[WSIS CS-Plenary] Side events caucus report

[Rik Panganiban]

I just recieved this from Conchita.

Rik Panganiban
CONGO
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REPORT ON THE « SIDE EVENT » CAUCUS MEETING
OF THE WSIS
  Wednesday, 28 September 2005, UN E-2064


Presiding:  Saida Agrebi, (Tunisian Mothers Organization)

Present:  (See attandance  sheet)

          The meeting started with each participant introducing her/ 
his name and organisation, followed by the Chair’s explanation that  
the Side Events Caucus was a response to a request from some Prepcom  
participants who wanted to bring up specific needs such as access and  
facilities for the disabled, space for parallel and side events,   
visas, accreditation, etc.  The following are Zaida’s clarification  
and responses:

·      The Tunisian organizers are responsible only for facilitating  
and hosting.
·      UN and ITU are responsible for registration and accreditation  
to the Official Summit
.
Saida explained that the Tunisian organization has two committees:   
one on substance and the other on logistics, invited speakers, etc.   
She also informed the meeting that this was the last session of the  
Caucus in Geneva.  She assured the participants that the organizers  
were doing their best to ensure success of WSIS II  and felt  
confident that this would happen since it was actually the government  
of Tunisian who initiated the UN resolution to organize such an ICT  
World Summit.  Note:  Inside the KRAM Conference Centre and in the  
officially approved events is under the rules of immunity of the  
United Nations;  Outside of these parameters, authority is under the  
Tunisian Government.  :

VISAS AND CUSTOMS

   Tunisian government is going to give visas free of charge to all  
accredited entities.  Proof of accreditation is the official  
invitation letter with reference accredited number from the UN/ITU.   
For those whose route is not the most direct, the Tunisian government  
has no jurisdiction over transit airports   Saida suggested not to  
pass through the Charles de Gaulle airport as it has many gateways  
and could complicate visa control. She mentioned going through other  
airports such as Frankfurt.
.
FELLOWSHIPS

The Tunisian Government has granted funds to enable the participation  
of least developed and developing countries.  These funds have  
already been allocated as the deadline for submission was 30 April.  
Nevertheless there is about 2% still available and one can submit on- 
line to Haithem (see Internet address above.)

ACCOMMODATIONS

  As regards hotels, a list is on-line.  Concerning apartment/ 
housing, this is not possible due to security reasons but Saida  
mentioned that her organization and their networks could accommodate  
requests on a personal-request basis

EVENTS
She explained that there were 3 forms of activities being organized  
by multistakeholders during the WSIS II::
·                                                                        
   Side Events within the KRAM Conference Centre which will include  
exhibits,
·                                                                        
   Parallel Events inside KRAM will include meetings and showcases
·                                                                        
   Side events outside KRAM which has the same criteria as the side  
events
Note:  Events NOT inside the Conference Centre requires a rental fee,  
depending on the size of the space .requested.

Deadline for submission of requests for space was 30 April 2005.   
However, due to many more requests received, the organizers have  
decided to consider these requests which should be sent on-line  
(smsitunis2005.tn)

  TRANSPORTATION

Shuttle buses -  free of charge

·      To and from the airport, to hotel sites
·      To and from the Conference Centre (KRAM) to hotels as per  
schedule to be announced
·      Within the Conference Centre
·      Note: Taxis will also be available at your expense

Facilities for the Disabled

Saida informed the meeting that the disabled are well covered as far  
as accessibility to transportation (lifting device), wheelchairs,  
hotel, conference rooms, and communication facilities will be  
available such as Braille, sign languages with interpretation in  
French, English and Arabic.

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANSWERS NOT COVERED ABOVE

Question: A Rural community representative from Senegal, who came to  
the Prepcom with a badge as a local Councilor,   wanted to know if  
those that do not belong to any NGO could be accredited and what is  
the process.

Answer:  One cannot be accredited as an individual person since  
accreditation is based on ECOSOC status of NGOs.  Saida suggested  
going to an accredited NGO from Senegal who might include him in  
their list.

Question:  What about possibility of obtaining visa at the Tunisian  
Airport which he understood from Ambassador Geiger.

Answer:  She was unable to give a precise answer and will refer it to  
the concerned Tunisian Committee

Question:  When is the deadline for submitting the request for  
meeting room/rooms for parallel events

Answer:  Before 30 September.

Ms. Agrebi closed the session with a note of  encouragement that the  
Tunisians will make it their utmost to meet all the needs of the  
participants to the WSIS II,  recognizing that this is an important  
phase for society to ensure follow up implementation and ICT  
governance..

Submitted by Conchita Poncini (IFUW)



===============================================
RIK PANGANIBAN       Communications Coordinator
Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United  
Nations (CONGO)
web: http://www.ngocongo.org
email: rik.panganiban at ngocongo.org
mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524

* Information on the WSIS at http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis
* Information on Millennium+5 at http://www.ngocongo.org/mdg

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