Search RPD Archives
[rpd] APPEAL AGAINST THE CONFIRMATION OF CONSENSUS DECLARED BY THE POLICY LIAISON TEAM AND THE BOARD ON THE SELECTION OF PDWG CO-CHAIRS
Jaco Kroon
jaco at uls.co.za
Sat Apr 24 07:33:52 UTC 2021
Hi Emem,
Please keep your derogatory for yourself. Your other email was in my
opinion also extremely out of line.
I suggest you read the code of conduct and keep to that.
My father has a saying he uses frequently, "the more things change, the
more they stay the same", combined with an Afrikaans saying (I'm sure
there are other variants in other languages) about "met grysheid kom
wysheid" or directly translated "with grey (hair) comes wisdom" which is
to say "with age comes wisdom".
I agree the world is modern, and we need to adapt. But trust me, I
consider myself a young person (mid 30s), tried and tested is good.
The
saying "nuwe besems vee skoon" or "new brooms sweep clean" certainly
holds water (value), but the broom had to be invented first. Do not
forget the journey that was taken to get where we are. Discount that
and you're throwing the baby (good, new) out with the bath water (dirty,
no longer usable).
Please refer to my previous email, and if you can't deduce from that why
consensus is the technically more correct and better approach compared
to democracy _in_our_environment_, please re-read it a few more times,
then sleep on it. I'm not so sure democracy is the father of
multistakeholderism as you say, but I get why you're saying it - it's
what we're all being indoctrinated with from a young age, and up to a
point (meaning until you really sit and think about it, hard) it makes
sense. I don't need you to agree with me, but I would ask that you try
to understand and show some respect to your peers that came before you.
I'm also very new (5 years) in this community, and I can tell you this:
Those that have come before us certainly have some large shoes and broad
shoulders. Show them the respect they deserve, please. They've been
around the block a few times and better than any of us understand the
pitfalls, and they have the experience to be able to provide guidance
and vision. To build. To strengthen. So keep to your ideals, but
learn from them.
Now, instead of discussing philosophical politics and differences (not
to say it's not important to understand these), can we please get back
to discussing policy making? We are after all supposed to be the
*Policy* *D*evelopment *W*orking *G*roup.
Kind Regards,
Jaco
On 2021/04/23 21:08, Emem William wrote:
> Dear Eddy,
>
> I would also like to suggest that you organise a webiner for some
old
> folks on how to handle things in a multistakeholder environment. I see
> the need to enlighten them on the fact that a 'market' has many
> entrance. More importantly you need to educate them that there are
> new and better ways of doing things.
>
> They should not continue to live in thier old shadows because we are
> in a modern world where all animals are now becoming equal. They need
> not exhibit thier ignorance and think they can continue to dominate
> the others and label them 'new'.
>
> More importantly, you need to teach them that in a land where there
> are rules, the rules has to be followed; not an attempt circumvent the
> rules, by old folks to cheat the younger ones all in the name of
> "*being old*". It's not by age anymore. Probably Mark should
> suggest '*All animals are equal, Face or No face'.*
> This, I believe will restore the long lost sanity in AFRINIC.
>
> Cheers,
> Emem William
>
> On Fri, Apr 23, 2021, 17:34 Noah <noah at neo.co.tz
> <mailto:noah at neo.co.tz>> wrote:
>
> Hi Eddy and Chair
>
> Can AfriNIC perhaps through the Stakeholder Engagement department
> increase its efforts on running quartely webinars for new members
> of our community. I have been reading emails in recent weeks from
> folks who I believe to be new members of the PDWG who could do
> with some capacity building.
>
> This will go on to reduce the level of ignorance among the new
> members of the community especially around the Policy Development
> Process.
>
> Some sort of orientation program similar to the one AfriNIC
> provides to its fellows each year who attended physical meetings
> but instead run it remotely via webinars.
>
> In my humble opinion.
>
> Noah
>
> On Fri, 23 Apr 2021, 16:26 Fernando Frediani,
> <fhfrediani at gmail.com <mailto:fhfrediani at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Hello Jaco
> Thanks for this excellent and necessary lesson.
>
> Every time I see the word democracy trying to be used in PDWG
> I feel the same lack of understanding by some.
> Some need to understand that just by a certain number of
> people voicing their wish for something isn't just enough to
> make something happen as things are not decided by a majority
> of voices.
>
> Fernando
>
> On 23/04/2021 09:56, Jaco Kroon wrote:
>>
>> Hi Okoye,
>>
>> I think you're confusing the concept of democracy and a
>> consensus based approach.
>>
>> In a democracy, the majority (or largest individual sub
>> group) get what they want, irrespective of whether it's right
>> or wrong. The premise behind a democracy is two-fold: those
>> that we appointed will action in the form of an autocracy
>> that which they have pitched in their run-up (failure to do
>> so generally leads to unrest, and even if they follow exactly
>> that if it's not to the betterment of the larger group will
>> at least be met with resistance by the minority), and will
>> stick to exactly that and not become power hungry, and the
>> larger believe is that the majority knows best and are right
>> in their believes. Of course this is an
>> idealogical/philosophical statement, for which there are many
>> other wordings, the base premise is: the majority rules,
>> right or wrong. A democracy only works if the elected
>> leaders of the majority has the best interests of community
>> as a whole at heart, otherwise it becomes an oppression of
>> minority by the majority.
>>
>> In a consensus based approach, it's more strict, the majority
>> cannot simply enforce their arbitrary will. But at the same
>> time the minority can get their way. It's about addressing
>> problems in such a way that the right thing will happen,
>> irrespective of emotional influence and state of mind. In
>> some cases we can delegate to a democratic based decision
>> (ie, vote) *if we so choose*. As was the original proposal
>> until I filed two motions:
>>
>> 1. That we select two of the three eligible candididates
(as
>> per the criteria that the group have conceded to which
>> eliminated the other three candidates, and AK based on the
>> fact that he was the previously recalled chair). AK
>> subsequently pulled out leaving us with only two eligible
>> candidates, and based on no valid objections that was raised,
>> they were then on the basis of consensus elected.
>>
>> 2. That the appointments are made for one and two years
>> respectively, but there were objections against this, so as
>> I've got it this was accepted, but this could still
>> potentially be changed at the PPM such that one term will end
>> during the PPM and the other will run for a further year.
>>
>> Against the first item there were (as far as I could tell) no
>> valid objections, just emotional outbursts, against the
>> latter there were some "this is a variation of the accepted
>> CPM" which could be deemed to be valid, and I also conceded
>> that I've got no objection if this decision is postponed to
>> the PPM, but it does make things more difficult for the newly
>> elected chairs since their position going forward is unclear.
>>
>> My request is thus in short to not confuse a democracy with a
>> consensus system(much more strict than a democracy since one
>> person that raises a *valid* objection against a proposal can
>> stop the thousand, in theory). But in the same sense, the
>> thousand cannot stop the one unless they can raise a valid
>> objection.
>>
>> The PDWG is not a democracy.
>>
>> Kind Regards,
>> Jaco
>>
>> On 2021/04/23 14:12, Okoye Somtochukwu wrote:
>>> Dear Community,
>>>
>>> In my opinion, I believe we should have a chance to appeal
>>> and contest the boards' decisions on the selection of
>>> co-chairs. A democratic government does not function when
>>> citizens are deprived of their right to free speech,
>>> protests tec. in the same vein, we should also have a say in
>>> appealing against the decision made by the board against the
>>> co-chairs.
>>>
>>> Also, The appeal against the board on the selection of the
>>> co-chairs is valid. Although it is only rational that we
>>> look into this issue and try to assess the situation as it
>>> is. This is because, although the board has acted in
>>> carrying out its duties and that of the co-chairs, I don't
>>> feel it is right for the board to have a consensus regarding
>>> the selection of the co-chairs.
>>>
>>> In all our doings, we must treat each other's duties and
>>> positions with the utmost respect and do our best to move
>>> the community forward.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Apr 23, 2021, at 1:57, Paschal Ochang
>>>> <pascosoft at gmail.com> <mailto:pascosoft at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello all.
>>>>
>>>> It's very simple. Has an appeal been lunched ? The answer
>>>> is yes. So let the Appeal Committee do their job. It's simple.
>>>>
>>>> On Thursday, April 22, 2021, Haruna Umar Adoga
>>>> <hartek66 at gmail.com <mailto:hartek66 at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> If we decide to proceed with the confirmation of the
>>>> newly ‘selected’ Co-chairs, which some say were chosen
>>>> based on a ‘consensus’ by the PDWG, it will be a step
>>>> in the wrong direction.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I personally do not subscribe to the idea of wasting
>>>> the community’s time on frivolous issues but an appeal
>>>> has been made against the confirmation of the Co-chairs
>>>> and it needs to be addressed.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> We cannot and should not keep supporting this narrative
>>>> as PDWG members, that whenever someone or a group of
>>>> persons question an act/decision that needs
>>>> clarification, we tend to push things under the carpet
>>>> intentionally by throwing all sorts of tantrums rather
>>>> than facing the issues in an upright manner.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>>
>>>> Haruna.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 9:30 AM Arnaud AMELINA
>>>> <amelnaud at gmail.com <mailto:amelnaud at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> In the Spirit of Law, what is not authorised, is
>>>> forbidden. Don't fool people here please. An other
>>>> waist of time to the Community . The Co-chairs
>>>> selection is over. Now we invite Co-chairs to take
>>>> the place and start working, in order to avoid such
>>>> kind of waist of time. Please, let move forward.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Arnaud
>>>>
>>>> Le jeu. 22 avr. 2021 à 02:38, lucilla
fornaro
>>>> <lucillafornarosawamoto at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:lucillafornarosawamoto at gmail.com>> a écrit :
>>>>
>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> As we can all see, it is true that the CPM
>>>> (3.5) openly mentions the appeal against the
>>>> co-chairs, but it doesn’t forbid other forms of
>>>> appeals. Furthermore, the appeal reports a
>>>> serious matter that should be properly
>>>> investigated. This is the only way to go
>>>> through it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> In particular, I believe that the declaration
>>>> of the consensus by the Board of Directors goes
>>>> beyond their authority.
>>>>
>>>> Therefore, I support this appeal.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lucilla
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Il giorno mer 21 apr 2021 alle ore 14:18 Emem
>>>> William <dwizard65 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:dwizard65 at gmail.com>> ha scritto:
>>>>
>>>> *Dear Appeal Committee,*
>>>>
>>>> Please check the attachment for our appeal.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you!
>>>>
>>>> *
>>>> *
>>>>
>>>> *Subject : Appeal against the confirmation
>>>> of consensus declared by the Policy Liaison
>>>> Team and the Board on the selection of PDWG
>>>> Co-chairs*
>>>>
>>>> * *
>>>>
>>>> Dear Appeal Committee,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I am appealing against the confirmation of
>>>> consensus declared by the AFRINIC team and
>>>> the Board on the selection of PDWG
>>>> Co-chairs, made on the RPD mailing list, on
>>>> April 9^th and April 11^th .
>>>>
>>>> (https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013018.html
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013018.html>)
>>>>
>>>> (https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013052.html
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013052.html>)**
>>>>
>>>> I consider that the actions of the Board of
>>>> Directors to self-declare consensus over
>>>> the PDWG matter in selecting the new
>>>> co-chairs is done outside of their scope of
>>>> power and prerogatives.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *Date of the appeal :*April 19^th , 2021
>>>>
>>>> *Date of the decision made by the Policy
>>>> Liaison Team*
>>>>
>>>> (1) 3^rd April 2021
>>>>
>>>> (2) 9^th April 2021
>>>>
>>>> *Date of the decision made by the Board of
>>>> Directors*
>>>>
>>>> 11^th April 2021
>>>>
>>>> *f) Reference to an announcement of
>>>> decision which is being appealed*
>>>>
>>>> (1) 26^th March 2021, Eligibility criteria
>>>> imposed by Policy Liaison Team
>>>>
>>>> (https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/012768.html
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/012768.html>)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> (2) 9^th April 2021, Policy Liaison Team
>>>> announced consensus is achieved
>>>>
>>>> (https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013018.html
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013018.html>)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> (3) 11^th April 2021, Board Chair declared
>>>> consensus
>>>>
>>>> (https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013052.html
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2021/013052.html>)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *Name and email address of complainant.*
>>>>
>>>> Emem William
>>>>
>>>> dwizard65 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:dwizard65 at gmail.com>
>>>>
>>>> * *
>>>>
>>>> *Names of complainants.*
>>>>
>>>> 1. Olamide Andu (olamideandu at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:olamideandu at gmail.com>)
>>>>
>>>> 2. Yusuf Abdurahman Adebisi
>>>> (adebc007 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:adebc007 at gmail.com>)
>>>>
>>>> 3. Emem Ekpo William
>>>> (dwizard65 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:dwizard65 at gmail.com>)
>>>>
>>>> 4. Sunday Ayuba (sundayayuba8 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:sundayayuba8 at gmail.com>)
>>>>
>>>> The following appeal addresses the “fake
>>>> consensus on the selection of the
>>>> co-chairs” declaration, which according to
>>>> the CPM, cannot be done by anyone else
>>>> besides the chair. Yes In this situation we
>>>> agreed that AFRINIC team should serve as
>>>> secretariat but this team went ahead to
>>>> selectively implement decisions even when
>>>> there was no consensus. The board’s
>>>> interference with the matter signifies that
>>>> the bottom up process no longer exists.
>>>> Therefore, this appeal should serve the
>>>> Appeal Committee in taking into account a
>>>> very important point, which is the fact
>>>> that the board has no right in declaring
>>>> consensus.
>>>>
>>>> Based on the Board’s action ofdeclaring
>>>> consensus on the selection of the
>>>> co-chairs, which is done outside of their
>>>> prerogatives, it is safe to conclude that
>>>> the declaration of consensus is illegal as
>>>> it is not within the prescribed power and
>>>> prerogatives of the Board of Directors. The
>>>> Board of Directors should have referred to
>>>> and comply with the stipulated terms of the
>>>> AFRINIC’s constitution and the CPM and
>>>> ensure that any action that is taken by the
>>>> Board of Directors is done consistently and
>>>> in compliance with the stipulated terms of
>>>> the AFRINIC’s Constitution and the CPM,
>>>> which was not the case. The declaration of
>>>> the consensus by the Board of Directors
>>>> shows that the Board of Directors have
>>>> acted above and beyond their prescribed
>>>> power and prerogatives.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> As for the list of requirements and
>>>> qualifications imposed by the Policy
>>>> Liaison Team, It is vital to note that they
>>>> were never stipulated under the CPM. By
>>>> simply adding on a list of requirement and
>>>> qualification proves that the Policy
>>>> Liaison Team have acted arbitrarily and
>>>> with blatant disregard to the terms and
>>>> procedures which are clearly stipulated
>>>> under the CPM.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Based on the above, I urge the Appeal
>>>> committee to look into this serious matter
>>>> and resolve this appeal by standing with
>>>> what is right.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> *Emem William*.
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> RPD mailing list
>>>> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
>>>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> RPD mailing list
>>>> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
>>>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> RPD mailing list
>>>> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
>>>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Kind regards,
>>>>
>>>> Paschal.
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> RPD mailing list
>>>> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
>>>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
>>>> <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> RPD mailing list
>>> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
>>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> RPD mailing list
>> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
> _______________________________________________
> RPD mailing list
> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
> <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>
> _______________________________________________
> RPD mailing list
> RPD at afrinic.net <mailto:RPD at afrinic.net>
> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
> <https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> RPD mailing list
> RPD at afrinic.net
> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/attachments/20210424/5b5fc7f2/attachment-0001.html>
More information about the RPD
mailing list