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Date: 24 October 2003, 9h00 to 17h30
Moderator: Amadou Top, OSIRIS (Senegal)
Reporters: Topias Issakainen ICVolunteers, Moustapha Ndiaye and Papa Assane Dieye, DIE
The workshop on the national and international institutional framework focused on concrete solutions to bridge the digital divide between those who have access to information and those who do not. In particular, the proposal made by Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal, to create a Voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund. Participants also brainstormed about possible institutional structures designed to enhance volunteer action and increase the communication between existing networks.
Methodology
This workshop was structured into two parts: (1) discussion on a Digital Soliarity Fund, (2) debate on Volunteer Networks. Questions discussed included:
Synthesis
Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)
The discussion included the following topics:
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
Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)
Volunteer Networks