[IGFmaglist] Deadline for completion of main sessions.

Sat Jul 19 10:07:51 EDT 2014

Dear all,

This has a longer history and what the MAG agreed on in February builds on what was agreed on as a principle some years back, namely that MAG members should refrain from promoting themselves and being overly visible in the programme. To begin with, there was a general agreement that MAG members should not be panellists or moderators. This principle was gradually eroded over time, which has led to much criticism of the MAG.

At its February meeting the MAG responded to this criticism by establishing rules for there workshops, but not the main sessions. I would strongly urge reverting to the old principle of limited MAG visibility in the main sessions. Lead facilitators in particular should interpret their role with restraint.

Of course there will always be exceptions that will make sense, such as the examples mentioned by Virat.

Maybe we can discuss this at our next virtual meeting.

My two cents.
Markus

On 19 Jul 2014, at 11:35, William Drake <wjdrake at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi
> 
> Just to clarify, I asked whether there was such an agreement because someone told me off list that MAG members weren’t supposed to be on main sessions. I was a remote participant in Paris and thought maybe I’d missed a discussion on this, since I did recall the prior expressions of concern from some folks about MAG members being overly visible on the program.  There’s never been such a prohibition previously.  That said, to the extent that there’s perceptions anywhere of “insiderism” and people feel this should be addressed, it’s not entirely obvious why we'd prohibit MAG members from submitting workshops but say it’s ok to do the more prominent main sessions…just a small conundrum for future consideration, perhaps. 
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Bill
> 
> On Jul 18, 2014, at 9:27 PM, Carolina Aguerre <carolina at lactld.org> wrote:
> 
>> Dear Colleagues:
>> With respect to Bill's question, I also remember the MAG's discussions at the meeting in February along Virat's 4 lines.
>> 
>> On another note, for those who are not in the IANA main session listserv, we have amended the title to incorporate the discussion on ICANNs accountability process which is tied to the transition of the stewardship over the IANA functions. It now stands as: "IANA functions: NTIA's stewardship transition and ICANN's accountability process". The title adjustment of this main session will be reflected accordingly in the schedule and the Secretariat is already aware.
>> Thanks,
>> Best regards.
>> Carolina
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 18/07/2014 03:05 p.m., Bhatia, Virat wrote:
>>> Bill,
>>> 
>>> Good question.  This is what I remember of the discussion.
>>> 
>>> 	• I think it was agreed that MAG members should not file workshops of their own (conflict of interest);
>>> 	• There should be a limit on the number of workshops that  their own organisations file  - max 3 (avoid domination);
>>> 	• It would be appropriate for MAG member to recuse themselves in rating workshops where they have been invited as speakers / filed by their organisations  (again conflict of interest);
>>> 	• MAG members should not dominate the session by themselves and should encourage / mentor others.
>>> I do not remember any discussion regarding a prohibition on a MAG member appearing on a main session or moderating one.  For the sake of full disclosure, let me state that unlike several previous IGFs I am not appearing as a panelist or moderator in any of the main session in 2014.  However two MAG members from developing countries – one from small business (Egypt) and another from civil society (China) have been invited as speakers in the main session on Access and Development.  
>>> 
>>> My personal philosophy apart, if the secretariat or any other MAG member can remember that a decision prohibiting MAG members against appearing as speakers or moderators on a main session, was agreed to, then they should flag it, and we can proceed accordingly. If that is the case then I certainly stand corrected.
>>> 
>>> Trust this is helpful.
>>> 
>>> Regards
>>> 
>>> Virat Bhatia
>>> 
>>>  
>>>  
>>>  
>>>  
>>>  
>>> From: William Drake [mailto:wjdrake at gmail.com] 
>>> Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 7:05 PM
>>> To: Chengetai Masango
>>> Cc: Bhatia, Virat; MAG-public
>>> Subject: Re: [IGFmaglist] Deadline for completion of main sessions.
>>>  
>>> Hi
>>>  
>>> Another basic design question, in keeping with some of the prior conversational threads this year: Are we in agreement that MAG members should not be main session moderators or panelists unless there’s really nobody else who can be identified who is optimal for the tasks?
>>>  
>>> Thanks,
>>>  
>>> Bill
>>>  
>>>  
>>> On Jul 18, 2014, at 3:15 PM, Chengetai Masango <CMASANGO at unog.ch> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Dear Virat,
>>>  
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Two questions.  
>>>  
>>> 1.      Under the section that says “Description / Agenda / Questions” , is there a word limit?  Should there be one for the sake of consistency.  Some documents can be very descriptive and others very short.  Can we find maximum word limit for the description  / agenda, and then list the 5-6 questions (maximum I suppose) under that description - 200 words , 300 words?
>>>  
>>> Lets say 250 words. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 2.      Is the host country providing chairs for every main session? And what is the specific role that chairs would play different from the moderator and the panelist?
>>>  
>>> We have always had chairs provided by the host country for the main sessions. Their involvement varies from simply opening and closing the session (handing it off to the moderators in-between ), to having opening remarks, introducing the session and summing up the discussion at the end.
>>>  
>>> Each facilitator will have a chance to coordinate with the Chair and Secretariat to find what is most suitable depending on the arrangement of the session, the Chair’s  experience and expertise etc..
>>> 
>>>  
>>> Some idea on how session would play out vis-á-vis the chair would help structure the session.
>>>  
>>> Regards
>>> Virat
>>>  
>>>  
>>> Best regards,
>>>  
>>> Chengetai 
>>>  
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Igfmaglist [mailto:igfmaglist-bounces at intgovforum.org] On Behalf Of Chengetai Masango
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 7:26 PM
>>> To: Igfmaglist at intgovforum.org
>>> Subject: [IGFmaglist] Deadline for completion of main sessions.
>>>  
>>> Dear All,
>>>  
>>> The Secretariat suggests Monday, 4 August as the absolute deadline for the completion of the organization of the main sessions (confirmed speakers etc.). This will enable us to make sure the correct information is available in any printed material or electronic media for the IGF2014 meeting.
>>>  
>>> Please find attached a template for submission of the final session information.
>>>  
>>> Best regards,
>>>  
>>> Chengetai
>>>  
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Igfmaglist mailing list
>>> Igfmaglist at intgovforum.org
>>> http://mail.intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/igfmaglist_intgovforum.org
> 
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