The following text is excerpted from an ongoing discussion on the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group mailing list. The only changes made relate to an effort to anonymize the comments in respect of the Chatham House rule and separate issues related to logistics and internal procedures. The discussion took place between 1 – 31 December, 2010.
(Writer A)
Hi -
I'm falling a little behind so apologies for not alerting you sooner, but I do want to share with you a link to the outreach we're doing to reach out to ISOC members, including an on-line petition. I see we're up to 4 pages of signatures and it's only been up 3 hours or so. Please feel free to circ the links to our site, or to the petition directly at:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/igf
best
(Markus Kummer)
Dear colleagues,
This is the last day of the first cycle of the IGF mandate and we can look forward to a second cycle, as the General Assembly extended the mandate for another five years. I take therefore this opportunity to thank you all for your support and cooperation throughout this first cycle - from Athens to Vilnius. We have every reason to be pleased with and proud of what we achieved, that is finding an innovative format for meetings bringing together all stakeholders to discuss public policy issues in a climate of trust of confidence. Participants generally appreciated the annual meetings as a platform to exchange ideas and information and share experiences and good practices. The good attendance and the increased remote participation are a good yardstick to measure the IGF's success. Maybe the most important and lasting legacy of the first five years is the work accomplished in the MAG which established a new model of cooperation where governments accept non-governmental stakeholders as equals. You are witness that this model worked and you all deserve to take credit for this achievement.
As I told you at our last meeting last month I will be leaving the UN at the end of January 2011, as I will reach UN retirement age next year. It was a privilege to have been able to serve the UN, first in the WGIG and then in the IGF context since July 2004. I look back at these years with a sense of deep gratitude and I also feel that I can leave UN services with a sense of achievement. I will remain active in the Internet space, but I will take a step back from the IGF, and I am confident that I will remain connected with many of you.
UNHQ will have to decide on how to move forward. As you know, Kenya has offered to host the 2011 IGF meeting and has suggested the last week of September as dates for the meeting. This will have to be confirmed by New York. As it will be important to have a seamless continuation of the IGF process, I recommended extending the MAG mandate on a provisional basis until a new and hopefully more sustainable solution has been found, taking into account our discussions last month. I hope that an official announcement in this matter will be made during the course of next month.
The open consultations/MAG meeting on 23 and 24 February will go ahead as planned and will be chaired by Mr Desai. In accordance with our decision at last month's meeting the MAG meeting will be open to observers and we will webcast its proceedings which will also be made available as real-time transcriptions. Chengetai will assure the Secretariat services and I am sure he will be able to count on your continued support.
Unfortunately, the state of our finances will not allow us to finance any attendance of MAG members at next month's meeting. Most donors' contribution schemes were in line with the mandate and donors will need to set in motion the process for contributing for the IGF Trust Fund for the second cycle. Experience shows that this will take some time, but I am confident that they will respond as generously as during the first cycle once the organizational contours for the next five years have become clearer.
I wish you all the best for 2011. May the New Year bring happiness, health and prosperity to you and your loved ones.
(Writer B)
Markus:
It has been a big pleasure to work with you both in WGIG and during all this IGF cycle.
Congratulations to you and all the IGF team, including our chairman Nitin Desai, for all the success in this new experience.
Best wishes for you and good luck in your next endeavors.
(Writer C)
Dear Markus,
Thanks for the detailed update and for the best wishes.
It has been a privilege working with you through this first stage of the IGF.
You contributed with your hard work and dedicatio to its success and the innovation involved.
All the best for the new stage in your career.
Best regards and Happy New year to all!
(Writer C)
Grande Markus, um fabuloso 2011 a você e família!
And to all our MAG colleagues and their families too!
(Writer D)
Dear Markus,
Best regards and Happy New year to you!
I wish you success in your new activities ...!!!
(Writer E)
Dear Markus,
It was great working with you ove the years and I look foward to meeting you again. Best wishes for you in 2011 and in your next endeavours.
Kind Regards,
(Writer F)
Dear Markus,
Thanks for the update about MAG but sad to know that you will be leaving IGF.
I'm sure each and everyone who worked with you will miss you. Your contribution
and dedication will alway's be remembered.
It was indeed a privilege working with you during my tenure as MAG.
Anyway, my all best wishes for your next venture and regards.
Happy New year to all of you.
(Writer G)
Dear Markus
Thank you for your message. Happy New Year to you.
I has been a privilege working with you on the MAG since 2006, and before that through the final stages of the WSIS.
Best of luck in your future career.
With warmest regards,
(Writer I)
Dear Markus,
It has been a great pleasure to work with you during the last
five years at IGF. We very much appreciate your contribution to
IGF, Internet and all stakeholders. Please continue to be closely
connected to future IGF activities all over the world.
Happy New Year to all.
(Writer H)
Dear Markus:
Thank you and wish you the best in your coming endeavors, as one who worked with you since many years (from WGIG days) want to thank you for the hard work you contributed to the WGIG and IGF together with our chair Desai.
Wishing all my colleagues a wonderful new year filled with happiness and success.
(Writer I)
Congratulations and happy new year!
(Writer J)
Very Happy and prosperous New year to Markus and all MAG members.
(Writer K)
Dear Markus and Fellow MAG members,
Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2011
(Writer A)
I just want to add my best wishes to you all for a happy, satisfying and successful 2011! It seems there will be many changes, personal and professional in the coming year. Thanks to Markus for his exemplary leadership, and to the Secretariat staff for their contributions.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
(Writer L)
Dear Markus, the Secretariat and MAG members,
A very Happy New Year to you all and congratulations all on your great and successful efforts.
See you in Feb.
Warm regards,
(Writer M)
Dear Markus,
Thank you for your thoughtful note, and well said reminder of the accomplishments that surround the IGF to date. It has been a true privilege to have the opportunity to work with you, and wish you the very best for the future and that our paths cross again.
A 'wireless' toast to you, Nitin, the Secretariat team and all MAG members for a fruitful 2011 with good health and happiness to you and your families.
Best wishes,