The WEF has always been an Economic Forum, and its DNA is imprinted with 
a top-down view of the world, with participation lead by the wealthy and 
powerful. The WEF lacks neither resources nor economic issues to deal 
with, so one might ask "Why is the WEF talking a lead role in this 
post-NETmundial initiative?" Since it is certainly not out of need, it 
is based on opportunity. It is not difficult to draw up a list of 
reasons for WEF interest, ranging from the good to the bad. However, no 
matter what one selects from that list there are two core questions 
remaining for civil society.

The first is what are the benefits and risks of joining in an initiative 
that, in practice, may or may not be open and inclusive? The second, of 
course, is what are the risks, or benefits, of not joining? Those civil 
society groups that join, and are "represented" are at risk if the 
process turns out to be non-inclusive and resistant to bottom up 
participation. If the process is inclusive and open to bottom up 
participation, it doesn't really matter if a civil society group is 
formally represented by designation, or effectively engaged via 
participation. I am pleased that the Board of ISOC decided not to 
participate. There are damaging downside risks if the initiative goes 
badly, and if the initiative goes well there is full scope for bottom up 
engagement by all stakeholders.

Lastly, doing right, by being open and inclusive is not all that 
difficult to understand. The initiative does not need civil society 
representation to understand that. The WEF initiative can get it right 
by simply embracing those core values from the start and, in an open and 
transparent way, building from there. As a economist with a long 
perspective on the WEF I am skeptical of the ability of the "WEF 
leopard" to change its spots, but would be more than happy if this WEF 
led initiative proved me wrong. In either case I would rather 
participate as a member of a stakeholder constituency, without the 
questionable label of "stakeholder representative".

Sam Lanfranco, Chair
NPOC Policy Committee