WORKSHOP ON THE WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY (WSIS)
Wednesday, 1 December 2004, 8:30 – 10:30
Cape Town International Convention Center, Auditorium 1
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This is the third in a series of workshops organized by ICANN constituencies to increase awareness and understanding of the United Nation's World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and issues of direct impact to ICANN. "WSIS" is a process in which governments are attempting to address a broad range of international legal, regulatory, economic, and policy issues related to the Internet. During this process, some governments proposed that an intergovernmental organization be responsible for "Internet governance," a phrase that remains undefined and some consider to include and/or mean the administration and coordination of the DNS.
The workshop, which is open to the public, will:
- Inform ICANN stakeholders and the broader community about recent developments and upcoming events related to WSIS and ICANN;
- Foster a dialogue and mutual understanding of positions of different stakeholders on WSIS as it relates to ICANN and other issues of interest;
- Raise awareness of the diverse interests, priorities and activities within Africa related to WSIS; and
- Enhance stakeholder participation in WSIS as it relates to ICANN's activities.
Information presented at previous WSIS workshops is available at:
- Rome, March 2004 <http://www.icann.org/meetings/rome/wsis-workshop-04mar04.html>
- Kuala Lumpur, July 2004 <http://www.icann.org/meetings/kualalumpur/icann-wsis-workshop-01jul04.htm>
Agenda
- Opening Remarks – Dr. Paul Twomey, President & CEO, ICANN
- Progress and Plans of the United Nations' Working Group on Internet Governance - Mr. Markus Kummer, Executive Coordinator, Secretariat of the WGIG [slides], and Mr. Nitin Desai, WGIG Chair, and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the World Summit on Information Society.
- Internet Governance in Africa – Panel Discussion:
- Ms. Hilary Bowker, Moderator
- Mr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, President, Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO)
- Dr. Olivier Nana Nzepa, Project Coordinator, Africa Civil Society for Information Society (ACSIS)
- Mr. Charles Shaban, member, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGO) and the Arab Knowledge Management Society (AKMS)
- Mr. Chris Kabwato, Director, Highway Africa
- Mr. Adama Samassekou, President, African Academy of Languages
- Mr. Mouhamet Diop, Director, ICANN Board, member, AfriNIC Policy Working Group
- ICANN Stakeholders' Role in Internet Governance -- WSIS
Workshop Planning Group members:
- Mr. Vittorio Bertola, At-Large Advisory Committee
- Mr. Izumi Aizu, At-Large Advisory Committee
- Ms. Marilyn Cade, Business Constituency
- Mr. Tony Holmes, Internet Service & Connectivity Providers Constituency
- Mr. Peter Dengate Thrush, InternetNZ (ccTLD)
- Mr. Paul Wilson, Number Resource Organization (RIRs)
- Audience comments/questions
- Closing Remarks – Dr. Vinton Cerf, Chairman of the Board, ICANN