[Chapter-delegates] [Internet Policy] Moderation of list (was Re: 202106270936.AYC …)

[Veni Markovski]

Thanks for the email. Some comments below.

On 7/8/21 11:34, Andrew Sullivan via Chapter-delegates wrote:
> We went through the entire PDP last year over the Internet Way of
> Networking project, and there is follow-on work for some additional
> specificity that will come to PDP this year, too, precisely because of
> feedback from people who used the toolkit and wanted some additional
> material.  Isn't that exactly what you are asking for?

No.

>> Here's one examples: ISOC Bulgaria has been approached several times
>> this year by the Bulgarian telecom administration with questions about
>> certain issues, happening at the ITU with the renewed and publicly
>> stated position of several member states vis-a-vis the issue of Internet
>> governance and the role of states.
>> ISOC is following these developments, right? Maybe it should reach out
>> to chapters and other members, asking them questions about these latest
>> developments?
>
> This is the first I have heard of the approach you are talking about
> from the Bulgarian administration, 

Well, that only shows we are also not so good in communicating this to
you:( We'll do better in the future, I hope. However several chapters
have kept the mailing list (as well as orally informed our colleagues
during our chapter meetings - when we had them - with updates from our
countries) aware of the fact that they are being asked to contribute
with expertise to issues of concern for the Internet users in their
respected territories. Of course, this is a process that has started
before you became the CEO. 

> but your proposed solution seems at best awkward.  You are suggesting
> that the Internet Society staff ought to be polling everyone all the
> time to ask them whether there are any local developments.  Why would
> it not be more effective for a chapter that wants to know what the
> Internet Society staff might help them with on a topic to approach the
> relevant staff person who works with the chapter, and ask that?  I
> know that's what some chapters do, and they seem to be satisfied with
> the result (according to the feedback I get).  It's certainly why we
> have staff who are there to respond to chapter questions.

I might have written this wrong, I guess;-( I was asking if ISOC is
following the statements, made by member states (at different
international, regional and national gatherings), who say that they
believe the current multistakeholder model (MSM) of Internet governance
is not working and should be replaced with a multilateral one. The way
to make sure the member states are well informed, is if ISOC chapters
reach out to their national telecom administration and brief them with
details about the MSM. ISOC could reach out to chapters, and provide
them with materials that they could use in their educational efforts.
Could, not should, of course.

>> Again, a lot can be done to preserve the open, single, interoperable
>> Internet, developing in a multistakeholder environment; if ISOC is doing
>> it, then we should hear about it.
>
> Have you read the 2020 impact report?  

Yes. It's a good coverage of Internet under COVID-19. However, the term
"Internet governance" is not there. Neither is "multistakeholder model".
The report has a different goal, and is not related to the issues we are
talking about. 

> We are not in a position to direct chapters as to what to do, 

True (that's a change, I have to add, compared to some aspects of the
chapter policies before you), but ISOC could not only listen, but also
hear what the chapters are saying.

Some of the chapters (Bulgaria included) are reluctant to start a
conversation like the one we have, because there's a feeling that ISOC
would react in a defensive way, while chapters in general do not
actually attack ISOC, but ask for more information, help, support, etc.



-- 

Best regards, 
Veni
Internet Society - Bulgaria 
https://www.isoc.bg 
pgp:5BA1366E veni at veni.com

The opinions expressed above are those of the 
author, not of any organizations, associated 
with or related to him in any given way. 

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