International Secretariat/Brazil , May 10th 2005

The aim of this document, elaborated by the International Secretariat/Brazil, is to organize the terms of the debate about the next International Secretariat and stimulate answers from the IC members, before the meeting in Barcelona.

We have received a proposal from the working group formed by Nicolas, Marti and Pierre with this same objective (preparation for this discussion), and proposing eight exchange points, which afterwards would be verified by the Delibera system, which had already been tested when, before the IC meeting in Miami, we were trying to prepare rules for the internal functioning of the IC.

Concerning the specific issue on the Secretariat (to which concern some of those points), it would be better to start with a more general discussion, according to what is indicated further on. This does not exclude a second moment for more specific discussion. At this point, it doesn't seem positive for us to consider the aspects presented in Utrecht to be the guideline to work on, since it was a first approximation to the theme. Due to some misinformation, it is necessary to insist that the first proposal discussed in Utrecht was elaborated during the same meeting by some IC members, not by the International Secretariat/Brazil. Finally, there was no time during the Utrecht meeting for the IC members to discuss this proposal in a satisfactory way, and some expressed their disagreement and doubts. So, the plenary didn't adopt it.

Proposal for the debate

In the Utrecht meeting report there is an initial and incomplete design of this proposal (it is at "11. Proposals for strengthening, internationalization and expansion of the IS"). It served as a "base" for the discussion, a reference. We propose the discussion about the new design of the Secretariat to be more open, incorporating new and creative ideas, in a wider plan, evidently, without denying the terms of the debate in Utrecht and the need of widening and internationalizing the International Secretariat in an effective manner.

This is not a new proposal, but some points for a collective discussion that should allow us to build a proposal that responds effectively to our needs and possibilities at the end of the process.

We propose the following aspects to be considered for the debate now and in Barcelona, and we suggest the IC members to give their opinions:

a) We need to decide an architecture for the whole WSF process, considering the following (obs: the list below does not imply a hierarchy among the bodies):
- Organizing Committees or World Social Forums Council/ Polycentric/ Regional/Thematic/ etc

- WSF International Council

- WSF International Council Commissions

- International Secretariat

It would be essential to be able to systematize clearly which are the tasks, functions and responsibilities of each body and how they should relate among themselves in order to decide later how should be their organization and functioning (related to the International Secretariat).

The political role of the International Secretariat was a preoccupation in Utrecht. This means, a new architecture for one of the parts of the process (such as the International Secretariat) shouldn't be on top nor repeal this construction.

b) As for the Secretariat itself, we start from the need of "internationalize, expand and strengthen the International Secretariat". But, having this as a starting point, we need to solve some issues before than and in order to decide on a proposal of "how" to do it.

Among the key-points, we identify the following:

i) Which should be the functions and tasks of the new International Secretariat?

ii) In order to accomplish these functions and tasks, how should be the functioning of the new International Secretariat? (this means, its meetings, work division etc)

iii) Considering these functions and tasks also and keeping in mind the proposed way of functioning, what should (and could) be the composition of the new International Secretariat?

c) We should ask ourselves if all the mentioned "functions and tasks" should concern to the new International Secretariat. Or it would be necessary (and possible) to think about carry them out in other bodies that already exist or to create some other bodies to accomplish them.