[DC] Integration of intersessional IGF activities

[Markus Kummer]

Dear all,

Thank you all for a very productive discussion at yesterday’s call.  

Let me follow-up on the call and get back to the question on how to more effectively integrate the work of DCs into the IGF process and how to coordinate better with other IGF components, thus gaining more credibility and better recognition in the IGF community. Ryan checked with his Secretariat colleagues who share the same vision of a better integration of all intersessional activities.

Currently there are two ways in which the DCs can coordinate with other IGF intersessional activities, such as the BPFs and PNs: 

1. All DCs are welcome to make contributions to BPF/PN. They can even be recognized as the main contributors of BPF/PN discussions once they take part in BPF/PN calls. 
2. Should you wish to form a BPF or PN, you can submit a proposal to the MAG list with the support of one MAG member. This is a possibility we have not discussed in depth, but it implies that the status of an intersessional activity can change. A DC could thus evolve into a BPF or PN (and thus get more Secretariat support, but also more MAG supervision) and a BPF or PN, at the end of its mandate, could continue as a DC. For the  IGF 2023, the DCs that are interested can submit their proposals at the next MAG call next Tuesday, 28 February. The deadline may be a bit tight, as a written proposal would need to be circulated beforehand.

The current ways of interacting with the BPFs/PNs  depend on the initiative of each DC. While there is room for improvement, DCs should consider making use of these existing opportunities. The proposed intersessional meeting would be an excellent opportunity to brainstorm on how to improve the interaction between all the IGF components. 
 
I hope this helps.

Best regards,
Markus