Global Information Society Watch 2007

While we welcome the global commitment to bridge the gap and accept the challenge to contribute to This publication, the first in a series of reports covering the these goals, we have also identified another gap: the gap state of the information society on an annual basis, focuses that still exists between good intentions and actual on the theme of participation. [...] This introductory chapter of the Global Information Society Watch The first phase of the WSIS, up to the Geneva Summit in 2003, report briefly recounts the WSIS process, discusses the findings of developed two general texts: a Declaration of Principles and a Plan of this APC research, and sets the scene for the discussion of what has Action. [...] More importantly, they were able meeting3 and a month after the conclusion of the Tunis Summit.4 to work informally with government delegates and other interest groups The costs and benefits of participation in the WSIS are still de- to ensure the inclusion of a number of issues in the WSIS texts – nota- bated within civil society. [...] and activities in the WSIS process undertaken by the International • Reaffirming the independence, pluralism and diversity of media, Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Development Programme and freedom of information including through, as appropriate, (UNDP) and the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation the development of domestic legislation. [...] Drawing on the respective competencies of the different members of • Work closely with the Partnership for the Measuring of ICT for the Group, UNGIS will also focus on applications related to e-health Development in order to streamline the approach of the UN sys- and e-tourism.