Report (Part 2): International Symposium on Volunteering and Development of Capacity in the Information Society (ISV 2003)

Workshop 5: Institutional National and International Framework

Date: 24 October 2003, 9h00 to 17h30
Moderator: Amadou Top, OSIRIS (Senegal)
Reporters: Topias Issakainen ICVolunteers, Moustapha Ndiaye and Papa Assane Dieye, DIE

Methodology

This workshop was structured into two parts: (1) discussion on a Digital Soliarity Fund, (2) debate on Volunteer Networks. Questions discussed included:

1. How can a Digital Solidarity Fund be most effective and move from being a project to something that is put into action?
2. What institutional framework is needed for better volunteer coordination?

Synthesis

The discussion included the following topics:

• Organization and objectives of the Voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund;
• Means of achieving these objectives;
• Use of the money provided by the Fund;
• Partnerships and roles of the different actors involved, e.g. private sector, governments, etc.

In his introduction, Amadou Top provided a short history of how the idea of the Voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund came about. After the failure of the Cancun Summit and difficulties in Johannesburg (follow-up of the Rio Summit), there was a firm determination to make the Geneva World Summit on the Information Society a success. The idea of the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) originated in Senegal in the drive to develop systems that could help bridge the digital divide and offer support to African countries. It was initially inspired by the “Taxe Taubin”, but applied to IT products and managed through a foundation. Due to the reluctance of the European Union and the United States, this formula based on taxation was abandoned and a voluntary fund was suggested instead. The foundation would be based on Swiss law and managed in a transparent manner. Members could include representatives from all continents, from the private and public sectors, as well as civil society. They would be appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The Fund would, on one hand, be based on specific funding requests and in particular destined to help connect the poor. On the other hand, it should facilitate investment, which cannot be covered by one State alone. It would thus be beneficial for all sectors.

In the context of PrepCom 3, more points of contingency were identified with respect to the administration of the Fund. While rejecting the idea of any heavy bureaucracy, the United States endorsed the concept of the fund. Most European nations, however, categorically rejected the idea of any new structure, pointing out that existing mechanisms should be used instead. The Arab League and many Latin American countries supported the Fund. Senegal pointed out that the existing structures are too difficult to access. In addition, it claimed that they often do not take into consideration ICTs, which is why a new structure is needed.

The issue of the Fund was discussed again in an international context during PrepCom 3 Bis (10 to 14 November 2003, Geneva).

Volunteer Networks

Regarding volunteering and ICTs, it was noted that no institutional framework exists that could enhance the role of ICT volunteers. The latter have an important role to play when it comes to training, the construction of ICT infrastructure, and knowledge transfer to rural populations. This institutional framework could be considered at the national level to enhance national policies on ICTs.

Recommendations

• The DSF is linked to technical questions which can only be dealt with by experts. The latter would in particular be asked to propose management mechanisms and to offer the necessary assistance for its implementation;
• A meeting of African and international experts could help when establishing the framework of the fund;
• Technology should be used wisely for the administration of the fund;
• The creation of national and sub-regional solidarity funds (as created by Tunisia and Thailand) can facilitate the creation of appropriate national ICT strategies and the launch of the international fund.

• Create an ICT volunteer network at national and international levels, e.g. the federation of ICT volunteer initiatives between the South and the North.
• Create capacity building centers linked to ICTs to enable volunteers to actively contribute to human capacity building.
• Create a database of volunteers and their level of expertise.
• Structure and implicate the African diaspora in this process, as well as the reinforcement of local resources at all levels for the development of ICTs.