[IGFmaglist] Change of dates for IGF 2014

[Patrick Ryan]

I would imagine that any proposal from a country for hosting the IGF would
be accompanied by a commitment that includes (a) the dates; (b) the venue
description; (c) a commitment to cover the host-country costs; and (d) a
commitment to sign the HCA template.

I think that we need to back up. If we start looking at this now, as we did
last year, as individual things that change with the host-country, we're
going down the path that everyone said we would not repeat.

Rather than re-negotiating with the host country now, if the handshake on
basic terms (a) through (d) above is not in place, I would encourage us to
open up the inquiry now and see if there are other offers and then compare
them.

Patrick



------
*patrick ryan *
public policy & gov't relations senior counsel, free expression and int'l
relations
patrickryan at google.com | +1.512.751.5346


On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 2:52 AM, Michael R. Nelson
<mrnelson at microsoft.com>wrote:

>  Markus,
>
> I agree with your suggested approach.  Not only would an August date limit
> Europeans’ participation, it would also make it much harder to pull in
> North Americans.
>
>
>
> I am particularly eager to see many “new faces” at IGF 2014.  People who
> haven’t been to an IGF meeting in the past, will be particularly unlikely
> to reschedule their August vacations to attend.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Igfmaglist [mailto:igfmaglist-bounces at intgovforum.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Markus Kummer
> *Sent:* Monday, January 27, 2014 5:20 AM
> *To:* MAG-public
>
> *Subject:* Re: [IGFmaglist] Change of dates for IGF 2014
>
>
>
> Dear all,
>
>
>
> Reading your reactions to the proposed change of dates I suggest urging
> UNDESA to remain firm and to insist on the time slot originally proposed,
> that is the first week of September. Last year, UNDESA consulted the MAG
> whether we should go ahead with Bali as a location or consider an
> alternative venue. Based on last year's procedure, it would seem
> appropriate for UNDESA to consult the MAG whether or not to go ahead with
> the Host Country's proposal for new dates.
>
>
>
> As many of you have pointed out, there are various factors that need to be
> considered, first and foremost the fact that the August dates would fall
> into the middle of the European holiday season. Participants from Europe
> are traditionally well represented in any IGF meeting and of course they
> are expected to be even more so if the meeting takes place in the European
> region. In August, it would be practically impossible to get any high-level
> participants from Europe. In addition, having the meeting earlier would
> reduce the time necessary for a careful preparation of the meeting and it
> would also interfere with some of the national/regional IGF initiatives.
>
>
>
> All in all, it would be best for the IGF to stick to the originally
> proposed dates in a year that will be crucial for the IGF's future.
>
>
>
> Should the hosts not be amenable to reconsider, we could also consider
> alternative venues, as we did last year. This year at least we would have
> more time! We do have offers for 2015 and 2016 and also other countries
> expressed their interest last year.
>
>
>
> If you agree, I will send a note to UNDESA on behalf of the MAG conveying
> this message.
>
>
>
> Lastly, I suggest focusing on the dates and not mixing other issues into
> this discussion. Some of the parameters in which the IGF operates are fixed
> by the UN General Assembly, such as the financing of meetings away from UN
> Headquarters, and there is no point for the MAG to try to change what it
> cannot change.
>
>
>
> Best regards
>
> Markus
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Igfmaglist mailing list
> Igfmaglist at intgovforum.org
> http://mail.intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/igfmaglist_intgovforum.org
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://intgovforum.org/pipermail/igfmaglist_intgovforum.org/attachments/20140127/7315206e/attachment.htm>