[Telecentres] If I may be so bold.

[CIFT Administration]

Please  forgive me, I am by no means a  "learned man".  

As a "passive" North American observer, as an "aside", and against 
my better judgement... I would like to offer some objective thoughts 
on the matter of the WSIS-CS and its place in Internet Governance.

To a large extent, I think what is happening as far as the
WSIS-CS is concerned, is that its being told to keep "its
eye on the ball". By doing so, it is missing the larger
picture of "the game".

My belief, and I may be wrong, is that to have any real stake
in "Internet Governance", Nonprofit/Voluntary/and Civil Society
sector organizations must assume the responsibility for thier own
corner of cyberspace...  themselves.

But first we must
1. look at where we were,
2. look at where we are now, and;
3. look to where we are going.

PRETEXT

I think that everyone will agree that there are three main pillars
of society in a democracy. These being - the Private sector(Industry),
the Public sector(Government), and the Nonprofit/Voluntary/and Civil
Society sector.

Each sector to some degree is autonamous of the other, and the result
provides complement of "non-competing", "arms-length" services to the
public. Argueably, the latter(the Third sector) has kept the first two
in check, and is the catalyst(or governor if you will) for the
"peaceable" operations of a balanced democracy. 

WHERE WE WERE

Approximately 60% of the funding for the Nonprofit/Voluntary/and Civil
Society sector is brought about by government(federal, provincial, or
regional). The other 40% is through private foundations(a very adequate
tax deferal mechanism for those that can afford it - to a large degree
belonging to the families of those coporate magnates of private
industry), private industry themselves, and to a lesser degree(at
least monitarily), donations made by the general public.

Recently there has been a marked shift. A trend is surfacing that
must be recognized and addressed. Together, government and private
sector interests have been putting "the squeeze" on the
Nonprofit/Voluntary/Civil Society sector as a whole. 

With reduced funding from Government, and  increased competition from
the private sector, the Nonprofit/Voluntary/Civil Society Sector is
effectively being "hollowed out".

WHERE WE ARE NOW

Cost accounting principals and practices are being adopted to figure
out the "cost" of our democratic "Social Capitol". These "methods of
justification" for "financing", are being applied to Third sector
organizations by governments and private interests(funders and
benefactors alike), and being used as a lever to change and divert
the original intent of these organizations missions.

As a result, one-by-one, religious, political, civil rights, civil
justice organizations(among others) that operate under the umbrella
of the Nonprofit/Voluntary/Civil Society sector, are being dimished
and thier voices are being subverted and denied.

WHERE ARE WE GOING... (and who is taking us there?)

Just what is Social Capitol? - Social Capitol is to a large degree,
a collective social response to burdensome, failed social
policies(however well intentioned) that create undue hardships on
societies. It is that response of reciprocity that comes in the form
of the general publics time, effort, and resources. In general this
is a positive outlet, to which a resulting sence of inclusiveness
and accomplishment comes - from being able to meet societies needs
where others have failed(these being government and private
industry). This is where we shine the most.

THIS IS IMPORTANT

We must recognize the importance of the Third sectors contribution and
power base. We must also recognize and put forward, that the sum of
Social Capitol is inversely proprotional to the effective Civil rights
of a Nation or region. It seems that society has lost sight of the fact
that Civil Society organizations serve as a bellweather for pervasive
society as a whole.

Without Third sector organizations, there is only Public(Government) 
and private (Industry) sectors interests. Effectively, this is the
formula for a police state. A "police state" does not represent a
democracy. For most(if not all) Dictatorships, autocracies, and
"underdeveloped" nations, the Civil Society sector seems to be the
missing element. Why is this? Is it because the "law of brute force" 
has not allowed "a culture of trust" and "peaceable initiatives" to
issue from thier respective societies?

THE KEY FOR THE THIRD SECTOR...

Effective "self governance" of IT/IM infrastructures for Third sector
organizations, is the key for this sector to retain its autonamy. To
insure this, Third sector organizations MUST BE PROVISIONED BY
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SAME SECTOR. 

Incorporating and provisioning IT/IM management resources through
telecentres/datacentres also seems to be a logical conclusion and
follow-through.

THE ALTERNATIVE.

A Zero-Sum game - for any one sector to gain, it must do so at another
sectors expence. As far as IT/IM management in the Third sector, "get 
a grip" and hold on tightly. If you surrender it, you'll loose your
stake in its governance, AND your say in society.


Ken Montgomery - the opinions expressed are my own.
http://www.cift.ca

_____________________________________________________________________

Thought of the day...
 
It has been said... 

    Those who seek to be equal with another... lack ambition.

________________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - Community Internet Filtering Technologies Inc.

This information is privileged, and is intended only for the persons
named above. Any other distribution, copying or disclosure is not
intended and is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in
error, please notify us immediately by telephone at 1-888 292 3861,
or by e-mail and delete this message without making a copy.