4 Workshops & 1 Panel – Is that it??
So it’s the afternoon of Day 2 and we have already completed all of the discussions and workshops regarding Access! I have to admit I was a little disappointed that there was not more time spent on my topic. Especially considering that the Synthesis paper prepared by the IGF Secretariat for this meeting stated that:
“Many speakers during the preparatory process pointed out that despite the rapid spread of the Internet, five billion people remained without access to this important tool for economic growth and social development. They recalled that access could, therefore, be the single most important issue to most people, in particular in developing countries,” p. 6(emphasis added).
Oh well, what I did catch has definitely left me with some interesting material, and perhaps more importantly has exposed some interesting contradictions…which I will get to…eventually. I am hoping to catch a few of the more interesting workshops being presented on the other topics over the next couple days. I will be sure to fill in on those as well. That being said I am sitting here trying to figure out exactly what to write (or rather what to leave out) and I am starting to get bogged down. So I’ve made the executive decision to go take a much needed nap, and come back to this silly computer to begin to share what is going on here a little later…so stay tuned : )
Or better yet, go check out the rest of the crew’s blogs as we are all covering different topics, and those of us who overlap might have different perspectives since we’re from different parts of the world….
The whole point is to learn at least some things…which I do not doubt that you have. Maybe a few of the other workshops you will be attending will go into more detail on what you are looking for in regards to your research. Internet governance is a major issue facing all countries and if the idea of this conference is to touch on this very important subject, I surely hope that is their main priority!!
Anyways I am glad that you finally made it to Rio and you have to enjoy every experience for when you get back to Canada…there are major snow banks for you to climb!!