5 years EuroDIG

EuroDIG stated in the session principles (www.eurodig.org/eurodig-2012/information/session-principles)
"Ensure gender and stakeholder balanced dialogue. In the reporting of your session, we would invite you to provide information about the numbers of women and men participating, and if possible as to the balance of government, business, civil society and other communities participating."
However sometimes it is hard to find a sufficient number of women for a specific issue, but the IGF process is definetly one example of good practise.

The EuroDIG Workshop was well attended by around 40 participants. After opening and introduction to the session, the first announcement was the date of the next EuroDIG event in Lisbon what is: 6-7 June 2013. Participants were kindly asked to reserve the date.
 
In the first part of the WS, the Message from Stockholm was presented by a speaker from the host country, followed by some evaluations of achievements compared to previous events (Strasbourg 2008, Geneva 2009, Madrid 2010 and Belgrade 2011). The discussion was opened on further expectations and challenges.
 
In a second part, the Secretariat summarized topics and results from the past EuroDIG planning meeting end of September in Frankfurt, Germany. The main outcomes were a planning schedule and the milestones to Lisbon 2013, further consolidation steps like the creation of the EuroDIG Support Association, outreach and funding coordination. The Milestones to Lisbon were discussed in detail.
 
In the third part of the WS participants presented and discussed ideas and expectations for Lisbon/Portugal 2013. Representatives of the next host country gave a briefing about the venue, particularities and offers by the host country. The EuroDIG 2013 in Lisbon is aimed at a close coordination with stakeholders in the host country as well as a better inclusion of national IGF initiatives in Europe. In the meantime, there are 15 national IGF events all over Europe and some more to be created. With support of the European Commission (EUC) the coordination among those initiatives and with EuroDIG will be further improved.
 
A representative of the EU Commission said: “In a number of European Union Member states a Digital Champion has been appointed and this has been a very useful driver to bring about awareness of Internet issues, improving e‑skills and inclusion, and each of them has their own particular interest which is important nationally.  So their participation at a national level, at a EuroDIG level and then, of course, ultimately at this level at the IGF is really very important.  I know that the Romanian digital champion was here and participated at this IGF and this is very helpful to provide the link between the IGF at an international level and also nationally and, of course, at a European level.” 
 

There was agreement that Stockholm constitutes another highlight in the EuroDIG history and Lisbon will envisage some new achievements and not just “more of the same”. As next steps and priorities were announced: Call for topics and agenda proposals – not sessions at this stage – for 2013 (deadline until the end of year), updates of donor material (docs and hand-outs) and participants were invited to support the core team and secretariat in its fundraising endeavours. The next open planning meeting will be convened on 28 – 29 January 2013 in Lisbon to discuss first outlines of a program. Further announcements will be published on the EuroDIG Website and circulated via the Newsletter regularly.