27
February 2003

Original
English

Commments
of civil society

on
the

Draft
declaration
Based
on the
discussion
in the working group of sub-committee 2
PRODUCED
BY THE CIVIL SOCIETY CONTENT AND THEMES WORKING GROUP
VERSION
February 27, 2003 10:00
(This
document supersedes the PROVISIONAL VERSION
February
26 2003, 19:30)
Suggestions
of additions (in bold) and deletion in [[ ]]

A.
Preamble
1
An inclusive global information society is one where all persons,
without distinction, are empowered freely to create, receive, share
and utilize information and knowledge for their
social , economic, cultural and political development.
2
The World Summit on the Information Society offers an historic
opportunity to create the
conditions for the sustainability of this vision.

3
By harnessing the potential of information and communication
technologies, in all areas of human life, we can now contribute
to new and better responses to vital and longstanding
issues, such as in poverty reduction and wealth creation, as well as
equity and social justice.

4
Knowledge has always been at the core of human progress and
endeavour. Yet now, as never before, knowledge and information
constitute one of the
fundamental sources of well-being and progress. Our individual and
collective ability to create and share knowledge has become one
of the driving forces in shaping all our futures.
5
Today, the dramatic increase in the volume, speed and ubiquity of
information flows that has been made possible through new information
and communications technologies has already brought about profound
changes in the impacts,
demands and expectations upon government, business, civil society and
the individual.
6
Meanwhile the information and communication revolution is still in
its infancy. The untapped potential of ICT to improve productivity
and quality of life is a serious issue for many developing countries,
which risk being left behind or
having development models that are not respectful of their
specificity imposed on them.
7
Faced with complex and ever-evolving challenges, all stakeholders
have critical choices to make. New forms of solidarity and
cooperation, new modes of social and economic organization and new
ways of thinking are called for.

7
B Women’s empowerment and their full
participation on the basis or equality in all spheres of society,
including participation in the decision-making process and access to
power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development
and peace (art. 13, Beijing declaration, BPFA)
7C
Eradication of poverty based on
sustained economic growth, social development, environmental
protection and social justice requires the involvement of women in
economic and social development, equal opportunities and the full and
equal participation of women and men as agents and beneficiaries of
people-centred sustainable development (art. 16, Beijing declaration,
BPFA)
8
In order to translate the rhetoric of the information and
communication revolution into equitable growth and sustainable
development on a global scale, and to realize the potential of ICTs
to empower people, all stakeholders need to embrace fully their new
roles and responsibilities.

9
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) should be regarded
as a tool and not as an end in themselves.

10
In all parts of the world remarkable success has been witnessed in
using information and knowledge for individual and collective
development. The Summit provides a platform to allow the
dissemination and replication of such success stories and best
practices and learn from
unsuccessful experiments. In
so doing it will contribute to reducing disparities, including those
of the “digital divide”. At
the same time, we must be continually vigilant in not assuming that
technology along can solve political and social problems, and we must
dispel popular myths about the infallibility of technological
systems.
11
To take advantage of the unprecedented win-win situation that an
information society can yield, concrete action and global commitment
are now required.

B.
Common Vision

12
In the Information
Society [[is an economic
and social system where]] knowledge and information
constitute [[the]]
fundamental sources of well being and progress and represent an
opportunity for our countries and societies. The development of that
society should take place within a global and local context of
fundamental principles such as those of respect for human rights,
democracy, environmental protection, the advancement of peace, the
right to development, fundamental freedoms, economic progress and
social equity.

12
B Global Knowledge Commons and the public
domain of information constitute resources that are cornerstones of a
global public interest. They should be protected, expanded and
promoted, in particular, via open source and free software.
13
The vision of an Information Society is one where all persons,
without distinction of any kind, exercise their right to freedom of
opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions
without interference, and to [[create]]
seek, receive and impart information and ideas, through any media and
regardless of frontiers, as
stipulated in articles 19 UDHR. Further the right to create, as
stipulated in Art. 27 of the UDHR, must be enjoyed by all persons,
without distinction.
13
B . National and global media concentration is contrary to diversity
of information.
To
ensure diversity and pluralism in the Information society, monopolies
and excessive concentration in the media, including those in new
communication and information technologies should be subject to
general anti-monopoly laws. Such general laws should be enacted where
they do not already exist and strengthened where necessary.
14
We understand the
Information Society as
one in which highly-developed ICT networks, equitable and
ubiquitous access to information, diverse
content in accessible formats and effective communication could
help people to achieve their potential, promote sustainable economic
and social development, [[improve
quality of life for all. contribute to alleviate poverty and hunger,
and facilitate participatory decision-making processes.]]
However the lack of basic social, educational technological
infrastructures as well as socio-cultural barriers could hinder these
potential benefits from being experienced by all. [[Hence
they enable the sharing of social and economic benefits by all, by
means of ubiquitous access to information networks, while preserving
diversity and cultural heritage.]]
15
The Information Society should be people-centred, with citizens and
communities at its core. It should be at the service of humankind,
including disadvantaged and marginalized groups and those with
special needs. To reach its full potential, the Information Society
requires the genuine participation, contribution and commitment of
all, especially national and
local Governments, private sector and civil society.

16
The Information Society we envisage is one that reduces poverty and
creates wealth to satisfy the basic needs and rights of all peoples.
The Information Society offers great potential in promoting
international peace, sustainable development, democracy, transparency
and accountability.[[
and good governance.]]
17
Full exploitation of the new opportunities provided by information
and communication technologies (ICTs) and of their combination with
traditional media, as well as an adequate response to the challenge
of the digital divide, should be important parts in any strategy,
national and international, aimed at achieving the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) of combating poverty, hunger, disease,
illiteracy, environmental degradation and gender inequality.[1]
[[Without the widespread
and innovative use of ICTs, the MDGs may prove impossible to
attain.]]
18
(The right to communicate[2]
including) the right to
participate in the communication and information process in
conformity with article 19 of the UDHR and without any obstacle to
freedom of expression, and press freedom, as well as the right to
access, create and
disseminate information, without
any kind of censorship, should be considered basic human
right.
19
The use of ICTs in human resources and human capacity development,
including ICT literacy, should be promoted as a continuous and
fundamental requirement of the Information Society, with special
reference to people with disabilities. Education and training,
the fostering of science, innovation and technology deserve full and
adequate support.
20
Confidence, trust and robust technical reliability are essential to
the full functioning of the information society, and should underpin
measures taken to protect users of media, communication and
information networks against any misuse and the violation of privacy
and confidentiality.
21
Preservation of cultural identity and linguistic diversity of
hallmarks of a successful information society. Creativity and the
creation, processing dissemination and conservation of local content
can best be stimulated through an
adequate balance for intellectual property rights between creators,
information industry and the users of information.
22
The existence of independent and free communication media,
including community media, in accordance [[with
the legal system of each country]], is an essential
requirement for freedom of expression and a guarantee of the
plurality of information. Unhindered access by individuals and
communication media to information sources shall be ensured and
strengthened in order to promote the existence of a
vigorous public sphere
as a pillar of civil responsibility in accordance with article 19
of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international and regional instruments dealing with human rights.
C.
Key Principles
23
The Summit should be aimed at extending the
benefits of the Information Society to all and should be
development-oriented. The Global Information Society should address
the interests of all nations, most particularly, the interests of the
developing countries, in a manner that secures the fair, balanced and
harmonious development of all the people of the world.
24
A primary aim of the Information Society must be to facilitate full
utilization of information and communication technologies (ICT) at
all levels in society and hence enable the sharing of social and
economic benefits by all, by means of ubiquitous access to
information networks, while preserving diversity and cultural
heritage.
25
In building an Information Society, we should take into account:

–
Gender issues: Unequal power relations and other social and cultural
aspects have contributed to differential access, participation and
status for men and women. In this regard, more attention should be
given to overc