Sangonet is to host a forum this month to brief South African civil society organisations on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
In a statement issued last week, Sangonet noted that the first phase of the WSIS took place in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2003, where 175 countries adopted a declaration of principles and plan of action. The second phase will take place in Tunis, Tunisia, from 16 to 18 November 2005.
"During the second phase of WSIS, efforts are being made to put the plan of action into motion. Working groups have been set up to find solutions and reach agreements on key issues such as Internet governance and financing mechanisms," the statement said.
With this in mind, Sangonet will stage a Thetha forum on 29 June to provide South African civil society organisations (CSOs) with an opportunity to reflect on the focus and objectives of WSIS and related processes. It will also provide a platform to discuss the position of the South African government and civil society in this regard. A similar meeting will be held in Cape Town during July.
Sangonet is compiling a draft of a WSIS civil society document with the support of various local CSOs. This draft document focuses on issues such as local content; community broadcasting; freedom of expression, diversity and pluralism; financing the digital divide; education and ICT literacy; and gender and ICT. The document will be reviewed and discussed at the Thethas.
The first WSIS Thetha will be held on Wednesday, 29 June, at the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein.
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