SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 15
Maria Vitali Rosati
History and Theory of Power
Mikkel Flyverbom
Organising Hybrid Forums
From The Power of Networks: Organising
the Global Politics of the Internet Trabajo dirigido por la Profesora Dra.
Olga Gil Facultad de Política y Sociología
UCM Madrid 2017
ERASMUS Student
King’s College London
INDEX
• Introduction
• The process of ordering: a comparative analysis of UNICTTF and
WGIG
(1) Enrolment, (2) Positioning, (3) Structuring, (4) Acting, (5)
Connecting
• The issue of transparency
• The objective of dialogue
• Conclusions
• Bibliography
1
INTRODUCTION. 2
Introduction
• Organisations are based on the process of ordering, which involves stabilisation of
relations, practices and goals
• Conventional approaches to organisations focus on their structure, functioning and
performance, and the behaviour of groups/individuals working within them; they start off
from 3 assertions:
1) Organisations are structures containing people;
2) They have stable relations and predictable ways of carrying out actions, through rules,
manuals, values regulating behaviour;
3) They have a purpose, often in the form of a business strategy or a defined set of goals.
• Hybrid Forums offer an alternative conception of ‘organisation’, because they lack many of
the aforementioned features – fluid arrangements, constantly developing, aiming often at
a moving target
3
Introduction (2)
Perspectives
• Organisation of global politics of the digital revolution can take various forms –
Well-defined working groups, stable organisation with different departments, loosely-coupled
network, fluid social movement – Yet, they are never fixed (Flyverbom, 2011)
• Substantialist position: organisations are bounded, fixed entities
• Author’s position: nothing is fixed, what is seemingly fixed may soon change,
organisation perceived as constant ordering, involving disorganisation
• Epistemic Communities (Haas, 1992) present policy problems and their solutions to
decision-makers, in moments of uncertainty; approach grounded in cognitive
psychology
• Transnational Advocacy Networks (Keck & Sikkink, 1998), composed of civil society
groups, «’frame’ issues to make them comprehensible, attract attention,
encourage action»
4
The Process of Ordering - A Comparative
Analysis of UNICTTF and WGIG.
5
Enrolment: First Moment of Ordering
• UNICTTF and WGIG are both a direct response to a need of UN-driven, multi-
stakeholder processes to address the global politics of the Internet
• Members of different social worlds have some common principles and goals,
nonetheless, they do not agree on how to reach the latter
• The process of ordering involves a number of governmental techniques, which are
central to making cooperation possible
• Callon’s “moment of enrolment” involves practices to strengthen relations among
stakeholders belonging to different social worlds
6
Positioning: Second Moment of Ordering
• Both Hybrid Forums were conceived as institutional innovations to the UN system,
functional to cross-sectoral learning and dialogue for stakeholders, allowing them to
respond collectively to common concerns
• Both needed to be positioned carefully within the UN: keep some degree of distance,
relying on UN’s financial resources and legitimisation, avoiding its inertia and bureaucracy
• UNICTTF was highly integrated from the outset, although its constitution and level of
autonomy were very different, as well as its principles of full membership, equal footing;
operating independently
• WGIG also needed careful positioning: created as advisory body to the Secretary-General;
based on principles of equal footing, openness, transparency – obstacles virtually
removed by UNICTTF
• Conflict over uniqueness and novelty, but recognition from both parties of the congruent
nature of their efforts, being parts of the same process of innovation
7
Structuring: Third Moment of Ordering
• The Inclusion of non-state actors was perceived as a rather sensitive issue, causing the
need for novel ways of structuring interactions and processes, as well as the
aforementioned careful positioning
• Functional to the identity of the networks was the involvement of different types of
authority and the engagement of members who would add momentum and legitimacy, due
to the initiatives’ need for sustainability
• UNICTTF: organisational arrangement of a core group, a small steering group, a panel of
advisers and local and regional groupings vital to its purpose  A ‘global network of
networks’, based on cross-sectoral representation, flexibility and outreach
• WGIG: much simpler at the outset, with solely a core group; it developed critically as the
awareness and needs on Internet Governance increased; organisational arrangement of a
forum for dialogue based on equal footing among state and non-state actors acting as
individuals – fostering freedom for some, representing an obstacle for others
• Equal footing proved difficult to reach in practice: some members have more weight in
reality, which demands careful navigation around contentious issues and leadership  A
different conception of consensus necessary to avoid UN deadlock and move forward
8
Acting: Fourth Moment of Ordering
• Certain qualities are needed for members to be able to influence the process and
outcomes of the initiatives
• UNICTTF: members need effective communication, enthusiasm, administrative and
financial backing, the lack of which can limit their influence dramatically  there
is a limit for the possibility of dialogue detached from the reality of social worlds
• WGIG: less need for financial and administrative backing; elements to pursue are
commitment, dedication, enthusiasm; civil society members have proved to be the
most active
9
Connecting: Fifth Moment of Ordering
• Both Hybrid Forums strategically built ties to broader groups of social worlds,
through Internet – and other forms of communication – and careful navigation
• Both Hybrid Forums had websites with the purpose of posting news, working papers
or other types of information
• UNICTTF established a very elaborate communication strategy from the outset:
twofold nature of the website’s goal; mobilising the support of global public and
stakeholders, through various types of online activities
• WGIG had no elaborate communication strategy: the Internet should play a key role
in the management and the activities of the group  a website and a password-
protected mailing list, heavily used throughout time
10
Transparency and Dialogue
The issue of transparency
• UNICTTF and WGIG both adopted “Chatham House Rule” to omit names in recordings of meetings:
statements foregrounded, attention drawn away from power imbalances
• ICTs never central to activities: necessity of making strategic choices of the information that can be
published
The objective of dialogue
• Different goals for UNICTTF and WGIG, but share interest in avoiding UN negotiations’ political
conflict: emphasis on non-operational nature and purpose of interactions/consensus  «The power
of international organisations lies in their ability to present themselves as impersonal and neutral»
(Barnett and Finnemore, 2005)
• UNICTTF’s participatory, democratic, meaningful manner of addressing issues; non-operational
nature fosters synergy and cooperation (UNICTTF Deputy Executive Coordinator, 2004)
• WGIG’s purpose of drawing reflection on issues – successful for some, dangerous for others; non-
operational character stressed from outset
11
Conclusions
• The author draws the attention to the lack of literature that perceives the
concept of organisation as an ongoing process
• It is important and necessary to analyse hybrid forums through the various phases
of the process of its creation
• The formal foundational pillars of both hybrid forums are, in practice, very
difficult to realise
• The notion of power can be identified in the elements of financial/administrative
backing, enthusiasm, commitment, effective communication, as well as in the
role played by the stakeholders within the hybrid forums
12
Bibliography
• M. Flyverbom, Organizing Hybrid Forums (pp. 67-97), The Power
of Networks: Organizing the Global Politics of the Internet,
Edward Edgar Publishing Limited, (Cheltenham, UK –
Northampton, MA: 2011)
13
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
14

More Related Content

Similar to Organizing Hybrid Forums UCM Power Theory on Networks

Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Scott Hutcheson, Ph.D.
 
Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)
Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)
Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)
kjutze
 
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodiaSummary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia
Dr Lendy Spires
 
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)
Dr Lendy Spires
 
Ipp as joint learning process
Ipp as joint learning processIpp as joint learning process
Ipp as joint learning process
Taraya Srivilas
 

Similar to Organizing Hybrid Forums UCM Power Theory on Networks (20)

Democratizing International Business and Human Rights by Catalyzing Strategic...
Democratizing International Business and Human Rights by Catalyzing Strategic...Democratizing International Business and Human Rights by Catalyzing Strategic...
Democratizing International Business and Human Rights by Catalyzing Strategic...
 
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
 
Coordination and facilitation of innovation platforms
Coordination and facilitation of innovation platformsCoordination and facilitation of innovation platforms
Coordination and facilitation of innovation platforms
 
ocial support and long term care for older people – Ghenta
ocial support and long term care for older people – Ghentaocial support and long term care for older people – Ghenta
ocial support and long term care for older people – Ghenta
 
Building Bridges-Towards improving territorial governance
Building Bridges-Towards improving territorial governanceBuilding Bridges-Towards improving territorial governance
Building Bridges-Towards improving territorial governance
 
Composition and initiation of agricultural innovation platforms
Composition and initiation of agricultural innovation platformsComposition and initiation of agricultural innovation platforms
Composition and initiation of agricultural innovation platforms
 
Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)
Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)
Role Of Gsc Os In International Development Presentation (K Jutze August 2009)
 
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodiaSummary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia
 
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)
Summary report global meeting post-2015_cambodia(1)
 
Ipp as joint learning process
Ipp as joint learning processIpp as joint learning process
Ipp as joint learning process
 
Open Entrepreneurship - Yetis Thesis Proposal
Open Entrepreneurship - Yetis Thesis ProposalOpen Entrepreneurship - Yetis Thesis Proposal
Open Entrepreneurship - Yetis Thesis Proposal
 
Thesis proposal presentation
Thesis proposal presentationThesis proposal presentation
Thesis proposal presentation
 
African Union Ministerial 2015: Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs)
African Union Ministerial 2015: Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs)African Union Ministerial 2015: Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs)
African Union Ministerial 2015: Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs)
 
Innovation platforms, power, representation and participation: Lessons from B...
Innovation platforms, power, representation and participation: Lessons from B...Innovation platforms, power, representation and participation: Lessons from B...
Innovation platforms, power, representation and participation: Lessons from B...
 
TCI 2014 Red Lights & Green Lights on Cluster Development
TCI 2014 Red Lights & Green Lights on Cluster DevelopmentTCI 2014 Red Lights & Green Lights on Cluster Development
TCI 2014 Red Lights & Green Lights on Cluster Development
 
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
 
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
 
Getting from There to Here: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from There to Here: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...Getting from There to Here: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from There to Here: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
 
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
Getting from Here to There: Eight Characteristics of Effective Economic & Com...
 
IGF MAG Update
IGF MAG UpdateIGF MAG Update
IGF MAG Update
 

More from Olga Gil, PhD (olgagil@olgagil.es)

GolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdf
GolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdfGolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdf
GolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdf
Olga Gil, PhD (olgagil@olgagil.es)
 
Prof Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga Gil
Prof Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga GilProf Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga Gil
Prof Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga Gil
Olga Gil, PhD (olgagil@olgagil.es)
 
The rise of digital media platforms
The rise of digital media platforms The rise of digital media platforms
The rise of digital media platforms
Olga Gil, PhD (olgagil@olgagil.es)
 

More from Olga Gil, PhD (olgagil@olgagil.es) (20)

GolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdf
GolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdfGolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdf
GolpedeEstadoenBrasil2023.pdf
 
Intereses científicos y académicos Prof. Olga
Intereses científicos y académicos Prof. OlgaIntereses científicos y académicos Prof. Olga
Intereses científicos y académicos Prof. Olga
 
Prof Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga Gil
Prof Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga GilProf Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga Gil
Prof Contratado Doctor Dr. Olga Gil
 
Windows Teams para el campus virtual sobre la plataforma Moodle en 3.8
Windows Teams para el campus virtual sobre la plataforma Moodle en 3.8Windows Teams para el campus virtual sobre la plataforma Moodle en 3.8
Windows Teams para el campus virtual sobre la plataforma Moodle en 3.8
 
PolsbyModel
PolsbyModelPolsbyModel
PolsbyModel
 
The Power of Networks, Teoria e Historia del Poder
The Power of Networks, Teoria e Historia del Poder The Power of Networks, Teoria e Historia del Poder
The Power of Networks, Teoria e Historia del Poder
 
Redes Sociales y Procesos Políticos en Vecindarios Urbanos Matthew Crenson U...
Redes Sociales y Procesos Políticos en Vecindarios Urbanos Matthew Crenson U...Redes Sociales y Procesos Políticos en Vecindarios Urbanos Matthew Crenson U...
Redes Sociales y Procesos Políticos en Vecindarios Urbanos Matthew Crenson U...
 
Weber and the Clasifications of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power Theory
Weber and the Clasifications of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power TheoryWeber and the Clasifications of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power Theory
Weber and the Clasifications of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power Theory
 
Weber and the Classification of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power Theory
Weber and the Classification of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power TheoryWeber and the Classification of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power Theory
Weber and the Classification of Forms of Legitimacy UCM Power Theory
 
Industry and community power UCM Power Theory
Industry and community power UCM Power TheoryIndustry and community power UCM Power Theory
Industry and community power UCM Power Theory
 
UCM Ideas Hegel Marx Liberalismo
UCM Ideas Hegel Marx LiberalismoUCM Ideas Hegel Marx Liberalismo
UCM Ideas Hegel Marx Liberalismo
 
UCM Ideas Max Weber
UCM Ideas Max WeberUCM Ideas Max Weber
UCM Ideas Max Weber
 
Kant
KantKant
Kant
 
Rousseau: La voluntad general y el concepto de democracia
Rousseau: La voluntad general y el concepto de democraciaRousseau: La voluntad general y el concepto de democracia
Rousseau: La voluntad general y el concepto de democracia
 
John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado? Una presentación alternativa
John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado?  Una presentación alternativaJohn Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado?  Una presentación alternativa
John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado? Una presentación alternativa
 
John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado?
John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado?  John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado?
John Locke ¿Porqué es necesario el Estado?
 
The rise of digital media platforms
The rise of digital media platforms The rise of digital media platforms
The rise of digital media platforms
 
Government 3 0 olga gil
Government 3 0 olga gilGovernment 3 0 olga gil
Government 3 0 olga gil
 
The British disaster: The naval defeat in Cartagena de Indias by Blas de Lezo...
The British disaster: The naval defeat in Cartagena de Indias by Blas de Lezo...The British disaster: The naval defeat in Cartagena de Indias by Blas de Lezo...
The British disaster: The naval defeat in Cartagena de Indias by Blas de Lezo...
 
Internetandsocialmediapolitics
InternetandsocialmediapoliticsInternetandsocialmediapolitics
Internetandsocialmediapolitics
 

Recently uploaded

The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
heathfieldcps1
 
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
QucHHunhnh
 
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactBeyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
PECB
 

Recently uploaded (20)

The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
 
INDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptx
INDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptxINDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptx
INDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptx
 
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
 
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdfKey note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
 
PROCESS RECORDING FORMAT.docx
PROCESS      RECORDING        FORMAT.docxPROCESS      RECORDING        FORMAT.docx
PROCESS RECORDING FORMAT.docx
 
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
 
Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17
Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17
Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17
 
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptxBasic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
 
Nutritional Needs Presentation - HLTH 104
Nutritional Needs Presentation - HLTH 104Nutritional Needs Presentation - HLTH 104
Nutritional Needs Presentation - HLTH 104
 
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
 
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
 
Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics
Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The BasicsIntroduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics
Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics
 
Holdier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdf
Holdier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdfHoldier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdf
Holdier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdf
 
psychiatric nursing HISTORY COLLECTION .docx
psychiatric  nursing HISTORY  COLLECTION  .docxpsychiatric  nursing HISTORY  COLLECTION  .docx
psychiatric nursing HISTORY COLLECTION .docx
 
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docxPython Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
 
TỔNG ÔN TẬP THI VÀO LỚP 10 MÔN TIẾNG ANH NĂM HỌC 2023 - 2024 CÓ ĐÁP ÁN (NGỮ Â...
TỔNG ÔN TẬP THI VÀO LỚP 10 MÔN TIẾNG ANH NĂM HỌC 2023 - 2024 CÓ ĐÁP ÁN (NGỮ Â...TỔNG ÔN TẬP THI VÀO LỚP 10 MÔN TIẾNG ANH NĂM HỌC 2023 - 2024 CÓ ĐÁP ÁN (NGỮ Â...
TỔNG ÔN TẬP THI VÀO LỚP 10 MÔN TIẾNG ANH NĂM HỌC 2023 - 2024 CÓ ĐÁP ÁN (NGỮ Â...
 
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SDMeasures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
 
Application orientated numerical on hev.ppt
Application orientated numerical on hev.pptApplication orientated numerical on hev.ppt
Application orientated numerical on hev.ppt
 
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactBeyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
 
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan FellowsOn National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
 

Organizing Hybrid Forums UCM Power Theory on Networks

  • 1. Maria Vitali Rosati History and Theory of Power Mikkel Flyverbom Organising Hybrid Forums From The Power of Networks: Organising the Global Politics of the Internet Trabajo dirigido por la Profesora Dra. Olga Gil Facultad de Política y Sociología UCM Madrid 2017 ERASMUS Student King’s College London
  • 2. INDEX • Introduction • The process of ordering: a comparative analysis of UNICTTF and WGIG (1) Enrolment, (2) Positioning, (3) Structuring, (4) Acting, (5) Connecting • The issue of transparency • The objective of dialogue • Conclusions • Bibliography 1
  • 4. Introduction • Organisations are based on the process of ordering, which involves stabilisation of relations, practices and goals • Conventional approaches to organisations focus on their structure, functioning and performance, and the behaviour of groups/individuals working within them; they start off from 3 assertions: 1) Organisations are structures containing people; 2) They have stable relations and predictable ways of carrying out actions, through rules, manuals, values regulating behaviour; 3) They have a purpose, often in the form of a business strategy or a defined set of goals. • Hybrid Forums offer an alternative conception of ‘organisation’, because they lack many of the aforementioned features – fluid arrangements, constantly developing, aiming often at a moving target 3
  • 5. Introduction (2) Perspectives • Organisation of global politics of the digital revolution can take various forms – Well-defined working groups, stable organisation with different departments, loosely-coupled network, fluid social movement – Yet, they are never fixed (Flyverbom, 2011) • Substantialist position: organisations are bounded, fixed entities • Author’s position: nothing is fixed, what is seemingly fixed may soon change, organisation perceived as constant ordering, involving disorganisation • Epistemic Communities (Haas, 1992) present policy problems and their solutions to decision-makers, in moments of uncertainty; approach grounded in cognitive psychology • Transnational Advocacy Networks (Keck & Sikkink, 1998), composed of civil society groups, «’frame’ issues to make them comprehensible, attract attention, encourage action» 4
  • 6. The Process of Ordering - A Comparative Analysis of UNICTTF and WGIG. 5
  • 7. Enrolment: First Moment of Ordering • UNICTTF and WGIG are both a direct response to a need of UN-driven, multi- stakeholder processes to address the global politics of the Internet • Members of different social worlds have some common principles and goals, nonetheless, they do not agree on how to reach the latter • The process of ordering involves a number of governmental techniques, which are central to making cooperation possible • Callon’s “moment of enrolment” involves practices to strengthen relations among stakeholders belonging to different social worlds 6
  • 8. Positioning: Second Moment of Ordering • Both Hybrid Forums were conceived as institutional innovations to the UN system, functional to cross-sectoral learning and dialogue for stakeholders, allowing them to respond collectively to common concerns • Both needed to be positioned carefully within the UN: keep some degree of distance, relying on UN’s financial resources and legitimisation, avoiding its inertia and bureaucracy • UNICTTF was highly integrated from the outset, although its constitution and level of autonomy were very different, as well as its principles of full membership, equal footing; operating independently • WGIG also needed careful positioning: created as advisory body to the Secretary-General; based on principles of equal footing, openness, transparency – obstacles virtually removed by UNICTTF • Conflict over uniqueness and novelty, but recognition from both parties of the congruent nature of their efforts, being parts of the same process of innovation 7
  • 9. Structuring: Third Moment of Ordering • The Inclusion of non-state actors was perceived as a rather sensitive issue, causing the need for novel ways of structuring interactions and processes, as well as the aforementioned careful positioning • Functional to the identity of the networks was the involvement of different types of authority and the engagement of members who would add momentum and legitimacy, due to the initiatives’ need for sustainability • UNICTTF: organisational arrangement of a core group, a small steering group, a panel of advisers and local and regional groupings vital to its purpose  A ‘global network of networks’, based on cross-sectoral representation, flexibility and outreach • WGIG: much simpler at the outset, with solely a core group; it developed critically as the awareness and needs on Internet Governance increased; organisational arrangement of a forum for dialogue based on equal footing among state and non-state actors acting as individuals – fostering freedom for some, representing an obstacle for others • Equal footing proved difficult to reach in practice: some members have more weight in reality, which demands careful navigation around contentious issues and leadership  A different conception of consensus necessary to avoid UN deadlock and move forward 8
  • 10. Acting: Fourth Moment of Ordering • Certain qualities are needed for members to be able to influence the process and outcomes of the initiatives • UNICTTF: members need effective communication, enthusiasm, administrative and financial backing, the lack of which can limit their influence dramatically  there is a limit for the possibility of dialogue detached from the reality of social worlds • WGIG: less need for financial and administrative backing; elements to pursue are commitment, dedication, enthusiasm; civil society members have proved to be the most active 9
  • 11. Connecting: Fifth Moment of Ordering • Both Hybrid Forums strategically built ties to broader groups of social worlds, through Internet – and other forms of communication – and careful navigation • Both Hybrid Forums had websites with the purpose of posting news, working papers or other types of information • UNICTTF established a very elaborate communication strategy from the outset: twofold nature of the website’s goal; mobilising the support of global public and stakeholders, through various types of online activities • WGIG had no elaborate communication strategy: the Internet should play a key role in the management and the activities of the group  a website and a password- protected mailing list, heavily used throughout time 10
  • 12. Transparency and Dialogue The issue of transparency • UNICTTF and WGIG both adopted “Chatham House Rule” to omit names in recordings of meetings: statements foregrounded, attention drawn away from power imbalances • ICTs never central to activities: necessity of making strategic choices of the information that can be published The objective of dialogue • Different goals for UNICTTF and WGIG, but share interest in avoiding UN negotiations’ political conflict: emphasis on non-operational nature and purpose of interactions/consensus  «The power of international organisations lies in their ability to present themselves as impersonal and neutral» (Barnett and Finnemore, 2005) • UNICTTF’s participatory, democratic, meaningful manner of addressing issues; non-operational nature fosters synergy and cooperation (UNICTTF Deputy Executive Coordinator, 2004) • WGIG’s purpose of drawing reflection on issues – successful for some, dangerous for others; non- operational character stressed from outset 11
  • 13. Conclusions • The author draws the attention to the lack of literature that perceives the concept of organisation as an ongoing process • It is important and necessary to analyse hybrid forums through the various phases of the process of its creation • The formal foundational pillars of both hybrid forums are, in practice, very difficult to realise • The notion of power can be identified in the elements of financial/administrative backing, enthusiasm, commitment, effective communication, as well as in the role played by the stakeholders within the hybrid forums 12
  • 14. Bibliography • M. Flyverbom, Organizing Hybrid Forums (pp. 67-97), The Power of Networks: Organizing the Global Politics of the Internet, Edward Edgar Publishing Limited, (Cheltenham, UK – Northampton, MA: 2011) 13
  • 15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! 14

Editor's Notes

  1. Inscripción, Posicionamiento, Estructuración, Actuación, Conexión Transparencia
  2. Ordenamiento, implica; approach= enfoque; afirmaciones; predecible/ regulada; arrangement= disposición
  3. Creencias antecedentes; ajusta, estimulen acción
  4. Address= abordar
  5. Recursos, depender de, afiliación, posición, sinceridad, transparencia, singularidad, innovación
  6. Ímpetu, legitimidad, consultores, alcance, equitativa, fracaso, vetar, sinergia, minimizar, contencioso