World Summit on the Information SocietyPrepCom-2

Geneva, February 2003

25 February 2003 16:00

WSIS- Civil Society Working Group on Content and Themes -- Drafting
Committee

"Seven Musts": Priority Principles Proposed by Civil Society

The following seven principles reflect the issue areas that the Civil
Society working group on contents and themes, created by the civil
society plenary, feels should be prioritized:

1. Sustainable Development

An equitable Information Society needs to be based on sustainable
economic and social development and gender justice. It cannot be
achieved solely through market forces.

2. Democratic Governance

ICTs should facilitate democratic governance and foster participation
by citizens. Transparent and accountable government structures at
local, national and international levels should be established.

3. Literacy, Education, and Research

Only an informed and educated citizenry with access to the means and
outputs of pluralistic research can participate in and contribute to
Knowledge Societies. Access to tools and facilities that enable
lifelong learning need to be created, extended and secured.

4. Human Rights

The existing human rights framework should be applied and integrated
into the Information Society. ICTs should be used to promote awareness
of, respect for and enforcement of universal human rights standards.

5. Global Knowledge Commons

Global knowledge commons and the public domain constitute resources
that are cornerstones of a global public interest. They should be
protected, expanded and promoted.

6. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Recognizing cultural development as a living and evolving process,
linguistic diversity, cultural identity and local content need to be
not only preserved but also actively fostered.

7. " Information Security "

"Information security" concerns should not infringe in any way on
people's privacy and right to communicate freely, using information
and communications technologies.

This document comes out of a broad process of consultation and is a
work in progress, as defined in the Civil Society document
"Contribution on Common Vision and Key Principles for the
Declaration."

Compiled by the Drafting Committee of the NGO Subcommittee on Content
and Themes.