topmødet. Civilsamfundets erklæringen blev derfor først færdigudarbejdet og

offentliggjort ultimo december 2005 under titlen ”Much more could have been achieved”. Er-

klæringen vedlægges som bilag 7.

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Bilag 1:

Liste over deltagere i den danske delegation

Mr Uffe Toudal PEDERSEN, Permanent Secretary, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Finn JØNCK, Head of Department, Delegation of Denmark

Ms Marianne ROENNEBAEK, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Delegation of Denmark

H.E. Mr Bo Eric WEBER, Ambassador, Delegation of Denmark

Ms Sidse AEGIDIUS, Head of Department, Delegation of Denmark, [email protected]

Ms Karen Munk CHRISTENSEN, Head of Secretariat of the Committee on Science and

Technology, Delegation of Denmark

Ms Jane FINNERUP JOHNSEN, Project-coordinator, Delegation of Denmark

Ms Rikke FRANK JØRGENSEN, Special Advisor, Delegation of Denmark

Ms Maj HESSEL, First Secretary, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Magnus HEUNICKE, Member of Parliament, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Henrik KJAER, Special Adviser, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Torben KROGH, Chairman, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Martin MIKKELSEN, Head of Section, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Torsten Schack PEDERSEN, Member of Parliament, Delegation of Denmark

Ms Kirstine SCHJERMER, Web Coordinator, Delegation of Denmark

Mr Jørgen TRANBERG, Minister Counsellor, Delegation of Denmark

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Bilag 2:

TUNIS COMMITMENT

We, the representatives of the peoples of the world,

have gathered in Tunis

from 16-18 November 2005 for this second phase of the World Summit on the Information

Society (WSIS) to reiterate our unequivocal support for the Geneva Declaration of Principles

and Plan of Action adopted at the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society

in Geneva in December 2003.

2. We reaffirm

our desire and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and develop-

ment-oriented Information Society, premised on the purposes and principles of the Charter of

the United Nations, international law and multilateralism, and respecting fully and upholding

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so that people everywhere can create, access, uti-

lize and share information and knowledge, to achieve their full potential and to attain the inter-

nationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development

Goals.

We reaffirm

the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelation of all human

rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, as enshrined in the Vien-

na Declaration.

We also reaffirm

that democracy, sustainable development, and respect for

human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as good governance at all levels are interde-

pendent and mutually reinforcing.

We further resolve

to strengthen respect for the rule of law

in international as in national affairs.

4.We reaffirm

paragraphs 4, 5 and 55 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles.

We recognize

that freedom of expression and the free flow of information, ideas, and knowledge, are essential

for the Information Society and beneficial to development.

The Tunis Summit represents a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the bene-

fits that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can bring to humanity and the

manner in which they can transform people’s activities, interaction and lives, and thus increase

confidence in the future.

6.This

Summit is an important stepping-stone in the world’s efforts to eradicate poverty and to

attain the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium

Development Goals. By the Geneva decisions, we established a coherent long-term link be-

tween the WSIS process, and other relevant major United Nations conferences and summits.

We call upon

governments, private sector, civil society and international organizations to join

together to implement the commitments set forth in the Geneva Declaration of Principles and

Plan of Action. In this context, the outcomes of the recently concluded

2005 World Summit on

the review of the implementation of the Millennium Declaration

are of special relevance.

7. We reaffirm the commitments made in Geneva

and build on them in Tunis by focusing

on financial mechanisms for bridging the digital divide, on Internet governance and related is-

sues, as well as on follow-up and implementation of the Geneva and Tunis decisions, as refer-

enced in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society.

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While reaffirming the important roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders as outlined in

paragraph 3 of the Geneva Plan of Action,

we acknowledge

the key role and responsibilities

of governments in the WSIS process.

9.We reaffirm our resolution

in the quest to ensure that everyone can benefit from the oppor-

tunities that ICTs can offer, by recalling that governments, as well as private sector, civil society

and the United Nations and other international organizations, should work together to: im-

prove access to information and communication infrastructure and technologies as well as to

information and knowledge; build capacity; increase confidence and security in the use of ICTs;

create an enabling environment at all levels; develop and widen ICT applications; foster and re-

spect cultural diversity; recognize the role of the media; address the ethical dimensions of the

Information Society; and encourage international and regional cooperation.

We confirm

that

these are the key principles for building an inclusive Information Society, the elaboration of

which is found in the Geneva Declaration of Principles.

10.We recognize

that access to information and sharing and creation of knowledge contributes

significantly to strengthening economic, social and cultural development, thus helping all coun-

tries to reach the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millen-

nium Development Goals. This process can be enhanced by removing barriers to universal,

ubiquitous, equitable and affordable access to information.

We underline

the importance of

removing barriers to bridging the digital divide, particularly those that hinder the full achieve-

ment of the economic, social and cultural development of countries and the welfare of their

people, in particular, in developing countries.

11.

Furthermore, ICTs are making it possible for a vastly larger population than at any time in

the past to join in sharing and expanding the base of human knowledge, and contributing to its

further growth in all spheres of human endeavour as well as its application to education, health

and science. ICTs have enormous potential to expand access to quality education, to boost lit-

eracy and universal primary education, and to facilitate the learning process itself, thus laying

the groundwork for the establishment of a fully inclusive and development-oriented Infor-

mation Society and knowledge economy which respects cultural and linguistic diversity.

12. We emphasize

that the adoption of ICTs by enterprises plays a fundamental role in eco-

nomic growth. The growth and productivity enhancing effects of well-implemented invest-

ments in ICTs can lead to increased trade and to more and better employment. For this reason,

both enterprise development and labour market policies play a fundamental role in the adop-

tion of ICTs.

We invite

governments and the private sector to enhance the capacity of Small,

Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), since they furnish the greatest number of jobs in

most economies.

We shall work together,

with all stakeholders, to put in place the necessary

policy, legal and regulatory frameworks that foster entrepreneurship, particularly for SMMEs.

13.We also recognize

that the ICT revolution can have a tremendous positive impact as an in-

strument of sustainable development. In addition, an appropriate enabling environment at na-

tional and international levels could prevent increasing social and economic divisions, and the

widening of the gap between rich and poor countries, regions, and individuals—including be-

tween men and women.

14.

We also recognize

that in addition to building ICT infrastructure, there should

be adequate emphasis on developing human capacity and creating ICT applications and digital

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content in local language, where appropriate, so as to ensure a comprehensive approach to

building a global Information Society.

15.

Recognizing the principles of universal and non-discriminatory access to ICTs for

all nations, the need to take into account the level of social and economic development of each

country, and respecting the development-oriented aspects of the Information Society,

we un-

derscore

that ICTs are effective tools to promote peace, security and stability, to enhance de-

mocracy, social cohesion, good governance and the rule of law, at national, regional and inter-

national levels. ICTs can be used to promote economic growth and enterprise development. In-

frastructure development, human capacity building, information security and network security

are critical to achieve these goals.

We further recognize

the need to effectively confront chal-

lenges and threats resulting from use of ICTs for purposes that are inconsistent with objectives

of maintaining international stability and security and may adversely affect the integrity of the

infrastructure within States, to the detriment of their security. It is necessary to prevent the

abuse of information resources and technologies for criminal and terrorist purposes, while re-

specting human rights.

16. We further commit ourselves

to evaluate and follow up progress in bridging the digital

divide, taking into account different levels of development, so as to reach internationally agreed

development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals, and to assess

the effectiveness of investment and international cooperation efforts in building the Infor-

mation Society.

17. We urge governments,

using the potential of ICTs, to create public systems of infor-

mation on laws and regulations, envisaging a wider development of public access points and

supporting the broad availability of this information.

18.

We shall strive

unremittingly, therefore, to promote universal, ubiquitous, equita-

ble and affordable access to ICTs, including universal design and assistive technologies, for all

people, especially those with disabilities, everywhere, to ensure that the benefits are more even-

ly distributed between and within societies, and to bridge the digital divide in order to create

digital opportunities for all and benefit from the potential offered by ICTs for development.

19.

The international community should take necessary measures to ensure that all

countries of the world have equitable and affordable access to ICTs, so that their benefits in the

fields of socio-economic development and bridging the digital divide are truly inclusive

20.

To that end,

we shall pay particular attention

to the special needs of marginal-

ized and vulnerable groups of society including migrants, internally displaced persons and refu-

gees, unemployed and underprivileged people, minorities and nomadic people, older persons

and persons with disabilities.

21.

To that end,

we shall pay special attention

to the particular needs of people of

developing countries, countries with economies in transition, Least Developed Countries, Small

Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, Highly Indebted Poor Countries,

countries and territories under occupation, and countries recovering from conflict or natural

disasters.

22.

In the evolution of the Information Society, particular attention must be given to

the special situation of indigenous peoples, as well as to the preservation of their heritage and

their cultural legacy.

23.

We recognize

that a gender divide exists as part of the digital divide in society

and

we reaffirm our commitment

to women’s empowerment and to a gender equality per-

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spective, so that we can overcome this divide.

We further acknowledge

that the full participa-

tion of women in the Information Society is necessary to ensure the inclusiveness and respect

for human rights within the Information Society.

We encourage

all stakeholders to support

women’s participation in decision-making processes and to contribute to shaping all spheres of

the Information Society at international, regional and national levels.

We recognize

the role of ICTs in the protection of children and in enhancing the

development of children.

We will strengthen action

to protect children from abuse and de-

fend their rights in the context of ICTs. In that context,

we emphasize

that the best interests

of the child are a primary consideration.

25.

We reaffirm our commitment

to empowering young people as key contributors

to building an inclusive Information Society.

We will actively engage

youth in innovative

ICT-based development programmes and widen opportunities for youth to be involved in e-

strategy processes.

26.

We recognize

the importance of creative content and applications to overcome

the digital divide and to contribute to the achievement of the internationally agreed develop-

ment goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals.

27.

We recognize

that equitable and sustainable access to information requires the

implementation of strategies for the long-term preservation of the digital information that is

being created.

28.

We reaffirm our desire

to build ICT networks and develop applications, in part-

nership with the private sector, based on open or interoperable standards that are affordable

and accessible to all, available anywhere and anytime, to anyone and on any device, leading to a

ubiquitous network.

29. Our conviction

is that governments, the private sector, civil society, the scientific and ac-

ademic community, and users can utilize various technologies and licensing models, including

those developed under proprietary schemes and those developed under open-source and free

modalities, in accordance with their interests and with the need to have reliable services and

implement effective programmes for their people. Taking into account the importance of pro-

prietary software in the markets of the countries,

we reiterate

the need to encourage and foster

collaborative development, interoperative platforms and free and open-source software, in ways

that reflect the possibilities of different software models, notably for education, science and

digital inclusion programmes.

Recognizing that disaster mitigation can significantly support efforts to bring

about sustainable development and help in poverty reduction,

we reaffirm our commitment

to leveraging ICT capabilities and potential through fostering and strengthening cooperation at

the national, regional, and international levels.

31.

We commit ourselves

to work together towards the implementation of the Digi-

tal Solidarity Agenda, as agreed in paragraph 27 of the Geneva Plan of Action. The full and

quick implementation of that agenda, observing good governance at all levels, requires in par-

ticular a timely, effective, comprehensive and durable solution to the debt problems of develop-

ing countries where appropriate, a universal, rule-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable

multilateral trading system, that can also stimulate development worldwide, benefiting countries

at all stages of development, as well as, to seek and effectively implement concrete international

approaches and mechanisms to increase international cooperation and assistance to bridge the

digital divide.

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32.

We further commit

ourselves to promote the inclusion of all peoples in the In-

formation Society through the development and use of local and/or indigenous languages in

ICTs.

We will continue

our efforts to protect and promote cultural diversity, as well as cultur-

al identities, within the Information Society.

33.

We acknowledge

that, while technical cooperation can help, capacity building at

all levels is needed to ensure that the required institutional and individual expertise is available.

34.

We recognize the need for, and strive to mobilize resources,

both human and

financial, in accordance with chapter two of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, to

enable us to increase the use of ICT for development and realize the short-, medium- and long-

term plans dedicated to building the Information Society as follow-up and implementation of

the outcomes of WSIS.

35.

We recognize

the central role of public policy in setting the framework in which

resource mobilization can take place.

36.

We value

the potential of ICTs to promote peace and to prevent conflict which,

inter alia,

negatively affects achieving development goals. ICTs can be used for identifying con-

flict situations through early-warning systems preventing conflicts, promoting their peaceful

resolution, supporting humanitarian action, including protection of civilians in armed conflicts,

facilitating peacekeeping missions, and assisting post conflict peace-building and reconstruc-

tion.

37. We are convinced

that our goals can be accomplished through the involvement, coop-

eration and partnership of governments and other stakeholders, i.e. the private sector, civil so-

ciety and international organizations, and that international cooperation and solidarity at all lev-

els are indispensable if the fruits of the Information Society are to benefit all.

38.

Our efforts

should not stop with the conclusion of the Summit. The emergence

of the global Information Society to which we all contribute provides increasing opportunities

for all our peoples and for an inclusive global community that were unimaginable only a few

years ago.

We must harness

these opportunities today and support their further development

and progress.

39.

We reaffirm

our strong resolve to develop and implement an effective and sus-

tainable response to the challenges and opportunities of building a truly global Information So-

ciety that benefits all our peoples.

40.

We strongly believe

in the full and timely implementation of the decisions we

took in Geneva and Tunis, as outlined in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society.

_________

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Bilag 3:

TUNIS AGENDA FOR THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

NTRODUCTION

We recognize

that it is now time to move from principles to action, considering

the work already being done in implementing the Geneva Plan of Action and identifying those

areas where progress has been made, is being made, or has not taken place.

We reaffirm the commitments

made in Geneva and build on them in Tunis by

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.

FINANCIAL MECHANISMS FOR MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF

ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT

We thank

the UN Secretary-General for his efforts in creating the Task Force on

Financial Mechanisms (TFFM) and we commend the members on their report.

We recall

that the mandate of the TFFM was to undertake a thorough review of

the adequacy of existing financial mechanisms in meeting the challenges of ICT for develop-

ment.

The TFFM report sets out the complexity of existing mechanisms, both private

and public, which provide financing for ICTs in developing countries. It identifies areas where

these could be improved and where ICTs could be given higher priority by developing coun-

tries and their development partners.

Based on the conclusion of the review of the report,

we have considered

the im-

provements and innovations of financial mechanisms, including the creation of a voluntary

Digital Solidarity Fund, as mentioned in the Geneva Declaration of Principles.

We recognize

the existence of the digital divide and the challenges that this poses

for many countries, which are forced to choose between many competing objectives in their

development planning and in demands for development funds whilst having limited resources.

We recognize

the scale of the problem in bridging the digital divide, which will

require adequate and sustainable investments in ICT infrastructure and services, and capacity

building, and transfer of technology over many years to come.

We call upon the international community

to promote the transfer of technol-

ogy on mutually agreed terms, including ICTs, to adopt policies and programmes with a view to

assisting developing countries to take advantage of technology in their pursuit of development

through,

inter alia,

technical cooperation and the building of scientific and technological capacity

in our efforts to bridge the digital and development divides.

10.

We recognize

that the internationally agreed development goals and objectives,

including the Millennium Development Goals, are fundamental. The Monterrey Consensus on

Financing for Development is the basis for the pursuit of adequate and appropriate financial

mechanisms to promote ICT for development, in accordance with the Digital Solidarity Agen-

da of the Geneva Plan of Action.

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11.

We recognize and acknowledge

the special and specific funding needs of the

developing world, as referred to in paragraph 16 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles

which faces numerous challenges in the ICT sector, and that there is strong need to focus on

their special financing needs to achieve the internationally agreed development goals and objec-

tives, including the Millennium Development Goals.

12.

We agree

that the financing of ICT for development needs to be placed in the

context of the growing importance of the role of ICTs, not only as a medium of communica-

tion, but also as a development enabler, and as a tool for the achievement of the internationally

agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals.

13.

In the past, financing of ICT infrastructure in most developing countries has been

based on public investment. Lately, a significant influx of investment has taken place where

private-sector participation has been encouraged, based on a sound regulatory framework, and

where public policies aimed at bridging the digital divide have been implemented.

14.

We are greatly encouraged

by the fact that advances in communication technol-

ogy, and high-speed data networks are continuously increasing the possibilities for developing

countries, and countries with economies in transition, to participate in the global market for

ICT-enabled services on the basis of their comparative advantage. These emerging opportuni-

ties provide a powerful commercial basis for ICT infrastructural investment in these countries.

Therefore, governments should take action, in the framework of national development policies,

in order to support an enabling and competitive environment for the necessary investment in

ICT infrastructure and for the development of new services. At the same time, countries should

pursue policies and measures that would not discourage, impede or prevent the continued par-

ticipation of these countries in the global market for ICT-enabled services.

15.

We take note

that the challenges for expanding the scope of useful accessible in-

formation content in the developing world are numerous; in particular, the issue of financing

for various forms of content and applications requires new attention, as this area has often

been overlooked by the focus on ICT infrastructure.

16.

We recognize

that attracting investment in ICTs has depended crucially upon an

enabling environment, including good governance at all levels, and a supportive, transparent

and pro-competitive policy and regulatory framework, reflecting national realities.

17.

We endeavour

to engage in a proactive dialogue on matters related to corporate

social responsibility and good corporate governance of transnational corporations and their

contribution to the economic and social development of developing countries in our efforts to

bridge the digital divide.

18.

We underline

that market forces alone cannot guarantee the full participation of

developing countries in the global market for ICT-enabled services. Therefore,

we encourage

the strengthening of international cooperation and solidarity aimed at enabling all countries, es-

pecially those referred to in paragraph 16 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles, to develop

ICT infrastructure and ICT-enabled services that are viable and competitive at national and in-

ternational levels.

For reference, Paragraph 16 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles reads as follows:

We continue to pay

special attention to the particular needs of people of developing countries, countries with economies

in transition, Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, Highly In-

debted Poor Countries, countries and territories under occupation, countries recovering from conflict and countries and re-

gions with special needs as well as to conditions that pose severe threats to development, such as natural disasters.

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19.

We recognize that,

in addition to the public sector, financing of ICT infrastruc-

ture by the private sector has come to play an important role in many countries and that do-

mestic financing is being augmented by North-South flows and South-South cooperation.

20.

We recognize

that, as a result of the growing impact of sustainable private-sector

investment in infrastructure, multilateral and bilateral public donors are redirecting public re-

sources to other development objectives, including Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and re-

lated programmes, policy reforms and mainstreaming of ICTs and capacity development.

encourage

all governments to give appropriate priority to ICTs, including traditional ICTs

such as broadcast radio and television, in their national development strategies.

We also en-

courage

multilateral institutions as well as bilateral public donors to consider also providing

more financial support for regional and large-scale national ICT infrastructure projects and re-

lated capacity development. They should consider aligning their aid and partnership strategies

with the priorities set by developing countries and countries with economies in transition in

their national development strategies including their poverty reduction strategies.

21.

We recognize

that public finance plays a crucial role in providing ICT access and

services to rural areas and disadvantaged populations including those in Small Island Develop-

ing States and Landlocked Developing Countries.

22.

We note

that ICT-related capacity-building needs represent a high priority in all

developing countries and the current financing levels have not been adequate to meet the

needs, although there are many different funding mechanisms supporting ICTs for develop-

ment.

23.

We recognize

that there are a number of areas in need of greater financial re-

sources and where current approaches to ICT for development financing have devoted insuffi-

cient attention to date. These include:

ICT capacity-building programmes, materials, tools, educational funding and specialized

training initiatives, especially for regulators and other public-sector employees and or-

ganizations.

Communications access and connectivity for ICT services and applications in remote rural

areas, Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries and other locations

presenting unique technological and market challenges.

Regional backbone infrastructure, regional networks, Network Access Points and related re-

gional projects, to link networks across borders and in economically disadvantaged regions

which may require coordinated policies including legal, regulatory and financial frameworks,

and seed financing, and would benefit from sharing experiences and best practices.

Broadband capacity to facilitate the delivery of a broader range of services and applications,

promote investment and provide Internet access at affordable prices to both existing and new

users.

Coordinated assistance, as appropriate, for countries referred to in paragraph 16 of the Geneva

Declaration of Principles, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing

States, in order to improve effectiveness and to lower transaction costs associated with the de-

livery of international donor support.

ICT applications and content aimed at the integration of ICTs into the implementation of

poverty eradication strategies and in sector programmes, particularly in health, education, agri-

culture and the environment.

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In addition, there is a need to consider the following other issues, which are relevant to ICT for de-

velopment and which have not received adequate attention:

Sustainability of Information Society related projects, for example the maintenance of

ICT infrastructure.

Special needs of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), such as funding re-

quirements.

Local development and manufacturing of ICT applications and technologies by develop-

ing countries.

Activities on ICT-related institutional reform and enhanced capacity on legal and regula-

tory framework.

Improving organizational structures and business-process change aimed at optimizing

the impact and effectiveness of ICT projects and other projects with significant ICT

components;

Local government and initiatives based in local communities that deliver ICT services to

communities in areas such as education, health and livelihood support.

24.

Recognizing that the central responsibility for coordination of public financing

programmes and public ICT development initiatives rests with governments,

we recommend

that further cross-sectoral and cross-institutional coordination should be undertaken, both on

the part of donors and recipients within the national framework.

25.

Multilateral development banks and institutions should consider adapting their ex-

isting mechanisms, and where appropriate designing new ones, to provide for national and re-

gional demands on ICT development.

26.

We acknowledge

the following prerequisites for equitable and universal accessi-

bility to, and better utilization of, financial mechanisms:

Creating policy and regulatory incentives aimed at universal access and the attraction of

private-sector investment.

Identification and acknowledgement of the key role of ICTs in national development

strategies, and their elaboration, when appropriate, in conjunction with e-strategies.

Developing institutional and implementation capacity to support the use of national

universal service/access funds, and further study of these mechanisms and those aiming

to mobilize domestic resources.

Encouraging the development of locally relevant information, applications and services

that will benefit developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Supporting the “scaling-up” of successful ICT-based pilot programmes.

Supporting the use of ICTs in government as a priority and crucial target area for ICT-

based development interventions.

Building human resource and institutional capacity (knowledge) at every level for achiev-

ing Information Society objectives, especially in the public sector.

Encouraging business-sector entities to help jump-start wider demand for ICT services

by supporting creative industries, local producers of cultural content and applications as

well as small businesses.

Strengthening capacities to enhance the potential of securitized funds and utilizing them

effectively.

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27.

We recommend

improvements and innovations in existing financing mecha-

nisms, including:

Improving financial mechanisms to make financial resources become adequate, more predicta-

ble, preferably untied, and sustainable.

Enhancing regional cooperation and creating multi-stakeholder partnerships, especially by cre-

ating incentives for building regional backbone infrastructure.

Providing affordable access to ICTs, by the following measures:

reducing international Internet costs charged by backbone providers, supporting,

inter alia,

the creation and development of regional ICT backbones and Internet

Exchange Points to reduce interconnection cost and broaden network access;

ii.

encouraging ITU to continue the study of the question of International Internet

Connectivity (IIC) as an urgent matter to develop appropriate Recommendations.

Coordinating programmes among governments and major financial players to mitigate

investment risks and transaction costs for operators entering less attractive rural and

low-income market segments.

Helping to accelerate the development of domestic financial instruments, including by

supporting local microfinance instruments, ICT business incubators, public credit in-

struments, reverse auction mechanisms, networking initiatives based on local communi-

ties, digital solidarity and other innovations.

Improving the ability to access financing facilities with a view to accelerating the pace

of financing of ICT infrastructure and services, including the promotion of North-

South flows as well as North-South and South-South cooperation.

Multilateral, regional and bilateral development organizations should consider the utility

of creating a virtual forum for the sharing of information by all stakeholders on poten-

tial projects, on sources of financing and on institutional financial mechanisms.

Enabling developing countries to be increasingly able to generate funds for ICTs and to

develop financial instruments, including trust funds and seed capital adapted to their

economies.

Urging all countries to make concrete efforts to fulfil their commitments under the

Monterrey Consensus.

Multilateral, regional and bilateral development organizations should consider cooperat-

ing to enhance their capacity to provide rapid response with a view to supporting de-

veloping countries that request assistance with respect to ICT policies;

Encouraging increased voluntary contributions.

Making, as appropriate, effective use of debt relief mechanisms as outlined in the Ge-

neva Plan of Action, including

inter alia

debt cancellation and debt swapping, that may

be used for financing ICT for development projects, including those within the frame-

work of Poverty Reduction Strategies.

28.

We welcome the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)

established in Geneva as an

innovative financial mechanism of a voluntary nature open to interested stakeholders with the

objective of transforming the digital divide into digital opportunities for the developing world

by focusing mainly on specific and urgent needs at the local level and seeking new voluntary

sources of “solidarity” finance. The DSF will complement existing mechanisms for funding the

Information Society, which should continue to be fully utilized to fund the growth of new ICT

infrastructure and services.

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INTERNET GOVERNANCE

29.

We reaffirm the principles

enunciated in the Geneva phase of the WSIS, in De-

cember 2003, that the Internet has evolved into a global facility available to the public and its

governance should constitute a core issue of the Information Society agenda. The international

management of the Internet should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full

involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations. It

should ensure an equitable distribution of resources, facilitate access for all and ensure a stable

and secure functioning of the Internet, taking into account multilingualism.

30.

We acknowledge

that the Internet, a central element of the infrastructure of the

Information Society, has evolved from a research and academic facility into a global facility

available to the public.

31.

We recognize

that Internet governance, carried out according to the Geneva

principles, is an essential element for a people-centred, inclusive, development-oriented and

non-discriminatory Information Society. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to the stability and

security of the Internet as a global facility and to ensuring the requisite legitimacy of its govern-

ance, based on the full participation of all stakeholders, from both developed and developing

countries, within their respective roles and responsibilities.

32.

We thank

the UN Secretary-General for establishing the Working Group on In-

ternet Governance (WGIG).

We commend

the chairman, members and secretariat for their

work and for their report.

33.

We take note

of the WGIG’s report that has endeavoured to develop a working

definition of Internet governance. It has helped identify a number of public policy issues that

are relevant to Internet governance. The report has also enhanced our understanding of the re-

spective roles and responsibilities of governments, intergovernmental and international organi-

zations and other forums as well as the private sector and civil society from both developing

and developed countries.

34.

A working definition of Internet governance is the development and application

by governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared princi-

ples, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and

use of the Internet.

35.

We reaffirm

that the management of the Internet encompasses both technical and

public policy issues and should involve all stakeholders and relevant intergovernmental and in-

ternational organizations. In this respect it is recognized that:

Policy authority for Internet-related public policy issues is the sovereign right of States.

They have rights and responsibilities for international Internet-related public policy issues.

The private sector has had, and should continue to have, an important role in the develop-

ment of the Internet, both in the technical and economic fields.

Civil society has also played an important role on Internet matters, especially at community

level, and should continue to play such a role.

Intergovernmental organizations have had, and should continue to have, a facilitating role in

the coordination of Internet-related public policy issues.

International organizations have also had and should continue to have an important role in

the development of Internet-related technical standards and relevant policies.

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36.

We recognize

the valuable contribution by the academic and technical communi-

ties within those stakeholder groups mentioned in paragraph 35 to the evolution, functioning

and development of the Internet.

37.

We seek to improve

the coordination of the activities of international and inter-

governmental organizations and other institutions concerned with Internet governance and the

exchange of information among themselves. A multi-stakeholder approach should be adopted,

as far as possible, at all levels.

38.

We call for

the reinforcement of specialized regional Internet resource manage-

ment institutions to guarantee the national interest and rights of countries in that particular re-

gion to manage their own Internet resources, while maintaining global coordination in this area.

39.

We seek

to build confidence and security in the use of ICTs by strengthening the

trust framework.

We reaffirm

the necessity to further promote, develop and implement in co-

operation with all stakeholders a global culture of cybersecurity, as outlined in UNGA Resolu-

tion 57/239 and other relevant regional frameworks. This culture requires national action and

increased international cooperation to strengthen security while enhancing the protection of

personal information, privacy and data. Continued development of the culture of cybersecurity

should enhance access and trade and must take into account the level of social and economic

development of each country and respect the development-oriented aspects of the Information

Society.

40.

We underline

the importance of the prosecution of cybercrime, including cyber-

crime committed in one jurisdiction, but having effects in another.

We further underline

the

necessity of effective and efficient tools and actions, at national and international levels, to

promote international cooperation among,

inter alia,

law-enforcement agencies on cybercrime.

We call upon governments

in cooperation with other stakeholders to develop necessary legis-

lation for the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime, noting existing frameworks, for ex-

ample, UNGA Resolutions 55/63 and 56/121 on “Combating

the criminal misuse of information tech-

nologies”

and regional initiatives including, but not limited to, the Council of Europe's

Convention

on Cybercrime.

41.

We resolve to deal effectively

with the significant and growing problem posed

by spam.

We take note

of current multilateral, multi-stakeholder frameworks for regional and

international cooperation on spam, for example, the APEC Anti-Spam Strategy, the London

Action Plan, the Seoul-Melbourne Anti–Spam Memorandum of Understanding and the rele-

vant activities of OECD and ITU.

We call upon

all stakeholders to adopt a multi-pronged ap-

proach to counter spam that includes,

inter alia,

consumer and business education; appropriate

legislation, law-enforcement authorities and tools; the continued development of technical and

self-regulatory measures; best practices; and international cooperation.

42.

We reaffirm our commitment

to the freedom to seek, receive, impart and use in-

formation, in particular, for the creation, accumulation and dissemination of knowledge.

We af-

firm

that measures undertaken to ensure Internet stability and security, to fight cybercrime and

to counter spam, must protect and respect the provisions for privacy and freedom of expres-

sion as contained in the relevant parts of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the

Geneva Declaration of Principles.

43.

We reiterate

our commitments to the positive uses of the Internet and other

ICTs and to take appropriate actions and preventive measures, as determined by law, against

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abusive uses of ICTs as mentioned under the

Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society

of the

Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action.

44.

We also underline

the importance of countering terrorism in all its forms and

manifestations on the Internet, while respecting human rights and in compliance with other ob-

ligations under international law, as outlined in UNGA A/60/L.1 with reference to Article 85

of the

2005 World Summit Outcome.

45.

We underline

the importance of the security, continuity and stability of the Inter-

net, and the need to protect the Internet and other ICT networks from threats and vulnerabili-

ties.

We affirm

the need for a common understanding of the issues of Internet security, and for

further cooperation to facilitate outreach, the collection and dissemination of security-related

information and exchange of good practice among all stakeholders on measures to combat se-

curity threats, at national and international levels.

46.

We call upon all stakeholders

to ensure respect for privacy and the protection

of personal information and data, whether via adoption of legislation, the implementation of

collaborative frameworks, best practices and self-regulatory and technological measures by

business and users.

We encourage all stakeholders,

in particular governments, to reaffirm the

right of individuals to access information according to the Geneva Declaration of Principles

and other mutually agreed relevant international instruments, and to coordinate internationally

as appropriate.

47.

We recognize

the increasing volume and value of all e-business, both within and

across national boundaries.

We call for

the development of national consumer-protection laws

and practices, and enforcement mechanisms where necessary, to protect the right of consumers

who purchase goods and services online, and for enhanced international cooperation to facili-

tate a further expansion, in a non-discriminatory way, under applicable national laws, of e-

business as well as consumer confidence in it.

48.

We note with satisfaction

the increasing use of ICT by governments to serve cit-

izens and encourage countries that have not yet done so to develop national programmes and

strategies for e-government.

49.

We reaffirm our commitment

to turning the digital divide into digital opportuni-

ty, and

we commit

to ensuring harmonious and equitable development for all.

We commit

foster and provide guidance on development areas in the broader Internet governance ar-

rangements, and to include, amongst other issues, international interconnection costs, capacity

building and technology/know-how transfer.

We encourage

the realization of multilingualism

in the Internet development environment, and

we support

the development of software that

renders itself easily to localization, and enables users to choose appropriate solutions from dif-

ferent software models including open-source, free and proprietary software.

50.

We acknowledge

that there are concerns, particularly amongst developing coun-

tries, that the charges for international Internet connectivity should be better balanced to en-

hance access.

We therefore call for

the development of strategies for increasing affordable

global connectivity, thereby facilitating improved and equitable access for all, by:

Promoting Internet transit and interconnection costs that are commercially negotiated in

a competitive environment and that should be oriented towards objective, transparent

and non-discriminatory parameters, taking into account ongoing work on this subject.

Setting up regional high-speed Internet backbone networks and the creation of national, sub-

regional and regional Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).

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Recommending donor programmes and developmental financing mechanisms to consider

the need to provide funding for initiatives that advance connectivity, IXPs and local content

for developing countries.

Encouraging ITU to continue the study of the question of International Internet Connectivity

(IIC) as a matter of urgency, and to periodically provide output for consideration and possi-

ble implementation. We also encourage other relevant institutions to address this issue.

Promoting the development and growth of low-cost terminal equipment, such as individual

and collective user devices, especially for use in developing countries.

Encouraging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other parties in the commercial ne-

gotiations to adopt practices towards attainment of fair and balanced interconnectivity

costs.

Encouraging relevant parties to commercially negotiate reduced interconnection costs

for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), taking into account the special constraints of

LDCs.

51.

We encourage

governments and other stakeholders, through partnerships where

appropriate, to promote ICT education and training in developing countries, by establishing na-

tional strategies for ICT integration in education and workforce development and dedicating

appropriate resources. Furthermore, international cooperation would be extended, on a volun-

tary basis, for capacity building in areas relevant to Internet governance. This may include, in

particular, building centres of expertise and other institutions to facilitate know-how transfer

and exchange of best practices, in order to enhance the participation of developing countries

and all stakeholders in Internet governance mechanisms.

52.

In order to ensure effective participation in global Internet governance,

we urge

international organizations, including intergovernmental organizations, where relevant, to en-

sure that all stakeholders, particularly from developing countries, have the opportunity to par-

ticipate in policy decision-making relating to Internet governance, and to promote and facilitate

such participation.

53.

We commit to working earnestly

towards multilingualization of the Internet, as

part of a multilateral, transparent and democratic process, involving governments and all stake-

holders, in their respective roles. In this context,

we also support

local content development,

translation and adaptation, digital archives, and diverse forms of digital and traditional media,

and recognize that these activities can also strengthen local and indigenous communities.

would therefore underline

the need to:

Advance the process for the introduction of multilingualism in a number of areas including

domain names, e-mail addresses and keyword look-up.

Implement programmes that allow for the presence of multilingual domain names and con-

tent on the Internet and the use of various software models in order to fight against the lin-

guistic digital divide and to ensure the participation of all in the emerging new society.

Strengthen cooperation between relevant bodies for the further development of technical

standards and to foster their global deployment.

54.

We recognize that

an enabling environment, at national and international levels,

supportive of foreign direct investment, transfer of technology, and international cooperation,

particularly in the areas of finance, debt and trade, is essential for the development of the In-

formation Society, including for the development and diffusion of the Internet and its optimal

use. In particular, the roles of the private sector and civil society as the drivers of innovation

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and private investment in the development of the Internet are critical. Value is added at the

edges of the network in both developed and developing countries when the international and

domestic policy environment encourages investment and innovation.

55.

We recognize

that the existing arrangements for Internet governance have

worked effectively to make the Internet the highly robust, dynamic and geographically diverse

medium that it is today, with the private sector taking the lead in day-to-day operations, and

with innovation and value creation at the edges.

56.

The Internet remains a highly dynamic medium and therefore any framework and

mechanisms designed to deal with Internet governance should be inclusive and responsive to

the exponential growth and fast evolution of the Internet as a common platform for the devel-

opment of multiple applications.

57.

The security and stability of the Internet must be maintained.

58.

We recognize

that Internet governance includes more than Internet naming and

addressing. It also includes other significant public policy issues such as,

inter alia,

critical Inter-

net resources, the security and safety of the Internet, and developmental aspects and issues per-

taining to the use of the Internet.

We recognize

that Internet governance includes social, economic and technical

issues including affordability, reliability and quality of service.

60.

We further recognize

that there are many cross-cutting international public poli-

cy issues that require attention and are not adequately addressed by the current mechanisms.

61.

We are convinced

that there is a need to initiate, and reinforce, as appropriate, a

transparent, democratic, and multilateral process, with the participation of governments, private

sector, civil society and international organizations, in their respective roles. This process could

envisage creation of a suitable framework or mechanisms, where justified, thus spurring the on-

going and active evolution of the current arrangements in order to synergize the efforts in this

regard.

62.

We emphasize

that any Internet governance approach should be inclusive and

responsive and should continue to promote an enabling environment for innovation, competi-

tion and investment.

63.

Countries should not be involved in decisions regarding another country’s coun-

try-code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD). Their legitimate interests, as expressed and defined by

each country, in diverse ways, regarding decisions affecting their ccTLDs, need to be respected,

upheld and addressed via a flexible and improved framework and mechanisms.

64.

We recognize

the need for further development of, and strengthened coopera-

tion among, stakeholders for public policies for generic Top-Level Domain names (gTLDs).

65.

We underline

the need to maximize the participation of developing countries in

decisions regarding Internet governance, which should reflect their interests, as well as in de-

velopment and capacity building.

66.

In view of the continuing internationalization of the Internet and the principle of

universality,

we agree

to implement the Geneva Principles regarding Internet governance.

67.

We agree,

inter alia,

to invite the UN Secretary-General to convene a new forum

for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue.

68.

We recognize

that all governments should have an equal role and responsibility

for international Internet governance and for ensuring the stability, security and continuity of

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the Internet.

We also recognize

the need for development of public policy by governments in

consultation with all stakeholders.

69.

We further recognize

the need for enhanced cooperation in the future, to enable

governments, on an equal footing, to carry out their roles and responsibilities, in international

public policy issues pertaining to the Internet, but not in the day-to-day technical and opera-

tional matters, that do not impact on international public policy issues.

70.

Using relevant international organizations, such cooperation should include the

development of globally-applicable principles on public policy issues associated with the coor-

dination and management of critical Internet resources. In this regard,

we call upon

the organ-

izations responsible for essential tasks associated with the Internet to contribute to creating an

environment that facilitates this development of public policy principles.

71.

The process towards enhanced cooperation, to be started by the UN Secretary-

General, involving all relevant organizations by the end of the first quarter of 2006, will involve

all stakeholders in their respective roles, will proceed as quickly as possible consistent with legal

process, and will be responsive to innovation. Relevant organizations should commence a pro-

cess towards enhanced cooperation involving all stakeholders, proceeding as quickly as possible

and responsive to innovation. The same relevant organizations shall be requested to provide

annual performance reports.

72.

We ask the UN Secretary-General,

in an open and inclusive process, to con-

vene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy

dialogue—called the

Internet Governance Forum

(IGF). The mandate of the Forum is to:

Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to

foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet.

Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public

policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any ex-

isting body.

Interface with appropriate intergovernmental organizations and other institutions on matters

under their purview.

Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of

the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities.

Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and af-

fordability of the Internet in the developing world.

Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet

governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries.

Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the gen-

eral public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations.

Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing

fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise.

Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet

governance processes.

Discuss,

inter alia,

issues relating to critical Internet resources.

Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of partic-

ular concern to everyday users.

Publish its proceedings.

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73.

The Internet Governance Forum, in its working and function, will be multilateral,

multi-stakeholder, democratic and transparent. To that end, the proposed IGF could:

Build on the existing structures of Internet governance, with special emphasis on the com-

plementarity between all stakeholders involved in this process – governments, business enti-

ties, civil society and intergovernmental organizations.

Have a lightweight and decentralized structure that would be subject to periodic review.

Meet periodically, as required. IGF meetings, in principle, may be held in parallel with ma-

jor relevant UN conferences,

inter alia,

to use logistical support.

74.

We encourage

the UN Secretary-General to examine a range of options for the

convening of the Forum, taking into consideration the proven competencies of all stakeholders

in Internet governance and the need to ensure their full involvement.

75.

The UN Secretary-General would report to UN Member States periodically on the

operation of the Forum.

76.

We ask the UN Secretary-General

to examine the desirability of the continua-

tion of the Forum, in formal consultation with Forum participants, within five years of its crea-

tion, and to make recommendations to the UN Membership in this regard.

77.

The IGF would have no oversight function and would not replace existing ar-

rangements, mechanisms, institutions or organizations, but would involve them and take ad-

vantage of their expertise. It would be constituted as a neutral, non-duplicative and non-binding

process. It would have no involvement in day-to-day or technical operations of the Internet.

78.

The UN Secretary-General should extend invitations to all stakeholders and rele-

vant parties to participate at the inaugural meeting of the IGF, taking into consideration bal-

anced geographical representation. The UN Secretary-General should also:

draw upon any appropriate resources from all interested stakeholders, including the

proven expertise of ITU, as demonstrated during the WSIS process; and

establish an effective and cost-efficient bureau to support the IGF, ensuring multi-

stakeholder participation.

79.

Diverse matters relating to Internet governance would continue to be addressed in

other relevant fora.

80.

We encourage

the development of multi-stakeholder processes at the national,

regional and international levels to discuss and collaborate on the expansion and diffusion of

the Internet as a means to support development efforts to achieve internationally agreed devel-

opment goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals.

81.

We reaffirm our commitment

to the full implementation of the Geneva Princi-

ples.

82.

We welcome

the generous offer of the Government of Greece to host the first

meeting of the IGF in Athens no later than 2006 and

we call upon

the UN Secretary-General

to extend invitations to all stakeholders and relevant parties to participate at the inaugural meet-

ing of the IGF.

IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP

83.

Building an inclusive development-oriented Information Society will require un-

remitting multi-stakeholder effort.

We thus commit ourselves

to remain fully engaged—

nationally, regionally and internationally—to ensure sustainable implementation and follow-up

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of the outcomes and commitments reached during the WSIS process and its Geneva and Tunis

phases of the Summit. Taking into account the multifaceted nature of building the Information

Society, effective cooperation among governments, private sector, civil society and the United

Nations and other international organizations, according to their different roles and responsibil-

ities and leveraging on their expertise, is essential.

84.

Governments and other stakeholders should identify those areas where further ef-

fort and resources are required, and jointly identify, and where appropriate develop, implemen-

tation strategies, mechanisms and processes for WSIS outcomes at international, regional, na-

tional and local levels, paying particular attention to people and groups that are still marginal-

ized in their access to, and utilization of, ICTs.

85.

Taking into consideration the leading role of governments in partnership with

other stakeholders in implementing the WSIS outcomes, including the Geneva Plan of Action,

at the national level,

we encourage

those governments that have not yet done so to elaborate,

as appropriate, comprehensive, forward-looking and sustainable national e-strategies, including

ICT strategies and sectoral e-strategies as appropriate

, as an integral part of national develop-

ment plans and poverty reduction strategies, as soon as possible and before 2010.

86.

We support

regional and international integration efforts aimed at building a peo-

ple-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, and

we reiterate

that

strong cooperation within and among regions is indispensable to support knowledge-sharing.

Regional cooperation should contribute to national capacity building and to the development of

regional implementation strategies.

87.

We affirm

that the exchange of views and sharing of effective practices and re-

sources is essential to implementing the outcomes of WSIS at the regional and international

levels. To this end, efforts should be made to provide and share, among all stakeholders,

knowledge and know-how, related to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of

e-strategies and policies, as appropriate.

We recognize

as fundamental elements to bridge the

digital divide in developing countries, in a sustainable way, poverty reduction, enhanced nation-

al capacity building and the promotion of national technological development.

88.

We reaffirm

that through the international cooperation of governments and the

partnership of all stakeholders, it will be possible to succeed in our challenge of harnessing the

potential of ICTs as a tool, at the service of development, to promote the use of information

and knowledge to achieve the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, includ-

ing the Millennium Development Goals, as well as to address the national and local develop-

ment priorities, thereby further improving the socio- economic development of all human be-

ings.

89.

We are determined

to improve international, regional and national connectivity

and affordable access to ICTs and information through an enhanced international cooperation

of all stakeholders that promotes technology exchange and technology transfer, human re-

source development and training, thus increasing the capacity of developing countries to inno-

vate and to participate fully in, and contribute to, the Information Society.

90.

We reaffirm our commitment

to providing equitable access to information and

knowledge for all, recognizing the role of ICTs for economic growth and development.

We are

committed

to working towards achieving the indicative targets, set out in the Geneva Plan of

Throughout this text, further references to “e-strategies” are interpreted as including also ICT strategies

and sectoral e-strategies, as appropriate.

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Action, that serve as global references for improving connectivity and universal, ubiquitous,

equitable, non-discriminatory and affordable access to, and use of, ICTs, considering different

national circumstances, to be achieved by 2015, and to using ICTs, as a tool to achieve the in-

ternationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development

Goals, by:

mainstreaming and aligning national e-strategies,

across local, national, and regional action plans, as

appropriate and in accordance with local and national development priorities, with in-built

time-bound measures.

developing and implementing enabling policies

that reflect national realities and that promote a sup-

portive international environment, foreign direct investment as well as the mobilization of

domestic resources, in order to promote and foster entrepreneurship, particularly Small,

Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), taking into account the relevant market and cul-

tural contexts. These policies should be reflected in a transparent, equitable regulatory

framework to create a competitive environment to support these goals and strengthen eco-

nomic growth.

building ICT capacity

for all and confidence in the use of ICTs by all - including youth, older

persons, women, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and remote and rural com-

munities - through the improvement and delivery of relevant education and training pro-

grammes and systems including lifelong and distance learning.

implementing effective training and education,

particularly in ICT science and technology, that mo-

tivates and promotes participation and active involvement of girls and women in the deci-

sion-making process of building the Information Society.

paying special attention to the formulation of universal design concepts and the use of assistive technologies

that promote access for all persons, including those with disabilities.

promoting public policies aimed at providing affordable access

at all levels, including community-level,

to hardware as well as software and connectivity through an increasingly converging tech-

nological environment, capacity building and local content.

improving access to the world's health knowledge and telemedicine services,

in particular in areas such as

global cooperation in emergency response, access to and networking among health profes-

sionals to help improve quality of life and environmental conditions.

building ICT capacities

to improve access and use of postal networks and services.

using ICTs to improve access to agricultural knowledge,

combat poverty, and support production of

and access to locally relevant agriculture-related content.

developing and implementing e-government applications

based on open standards in order to enhance

the growth and interoperability of e-government systems, at all levels, thereby furthering

access to government information and services, and contributing to building ICT networks

and developing services that are available anywhere and anytime, to anyone and on any de-

vice.

supporting educational, scientific, and cultural institutions,

including libraries, archives and museums,

in their role of developing, providing equitable, open and affordable access to, and preserv-

ing diverse and varied content, including in digital form, to support informal and formal ed-

ucation, research and innovation; and in particular supporting libraries in their public-

service role of providing free and equitable access to information and of improving ICT lit-

eracy and community connectivity, particularly in underserved communities.

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enhancing the capacity of communities

in all regions to develop content in local and/or indigenous

languages.

strengthening the creation of quality e-content,

on national, regional and international levels.

promoting the use of traditional and new media

in order to foster universal access to information,

culture and knowledge for all people, especially vulnerable populations and populations in

developing countries and using,

inter alia,

radio and television as educational and learning

tools.

reaffirming the independence, pluralism and diversity of media, and freedom of information

including

through, as appropriate, the development of domestic legislation,

we reiterate

our call for

the responsible use and treatment of information by the media in accordance with the

highest ethical and professional standards.

We reaffirm

the necessity of reducing interna-

tional imbalances affecting the media, particularly as regards infrastructure, technical re-

sources and the development of human skills. These reaffirmations are made with refer-

ence to Geneva Declaration of Principles paragraphs 55 to 59.

strongly encouraging ICT enterprises and entrepreneurs to develop and use environment-friendly production

processes

in order to minimize the negative impacts of the use and manufacture of ICTs and

disposal of ICT waste on people and the environment. In this context, it is important to

give particular attention to the specific needs of the developing countries.

incorporating regulatory, self-regulatory, and other effective policies and frameworks to protect children and

young people

from abuse and exploitation through ICTs into national plans of action and e-

strategies.

promoting the development of advanced research networks,

at national, regional and international lev-

els, in order to improve collaboration in science, technology and higher education.

promoting voluntary service,

at the community level, to help maximize the developmental impact

of ICTs.

promoting the use of ICTs to enhance flexible ways of working,

including teleworking, leading to

greater productivity and job creation.

91.

We recognize

the intrinsic relationship between disaster reduction, sustainable

development and the eradication of poverty and that disasters seriously undermine investment

in a very short time and remain a major impediment to sustainable development and poverty

eradication.

We are clear

as to the important enabling role of ICTs at the national, regional and

international levels including:

Promoting technical cooperation and enhancing the capacity of countries, particularly

developing countries, in utilizing ICT tools for disaster early-warning, management and

emergency communications, including dissemination of understandable warnings to

those at risk.

Promoting regional and international cooperation for easy access to and sharing of in-

formation for disaster management, and exploring modalities for the easier participation

of developing countries.

Working expeditiously towards the establishment of standards-based monitoring and

worldwide early-warning systems linked to national and regional networks and facilitat-

ing emergency disaster response all over the world, particularly in high-risk regions.

92.

We encourage countries, and all other interested parties, to make available

child helplines, taking into account the need for mobilization of appropriate resources. For this

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purpose, easy-to-remember numbers, accessible from all phones and free of charge, should be

made available.

93.

We seek to

digitize our historical data and cultural heritage for the benefit of fu-

ture generations.

We encourage

effective information management policies in the public and

private sectors, including the use of standards-based digital archiving and innovative solutions

to overcome technological obsolescence, as a means to ensure the long-term preservation of,

and continued access to, information.

94.

We acknowledge

that everyone should benefit from the potential that the Infor-

mation Society offers. Therefore,

we invite

governments to assist, on a voluntary basis, those

countries affected by any unilateral measure not in accordance with international law and the

Charter of the United Nations that impedes the full achievement of economic and social devel-

opment by the population of the affected countries, and that hinders the well-being of their

population.

95.

We call upon

international and intergovernmental organizations to develop, with-

in approved resources, their policy analysis and capacity-building programmes, based on practi-

cal and replicable experiences of ICT matters, policies and actions that have led to economic

growth and poverty alleviation, including through the improved competitiveness of enterprises.

96.

We recall

the importance of creating a trustworthy, transparent and non-

discriminatory legal, regulatory and policy environment. To that end,

we reiterate

that ITU and

other regional organizations should take steps to ensure rational, efficient and economic use of,

and equitable access to, the radio-frequency spectrum by all countries, based on relevant inter-

national agreements.

97.

We acknowledge

that multi-stakeholder participation is essential to the successful

building of a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society and that

governments could play an important role in this process.

We underline

that the participation

of all stakeholders in implementing WSIS outcomes, and following them up on national, re-

gional and international levels with the overarching goal of helping countries to achieve interna-

tionally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development

Goals, is key to that success.

98.

We encourage

strengthened and continuing cooperation between and among

stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the Geneva and Tunis outcomes, for in-

stance through the promotion of national, regional and international multi-stakeholder partner-

ships including Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and the promotion of national and regional

multi-stakeholder thematic platforms, in a joint effort and dialogue with developing and less

developed countries, development partners and actors in the ICT sector. In that respect,

welcome

partnerships such as the ITU-led “Connect the World” initiative.

99.

We agree

to ensure the sustainability of progress towards the goals of WSIS after

the completion of its Tunis phase and

we decide,

therefore, to establish a mechanism for im-

plementation and follow-up at national, regional and international levels.

100.

At the national level, based on the WSIS outcomes,

we encourage

governments,

with the participation of all stakeholders and bearing in mind the importance of an enabling

environment, to set up a national

implementation

mechanism, in which:

National e-strategies, where appropriate, should be an integral part of national develop-

ment plans, including Poverty Reduction Strategies, aiming to contribute to the

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achievement of internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the

Millennium Development Goals.

ICTs should be fully mainstreamed into strategies for Official Development Assistance

(ODA) through more effective information-sharing and coordination among develop-

ment partners, and through analysis and sharing of best practices and lessons learned

from experience with ICT for development programmes.

Existing bilateral and multilateral technical assistance programmes, including those un-

der the UN Development Assistance Framework, should be used whenever appropriate

to assist governments in their implementation efforts at the national level.

Common Country Assessment reports should contain a component on ICT for devel-

opment.

101.

At the regional level:

Upon request from governments, regional intergovernmental organizations in collabora-

tion with other stakeholders should carry out WSIS implementation activities, exchang-

ing information and best practices at the regional level, as well as facilitating policy de-

bate on the use of ICT for development, with a focus on attaining the internationally

agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals.

UN Regional Commissions, based on request of Member States and within approved

budgetary resources, may organize regional WSIS follow-up activities in collaboration

with regional and sub-regional organizations, with appropriate frequency, as well as as-

sisting Member States with technical and relevant information for the development of

regional strategies and the implementation of the outcomes of regional conferences.

c) We consider

a multi-stakeholder approach and the participation in regional WSIS im-

plementation activities by the private sector, civil society, and the United Nations and

other international organizations to be essential.

102.

At the international level, bearing in mind the importance of the enabling

environment:

Implementation and follow-up

of the outcomes of the Geneva and Tunis phases of the

Summit should take into account the main themes and action lines in the Summit doc-

uments.

Each UN agency should act according to its mandate and competencies, and pursuant

to decisions of their respective governing bodies, and within existing approved re-

sources.

Implementation and follow-up should include intergovernmental and multi-

stakeholder components.

103.

We invite

UN agencies and other intergovernmental organizations, in line with

UNGA Resolution 57/270 B, to facilitate activities among different stakeholders, including civil

society and the business sector, to help national governments in their implementation efforts.

We request

the UN Secretary-General, in consultation with members of the UN system Chief

Executives Board for coordination (CEB), to establish, within the CEB, a UN Group on the

Information Society consisting of the relevant UN bodies and organizations, with the mandate

to facilitate the implementation of WSIS outcomes, and to suggest to CEB that, in considering

lead agency(ies) of this Group, it takes into consideration the experience of, and activities in the

WSIS process undertaken by, ITU, UNESCO and UNDP.

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104.

We further request

the UN Secretary-General to report to the UNGA through

ECOSOC by June 2006, on the modalities of the inter-agency coordination of the implementa-

tion of WSIS outcomes including recommendations on the follow-up process.

105.

We request

that ECOSOC oversees the system-wide follow-up of the Geneva

and Tunis outcomes of WSIS. To this end,

we request

that ECOSOC, at its substantive ses-

sion of 2006, reviews the mandate, agenda and composition of the Commission on Science and

Technology for Development (CSTD), including considering the strengthening of the Com-

mission, taking into account the multi-stakeholder approach.

106.

WSIS implementation and follow-up should be an integral part of the UN inte-

grated follow-up to major UN conferences and should contribute to the achievement of inter-

nationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development

Goals. It should not require the creation of any new operational bodies.

107.

International and regional organizations should assess and report regularly on uni-

versal accessibility of nations to ICTs, with the aim of creating equitable opportunities for the

growth of ICT sectors of developing countries.

108.

We attach great importance

to multi-stakeholder implementation at the interna-

tional level, which should be organized taking into account the themes and action lines in the

Geneva Plan of Action, and moderated or facilitated by UN agencies when appropriate. An

Annex to this document offers an indicative and non-exhaustive list of facilitators/moderators

for the action lines of the Geneva Plan of Action.

109.

The experience of, and the activities undertaken by, UN agencies in the WSIS pro-

cess—notably ITU, UNESCO and UNDP—should continue to be used to their fullest extent.

These three agencies should play leading facilitating roles in the implementation of the Geneva

Plan of Action and organize a meeting of moderators/facilitators of action lines, as mentioned

in the Annex.

110.

The coordination of multi-stakeholder implementation activities would help to

avoid duplication of activities. This should include,

inter alia,

information exchange, creation of

knowledge, sharing of best practices, and assistance in developing multi-stakeholder and public-

private partnerships.

111.

We request

the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to make an overall

review of the implementation of WSIS outcomes in 2015.

112.

We call for

periodic evaluation, using an agreed methodology, such as described

paragraphs 113-120.

113.

Appropriate indicators and benchmarking, including community connectivity indi-

cators, should clarify the magnitude of the digital divide, in both its domestic and international

dimensions, and keep it under regular assessment, and track global progress in the use of ICTs

to achieve internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium

Development Goals.

114.

The development of ICT indicators is important for measuring the digital divide.

We note

the launch, in June 2004, of the

Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development,

and its ef-

forts:

to develop a common set of core ICT indicators; to increase the availability of interna-

tionally comparable ICT statistics as well as to establish a mutually agreed framework

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for their elaboration, for further consideration and decision by the UN Statistical

Commission.

to promote capacity building in developing countries for monitoring the Information

Society.

to assess the current and potential impact of ICTs on development and poverty reduc-

tion.

to develop specific gender-disaggregated indicators to measure the digital divide in its

various dimensions.

115.

We also note

the launch of the

ICT Opportunity Index

and the

Digital Opportunity In-

dex,

which will build upon the common set of core ICT indicators as they were defined within

the

Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development.

116.

We stress

that all indices and indicators must take into account different levels of

development and national circumstances.

117.

The further development of these indicators should be undertaken in a collabora-

tive, cost-effective and non-duplicative fashion.

118.

We invite

the international community to strengthen the statistical capacity of

developing countries by giving appropriate support at national and regional levels.

119.

We commit

ourselves to review and follow up progress in bridging the digital di-

vide, taking into account the different levels of development among nations, so as to achieve

the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Devel-

opment Goals, assessing the effectiveness of investment and international cooperation efforts

in building the Information Society, identifying gaps as well as deficits in investment and devis-

ing strategies to address them.

120.

The sharing of information related to the implementation of WSIS outcomes is an

important element of evaluation.

We note with appreciation

the

Report on the Stocktaking of

WSIS-related activities,

which will serve as one of the valuable tools for assisting with the follow-

up, beyond the conclusion of the Tunis phase of the Summit, as well as the “Golden

Book”

of in-

itiatives launched during the Tunis phase.

We encourage

all WSIS stakeholders to continue to

contribute information on their activities to the public WSIS stocktaking database maintained

by ITU. In this regard,

we invite

all countries to gather information at the national level with

the involvement of all stakeholders, to contribute to the stocktaking.

121.

There is a need to build more awareness of the Internet in order to make it a glob-

al facility which is truly available to the public.

We call upon the UNGA

to declare 17 May as

World Information Society Day to help to raise awareness, on an annual basis, of the im-

portance of this global facility, on the issues dealt with in the Summit, especially the possibilities

that the use of ICT can bring for societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digi-

tal divide.

122.

We request

the Secretary-General of the Summit to report to the General As-

sembly of the United Nations on its outcome, as requested in UNGA Resolution 59/220.

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Annex

Action Line

С1. The role of public governance authorities and all stake-

holders in the promotion of ICTs for development

С2. Information and communication infrastructure

C3. Access to information and knowledge

C4. Capacity building

C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs

C6. Enabling environment

C7. ICT Applications



E-government



E-business



E-learning



E-health



E-employment



E-environment

E-agriculture



E-science

C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and

local content

C9. Media

C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society



Possible moderators/facilitators

ECOSOC/UN Regional

Commissions/ITU

ITU

ITU/UNESCO

UNDP/UNESCO/ITU/

UNCTAD

ITU

ITU/UNDP/UN Regional

Commissions S/UNCTAD

UNDP/ITU

WTO/UNCTAD/ITU/UPU

UNESCO/ITU/UNIDO

WHO/ITU

ILO/ITU

WHO/WMO/UNEP/UN-

Habitat/ITU/ICAO

FAO/ITU

UNESCO/ITU/UNCTAD

UNESCO

UNESCO/ECOSOC

UN Regional Commissions /

UNDP/ITU/UNESCO/ECOSOC

C11. International and regional cooperation

____________

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Bilag 4:

SECOND PHASE OF WSIS, 16-18 NOVEMBER, TUNIS

STATEMENT BY H. E. MR. KOFI ANNAN

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Tunis, 16 November 2005

AS DELIVERED

President Ben Ali,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I commend our hosts – President Ben Ali and the Government and people of Tu-

nisia -- for all they have done to make this gathering possible. Let us remember that it was the

Government of Tunisia, back in 1998, that first proposed the idea of a summit on the infor-

mation society.

I also thank the International Telecommunication Union and other members of

the UN family for their unremitting efforts to ensure that this process produces concrete re-

sults.

Two years ago in Geneva, the first phase of the World Summit articulated a vision

of an open and inclusive information society. Our task here in Tunis is to move from diagnosis

to deeds.

Last night you spelt out this task in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society.

This Summit must be a summit of solutions. It must push forward the outcome

of the World Summit held two months ago at the United Nations in New York. It must lead

to information and communications technologies being used in new ways, which will bring new

benefits to all social classes. Most of all, it must generate new momentum towards developing

the economies and societies of poor countries, and transforming the lives of poor people.

What do we mean by an “information society”? We mean one in which human

capacity is expanded, built up, nourished and liberated, by giving people access to the tools and

technologies they need, with the education and training to use them effectively. The hurdle

here is more political than financial. The costs of connectivity, computers and mobile tele-

phones can be brought down. These assets -- these bridges to a better life -- can be made uni-

versally affordable and accessible. We must summon the will to do it.

The information society also depends on networks. The Internet is the result of,

and indeed functions as, a unique and grand collaboration. If its benefits are to spread around

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the world, we must promote the same cooperative spirit among governments, the private sec-

tor, civil society and international organizations.

And of course, the information society’s very life blood is freedom. It is freedom

that enables citizens everywhere to benefit from knowledge, journalists to do their essential

work, and citizens to hold government accountable. Without openness, without the right to

seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,

the information revolution will stall, and the information society we hope to build will be still-

born.

The time has come to move beyond broad discussions of the digital divide. By

now, we know what the problems are. We must now get down to the specifics of implementa-

tion, and set out ways to foster and expand digital opportunities.

Those opportunities are immense. Already, in Africa and other developing regions, the

rapid spread of mobile telephones and wireless telecommunication has spurred entrepreneur-

ship, and helped small businesses take root, particularly those run and owned by women. Doc-

tors in remote areas have gained access to medical information on tropical diseases. Students

have been able to tap into world-wide databases of books and research. Early warning of natu-

ral disasters has improved, and relief workers have been able to provide quicker, better coordi-

nated relief. The same opportunities – and other, new ones – can be given to many more peo-

ple in the developing world.

The UN system is ready to help member states and all stakeholders to implement what-

ever decisions are taken at this Summit, including on Internet governance. But let me be abso-

lutely clear: The United Nations does not want to “take over”, police or otherwise control the

Internet. The United Nations consists of you, its Member States. It can want only what you

agree on. And as I understand it, what we are all striving for is to protect and strengthen the

Internet, and to ensure that its benefits are available to all.

The United States deserves our thanks for having developed the Internet and making it

available to the world. It has exercised its oversight responsibilities fairly and honourably. I be-

lieve all of you agree that day-to-day management of the Internet must be left to technical insti-

tutions, not least to shield it from the heat of day-to-day politics. But I think you also all

acknowledge the need for more international participation in discussions of Internet govern-

ance issues. The question is how to achieve this. So let those discussions continue.

This is envisaged in the agreements you reached last night and we in the United Nations

will support this process in every way we can.

Mr. President,

The experiences of recent years – in this Summit process, the ICT Task Force, the

Working Group on Internet Governance, the Digital Solidarity Fund, UNFIP -- the UN Office

for International Partnerships, the Global Compact corporate citizenship initiative and other

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efforts -- have given us new insights into what it takes to build effective partnerships and plat-

forms. UN agencies and departments continue to work hard to build capacity, and to use in-

formation technologies to boost our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

These efforts are bearing fruit. But for far too many people, the gains remain out of

reach. There is a tremendous yearning, not for technology per se, but for what technology can

make possible. I urge you to respond to that thirst, and to take the tangible steps that will ena-

ble this Summit to be remembered as an event which advanced the causes of development, of

dignity and of peace.

Thank you very much.

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Bilag 5:

SECOND PHASE OF WSIS, 16-18 NOVEMBER, TUNIS

STATEMENT FROM UNITED KINGDOM

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ALUN MICHAEL, MINISTER OF STATE

FOR INDUSTRY AND REGIONS

16 November 2005

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,



On behalf of the European Union and the two acceding countries, Romania and Bulgar-

ia,

I would like to congratulate the President of the Preparatory Committee and all

Member States on successfully concluding negotiations last night, on what has now be-

come the "Tunis Agenda for the Information Society".



The European Union warmly welcomes this achievement. We recognise the Tunis Agenda as an im-

portant contribution towards what needs to be a truly global effort to bridge the digital divide: to ensure

that the benefits of information communication technologies (ICTs) can be enjoyed by all. We

look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the full and effective implementation

of both stages of the WSIS process so that this truly becomes, as the United Nations Secretary General

exhorted us in his address this morning, a “Summit of Solutions”.

In this context, the EU is the world's largest donor and is committed to doubling its aid

budget by 2010. A growing proportion goes to developing country governments directly to

support their own development plans and budgets, and they choose how much to allocate to

ICT. Its importance is shown by the major role ICT is playing in the fight against HIV and Aids

through activities like the popular South African soap opera “ Soul City”.

Now I would like to make a few comments in my national capacity.

In 2005, the Commission for Africa, the G8 Summit, the UN World Summit and the World

Summit on the Information Society have all highlighted the important role that ICTs play in

development.

The economic and social benefits are far-reaching –connecting schools to the Internet; ena-

bling remote rural communities to get urgent medical advice; giving farmers access to mar-

ket price information. Mobile phones are now being used in developing countries to transfer

cash virtually, bringing micro-credit and banking services to previously excluded poorer commu-

nities.

ICT can enable people to participate more effectively in political processes. Thus ICT is an essential

component of the participation, transparency, and good governance that are increasingly seen (for in-

stance by the Africa Commission) as the crucial basis for development and poverty reduction.



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

In this period of unprecedented change in the information society we, in government, must, with indus-

try, place the right conditions to encourage wider access to ICTs and foster further innovation and so-

cial and economic development.

A good example is Bangladesh, where the Administration — in an effort to quickly expand

local access to communications — partially deregulated the VSAT/satellite sector, achieving

an eight-fold increase in connectivity as a result.

In Africa, through their Regional ICT Infrastructure Programme the African Union and

NEPAD aim to complete an optic fibre link around Africa and establish connections be-

tween all African countries, and to the rest of the world. It shows what can be achieved if

governments, the development community and the private sector work together. The EU will play its

part under the new Infrastructure Partnership with Africa.

Our experience in the UK suggests that there are three basic principles for governments to follow:

First,

to avoid regulation that limits innovation.

This is important when we deal

with issues such as the future framework for audiovisual content and Voice over In-

ternet Protocol.

Second, regulation should deliver market stability and certainty which will attract in-

vestment based on open and competitive markets.

Third governments should work in partnership with industry and consumers to find,

wherever possible, non-legislative solutions to deal effectively with public policy

concerns. Take the example of an issue that is important to all of us: protecting children. In

my country we have developed a solution that is much speedier and more effective than legis-

lation can ever be. Industry and Government agreed that industry itself would set up a clearing

house, called the Internet Watch Foundation to detect abusive images of children on the Inter-

net. Industry agreed to work with the Foundation to remove those sites. Government agreed to

hold back from legislation. Together we have achieved more through co-operation in a year

than legislation could achieve in five years, and at minimum cost.



We have exciting opportunities ahead for human progress. We need continued innovation in

new technologies; stable and pragmatic policies that will attract investment; and ICTs which

are relevant and beneficial to all communities – let’s work together, with

all

stakeholders, to make

this happen.

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Bilag 6:

SECOND PHASE OF WSIS, 16-18 NOVEMBER, TUNIS

STATEMENT BY MR UFFE TOUDAL PEDERSEN, PERMANENT

SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND

INNOVATION

DENMARK

November 17, 2005

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General,

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Information and communication technology – ICT – is the most powerful and efficient enabler

in today’s world. This is the case for all countries – rich and poor alike.

ICT is the key technology to stimulate sustainable economic growth – and to improve the qual-

ity of life for people all over the World.

ICT supports the struggles of individuals to take a stronger responsibility for our own lives –

and for participating actively in forming the societies we live in.

ICT has the potential to advance human empowerment, human rights, democracy and peace.

ICT therefore has a major role to play if we want to fulfil the ambitious goals we set for our-

selves with the Millennium Declaration five years ago.

The World Summit on the Information Society is of vital importance if we want to spread these

positive benefits and potentials of ICT to all corners of our globalized World.

The single most important subject of this Summit concerns Internet Governance.

Denmark believes that the private sector and civil society should continue to have the lead role

in the development of the Internet – to the benefit of citizens, businesses and governments

alike.

We therefore have to find a way to ensure true legitimacy to the governance system without

jeopardising further development of the Internet.

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A governance system at the international level, which cannot introduce any form of content

control! But a governance system, which can protect the core infrastructure of the Internet!

Ladies and gentlemen,

We can all do better in our mutual struggle to ensure an inclusive global Information Society.

And we all have to work harder to protect freedom of expression – the most vital corner stone

of the Information Society. Countries, which do not understand this, will in the long run loose

in the global competition on investment and economic growth.

Each nation must put the development of the information society high on its national agenda.

Developing countries have in particular an important task in integrating their national e-

strategies with national poverty reduction strategies.

But it is also important for developing countries to work much harder to fight corruption, to

ensure political liberty and economic freedom, to invest in health and education of their people,

and to promote the rights of women.

It is important for all countries – rich as well as poor – to work actively to reap the maximum

benefits of globalisation.

The challenge is to adapt the economy to rapid changes, to be part of the new international di-

vision of labour with products of high quality and to ensure that benefits are spread out to all

groups in society.

The Danish Government has for many years acknowledged that the future of the Danish socie-

ty depends on the ability to create and use knowledge and technology. We aim to strengthen

the emphasis on research, education, innovation and entrepreneurship.

We already know that the use of ICT by enterprises, public institutions and private households

has an enormous impact.

And the area is constantly being developed for the purpose of promoting overall growth in the

business sector, ensuring sustainable development, obtaining service improvements and creat-

ing efficiency gains.

However we also have our challenges.

To reap the full benefits from ICT, it is necessary to move from basic use to integration across

all sectors of society. And in view of the technological development, security issues are in focus

more than ever.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are looking forward to the outcome of the processes that will follow from this Summit. Re-

sults that should lead to a prosperous and successful roll-out of the Information Society and to

the benefit of all in the Global Community.

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Thank you for your attention. And warm thanks to the organizers of the Summit.

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Bilag 7:

“Much more

could have been achieved”

Civil Society Statement

on the

World Summit on the Information Society

18 December 2005

Revision 1 - 23 December 2005

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Content

I. Introduction – Our Perspective After the WSIS Process _____

Fejl!

Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

II. Issues Addressed During the Tunis Phase of WSISFejl!

Bogmærke

er ikke defineret.

Social Justice, Financing and People-Centred DevelopmentFejl!

Bogmærke er

ikke defineret.

Human Rights_____________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Internet Governance _______________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Global governance _________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Participation ______________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

III. Issues Addressed in the Geneva and Tunis PhasesFejl!

Bogmærke

er ikke defineret.

Gender Equality ___________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Culture, Knowledge, and the Public DomainFejl!

Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Education, Research, and Practice _____

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Media ___________________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Universal Design and Assistive TechnologiesFejl!

Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Health Information ________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Children and Young People in the Information SocietyFejl!

Bogmærke er ikke

defineret.

Ethical Dimensions _________________

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

IV. Where to Go From Here – Our Tunis CommitmentFejl!

Bogmærke

er ikke defineret.

Element One: Evolution of Our Internal OrganizationFejl!

Bogmærke er ikke

defineret.

Element Two: Involvement in the Internet Governance ForumFejl!

Bogmærke

er ikke defineret.

Element Three: Involvement in Follow-Up and Implementation ___

Fejl!

Bogmærke er ikke defineret.

Element Four: Lessons Learned for the UN System in GeneralFejl!

Bogmærke

er ikke defineret.

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Element five: Outreach to Other Constituencies _

Fejl! Bogmærke er ikke

defineret.

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I. Introduction

–

Our Perspective After the WSIS Process

The WSIS was an opportunity for a wide range of actors to work together to develop principles

and prioritise actions that would lead to democratic, inclusive, participatory and development-

oriented information societies at the local, national and international levels; societies in which

the ability to access, share and communicate information and knowledge is treated as a public

good and takes place in ways that strengthen the rich cultural diversity of our world.

Civil Society entered the Tunis Phase of WSIS with these major goals:



Agreement on financing mechanisms and models that will close the growing gaps in access

to information and communication tools, capacities and infrastructure that exist between

countries, and in many cases within countries and that will enable opportunities for effec-

tive ICT uses.

Agreement on a substantively broad and procedurally inclusive approach to Internet gov-

ernance, the reform of existing governance mechanisms in accordance with the Geneva

principles, and the creation of a new forum to promote multi-stakeholder dialogue, analy-

sis, trend monitoring, and capacity building in the field of Internet governance.

Ensuring that our human-centred

vision of the ‘Information Society’, framed by a global

commitment to human rights, social justice and inclusive and sustainable development, is

present throughout the implementation phase.

Achieving a change of tide in perceptions and practices of participatory decision-making.

We saw the WSIS as a milestone from which the voluntary and transparent participation of

Civil Society would become more comprehensive and integrated at local, national, regional

and global levels of governance and decision making.

Agreement on strong commitment to the centrality of human rights, especially the right to

access and impart information and to individual privacy.



Civil Society affirms that, facing very limited resources, it has contributed positively to the

WSIS process, a contribution that could have been even greater had the opportunity been

made available for an even more comprehensive participation on our part. Our contribution will

continue beyond the Summit. It is a contribution that is made both through constructive en-

gagement and through challenge and critique.

While we value the process and the outcomes, we are convinced much more could have been

achieved. We have taken a month after the closure of the Tunis Summit to discuss the out-

comes and the process of WSIS. We built on our Geneva 2003 Civil Society Summit Declara-

tion “Shaping Information Societies for Human Needs”, and we evaluated the experiences and

lessons learned in the four years of WSIS I and WSIS II. This statement was developed in a

global online consultation process. It is presented as Civil Society’s official contribution to the

Summit outcomes.

The issues of greatest concern to Civil Society are addressed in sections II and III of this

statement. For most of these items, minor achievements in the outcomes from WSIS were off-

set by major shortcomings, with much remaining to be done. Some of our greatest concerns

involve what we consider to be insufficient attention or inadequate recommendations concern-

ing people-centred issues such as the degree of attention paid to human rights and freedom of

expression, the financial mechanisms for the promotion of development that was the original

impetus for the WSIS process, and support for capacity building. In section IV, we lay out the

first building blocks of Civil Society’s “Tunis Commitment”. Civil Society has every intention to

remain involved in the follow-up and implementation processes after the Tunis summit. We

trust governments realize that our participation is vital to achieve a more inclusive and just In-

formation Society.

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II. Issues Addressed During the Tunis Phase of WSIS

Social Justice, Financing and People-Centred Development

The broad mandate for WSIS was to address the long-standing issues in economic and social

development from the newly emerging perspectives of the opportunities and risks posed by the

revolution in Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). The summit was expected

to identify and articulate new development possibilities and paradigms being made possible in

the Information Society, and to evolve public policy options for enabling and realising these

opportunities. Overall, it is impossible not to conclude that WSIS has failed to live up to these

expectations. The Tunis phase in particular, which

was presented as the “summit of solutions”,

did not provide concrete achievements to meaningfully address development priorities.

While the summit did discuss the importance of new financing mechanisms for ICT for Devel-

opment (ICTD), it failed to recognize that ICTD presents a challenge beyond that of traditional

development financing. Nor did the Tunis fully comprehend that new means and sources of fi-

nancing and the exploration of new models and mechanisms are required.

Investments in ICTD - in infrastructure, capacity building, appropriate software and hardware

and in developing applications and services

–

underpin all other processes of development in-

novation, learning and sharing, and should be seen in this light. Though development re-

sources are admittedly scarce and have to be allocated with care and discretion, ICTD financ-

ing should not be viewed as directly in competition with the financing of other developmental

sectors. Financing ICTD should be considered a priority at both national and international lev-

els, with specific approaches to each country according to its level of development and with a

long-term perspective adapted to a global vision of development and sharing within the global

community.

Financing ICTD requires social and institutional innovation, with adequate mechanisms for

transparency, evaluation, and follow-up. Financial resources need to be mobilised at all levels

–

local, national and international, including through the realization of ODA commitments

agreed to in the Monterrey Consensus and including assistance to programs and activities

whose short-term sustainability cannot be immediately demonstrated because of the low level

of resources available as their starting point.

Internet access, for everybody and everywhere, especially among disadvantaged populations

and in rural areas, must be considered as a global public good. In many cases market ap-

proaches are unlikely to address the connectivity needs of particularly disadvantaged regions

and populations. In many such areas, initial priority may need to be given to the provision of

more traditional ICTs - radio, TV, video and telephony - while the conditions are developed for

ensuring the availability of complete Internet connectivity. Info-structure and development of-

ten require attention to the development of more traditional infrastructure as well such as

roads and electricity.

While the summit in general has failed to agree on adequate funding for ICTD, Civil Society

was able to introduce significant sections in the Tunis Commitment (paragraph 35) and in the

Tunis Agenda (paragraph 21) on the importance of public policy in mobilizing resources for fi-

nancing. This can serve as a balance to the market-based orientation of much of the text on

financing.

The potential of ICT as tools for development, and not merely tools for communication, by now

should have been realised by all states. National ICT strategies should be closely related to na-

tional strategies for development and poverty eradication. Aid strategies in developed coun-

tries should include clear guidelines for the incorporation of ICT into all aspects of develop-

ment. In this way ICTs should be integrated into general development assistance and in this

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way contribute to the mobilisation of additional resources and an increase in the efficiency of

development assistance.

We welcome the launch of the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) in March 2005 and take note of the

support it got both from the United Nations and the Tunis Summit. Nevertheless, taking into

account that the DSF was established on a voluntarily basis, we are concerned that there are

no clear commitments from governments and the private sector to provide the needed materi-

al support to ensure the success of this fund. We invite all partners from the governmental and

the private sector to commit themselves to the so-called "Geneva Principle" where each ICT

contract concluded by a public administration with a private company includes a one percent

contribution to the DSF. We particularly encourage local and regional administrations to adopt

this principle and welcome the relevant statement made by the World Summit of Cities and Lo-

cal Authorities in Bilbao, November 2005, on the eve of WSIS II.

Human Rights

The Information Society must be based on human rights as laid out in the Universal Declara-

tion of Human Rights. This includes civil and political rights, as well as social, economic and

cultural rights. Human rights and development are closely linked. There can be no develop-

ment without human rights, no human rights without development.

This has been affirmed time and again, and was strongly stated in the Vienna World Confer-

ence on Human Rights in 1993. It was also affirmed in the WSIS 2003 Declaration of Princi-

ples. All legislation, policies, and actions involved in developing the global Information Society

must respect, protect and promote human rights standards and the rule of law.

Despite the Geneva commitment to an Information Society respectful of human rights, there is

still a long way to go. A number of human rights were barely addressed in the Geneva Declara-

tion of Principles. This includes the cross-cutting principles of non-discrimination, gender

equality,

and workers’ rights. The right to privacy, which is the basis of autonomous personal

development and thus at the root of the exertion of many other fundamental human rights, is

only mentioned in the Geneva Declaration as part of "a global culture of cyber-security". In the

Tunis Commitment, it has disappeared, to make room for extensive underlining of security

needs, as if privacy were a threat to security, whereas the opposite is true: privacy is an es-

sential requirement for security. The summit has also ignored our demand that the principle of

the privacy and integrity of the vote be ensured if and when electronic voting technologies are

used.

Other rights were more explicitly addressed, but are de facto violated on a daily basis. This

goes for freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of association and assembly,

the right to a fair trial, the right to education, and the right to a standard of living adequate for

the health and well-being of the individual and his or her family.

Furthermore, as the second WSIS phase has amplified, a formal commitment is one thing, im-

plementation is something else. Side events open to the general public were organised by civil

society both at the Geneva and Tunis Summit, consistent with a long tradition in the context of

UN summits. In Tunis, the initiative by parts of civil society to organize a "Citizens' Summit on

the Information Society" was prevented from happening. At the Geneva Summit, the "We

Seize" event was closed down and then reopened. This is a clear reminder that though gov-

ernments have signed on to human rights commitments, fundamental human rights such as

freedom of expression and freedom of assembly can not be taken for granted in any part of

the world.

The summit has failed to define mechanisms and actions that would actively promote and pro-

tect human rights in the Information Society. Post-WSIS there is an urgent need to strengthen

the means of human rights enforcement, to ensure the embedding of human rights proofing in

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national legislation and practises, to strengthen education and awareness raising in the area of

rights-based development, to transform human rights standards into ICT policy recommenda-

tions, and to mainstream ICT issues into the global and regional human rights monitoring sys-

tem

–

in summary: To move from declarations and commitments into action. Toward this end,

an independent commission should be established to review national and international ICT

regulations and practices and their compliance with international human rights standards. This

commission should also address the potential applications of ICTs for the realization of human

rights in the Information Society.

Internet Governance

Civil Society is pleased with the decision to create an Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which

it has advocated for since 2003. We also are pleased that the IGF will have sufficient scope to

deal with the issues we believe must be addressed, most notably the conformity of existing ar-

rangements with the Geneva Principles, and other cross-cutting or multidimensional issues

that cannot be optimally dealt with within current arrangements. However, we reiterate our

concerns that the Forum must not be anchored in any existing specialized international organi-

zation, meaning that its legal form, finances, and professional staff should be independent. In

addition, we reiterate our view that the forum should be more than a place for dialogue. As

was recommended by the WGIG Report, it should also provide expert analysis, trend monitor-

ing, and capacity building, including in close collaboration with external partners in the re-

search community.

We are concerned about the absence of details on how this forum will be created and on how it

will be funded. We insist that the modalities of the IGF be determined in full cooperation with

Civil Society. We emphasize that success in the forum, as in most areas of Internet govern-

ance, will be impossible without the full participation of Civil Society. By full participation we

mean much more than playing a mere advisory role. Civil Society must be able to participate

fully and equally both in plenary and any working or drafting group discussions, and must have

the same opportunities as other stakeholders to influence agendas and outcomes.

The Tunis Agenda addressed the issue of political oversight of critical Internet resources in its

paragraphs 69 to 71. This, in itself, is an achievement. It is also important that governments

recognized the need for the development of a set of Internet-related public policy principles

that would frame political oversight of Internet resources. These principles must respect, pro-

tect and promote human rights as laid down in international human rights treaties, ensure eq-

uitable access to information and online opportunities for all, and promote development.

It is important that governments have established that developing these principles should be a

shared responsibility. However, it is very unfortunate that the Tunis Agenda suggests that

governments are only willing to share this role and responsibility among themselves, in coop-

eration with international organisations. Civil Society remains strongly of the view that the

formulation of appropriate and legitimate public policies pertaining to Internet governance re-

quires the full and meaningful involvement of non-governmental stakeholders.

With regard to paragraph 40 of the Tunis Agenda, we are disappointed that there is no men-

tion that efforts to combat cyber-crime need to be exercised in the context of checks and bal-

ances provided by fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of expression and privacy.

With regard to paragraph 63, we believe that a country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) is a

public good both for people of the concerned country or economy and for global citizens who

have various linkages to particular countries. While we recognize the important role of gov-

ernments in protecting the ccTLDs that refer to their countries or economies, this role must be

executed in a manner that respects human rights as expressed in existing international trea-

ties through a democratic, transparent and inclusive process with full involvement of all stake-

holders.

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To ensure that development of the Internet and its governance takes place in the public inter-

est, it is important for all stakeholders to better understand how core Internet governance

functions

–

as for example, DNS management, IP address allocation, and others

–

are carried

out. It is equally important that these same actors understand the linkages between broader

Internet governance and Internet related matters such as cyber-crime, Intellectual Property

Rights, e-commerce, e-government, human rights and capacity building and economic devel-

opment. The responsibility of creating such awareness should be shared by everyone, including

those at present involved in the governance and development of the Internet and emerging in-

formation and communication platforms. Equally it is essential that as this awareness develops

in newer users of the Internet, older users must be open to the new perspectives that will

emerge.

Global governance

A world that is increasingly more connected faces a considerable and growing number of com-

mon issues which need to be addressed by global governance institutions and processes. While

Civil Society recognises that there are flaws and inefficiencies in the United Nations system

that require urgent reform, we believe strongly that it remains most legitimate inter-

governmental forum, where rich and poor countries have the same rights to speak, participate,

and make decisions together.

We are concerned that during the WSIS it emerged that some governments, especially from

developed countries, lack faith in, and appear to be unwilling to invest authority and resources

in the present multilateral system, along with concerted efforts to further improve it. We also

regret that debates on creating private-public partnerships and new para-institutions within

the United Nations have over-shadowed the overall discussion on bridging the digital divide,

which in turn has to be linked to a deep reform of the UN and the global economic system.

In our understanding, summits take place precisely to develop the principles that will underpin

global public policy and governance structures; to address critical issues, and to decide on ap-

propriate responses to these issues. Shrinking global public policy spaces raise serious ques-

tions concerning the kind of global governance toward which we are heading, and what this

might mean for people who are socially, economically and politically marginalised: precisely

those people who most rely on public policy to protect their interests.

Participation

In the course of four years, as a result of constant pressure from Civil Society, improvements

in Civil Society participation in these processes have been achieved, including speaking rights

in official plenaries and sub-committees, and ultimately rights to observe in drafting groups.

The UN Working Group on Internet Governance created an innovative format where govern-

mental and Civil Society actors worked on an equal footing and Civil Society actually carried a

large part of the drafting load.

Due to the pressure of time and the need of governments to interact with Civil Society actors

in the Internet Governance field, the resumed session of PrepCom3 was in fact the most open

of all. We would like to underline that this openness, against all odds, contributed to reaching

consensus.

WSIS has demonstrated beyond any doubt the benefits of interaction between all stakeholders.

The innovative rules and practices of participation established in this process will be fully doc-

umented to provide a reference point and a benchmark for participants in UN organizations

and processes in the future.

Civil Society thanks those governments and international bodies that greatly supported our

participation in the WSIS process. We hope and expect that these achievements are taken fur-

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ther and strengthened, especially in more politically contested spaces of global policymaking

such as those concerning intellectual property rights, trade, environment, and peace and dis-

armament.

We note that some governments from developing countries were not actively supportive of

greater observer participation believing that that it can lead to undue dominance of debate and

opinions by international and developed countries’ Civil Society organisations and the private

sector. We believe that to change this perception, efforts should be engaged in to strengthen

the presence, independence and participation of Civil Society constituencies in and from their

own countries.

As for the period beyond the summit, the Tunis documents clearly establish that the soon-to-

be created Internet Governance Forum, and the future mechanisms for implementation and

follow-up (including the revision of the mandate of the ECOSOC Commission on Science and

Technology for Development) must take into account the multi-stakeholder approach.

We want to express concern at the vagueness of text referring to the role of Civil Society. In

almost every paragraph talking about multi-stakeholder

participation, the phrase “in their re-

spective roles and responsibilities”

is used to limit the degree of multi-stakeholder

participa-

tion. This limitation is due to the refusal of governments to recognize the full range of the roles

and responsibilities of Civil Society. Instead of the reduced capabilities assigned in paragraph

35C of the Tunis Agenda that attempt to restrict Civil Society to a community role, govern-

ments should have at minima referred to the list of Civil Society roles and responsibilities listed

in the WGIG report. These are:



Awareness raising and capacity building (knowledge, training, skills sharing);

Promote various public interest objectives;

Facilitate network building;

Mobilize citizens in democratic processes;

Bring perspectives of marginalized groups including for example excluded communities and

grassroots activists;

Engage in policy processes;

Bring expertise, skills, experience and knowledge in a range of ICT policy areas contrib-

uting to policy processes and policies that are more bottom-up, people-centred and inclu-

sive;

Research and development of technologies and standards;

Development and dissemination of best practices;

Helping to ensure that political and market forces are accountable to the needs of all mem-

bers of society;

Encourage social responsibility and good governance practice;

Advocate for development of social projects and activities that are critical but may not be

‘fashionable’ or profitable;

Contribute to shaping visions of human-centred information societies based on human

rights, sustainable development, social justice and empowerment.

Civil Society has reason for concern that the limited concessions obtained in the last few days

before the summit, from countries that previously refused the emergence of a truly multi-

stakeholder format, will be at risk in the coming months. Civil Society actors therefore intend

to remain actively mobilized. They need to proactively ensure that not only the needed future

structures be established in a truly multi-stakeholder format, but also that the discussions pre-

paring their mandates are conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive manner, allowing

participation of all stakeholders on an equal footing. Civil Society hopes to be given the means

to ensure all its representatives from different regions, languages and cultures, from devel-

oped and developing countries, can fully participate.

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III. Issues Addressed in the Geneva and Tunis Phases

Gender Equality

Equal and active participation of women is essential, especially in decision-making. This in-

cludes all forums that will be established in relation to WSIS and the issues it has taken up.

With that, there is a need for capacity building that is focussed on women’s engagement with

the shaping of an Information Society at all levels, including policy making on infrastructure

development, financing, and technology choice.

There is a need for real effort and commitment to transforming the masculinist culture embed-

ded within existing structures and discourses of the Information Society which serves to rein-

force gender disparity and inequality. Without full, material and engaged commitment to the

principle of gender equality, women’s empowerment and non-discrimination,

the vision of a

just and equitable Information Society cannot be achieved.

Considering the affirmation of unequivocal support for gender

equality and women’s empow-

erment expressed in the Geneva Declaration of Principles and paying careful attention to Para-

graph 23 of the Tunis Commitment, all government signatories must ensure that national poli-

cies, programmes and strategies developed and implemented to build a people-centred, inclu-

sive and development-oriented Information Society demonstrate significant commitment to the

principles of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

We emphasise that financial structures and mechanisms need to be geared towards addressing

the gender divide, including the provision of adequate budgetary allocations. Comprehensive

gender-disaggregated data and indicators have to be developed at national levels to enable

and monitor this process. We urge all governments to take positive action to ensure that insti-

tutions and practices, including those of the private sector, do not result in discrimination

against women. Governments that are parties to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All

Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) are in fact bound to this course of action.

Culture, Knowledge, and the Public Domain

Each generation of humankind is depending upon its predecessors to leave them with a livea-

ble, sustainable and stable environment. The environment we were discussing throughout the

WSIS is the public domain of global knowledge. Like our planet with its natural resources, that

domain is the heritage of all humankind and the reservoir from which new knowledge is creat-

ed. Limited monopolies, such as copyrights and patents were originally conceived as tools to

serve that public domain of global knowledge to the benefit of humankind. Whenever society

grants monopolies, a delicate balance must be struck: Careless monopolization will make our

heritage unavailable to most people, to the detriment of all.

It has become quite clear that this balance has been upset by the interests of the rights-

holding industry as well as the digitalization of knowledge. Humankind now has the power to

instantaneously share knowledge in real-time, without loss, and at almost no cost. Civil Society

has worked hard to defend that ability for all of humankind.

Free Software is an integral part of this ability: Software is the cultural technique and most

important regulator of the digital age. Access to it determines who may participate in a digital

world. While in the Geneva phase, WSIS has recognised the importance of Free Software, it

has not acted upon that declaration and this recognition faded in the Tunis phase. In the Tunis

Commitment, Free Software is presented as a software model next to proprietary software, but

paragraph 29 reiterates “the importance of proprietary software in the markets of the coun-

tries.” This ignores that a proprietary software market is always striving

towards dependency

and monopolization, both of which are detrimental to economy and development as a whole.

Proprietary software is under exclusive control of and to the benefit of its proprietor. Further-

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more: Proprietary software is often written in modern sweat-shops for the benefit of developed

economies, which are subsidized at the expense of developing and least-developed countries in

this way.

While WSIS has somewhat recognised the importance of free and open source software, it has

not asserted the significance of this choice for development. It is silent on other issues like

open content (which goes beyond open access in the area of academic publications), new open

telecom paradigms and community-owned infrastructure as important development enablers.

The WSIS process has failed to introduce cultural and linguistic diversity as a cross-cutting is-

sue in the Information Society. The Information Society and its core elements - knowledge, in-

formation, communication and the information and communication technologies (ICT) together

with related rules and standards - are cultural concepts and expressions. Accordingly, cultural-

ly defined approaches, protocols, proceedings and obligations have to be respected and cultur-

ally appropriate applications developed and promoted. In order to foster and promote cultural

diversity it must be ensured that no one has to be a mere recipient of Western knowledge and

treatment. Therefore development of the cultural elements of the Information Society must in-

volve strong participation by all cultural communities. The WSIS has failed to recognize the

need for developing knowledge resources to shift the current lack of diversity, to move from

the dominant paradigm of over-developed nations and cultures to the need for being open to

learning and seeing differently.

Indigenous Peoples, further to self-determination and pursuant to their traditional and custom-

ary laws, protocols, rules and regulations, oral and written, provide for the access, use, appli-

cation and dissemination of traditional and cultural knowledge, oral histories, folklore and re-

lated customs and practices. WSIS has failed to protect these from exploitation, misuse and

appropriation by third parties. As a result, the traditional knowledge, oral histories, folklore

and related customs, practices and representations have been and continue to be exploited by

both informal and formal (being copyright, trademark and patent) means, with no benefits to

the rightful Indigenous holders of that knowledge.

Education, Research, and Practice

If we want future generations to understand the real basis of our digital age, freedom has to

be preserved for the knowledge of humankind: Free Software, open courseware and free edu-

cational as well as scientific resources empower people to take their life into their own hands.

If not, they will become only users and consumers of information technologies, instead of ac-

tive participants and well informed citizens in the Information Society. Each generation has a

choice to make: Schooling of the mind and creativity, or product schooling? Most unfortunate-

ly, the WSIS has shown a significant tendency towards the latter.

We are happy that universities, museums, archives, libraries have been recognized by WSIS as

playing an important role as public institutions and with the community of researchers and ac-

ademics. Unfortunately, telecenters are missing in the WSIS documents. Community informat-

ics, social informatics, telecenters and human resources such as computer professionals, and

the training of these, have to be promoted, so that ICT serves training and not training serves

ICT. Thus special attention must be paid to supporting sustainable capacity building with a

specific focus on research and skills development. In order to tackle development contexts

training should have a sociological focus too and not be entirely technologically framed.

Problems of access, regulation, diversity and efficiency require attention to power relations

both in the field of ICT policy-making and in the everyday uses of ICT. Academic research

should play a pivotal role in evaluating whether ICT meets and serves the individuals’ and the

public's multiple needs and interests - as workers, women, migrants, racial, ethnic and sexual

minorities, among others - across very uneven information societies throughout the world.

Furthermore, because power relations and social orientations are often embedded in the very

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designs of ICT, researchers should be sensitive to the diverse and multiple needs of the public

in the technological design of ICT. Similarly, educators at all levels should be empowered to

develop curricula that provide or contribute to training for people not only as workers and con-

sumers using ICT, but also in the basic science and engineering of ICT, in the participatory de-

sign of ICT by communities with computing professionals, the critical assessment of ICT, the

institutional and social contexts of their development and implementation, as well as their cre-

ative uses for active citizenship. Young people - given their large numbers, particularly in de-

veloping countries, and enthusiasm and expertise in the use of ICTs - remain an untapped re-

source as initiators of peer-to-peer learning projects at the community and school levels.

These issues have largely been ignored by WSIS.

The actors that need to be involved in the process of making this vision a reality are the pro-

fessionals and researchers, the students and their families, the support services and human

resources of the resources centres, politicians at all levels, social organizations and NGOs, but

also the private sector. However, in the teaching profession, it is necessary to recognize and

accept the need for learning and evolution with regards to ICT.

We emphasize the special role that the computing, information science, and engineering pro-

fessions have in helping to shape the Information Society to meet human needs. Their educa-

tion must encourage socially-responsible practices in the design, implementation, and opera-

tion of ICT. The larger Information Society has an equally important and corresponding role to

play by participating in the design of ICT. We, therefore, encourage increased cooperation be-

tween the computing, information science, and engineering professions and end-users of ICTs,

particularly communities.

We furthermore have repeatedly underlined the unique role of ICT in socio-economic develop-

ment and in promoting the fulfilment of internationally agreed development goals, including

those contained in the Millennium Declaration. This is not least true in the reference to access

to information and universal primary education. To secure the fulfilment of these goals, it is of

key importance that the issue of ICT as tools for the improvement of education is also incorpo-

rated in the broader development strategies at both national and international levels.

Media

We are pleased that the principle of freedom of expression has been reaffirmed in the WSIS II

texts and that they echo much of the language of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights. While we note that the Tunis Commitment recognises the place of the media in

a new Information Society, this should never have been in question.

In the future, representatives of the media should be assured a place in all public forums con-

sidering development of the Internet and all other relevant aspects of the Information Society.

As key actors in the Information Society, the media must have a place at the table, and this

must be fully recognized both by governments and by Civil Society itself.

While recognizing media and freedom of expression, the WSIS documents are weak on offering

support for developing diversity in the media sector and for avoiding a growing concentration

and uniformity of content. They specifically neglect a range of projects and initiatives which are

of particular value for Civil Society and which need a favourable environment: Community me-

dia, telecenters, grassroots and Civil Society-based media. These media empower people for

independent and creative participation in knowledge-building and information-sharing. They

represent the prime means for large parts of the world population to participate in the Infor-

mation Society and should be an integral part of the public policy implementation of the goals

of the Geneva Declaration, which refers to the promotion of the diversity of media and media

ownership.

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The WSIS documents also mostly focus on market-based solutions and commercial use. Yet

the Internet, satellite, cable and broadcast systems all utilize public resources, such as air-

waves and orbital paths. These should be managed in the public interest as publicly owned as-

sets through transparent and accountable regulatory frameworks to enable the equitable allo-

cation of resources and infrastructure among a plurality of media including community media.

We reaffirm our commitment that commercial use of these resources begins with a public in-

terest obligation.

Universal Design and Assistive Technologies

We are pleased to note that WSIS has identified the fact that ICT Design is the core issue of

the Digital Divide for persons with disabilities. The Tunis Agenda for the Information Society

clearly states in its paragraph 90e “paying special attention to the formulation of universal de-

sign concepts and the use of assistive technologies that promote access for all persons, includ-

ing those with disabilities”.

Due to great efforts of all stake holders, in particular of those with

disabilities, we recognize significant advancement in the common understanding on the Digital

Divide of persons with disabilities and strategies to achieve the targets set out in the Geneva

Plan of Action to be achieved by ICT development with the Universal Design Concept in combi-

nation with Assistive Technologies that meet specific requirements of persons with disabilities.

In terms of equal opportunities for the participation of persons with disabilities in WSIS the

process of that was addressed in Geneva Declaration of the Global Forum on Disability in the

Information Society in Geneva, we are grateful for all efforts extended by the summit organiz-

ers, who established a focal point for participants with disabilities bat the last stage. However,

there is still a lot to do to ensure equal participation of persons with disabilities in the WSIS

Action Plan implementation process.

We call upon all governments, private sectors, civil society and international organizations to

make the implementation, evaluation and monitoring of all WSIS documents, both from the

first and second phase, inclusive to persons with disabilities. We urge that persons with disabil-

ities be included in all aspects of designing, developing, distributing and deploying of appropri-

ate strategies for ICT, including information and communication services, so as to ensure ac-

cessibility for persons with disabilities, taking into account the universal design principle and

the use of assistive technologies. We request that any international, regional and national de-

velopment program, funding or assistance aimed to achieve the inclusive information society

be made disability-inclusive, both through mainstreaming and disability-specific approaches.

We urge all governments to support the process of negotiation, adoption, ratification and im-

plementation of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in par-

ticular through enactment of national legislation, as it contains strong elements concerning in-

formation and communication accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Health Information

Access to health information and knowledge is essential to collective and individual human de-

velopment and has been identified as a critical factor in the public physical and mental health

care crises around the world. The WSIS process has neglected to recognize that health is a

cross-cutting issue and that health systems must include a holistic approach which is integral

to the promotion of physical and mental health and the prevention and treatment of physical

and mental illness for all people and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

It is important to recognize that health expertise and scientific knowledge is essential to aid

disease stricken, as well as traumatized populations affected by war, terrorism, disaster and

other events, and further that the implementation of ICT systems for physical and mental

health information and services must be a two-way path recognizing cultural and community

norms and values.

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It is essential that health care specialists, practitioners, and consumers participate in the de-

velopment of public policy addressing privacy and related issues regarding physical and mental

health information affecting information and delivery systems.

Children and Young People in the Information Society

In WSIS Phase I, the Geneva Declaration of Principles explicitly acknowledged young people, in

paragraph 11, as the “future workforce and leading creators and earliest adopters of ICTs” and

that to fully realize this end, youth must be “empowered as learners, developers, contributors,

entrepreneurs and decision-makers.”

The Tunis Commitment in paragraph 25 reaffirmed the

strategic role of youth as stakeholders and partners in creating an inclusive Information Socie-

ty. This recognition is further supported by paragraph 90 of the Tunis Agenda. However we are

concerned as to how key decision-makers from Governments, the business community and

Civil Society will realize this commitment when the existing structures are not open for genu-

ine, full and effective participation by youth. None of the Tunis documents, specifically in the

post-WSIS implementation and follow-up

parts, clearly defines how youth shall be “actively

engaged in innovative ICT-based

development programmes and … in e-strategy processes,” as

paragraph 25 states. In this regard, we call upon governments, both national and local, and

the proponents of the Digital Solidarity Fund, to engage young people as digital opportunities

are created and national e-strategies developed. Youth must be tapped as community leaders

and volunteers for ICT for Development projects and be consulted in global and national ICT

policy-making processes and formulation.

While we support the great opportunities that ICTs offer children and young people, para-

graphs 90q of the Tunis Agenda and article 24 of the Tunis Commitment outline the potential

dangers that children and young people face in relation to ICTs. For this reason, article 92 of

the Tunis Agenda encourages all governments to support an easy to remember, free of charge,

national number for all children in need of care and protection. However, we had hoped that

WSIS would have encouraged every stakeholder to support a more comprehensive proposal

that ensured that every child, especially those that are marginalized and disadvantaged, has

free access to ICTs, including but not limited to, toll free landlines, mobile telephones and In-

ternet connection. In this regard, strategies should be developed that allow children and young

people to reap the benefits that ICTs offer by making ICT an integral part of the formal and in-

formal education sectors. There should also be strategies that protect children and young peo-

ple from the potential risks posed by new technologies, including access to inappropriate con-

tent, unwanted contact and commercial pressures, particularly with regards to pornography,

pedophilia and sexual trafficking, while fully respecting human rights standards on freedom of

expression. We are committed to work in the WSIS follow-up process towards a world where

telecommunication allows children and young people to be heard one-by-one and, through

their voices, to fulfil their rights and true potential to shape the world.

Ethical Dimensions

The Tunis texts would have clearly been stronger if the aspects of the Information Society be-

ing people-centred, human rights-based and sustainable development-oriented were seen as

the ethical point of departure in human relationships and community building and equally in

bodies of international agreements. These ethical dimensions are foundational to a just, equi-

table and sustainable information and knowledge society.

Geneva identified the ethical values of respect for peace and the fundamental values of free-

dom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, shared responsibility, and respect for nature as enunciated

in the Millennium Declaration. Tunis should have improved on these by including the principles

of trust, stewardship and shared responsibility together with digital solidarity. The technologies

we develop, and the solidarities we forge, must build relationships and strengthen social cohe-

sion

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Human rights conventions, for example, are critically important in evaluating ICTs so that they

are tools to enable just and peaceable conditions for humanity. But Tunis failed to point in this

direction. It did not, for example, restate what Geneva considered as acts inimical to the In-

formation Society such as racism, intolerance, hatred, violence and others.

The strong emphasis on technology in the Tunis texts must not eclipse the human being as the

subject of communication and development. Our humanity rests in our capacity to communi-

cate with each other and to create community. It is in the respectful dialogue and sharing of

values among peoples, in the plurality of their cultures and civilizations, that meaningful and

accountable communication thrives. The Tunis texts did not give clear indications on how this

can happen.

In an age of economic globalization and commodification of knowledge, the ethics and values

of justice, equity, participation and sustainability are imperative. Beyond Tunis, all stakehold-

ers must be encouraged to weave ethics and values language into the working on semantic

web knowledge structures. Communication rights and justice are about making human com-

munities as technology’s home and human relationships as technology’s

heart.

IV. Where to Go From Here

–

Our Tunis Commitment

Civil Society is committed to continuing its involvement in the future mechanisms for policy

debate, implementation and follow-up on Information Society issues. To do this, Civil Society

will build on the processes and structures that were developed during the WSIS process.

Element One: Evolution of Our Internal Organization

Civil Society will work on the continued evolution of its current structures. This will include the

use of existing thematic caucuses and working groups, the possible creation of new caucuses,

and the use of the Civil Society Plenary, the Civil Society Bureau, and the Civil Society Content

and Themes Group. We will organise, at a date to be determined, to launch the process of cre-

ating a Civil Society charter.

Element Two: Involvement in the Internet Governance Forum

The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus will actively participate in and support the work

of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and is exploring ways to enhance its working meth-

ods and its engagement with relevant stakeholders, especially the research community, to

these ends. In addition, the caucus is considering the creation of a new Working Group that

will make recommendations on the IGF, and other Civil Society caucuses, and individual Civil

Society Working Groups will develop ideas for and participate in the IGF as well.

Element Three: Involvement in Follow-Up and Implementation

In order to ensure that future implementation and follow-up mechanisms respect the spirit and

letter of the Tunis documents and that governments uphold the commitments they have made

during this second phase of the WSIS, Civil Society mechanisms will be used and created to

ensure:



the proactive monitoring of and participation in the implementation of the Geneva Plan of

Action and the Tunis Agenda at the national level;



a structured interaction with all UN agencies and international organisations and regional as

well as national mechanisms for follow-up, to ensure that they integrate the WSIS objec-

tives in their own work plans, and that they put in place effective mechanisms for multi-

stakeholder interaction, as mentioned in paragraphs 100 and 101 of the Tunis Agenda;



that the Information Society as a complex social political phenomenon is not reduced to a

technology-centred perspective. The ECOSOC Commission on Science and Technology for

Development will have to change significantly its mandate and composition to adequately

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

address the need for being an effective follow-up mechanism for WSIS while re-affirming

its original mission of developing science and technology, in addition to ICT, for the devel-

opment objectives of poor countries;

not only that the reformed Commission on Science and Technology for Development be-

comes a truly multi-stakeholder commission for the Information Society, but also, that the

process to revise it's mandate, composition and agenda is done in a fully open and inclu-

sive manner.

Element Four: Lessons Learned for the UN System in General

We see the WSIS process as an experience to be learned from for the overall UN system and

related processes. We will therefore work with the United Nations and all stakeholders on:



developing clearer and less bureaucratic rules of recognition for accrediting Civil Society

organisations in the UN system, for instance in obtaining ECOSOC status and summit ac-

creditation, and to ensure that national governmental recognition of Civil Society entities is

not the basis for official recognition in the UN system; and



ensuring that all future summit processes be multi–stakeholder in their approach, allowing

for appropriate flexibility. This would be achieved either by recognition of precedents set in

summit processes, or by formulating a rules of procedure manual to guide future summit

processes and day-to-day Civil Society interaction with the international community.

Element five: Outreach to Other Constituencies

The civil society actors that actively participated in the WSIS process are conscious that the In-

formation Society, as its name suggests, is a society-wide phenomenon, and that advocacy on

Information Society issues need to include every responsible interest and group. We therefore

commit ourselves in the post-WSIS period to work to broaden our reach to include different

Civil Society constituencies that for various reasons have not been active in the WSIS process;

may have shown scepticism over the role of ICT in their core areas of activity; or for other rea-

sons have remained disengaged from the Information Society discourse.