A Working Document for the second phase of the WSIS Youth Nigeria Consultations WSIS YOUTH (NIGERIA) POLICY TRAIN II Prepared and Coordinated by 1.0 Introduction The Nigerian Youth Coalition on Information and Communication Technologies (NYC-ICTs) conducted a nationwide (representative) study on the thoughts of young Nigerians with respect to the ongoing World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the global Information Society in October 2003. The process was tagged the WSIS Nigeria Policy Train and it served the purpose of delivering a Nigerian Youth Statement on the WSIS, along with the opportunity of creating awareness on the process among Nigerian youth. The United Nations designed the World Summit on the Information Society as a political process in two phases. We are now in the second phase, leading to a major event in Tunis, Tunisia in November 2005. WSIS brings together world political, business and civil society leaders to create a shared vision for the information society, and implement an Action Plan to ensure equitable access to technology, and harness ICTs for development - in areas such as education, the environment, health, and sustainable livelihoods. The Policy Train started a process that we envisage would continue, especially as we proceed within the second phase of the WSIS process. As stated in the Decision of the first preparatory committee meeting in the second phase (PrepCom 1), “the output of the Tunis Phase should be a final document or documents, comprising a concise political part and an operational part, both of which reflect the areas of focus of the Tunis phase and reaffirm and enhance the commitments undertaken in the Geneva phase” . The African Regional preparatory meeting holding in Accra in February 2004 would be a great opportunity for young people from different African countries to showcase what they have been able to build within the WSIS framework; share best practices/challenges; and discuss proactive steps towards the inclusion of their respective nations in the Information Society. The need to secure Nigeria’s future through appropriate and strategic positioning within the sphere of the Information Society has informed the need to host a decentralized (but appropriately networked) WSIS Youth Consultations in different states of the federation, led by youth who are “champions” of ICT for Development (ICT4D) efforts. These youth leaders will be updated on present developments, informed of the process’ progress and empowered with the possibility of active participation – either by getting more involved online/offline, or by taking action in their local communities in line with the WSIS Plan of Action. For the purpose of this train and continued Information Society efforts among Nigeria’s youth, we will utilize the existing eNigeria mailing list as presently moderated by PIN – www.yahoogroups.com/group/enigeria. 2.0 Methodology We will issue calls for participation among young Nigerians through diversified media channels, requesting for youth leaders within Information Society involvements to lead such consultation sessions in their states. We may have more than one session holding in one state but will seek maximum representation across regions and states of Nigeria. Each Policy Train Coordinator (PTC) will be expected to organize a one-day session, document efforts and revert to Paradigm Initiative Nigeria. Central support in terms of materials, updates on WSIS processes and networking opportunities with local supporters (for example, we may be able to connect youth in Kano with a Kano-based NGO that could support the day’s events though the provision of a meeting space). These PTC’s will then send pictures, video recordings and a comprehensive report of the policy train they have coordinated to Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN). At the end of the consultation process, PIN will develop a final report detailing a combination of the different sessions held at various locations. Possible formats include a multimedia presentation and published report. Support will be requested towards the production of these two final outcomes of the Policy Train. At each location, PTCs and their team will: A final consultative session will then be hosted by PIN, during which the summary of individual Policy Train sessions will be made available to the Nigerian community. At this point (and even before then), we expect maximum support from Nigeria’s Information Society community as represented by the National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigerian Computer Society (along with CPN) and the representatives of the academia, private sector, media and non-governmental organisations working within the Information Society space. 3.0 Expected Outcomes We expect that the major outcomes of the policy train will be: 4.0 Timeline We have also prepared a timeline, which should guide the Policy Train, and it follows: DATE ACTIVITY November 6, 2004 PIN Team sends out invitations and call for Policy Train Coordinators (PTCs) November 20 - 27, 2004 (a) Identify PTCs and commence discussions on Policy Train sessions; November 29 – December 11 December 12 2004 – January 6 2005 (a) Prepare final Policy Train II report January 7 – 15 2005 PIN hosts final consultation, presenting multimedia package, final report and announcing other outcomes
7.0 Conclusion For a country that boasts of about 20% of the African continent - and with over 44% of such population as young people – we consider the need to support, implement and deliver this second phase of the Policy Train a necessity for the benefit of the global South and the entire Information Society space. The voice and activities of young Nigerians will go a long way to add colour and value to the global Information Society. PIN remains committed to this ambitious eality and will pursue its fulfillment, along with other partners. At the end of the process, it would not really matter who gets the job done but that the job is well done. Contact:
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