2007/11/27, Evan Leibovitch <evan@telly.org>:
Brendler, Beau wrote:
Having worked with Jonathan directly over the last two years on a couple of things, I have a different perspective of his views, at least pertaining to consumer groups. The term "civil society" seems to me a Euro/academic construct that hasn't much meaning among the people I work with, so I don't know how to address it.
I share that viewpoint completely.
I have a very different viewpoint, from Asia-Pacific. There are more than North America, Euro.acadmics working wihtin ICANN AtLarge, as well as WSIS civil society groups, many from Asia, Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean regions, which are not mentioned here. I expressed my strong reservations about the concept and proposal of "Special Advisor" on Internet Governance. I still don't see the need for it and have not seen sufficinet rationale to convince me.
ICANN already has a well-established forum to accommodate the policy viewpoints of civil society -- NCUC, It is a continuing source of discomfort -- and a long-term recipe for failure -- that so many within ALAC see At-Large as "NCUC-Light".
I don't see that many ALAC members see that.
It is critically important to know how At-Large -- and especially its leadership within ALAC -- understands the significant differences between this community and the one represented by NCUC. It's a contrast of culture, of terminology, of style, of motivation, even of language. And the difference is most certainly reflected in the way Beau's offer has been dealt with.
I am sorry, but I again do not understand this. There seems to be some mis-understandings, or gap in logics.
ALSs share some characteristics of the NGOs that make up NCUC. But their defined role -- and expectations -- related to ICANN are very different. The sooner ALAC comes to understand this, the better for all of us.
ALAC and NCUC have had many joint-meeting at ICANN meetings, including the recent one at Los Angels. I think both have good understanding of the different roles each are supposed to play. We may have some difference in opinions on certain issues, but that is quite natural, as we also have many points to share, too. best, izumi
- Evan