[Reader-list] Call for WSIS Research

[geert]

The Third World Institute (Instituto del Tercer Mundo, ITeM) is seeking
scholars and activists to participate in a research project intended to
contribute to the second phase of the World Summit on the Information
(WSIS) decision-making process.

Research will be focused on key issues of interest to developing
countries and, based on it, position and briefing papers will be
produced to advise Southern negotiators and working groups on the policy
implications of the different proposals they will be considering during
the Summit process.

During the preparatory process for the Tunis WSIS phase events
(workshops and/or roundtables) will be organized with the aim of
publicizing the research concluded or in progress and involving the
different stakeholders in discussions on the issues under study. Some of
the document authors may be invited to present their contributions at
these events.

The project is open to receive research proposals focused on at least
one of the following topics:

I. Funding mechanisms for the development of communications in the South

Examples of research issues that could be addressed under this topic
include (but are not limited to): Institutional arrangements for ICTs
provision in the South; Taxing ICTs as an equitable source of revenues;
Sustaining social and technical networks after initial funding; ICT
financing in the framework of a global partnership for development,
Financing infrastructure development in places that lack basic
telecommunications services.

II. Internet governance and global ICTs policies

Examples of research issues that could be addressed under this topic
include (but are not limited to): Institutional arrangements for the
democratization of the Internet; Southern civil society involvement in
ICT policy definition; Social impacts and the definition of
technological standards; Human rights protection and new ICTs.

III. Issues left out of the WSIS agenda

Examples of research issues that could be addressed under this topic
include (but are not limited to): Linking WSIS Agenda to other
multilateral processes; The impact of intellectual property rights
(IPRs) in the development of global communications; A Southern civil
society perspective of ICTs for Human Development; Effective mechanisms
to bring down non-physical barriers to access (pricing, trade, patents
and censorship policies); ICTs policies for poverty reduction, health
promotion and environmental sustainability; ICTs policies for
traditional knowledge protection; Education paradigms in ICTs from a
multicultural perspective; etc.

Scholars and activists with expertise on these topics should submit a
CV, a relevant writing sample and a one-paragraph description of
research interests via e-mail by July 30, 2004 to Pablo Accuosto at
wsis2 at item.org.uy.

Participants will receive an honorarium for their involvement.

The project is particularly interested in participants from the
developing world.

For more information about the project, please visit
http://wsispapers.choike.org/ For more information about ITeM, please
visit http://www.item.org.uy/

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