As this logo shows, the WSIS Tokyo Conference was originally an Asian regional event, but it was changed to an Asia-Pacific event due to the participation of PICs.
このロゴが示すように、WSIS東京会議は Asian regional だったのですがPICsの参加によってAsia-Pacific に変更されました。
While searching for the text of the Tokyo Declaration of the WSIS 2003, I came across a valuable report. It is an unfinished report called ‘Pacific Islands and the WSIS Report of Conference and Side Events: Opportunities for the Pacific Islands Region’ compiled by Dr Robert Guild of PIF, Samuelu Taufao of SPC, and Les Allinson of SOPAC.
Reading this report brings back even more memories of the situation at the time. A large number of Multistakeholders, including Dr Robert Guild of PIF, gathered for this side event. Perhaps Multistakeholderism, which ITU Secretary-General Utsumi was aiming for, was demonstrated by the PICs.
And everyone who participated in this conference worked really hard!
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WSIS2003の東京宣言の文書を探していたら貴重な報告書を見つけた。PIFのDr Robert Guild、 SPCのSamuelu Taufao、そしてSOPACのLes Allinsonがまとめた”Pacific Islands and the WSIS Report of Conference and Side Events: Opportunities for the Pacific Islands Region” と言う未完成の報告書である。
この報告書を読むと当時の状況をさらに思い出す。PIFのDr Robert Guildをはじめ本当に多くのMultistakeholders がこのサイドイベントに集まった。もしかしたらITUの内海事務局長が目指したMultistakeholderism はPICsがそのお手本を示したのかもしれない。
そしてこの会議に参加した全員が本当によく働きました！
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Pacific Islands and the WSIS
Report of Conference and Side Events: Opportunities for the Pacific Islands Region
16 January 2003 Compilers:
Dr Robert Guild
Economic Infrastructure Adviser
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Private Mail Bag
Suva, Fiji
Tel: +679 322 0212 / 322 0212
Fax: +679 330 0192 / 331 2696 www.forumsec.org.fj robertg@forumsec.org.fj
Samuelu Taufao
IT Manager
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) BP D5 98848
Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia
Tel: +687 262000
Fax: +687 263818
www.spc.int
samt@spc.int
Les Allinson
IT Manager
South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) Private Mail Bag
Suva, Fiji
Tel: +679 338 1377
Fax: +679 337 0040
www.sopac.org
les@sopac.org
SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 500
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND......................................................................................................... 1
GENEVA 2003: FIRST PHASE.................................................................................. 1
TUNIS 2005: SECOND PHASE................................................................................. 2 PREPARATORY PROCESS: GLOBAL LEVEL ......................................................... 2
KEY DATES ............................................................................................................... 2 PREPARATORY PROCESS: REGIONAL CONFERENCES ..................................... 2 CONFERENCE........................................................................................................... 3
SIDE EVENTS............................................................................................................. 3
POST CONFEENCE MEETING ................................................................................. 3 Participation at PrepCom-2.......................................................................................... 3 Regional Meeting post PrepCom-2.............................................................................. 3 Attachment A – Pacific Islands Side Event – News Release........................................ 1 Attachment B – Pacific Islands Side Event – Report ................................................... 1 Attachment C – Pacific Islands Side Event – Agenda and Objectives ......................... 1 Attachment D – Pacific Islands Side Event – Participants ............................................ 1 Attachment E – Conference – News Release................................................................ 1 Attachment F – Conference – Tokyo Declaration .......................................................... 1 Attachment G – Contacts ............................................................................................... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Asian Regional Conference was held in Tokyo 13-15 January 2003 as part of the preparatory process to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and invitations were sent to senior government ministries in the Pacific Islands region in November and December 2002. In addition, invitations were sent to several regional organizations that included the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Secretariat of the Pacific Community and South Pacific Geoscience Commission.
This conference presented opportunities for Pacific Island Countries (PIC) to participate in the preparatory process of WSIS and ensure that the government sector, private sector, NGOs and civil society were represented in developing themes for WSIS.
Despite the short notice, a collaborative process was established via electronic mailing lists and email, and a side event meeting was proposed and conducted on Sunday 12 January to address the participation by PIC in the WSIS preparatory process. The press release, report of meeting, agenda and objectives, and list of participants are included as Attachments A through D.
The report of this side event meeting was accepted by the secretariat and distributed to all participants as Doc. C-24. In addition, a meeting was held Monday 13 January between Mr Adama Semassekoui, President of PrepCom and Charlotte Sgier De Cerf, Executive Secretariat and senior government representatives from PIC to explore participation in the forthcoming PrepCom-2 meeting that will be conducted in Geneva 17-28 February 2003 where is was noted that accreditation for this meeting closed 5 January.
An additional round table, representation as panelists on the planned eight round tables as well as opportunities to conduct a side event at PrepCom was requested. The request for an additional round table was unsuccessful, participation as panelists was considered possible as these had not been decided, a side event was considered and accreditation for participation in PrepCom-2 was accepted.
It was agreed that participation by representatives of PIC at PrepCom-2 was essential where a minimum of 4 would be needed and that a regional meeting post PrepCom-2 would be necessary ensure that there was continuity by PICs in the preparatory process.
The main outputs from this conference include a news releases and the Tokyo Declaration, a statement for the summit are included as Attachment E and F.
A list of participants from PICs, international and other organizations who interacted or are associated with PICs and CROP agencies is included as Attachment G. It should be noted however that this list in not complete as there will omissions of names as well as PIC invitees would did not participate in the relevant side events or the conference.
BACKGROUND
The Summit is being held under the high patronage of Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, with the International Telecommunication Union taking the lead role, in cooperation with other interested UN agencies, and will occur in two phases:
GENEVA 2003: FIRST PHASE
The first phase of the World Summit will take place in Geneva hosted by the Government of Switzerland from 10 to 12 December 2003. It will address the broad range of themes concerning the Information Society and adopt a Declaration of Principles and plan of action, addressing the whole range of issues related to the Information Society
TUNIS 2005: SECOND PHASE
The second phase of the World Summit will take place in Tunis hosted by the Government of Tunisia, in 2005. Development themes will be a key focus in this phase, and it will assess progress that has been made and adopt any further plan of action to be taken.
PREPARATORY PROCESS: GLOBAL LEVEL
The Summit in Geneva (10 to 12 December 2003) will be the outcome of a wide variety of inputs, including from previous meetings, existing Action Plans of the various partners involved and inputs from the Preparatory Committees of the Summit (PREPCOMs). Regional, conferences and thematic and expert meetings will be organized to consider a specific subject. Regional conferences will be organized to address the specific concerns, needs and priorities of the various regions. They will, most likely, be organized at ministerial level. PREPCOMs will be attended by governmental representatives and other parties concerned, including representatives of the UN specialized agencies, the private sector, civil society and NGOs.
KEY DATES
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PrepCom 1 - Geneva 1-5 July 2002
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Informal Meeting on Content & Themes - Geneva, 16-18 September 2002
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PrepCom 2 - Geneva, 17-28 February 2003
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PrepCom 3 - Geneva, September 2003 (tentative)
PREPARATORY PROCESS: REGIONAL CONFERENCES
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African Regional Conference - Bamako (Mali) 28-30 May 2002
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Pan European Regional Conference - Bucharest (Romania) 7-9 November 2002
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Asian Regional Conference - Tokyo (Japan) 13-15 January 2003
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Latin America and Caribbean Regional Conference - Bávaro (Dominican Republic)
29-31 January 2003
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ESCWA Regional Preparatory Conference: Beirut (Lebanon), 4-6 February 2003
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League of Arab States Regional Conference: Cairo (Egypt), June 2003
Regional preparatory conferences are taking place in each of the regions of the world. It is recommended that these should generally be based on the regional groupings used for conferences of the United Nations. The regional conferences should include representatives from all major stakeholders. They will assess the key challenges, opportunities and constraints stemming from the information society, develop a common vision and understanding for the region and prepare a plan to address the key issues and solve the problems identified.
More specifically, the regional conferences may undertake the following main tasks:
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? Conduct a regional assessment of the relevant challenges, opportunities and constraints, taking into account a) the specific constraints faced by the region and b) constraints resulting from global developments in the information society.
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? Develop a vision for an information-based society in the region and a strategy to achieve that vision.
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? Establish a platform for dialogue and contributions that includes all major stakeholders.
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? Share experiences and provide an opportunity to forge a better understanding of the concerns of the countries in the region, to prepare their positions and to identify the key themes for the Summit.
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? Identify existing initiatives and networks in the regions and assess examples of best practices.
PREPARATORY PROCESS: GLOBAL LEVEL
The Summit in Geneva (10 to 12 December 2003) will be the outcome of a wide variety of inputs, including from previous meetings, existing Action Plans of the various partners involved and inputs from the Preparatory Committees of the Summit (PREPCOMs). Regional, conferences and thematic and expert meetings will be organized to consider a specific subject. Regional conferences will be organized to address the specific concerns, needs and priorities of the various regions. They will, most likely, be organized at ministerial level. PREPCOMs will be attended by governmental representatives and other parties concerned, including representatives of the UN specialized agencies, the private sector, civil society and NGOs.
KEY DATES
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PrepCom 1 - Geneva 1-5 July 2002
-
Informal Meeting on Content & Themes - Geneva, 16-18 September 2002
-
PrepCom 2 - Geneva, 17-28 February 2003
-
PrepCom 3 - Geneva, September 2003 (tentative)
PREPARATORY PROCESS: REGIONAL CONFERENCES
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African Regional Conference - Bamako (Mali) 28-30 May 2002
-
Pan European Regional Conference - Bucharest (Romania) 7-9 November 2002
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Asian Regional Conference - Tokyo (Japan) 13-15 January 2003
-
Latin America and Caribbean Regional Conference - Bávaro (Dominican Republic)
29-31 January 2003
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ESCWA Regional Preparatory Conference: Beirut (Lebanon), 4-6 February 2003
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League of Arab States Regional Conference: Cairo (Egypt), June 2003
Regional preparatory conferences are taking place in each of the regions of the world. It is recommended that these should generally be based on the regional groupings used for conferences of the United Nations. The regional conferences should include representatives from all major stakeholders. They will assess the key challenges, opportunities and constraints stemming from the information society, develop a common vision and understanding for the region and prepare a plan to address the key issues and solve the problems identified.
More specifically, the regional conferences may undertake the following main tasks:
-
? Conduct a regional assessment of the relevant challenges, opportunities and constraints, taking into account a) the specific constraints faced by the region and b) constraints resulting from global developments in the information society.
-
? Develop a vision for an information-based society in the region and a strategy to achieve that vision.
-
? Establish a platform for dialogue and contributions that includes all major stakeholders.
-
? Share experiences and provide an opportunity to forge a better understanding of the concerns of the countries in the region, to prepare their positions and to identify the key themes for the Summit.
-
? Identify existing initiatives and networks in the regions and assess examples of best practices.
- ? Consider new initiatives and commitments within the region and its subregions with a view to overcoming the prevailing constraints and fostering further progress towards achieving the vision of an information society.
- ? Prepare contributions for consideration by the PrepCom meetings.
Representatives from major stakeholders will play an integral role in these discussions through a multi-stakeholder process in which leaders from all sectors can contribute their expertise to the regional dialogue. The reports from these regional conferences will be considered by the following PrepCom meeting
CONFERENCE
The outputs from the conference in addition to the aforementioned news release and Tokyo Declaration can be summarised as follows:
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ICT resources need to be focused on the regions that can use it best to reduce poverty.
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ICT to enhance educational benefits is key to overall development of all regions.
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Government must agree to boost private sector support and break away from monopoly situations and abuse of monopoly situations.
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Low Cost Bandwidth and development of high bandwidth availability is a must.
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SIDE EVENTS
The Pacific consultation on Sunday 12 January was a success where the relevant documents are included as Attachments A through D. The report of the meeting outlines the activities but cannot capture the cooperative spirit and sense of common purpose that prevailed.
POST CONFEENCE MEETING
Following the closing ceremony, a small meeting of PIC representatives and associates was convened where the process for next steps was discussed that included.
Participation at PrepCom-2
Participation by representatives from PICs is essential to ensure that there is input into this critical event in the preparatory process. It was suggested that key specialists from PIC be encouraged to attend and all participants at this post conference meeting who had access to funds either directly or indirectly would cooperate in securing participation by appropriate specialists.
Regional Meeting post PrepCom-2
A regional meeting should be convened post PrepCom-2 that provides PICs with a report of PrepCom-2 and opportunities to contribute to PrepCom-3 through a consultative process. In addition this meeting should be held in conjunction with the next PITA meeting in April 2003 to maximise participation. This meeting will also provide opportunities for a review of the Regional Pacific Islands Information and Communications Policy and Strategic Plan and enable outputs from various National implementations of this plan.
It should be remembered that donors may be exploring assistance to projects that fit within outputs from WSIS and PICs should ensure that their national needs are addressed with the preparatory process to WSIS.
Attachment A – Pacific Islands Side Event – News Release
For Immediate Release
PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AT MAJOR ICT CONFERENCE (Tokyo, Japan; 14 January 2003)
Senior officials from around the Pacific are attending a series of high-level meetings in preparation for the 2003 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
The Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSIS is being held in Tokyo Japan from 13-15 January. The conference will prepare a regional declaration to the global summit that is expected to prioritise:
- Securing accessibility of telecommunication networks
- Preserving linguistic and cultural diversity
- Developing human resources
- Establishing legal, regulatory and policy frameworks
- Building confidence in the security of ICT
It is also expected to emphasise the importance of cross-sector programmes and activities in e-government, e-business, and e-community, supported by n ational and regional e- strategies.
In preparation for their engagement in the WSIS process, regional delegates attended a full- day Pacific consultation on 12 January at the United Nations University in Tokyo. The Pacific consultation, entitled “Pacific Islands and the WSIS: ICTs for Development: Resources, Needs and Opportunity” examined the Pacific islands regional experience with ICTs for development in island countries, and prepared delegates to ensure that Pacific island concerns and issues are adequately addressed in the global declarations and action plans.The Pacific consultation summarised a series of policy and planning lessons for incorporation in the Tokyo declaration and future WSIS action plans.
These included recommendations that:
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- IT literacy should be increased at all levels and in all sectors to create ‘e-citizens’ able to make the most of new opportunities
- ICTscanincreaseefficiencyandeffectivenessandreducethecostsofdeliveryof public services such as health and education
- There is an over-riding need for training and indigenous capacity building in both technical and content areas
- Pacific island countries require technical and policy assistance during project implementation, including strong international support to bridge the international and domestic digital divide
- Development partners, governments, civil society, and the private sector could usefully increase their already considerable collaboration for example on the interconnection of networks.
- There is an existing context and planning framework in the Pacific island region, including the PALM process and culminating in the Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Plan, that has been prioritised and endorsed at Ministerial level, that could provide useful guidance to development partners
The event was supported by the Global Knowledge Partership, the Foundation for Development Cooperation, the Sasakawa Pacific Islands Nations Fund, the Center for Global Communications, the World Bank’s infoDev programme, and the Asian Development Bank.
Delegations including representatives of governments, civil society, and the private sector are attending from a majority of Pacific island countries. They are being supported by advisers from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission.
Further Information:
Dr Robert Guild, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Telephone Facsimile Email
+679 322 0212
+679 330 0192 robertg@forumsec.org.fj
Attachment B – Pacific Islands Side Event – Report
Pacific Islands and the WSIS: ICTs for Development: Resources, Needs and Opportunity
United Nations University Headquarters Building Committee Rooms 2/3 Sunday, 12th January 2003
Side Event Final Report
A side event to discuss ICT sector opportunities for Pacific island countries, in the context of WSIS preparations and the Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSIS, was held at the United Nations University on 12 January 2003. Pacific country representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Niue, the Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Vanuatu attended. A wide range of participants from Pacific regional organisations, bilateral and multilateral development partners, NGOs, and academia also attended. A number of participants also attended via a videoconferencing link to American Samoa, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, and Samoa.
Convenors and Sponsors
The event was convened by co-facilitators from the Foundation for Development Cooperation and the Center for Global Communications/Pacific Islands Digital Opportunities. The event was generously sponsored by the Asian Development Bank, the Global Knowledge Partnership, infoDev, PEACESAT, and the Sasakawa Pacific Islands Nations Fund.
Four thematic sessions were held on National ICT Applications for Development, Connecting Communities through ICTs, a Development Partner Dialogue, and WSIS and the Pacific. A keynote address was given via videoconference by the Lt. Governor of American Samoa on Common Themes in ICT Development for Pacific Islands.
Session 1: National ICT Applications for Development
The objective of Session 1 was to illustrate common Pacific challenges and successes with ICT applications, and draw out policy and planning lessons for incorporation in the Tokyo declaration and future WSIS action plans. The session was moderated by Sam Taufao of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Presentations were given by Professor Rajesh Chandra of the University of the South Pacific on USPNet Distance Learning, Abel Caine of Fiji on e-government, Stuart Davies of Cook Islands on Tele-health in the Pacific, Fuatai Purcell of Samoa and New Zealand on e- commerce for micro-enterprises, and Richard St Clair of Niue on activities of the Pacific Islands chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC).
Key lessons and recommendations for consideration at the Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSIS included :
? Awareness by all stakeholders (decision makers and general public) should be increased
? IT literacy should be increased at all levels and in all sectors to create ‘e -citizens’ able to make themost of new opportunities
? It is important to raise awareness of the opportunities of e-commerce for small island developingstates
? There is a need for compelling vision of sector and project development
? There is a strong need for research on applications and best practices on ICT for development that are sustainable in an island context
? Strong partnerships are required between all stakeholders and development partners
? ICT applications need to address the expressed needs of countries
? ICTs can increase efficiency and effectiveness and reduce the costs of delivery of public servicessuch as health and education
? ICTs can enhance good governance practices through transparency and productivity
? Pacific island countries require technical and policy assistance during project implementation,including strong international support to bridge the international and domestic digital divide
Session 2: Connecting Communities
The objective of Session 2 was to illustrate Pacific experiences with ICT for development at the grassroots level for connecting communities, and to draw out implementation lessons for incorporation in the Tokyo declaration and future WSIS action plans. The session was moderated by Nina Ratulele of Fiji and the Pacific Islands News Association.
Presentations were given by Jim Stevenson of the Federated States of Micronesia on the Department of Education YapSEED project, Robert Guild of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on the Solomon Islands PeopleFirst Network for community development and peace building, Laila Younis o the Northern Marianas Variety and Palau Horizon newspapers, Norman Okamura of the University of Hawaii on PEACESAT and E-Rate Developments in American Samoa, Guam and CNMI, and Andrew Stockwood of Vanuatu on the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs
Key lessons and recommendations for consideration at the Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSISincluded :
? Countries and the Pacific region need to create sustainable ICT networks
? It is important to encourage cultural diversity and linguistic diversity through, among other means, the use of local languages understood by all
? There is an over-riding need for training and indigenous capacity building in both technical and content areas
? The role of traditional media will remain very important in information dissemination and that role should be stengthened
? Community participation through free flow of information and freedom of expression have a very important role in modern society
? Reliable, affordable and equitable access to ICTs are required for all people of the Pacific islands
Lunch Session
Objectives:
The objective of the lunch session was to address common topics pertinent to Pacific islands such as the creation of enabling policies, cooperation among organizations, and competition in small markets, and to demonstrate the potential of video over satellite by linking American Samoa; Hawaii; Marshall Islands, and Samoa. The session was moderated by Christina Higa of PEACESAT.
The Hon Togiola Tulafono, Lt. Governor of American Samoa, gave an address via videoconference that summarised the following key lessons and recommendations for consideration at the Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSIS:
? Policy and regulations must be at the forefront of any ICT infrastructure
? Funding resources are required for development of local infrastructure before regional initiatives
? Sector planning and implementation should build and draw on indigenous capacity in preference to external experts with limited national knowledge
? Goodwill and sincerity, partnership and collaboration
? Liberal markets and competition have been proven in SIS, and will bring costs down, andthere are good examples of liberalisation in small markets
? There are also examples of monopoly carriers providing effective services
? Voluntary participation at the local level can ensure ownership of projects
? It is important to facilitate participation of all Pacific islands regardless of political affiliation, and to urge the WSIS process to include small island states in international fora
Session 3: Development Partner Dialogue
The objective of Session 3 was to provide an opportunity for development partners active in the Pacific region to present summaries of their existing and anticipated programmes for the region over the medium term, and discuss how Pacific island countries and regional organisations should incorporate these plans into their own planning for the WSIS process. The session was moderated by Rinalia Abdul Rahim of the Global Knowledge Partnership.
Presentations were given by Abdul Waheed Khan of UNESCO, Craig Keating of the Australian Agency for International Development Virtual Colombo Plan Unit, Pamela Kruzic of the Asian Development Bank, Shahid Akhtar of the UNDP Asia Pacific Development Information Program, Kenji Saga of the Pacific Islands Digital Opportunities initiative, and Les Allinson of the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
Key lessons and recommendations for consideration at the Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSISincluded :
? There is a need to raise awareness of the mandates of bilateral and multilateral funding agencies
? Pacific island countries with the help of development partners are creating enabling environments on policy strategy and regulatory framework
? Development partners should work according to national needs and priorities of governments, and stakeholders need to work through national and regional procedures to influence these
? There is a need for education on appropriate uses of ICTs and
? Access to appropriate information on development partner programmes should beincreased
? Development partners will continue to work through a range of stakeholders depending on types of project
? Development partners, governments, civil society, and the private sector could usefully increase their already considerable collaboration for example on the interconnection of networks.
? There is a need for simplified processes for funding with less bureaucracy at both domestic and international levels to identify and support good projects not necessarily good proposal writing
? Technical and policy assistance may be needed at national level to adapt and implement
? Pacific island countries and regional organisations should continue to build their collaboration, sothat subsets of states can cooperate to leverage resources
? Poverty alleviation an over-arching goal for many devlopment partners
? There is an existing context and planning framework in the Pacific island region, including the PALMprocess and culminating in the Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Plan, that has been prioritised and endorsed at Ministerial level, that could provide useful guidance to devlopment partners
Session 4: WSIS and the Pacific
The objective of Session 4 was for Pacific island countries to consolidate their national and regional lessons and experiences, propose contributions to the Tokyo Declaration and future WSIS action plans, and discuss strategies for future engagement in the WSIS process. The session was moderated by by Robert Guild of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Presentations were given by Fuatai Purcell of of Samoa and New Zealand on Themes for Small Island States, Abel Caine of Fiji on inputs to the WSIS Preparatory Process, Adam Peake of the Center for Global Communication on the procedures for the WSIS Preparatory Process, Tarja Virtanen of UNESCO, and Sam Taufao of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Key lessons and recommendations for consideration at the Asia Pacific Regional Conference for WSIS included :
? Key SIS issues are well known and have been synthesised in the findings of this event
? Two of the most important issues are development of human resources and continued development of national strategies that should be effective, responsive, and culturally appropriate
? The overall WSIS process offered opportunities to small island developing states, which require specific and targeted approaches to address their needs, respond to opportunities, and increase the effectiveness of national and regional initiatives
? The Tokyo Declaration could usefully be improved in areas of gender issues, youth, the role of traditional media, and should emphasise the free flow of information and freedom of expression
? Interregional cooperation between small island developing states should be explored and further discussed
? The possibility of a Pacific regional consultation should be explored and further discussed
? Regional coordination is requested to explore the possibility of holding a thematicmeeting and increase Pacific island country participation in roundtables at Prepcom2
? A Pacific caucus meeting will take up further details on the Tokyo Declaration and regional statements later in the week
Conclusion
The meeting requested that a report of the event’s topics and findings be forwarded for consideration by the Asia Pacific Regional Conference.The co-facilitators closed the meeting by thanking all participants for their valuable contributions, and expressed appreciation to the sponsors for making the event possible.
Submitted by:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Tokyo, Japan
13 January 2003
Attachment C – Pacific Islands Side Event – Agenda and Objectives
Pacific Islands and the WSIS: ICTs for Development: Resources, Needs and Opportunity
United Nations University Headquarters Building Committee Rooms 2/3 Sunday, 12th January 2003
Welcome
Co-facilitaors: Beris Gwynne FDC and Adam Peake, GLOCOM/PIDO representative
Session 1: National ICT Applications for Development
Objective:
Illustrate Pacific challenges and successes with ICT applications, and draw out policy and planning lessons for incorporation in the Tokyo declaration and future WSIS action plans.
Moderator:
Sam Taufao SPC
Lead Discussants:
Rajesh Chandra, Deputy Vice Chancellor, USP: USPNet Distance Learning
Abel Caine Fiji: e-government
Stuart Davies, Cook Islands: Tele-health in the Pacific
Fuatai Purcell, Consultant, e-Pasifika: e-commerce for micro-enterprises
Panellists:
Richard St Clair, Niue and PICISOC
Muli’agatele Jean Malifa, Samoa and PINA Vice President
Session 2: Connecting Communities
Objective:
Illustrate Pacific experience with ICT for development at the grassroots level, and draw out implementation lessons for incorporation in the Tokyo declaration and future WSIS action plans.
Moderator:
Nina Ratulele, PINA Fiji
Lead Discussants:
Jim Stevenson, FSM Department of Education, YapSEED
David Leeming, Solomon Islands, PeopleFirstNet community development /peace building
Johnson Honimae, Solomon Islands and PINA President
Christina Higa, Director, PEACESAT: E-Rate Developments in American Samoa, Guam and CNMI
Panellists:
Sai Rokovucago, Ministry for Women, Fiji
Andrew Stockwood, Pacific Islands Association of NGOs
Izumi Aizu, GLOCOM
Lunch Session
Objectives:
Address key topics pertinent to the overall workshop such as enabling policy, cooperation among organizations, competition in small markets, etc. Demonstrate potential of video over satellite by linking American Samoa; Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; East- West Center and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), Hawaii; Federated States of Micronesia, Yap State; Samoa
Moderator:
Professor Akio Watanabe, Chair, Steering Committee, SPINF
Speaker:
Hon Togiola Tulafono, Lt. Governor, American Samoa
Session 3: Development Partner Dialogue
Objective:
Provide an opportunity for development partners active in the Pacific region to present summaries of their existing and anticipated programmes for the region over the medium term, and discuss how the region should incorporate in its own planning for the WSIS process.
Moderator:
Ms Rinalia Abdul Rahim (Executive Director, GKP)
Lead Discussants:
Abdul Waheed Khan, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Communications and Information
Craig Keating, AusAID Virtual Colombo Plan Unit
Adam Peake, GLOCOM
Pamela Kruzic, ADB: the Pacific ICT Assessment 2002
Panellists:
Kyoko Shibata, World Bank (Knowledge Management)
Shahid Akhtar, Director, Asia Pacific Development Information Program Kenji Saga, Japan National Committee for PECC and PIDO
InfoDev ?
Bilateral aid agencies
Session 4: WSIS and the Pacific
Objective:
Pacific island countries to consolidate lessons and experiences, propose contributions to the Tokyo Declaration and future WSIS action plans, and discuss strategies for future engagement in the WSIS process.
Moderator:
Robert Guild, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Lead Discussant:
Fuatai Purcell, Consultant, e-Pasifika: Themes for Small Island States
Abel Caine, Fiji: Comments on WSIS Preparatory Process
Panellists:
Palmira Pries, East Timor Development Agency
Tarja Virtanen, UNESCO
Sam Taufao, SPC
Final Session - Conclusions and Acknowledgements
Co-Facilitators
Session Moderators
Notes for Panellists and Moderators
Objective: Incorporate the Pacific islands regional experience with projects and planning to inform the WSIS preparatory process and ensure that Pacific island concerns and issues are adequately addressed in declarations and action plans
Structure: The event will feature two keynote addresses, four substantive sessions, and a demonstration of a video link via satellite. It will be co-facilitated by FDC and SPINF/PIDO/GLOCOM. A report of the event will be submitted to the Regional Conference. The event should be approached as a workshop among colleagues, rather than a set of formal presentations, and be directed to producing a regional consensus.
Sessions: Topical sessions are 60 minutes each and will feature 3 or 4 introductory presentations by Lead Discussants followed by open discussion between the panel and the meeting participants. This means presentations should be not longer than 10 minutes each, and can usefully be shorter. Moderators will be very strict with time limits so Lead Discussants please practice your presentation.
Presentations: Given the objectives for the event and the time constraints we face, Lead Discussants are asked to focus their introductory presentations first on the overall theme of their paper, then spend most of their time slot drawing out the lessons from the Pacific islands experience that should go into WSIS declarations and action plans. Computer presentations are not required and may be informal. Project details are welcome for off-line consideration but should be covered in a paper or handout, NOT in verbal presentations.
Papers: Printed documentation is not required but is welcome in any form – papers, handouts, or a printed version of a presentation are all suitable. Please bring 50 copies of your documentation to the meeting, as it may not be possible to reproduce them on-site on the day of the meeting.
Discussion: The formal conference is expected to develop an Asia Pacific Declaration for the Information Society. It may also make recommendations for development of a global action plan to be taken up in the WSIS preparatory process. Panellists should therefore be familiar with the themes proposed in the draft declaration (see attached outline) and focus their discussion on supporting, amending, and supplementing aspects of the Declaration and making recommendations for future Action Plans.
Briefing Session: Lead Discussants, Panellists, and Moderators are asked to register on site promptly at 0800 on Sunday morning and attend a briefing session with moderators in the meeting room to begin at 0815. Note that this may mean taking separate transportation to UNU at an earlier time than other participants.
Meeting Record: It is expected that a summary report of the meeting will be submitted to the formal conference. Lead Discussants should provide a one-paragraph description of their presentation in electronic form to their moderator. Moderators should produce a synthesis of the discussion of their session. Particular attention shall be given to recommendations for the Tokyo Declaration and future Action Plans. A drafting committee consisting of the co- facilitators and session moderators will meet Sunday evening to draft the summary report. Additional volunteers for the drafting committee are welcome.
World Summit on the Information Society Asia Pacific Regional Conference
The Tokyo Declaration Draft version 1.0 (22 December 2002)
Preamble
1. What is the Information Society?
2. The Present Situation
3. Bridging the Digital Divide to Make Progress Together
(1) Platform of development
(2) Priority should be placed on the following issues:
-
a) Securing accessibility of telecommunication networks
-
b) Preserving linguistic and cultural diversity
-
c) Developing human resources
-
d) Establishing legal, regulatory and policy frameworks
-
e) Building confidence in the security of ICT
(3) Cross-sector Programmes and Activities
a) e-government b) e-business
c) e-community
(4) National and Regional e -Strategies 4. Follow-up
Attachment D – Pacific Islands Side Event – Participants
To be provided by Reiko Hayakawa.
Attachment E – Conference – News Release
For Immediate Release
SUCCESS FOR PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AT TOKYO WSIS CONFERENCE (Tokyo, Japan; 15 January 2003)
The Asia Pacific Regional Conference for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has concluded in Tokyo Japan today with major successes for the Pacific islands region.
The Pacific caucus at the meeting was instrumental in ensuring that the Tokyo Declaration recognises the special circumstances of small island developing states and calls for tailored solutions for ICT development. Pacific island delegates were also successful in gaining recognition for regional priorities in universal access through rural telecentres, distance learning for human resources development, and tele-medicine.
The conference adopted a regional declaration to the global summit that identified for priority action:
- Infrastructure development including universal access to information and communication technology in rural and remote areas
- Preservinglinguisticandculturaldiversity
- Developing human resources
- Establishinglegal,regulatoryandpolicyframeworks
- Ensuringbalancebetweenintellectualpropertyrightsandpublicinterest
- EnhancingsecurityofICTs
- Fosteringpartnershipsandmobilisingresources
In addition, the Tokyo Declaration emphasises the importance of, and calls for progress in, cross-sector programmes and activities:
- e-government
- e-business
- e-learning
- e-community
- nationalandregionale-strategies.
In addition to the main conference documents, Pacific island delegates were also successful in having a report from the full-day Pacific consultation released as an official conference document. The Pacific consultation, entitled “Pacific Islands and the WSIS: ICTs for Development: Resources, Needs and Opportunity” examined the Pacific islands regional experience with ICTs for development in island countries, and prepared delegates to ensure that Pacific island concerns and issues are adequately addressed in the global declarations and action plans.
Delegations including representatives of governments, civil society, and the private sector attended from a majority of Pacific island countries. They have been supported by advisers from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission.
Further Information:
Dr Robert Guild, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Telephone Facsimile Email
+679 322 0212 +679 330 0192
robertg@forumsec.org.fj
Attachment F – Conference – Tokyo Declaration
Omission
Attachment G – Contacts
URLs
MAILING LISTS
Main: wsis-pacific@list.sopac.org.fj
Other: pignet@lyris.spc.int
cropict@list.sopac.org.fj
PARTICIPANTS
MEMBER COUNTRIES
AUSTRALIA
Craig Keating
Virtual Colombo Plan
AusAID
GPO Box 887
Canberra ACT 2601, Australia Tel: +61 2 6206 4683
Fax: +61 2 6206 4871 craig_keating@ausaid.gov.au
Beris Gwynne
Executive Director
The Foundation for Development Cooperation Level 2, 283 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
PO Box 10445 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Qld 4000 Australia
Tel: +61 7 3236 4633
Fax: 61 7 3236 4696
www.fdc.org.au
berisqwynne@fdc.org.au
Stuart Mathison
Program Officer
The Foundation for Development Cooperation Level 2, 283 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
PO Box 10445 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Qld 4000 Australia
Tel: +61 7 3236 4633
Fax: 61 7 3236 4696
www.fdc.org.au stuartmathison@fdc.org.au
COOK ISLANDS
Stewart Davies
Chief Executive and Managing Director Telecom Cook Islands Ltd
PO Box 106
Rarot onga
Cook Islands
Tel: 682 29680
Fax: +682 29692
stu@telecom.co.ck
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
Jolden Johnnyboy
Assistant Secretary for Communications
Department of Transport, Communications and Information PO Box PS-2
Palikir
Pohnpei FM 96941
Tel: +691 320 2381
Mobile: +691 920 1458
Fax: +691 320 5853
transfsm@mail.fm
James L. Stevenson
Education Technology Engineer
Yap State Education Enterprising Department PO Box 220, Colonia
Yap FSM 96943
http://www.yapseed.fm jim_stevenson@yapseed.fm
FIJI
Abel Caine
Manager Business and Systems Development Ministry of Finance
310 Victoria Parade
GPO Box 784
Suva, Fiji
Tel: +679 330 6005 Ext 250
Mobile: +679 993 4726
Fax: +679 330 0954
abel@itc.gov.fj
Jale Curuki
Pricipal Engineer
Ministry of Communications Suva
Fiji
KIRIBATI
Hon. Willie Tokataake
Minister
Ministry of Information Communication and Transportation PO Box 487
Betion, Tarawa
Kiribati
Tel: +686 26003
Fax: +686 26193
Francis Ngalu
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Information Communication and Transportation PO Box 487
Betio, Tarawa
Kiribati
Tel: +686 26003
Fax: +686 26193
secretary@mict.gov.ki
Enota Ingintau
General Manager Telecom Kiribati Limited PO Box 401
Berio, Tarawa
Kiribati
Tel: +686 26036
Fax: +686 26045 tkl@tskl.net.ki
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Anthony Muller
Director, Communications
Ministry of Transport and Communication PO Box 1079
Majuro, MH 96960
Tel: +692 625 6083 / 7550 / 8869
Fax: +692 625 3486 freqman@ntamar.com
Fuatai Purcell
Managing Director
e-Pasifika Consulting Organisation 111 Rongotai Road
Kilbirnie
Wellington
New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 977 4889
Mobilex: +64 25 271 7014
Fax: +64 4 382 7820 taipurcell@hotmail.com
NORTHERN MARIANAS
Laila C. Younis
General Manager
Marianas Variety
PO Box 500231
Saipan MP 96950, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands Tel: +670 234 6341
Fax: +670 234 9271
www.mvariety.com mvariety@vzpacifica.net
NUIE
Richard St Clair
stclair@mail.nu
PALAU
Charles Obichang
Chairman, Board of Directors
Palau National Communications Corporation PO Box 99
Koror, Palau
Tel: +680 587 9959
Fax: +680 587 99958 pnccbod@palaunet.com
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Henao Iduhu
Director General
Office of Information and Communications
Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council PO Box 639
Waigani, NCD
8th Floor, Somare Foundation Haus
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 325 0148
Mobile: +675 693 7058
Fax: +675 325 0412
hiduhu@datec.com.pg
John Rei
Manager, Secretariat
Media Council of Papua New Guinea PO Box 135, NCD
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 320 2978
Fax: +675 320 1956 mediacouncil@online.net.pg
SAMOA
Asamu Ah Sam
Director
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Private Mail Bag
Apia, Samoa
Tel: +685 26117
Fax: +685 24671
Mobile: +685 74024
a.ahsam@samoa.ws
Hinauri Petana
Financial Secretary
Ministry of Finance
Level 6, Central bank Building Apia, Samoa
Tel: +685 34333 Fax: +685 21312 hinauri@samoa.ws
VANUATU
Andrew Stockwood
Information and Communications Coordinator
Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) PO Box 164
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Tel: +678 25607
Fax: +678 25609
www.piango.org
Andrew@vanuatu.com.vu
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Tarja Virtanen
Advisor for C.I. in the Pacific UNESCO
Safdarjung Enclave B5-29 New Delhi
India
Tel: +99 11 2671 3000
Fax: +99 11 2671 3001 www.unesco.org/webworld t.virtanen@unesco.org
Rieko Hayakawa
Sasakawa Peace Foundation Japan
www.spf.or.jp hayakawa@spf.or.jp
Adam Peake
Executive Research Fellow
Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM) International University of Japan
Harks Roppongi Building
2F, 15-21 Roppongi 6-chome
Minatu-k u
Tokyo 106-0032
Japan
Tel: +81 3 5411 6685
Fax: +81 3 5412 7111
www.glocom.ac.jp www.glocom.org ajp@glocom.ac.jp
Kenji Saga
Acting Chairman, ICT Committee
Senior Advisor to ANIC
Japan National Committee for Pacific Cooperation c/o The Japan Institute of Internal Affairs
11F Kasumigaseki Building
3-2-5 Kasumigaseki. Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo, 100-601i
Japan
Tel: +81 3 3503 7758
Fax: +81 3 3503 6707 kenji.saga@jcom.home.ne.jp
Shahid Aktar
Programme Coordinator
Asia Pacific Development Information Programme (APIDIP) Wisma UN, Block C
Kompleks Pejabat Damansara Heights
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2095 9122 ext 2244
Direct: +603 2093 3834
Fax: +603 2092 9740
www.apdip.net
shahid@apdip.net
Rinalia Abdul Rahim
Executive Director
Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) Secretariat Lot L2-1-4, Enterprise 4
Technology Park Malaysia Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Tel: +603 89962378
Fax: +603 69962382 www.globalknowledge.org rinalia@pkpsectrtariat.org.my
Adama Semassekou President of PrepCom Executive Secretariat
c/o ITU – Place des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 63 60
Fax: +41 22 730 63 93 www.itu.int/wsis adama.semassekou@ties.itu.int
Charlotte Sgier De Cerf Executive Secretariat
c/o ITU – Place des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 63 70 Mobile: +41 79 763 96 48 Fax: +41 22 730 63 93 www.itu.int/wsis charlotte.sglier@ties.itu.int
Amarendra Narayan
Executive Director
Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
12/49, Soi 5, Chaengwattana Road Bangkok 10210
Thailand
Tel: +662 573 6890 Fax: +662 573 7479 www.aptsec.org apthrd@aptsec.org
Siva Thampi
Director
Information, Communication and Space Technology Division Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Unitied Nations Building’Rajamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Tel: +662 288 1466
Fax: +662 288-1085
When calling within Thailand dial 02 before the number www.unescap.org
thampi.unescap@un.org
Dr Guennadi Fedorov
Chief, ICT Policy Section
Information, Communication and Space Technology Division Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Unitied Nations Building’Rajamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Tel: +662 288 1675
Fax: +662 288-1085
When calling within Thailand dial 02 before the number
www.unescap.org federov.unescap@un.org
Nick Moraitis
Project Manager Digital Opportunities www.takingitglobal.org nick@takingitglobal.org
REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Dr Robert Guild
Economic Infrastructure Adviser
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Private Mail Bag
Suva
Fiji
Tel: +679 322 0212 / 322 0212
Fax: +679 330 0192 / 331 2696 www.forumsec.org.fj robertg@forumsec.org.fj
Samuelu Taufao
IT Manager
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) BP D5 98848
Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia
Tel: +687 262000
Fax: +687 263818
www.spc.int
samt@spc.int
Les Allinson
IT Manager
South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) Private Mail Bag
Suva
Fiji
Tel: +679 338 1377
Fax: +679 337 0040
www.sopac.org
les@sopac.org
Professor Rajesh Chandra
Deputy Vice Chancellor University of the South Pacific Suva Fiji
Tel: +679 314751 Fax: +679 302809 www.usp.ac.fj chandra_r@usp.ac.fj
