[DMCA-Activists] Internet Governance Forum: Feb 16-17

[Seth Johnson]

> http://www.intgovforum.org/


The Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

This website has been set up to support the process started by
the United Nations Secretary-General with a view of convening a
new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue - the Internet
Governance Forum (IGF). The Secretary-General was mandated by the
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to convene such a
Forum and he asked his Special Advisor for WSIS, Mr. Nitin Desai,
to hold consultations in this matter.
Consultations on the Convening of the IGF

Mr. Nitin Desai, the Secretary-General's Special Advisor for the
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will hold
consultations on the convening of the IGF in Geneva on 16-17
February. All stakeholders are invited to attend the meeting
which will take place in Room XVIII in the Palais des Nations.
Meeting times are 10:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 18:00 hours.

All participants will be invited to a reception hosted by the
Swiss Authorities on 16 February at 18:00 hours.

The aim of the consultations is to develop a common understanding
among all stakeholders on the nature and character of the IGF.
The meeting will address the IGF's scope of work and substantive
priorities as well as aspects related to its structure and
functioning. It will also discuss the convening of the inaugural
meeting including agenda and programme.

Click here to view the official notification of the meeting sent
out to all stakeholders
(http://www.intgovforum.org/inv_letter.htm).

Click here to view the agenda
(http://www.intgovforum.org/agendafeb2006.htm) and more
information regarding participation and logistics of the meeting
(http://www.intgovforum.org/meeting.htm).

Click here to view the questionnaire
(http://www.intgovforum.org/questionnaire.htm) or download it in
a rich text format (.rtf) document
(http://www.intgovforum.org/questionnaire.rtf). The aim of the
questionnaire is to stimulate the discussion on the convening of
the IGF.
Website

This website is still under construction. It aims to support the
consultative process on the convening of the IGF and to provide
an interactive collaborative space where all stakeholders can air
their views and exchange ideas. To prepare for the consultations,
contributions from all stakeholders are encouraged and will be
posted on this website. First comments are already posted
(http://www.intgovforum.org/contributions.htm).

Background

The Tunis Agenda for the Information Society invites the
Secretary-General to convene a new forum for multi-stakeholder
policy dialogue (para 67)
(http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=2267|0).
The Forum is to be convened by the second quarter of 2006 in an
open and inclusive process (para 72). Click here to view the
mandate (http://www.intgovforum.org/about.htm).

The IGF's structure, function and its working are addressed in
paras 73 - 79 of the Tunis Agenda.

The WSIS welcomed the generous offer of the Government of Greece
to host the first meeting of the IGF in Athens no later than 2006
(para 82). Click here to view a related website set up by the
Greek Government (http://igf-greece2006.org/).

Other resources

Further useful resources are available on the websites of 

- The WSIS Executive Secretariat
(http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/background.asp?lang=en&theme=ip)

- The International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
(http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/intgov/index.phtml)

- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
(http://www.oecd.org/site/0,2865,en_21571361_34590630_1_1_1_1_1,00.html)

- The UN ICT Task Force
(http://www.unicttaskforce.org/sixthmeeting/background.html)

- The Diplo foundation. (http://www.diplomacy.edu/isl/ig/)

- The Internet Governance Project
(http://www.internetgovernance.org/)

- The Internet Society (http://www.isoc.org/)

- Panos media brief on ICANN
(http://www.panos.org.uk/global/Rprojectdetails.asp?ProjectID=1053&ID=1002&RProjectID=1070)

- Net Dialogue (http://www.netdialogue.org./)


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> http://www.intgovforum.org/inv_letter.htm


Geneva, 11 January 2006

Excellencies,
Sir, Madam,
Dear Colleagues,

As you will recall, the Secretary-General was asked by the World
Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in Tunis last
November, to convene in an open and inclusive process an Internet
Governance Forum (IGF) for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue. I
have been asked to organize consultations on the convening of the
IGF and I am now pleased to invite all stakeholders to attend
these consultations, which will take place in Geneva on 16 and 17
February 2006. The meeting will be chaired by Mr Nitin Desai, the
Secretary-General's Special Adviser for WSIS, who will assist the
Secretary-General in preparing the convening of the IGF.

The meeting will take place in Room XVIII of the Palais des
Nations. Interpretation in all UN languages will be provided. The
schedule on both days is as follows: 10 -13 and 15 - 18 hours.

We have created a website to support this consultative process.
More details on the consultations, including a draft agenda, are
available on this website, which is still under construction:
http://www.IntGovForum.org.

All stakeholders are encouraged to submit written contributions
as an input into the consultations. Contributions will be posted
on the same website.

We are aware that this meeting is called at unusually short
notice and apologize for it. We had originally planned to hold
the consultations in late February, but learned that all hotels
were already fully booked in the entire Geneva area at that time,
because of the Geneva Motor Show which opens on 2 March. The
dates finally chosen were the only available alternative on this
side of the April holidays.

Yours sincerely

Markus Kummer

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> http://www.intgovforum.org/agendafeb2006.htm


CONSULTATIONS ON THE CONVENING OF

THE INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM (IGF)

GENEVA, 16 – 17 FEBRUARY 2006

PALAIS DES NATIONS, ROOM XVIII


DRAFT AGENDA



1. Adoption of the Agenda

2. Nature, character and structure of the IGF

3. Substantive priorities

4. The first meeting of the IGF

5. Any other business

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> http://www.intgovforum.org/meeting.htm


Consultations on the convening of the IGF

Participation

Participants who represent governments and entities which are
accredited to the WSIS or ECOSOC are admitted to attend the
meeting. They may be requested to provide proof of their
accreditation. Other participants who can demonstrate proven
interest and/or expertise in Internet related issues will also be
admitted. Participants will include representatives from the
Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Geneva, officials
from government offices responsible for information technology
strategy as well as representatives from the private sector,
civil society as well as the academic and technical communities.
In addition, participants from international and regional
organizations dealing with Internet Governance issues are also
expected to attend. Other specialized agencies and
intergovernmental bodies as well as non-governmental
organizations will also take part in the meeting.

Click here to download registration form in French or English.
They should be filled in and submitted to the Secretariat by Fax
(+41 22 917 00 92) or by e-mail (address@hidden) preferably by 4
February, but no later than 11 February 2006. Please note that
participants who are in possession of a badge which gives them
access to the Palais des Nations do not need to register. However
for purposes of establishing a list of participants they are
kindly requested to fill in the top half of the registration
form.

Media

Media representatives are welcome to attend the consultations.
Please note that for journalists wishing to cover the event in
their official capacity the normal media accreditation process
applies. Check the website of the United Nations Office in Geneva
for the details.

Logistics

The meeting will take place at the United Nations Office of
Geneva, Palais des Nations, Conference Room XVIII. Simultaneous
interpretation will be provided in the six official languages of
the United Nations.

Upon arrival, participants are requested, before entering the
Palais des Nations, to collect their badge at the UN Security
Service, Villa Les Feuillantines, 13 Avenue de la Paix (close to
the main entrance to the Palais on the Place des Nations, on the
opposite side of the road). The Security Service is open from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. (non-stop). Due to the existing security measures
in force, participants are strongly advised to arrive before 8.30
a.m. in order to complete procedures and reach the Meeting in
good time. Walking from Villa Les Feuillantines to the E-Building
(Bâtiment E) of the Palais, where Conference Room XVIII is
located, takes about 10 minutes. Participants are requested to
carry a passport or similar national photo identity card with
them. There is a general interdiction on the entry of taxis to
the grounds of the Palais des Nations. Visitors will be dropped
off at the requested entrance gates. Further, luggage is not
authorized inside the buildings unless the Security Service
grants special clearance.

Reception

All participants will be invited to a reception hosted by the
Swiss Authorities on the evening of the 16 February immediately
after the meeting.

Further information and contact details

All communications concerning representation at the meeting and
written contributions should be sent to the Secretariat,
preferably by e-mail, addressed to :address@hidden

Any other substantive enquiries should be addressed to Mr.
Chengetai Masango, Tel: +41 22 917 57 59, email:
address@hidden

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> http://www.intgovforum.org/questionnaire.htm


Questionnaire on the Convening the Internet Governance Forum
(IGF)


This questionnaire addresses some issues that came up following
the Tunis Summit. It is meant to stimulate the discussions in the
open consultations on the convening of the IGF on 16 and 17
February and help clarify some open questions with regard to the
functioning of the IGF. The questionnaire aims to provide an open
framework for discussion – additional remarks, comments or
questions are welcome and should be sent to address@hidden *. You
may write your comments on any of the questions directly into the
form or submit more general comments separately. Please provide
your full name . the entity which you represent and where you are
based. If you are responding in your personal capacity please
state so and describe your involvement in Internet Governance
issues. Responses will be published on this website.


1        The Tunis Agenda sets out various functions for the
forum. Paragraph  72 (g) indicates that a possible outcome of its
meetings could be recommendations ("where appropriate").
Paragraph 72 (l) asks the IGF to produce a report ("to publish
its proceedings") as its output.

     (a)   What outcome would you expect from an IGF meeting?

     (b)   Should there be any other output apart from the
report?

2        The Tunis Agenda describes the IGF as "multilateral,
multi-stakeholder, democratic and transparent" (para 73) and sets
out many functions it should assume (see paras 72 and 77). 
However, it leaves open questions of participation as well as
periodicity, duration and type of IGF meetings, including on-line
aspects and virtual collaboration and participation. Several
delegations endorsed the proposal contained in the WGIG Report,
i.e. to create a Forum that should be modelled on the WGIG open
consultations, where all stakeholders participated on an equal
footing.

     (a)   Could the WGIG open consultations constitute a
possible model for the IGF?

     (b)   How often should the Forum meet?

     (c)   How long should its meetings be?

     (d)   Should meetings be considered subject to UN rules,
such as accreditation, rules of procedure or languages?

     (e)   How could the IGF make best possible use of ICTs and
promote virtual interaction?

3        The Tunis Agenda has a strong development focus. It
raises questions related to access to the Internet  (para 72(e))
as well as to developing country participation in Internet
Governance mechanisms (para 72 (f)). It also emphasizes that the
IGF needs "to contribute to capacity-building for Internet
Governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local
sources of knowledge and expertise" (para 72 (h)).

     (a)   How should the IGF approach access issues
("availability and affordability of the Internet")?

     (b)   Para 72 (f)  indicates that special measures ought to
be taken to facilitate developing country participation in the
IGF itself. What should be done?

     (c)   What should be the focus of capacity-building
initiatives?

4        Para 78 (b) calls on the Secretary-General to "establish
an effective and cost-efficient bureau to support the IGF,
ensuring multi-stakeholder participation".

     (a)   Does this para refer to a bureau as it is normally
used in an intergovernmental context, such as the WSIS bureau?

     (b)   Would it be a bureau to deal with organizational
issues and prepare agenda and programme of the IGF meetings?

     (c)    If so, how should it be composed?

     (d)   Alternatively, could it be a high-level senior
advisory body to provide overall direction and shape to the IGF
meetings?

     (e)   If so, how should it be composed?

5        Para 78 (b) can also be interpreted as referring to a
secretariat function.

     (a)   Could this function be assumed by existing
institutions, which could take turns in providing the secretariat
for the IGF?

     (b)   Alternatively, is there need for an independent
secretariat?

     (c)   If a secretariat is established,

         (i)                 Where should it be based?

         (ii)               What should be its linkage to the
United Nations Secretary-General?

6        Para 73 addresses aspects related to the structure of
the IGF, which should be "lightweight and decentralised" and
build on "existing structures of Internet governance, with
special emphasis on the complementarity between all stakeholders
involved in this process".     What does this mean in practice?

     (a)   Does the decentralized structure refer to a support
structure (secretariat) or the Forum itself, or both?

     (b)   Does it point to additional expert meetings and / or
programme committees, which could report back to the IGF and help
prepare its meetings? Should possible sub-structures be supported
by organizations with the relevant expertise?

7        The Tunis Agenda does not elaborate on aspects related
to the funding of the IGF.     How do you think the IGF should be
financed?

8        Para 74 mentions the "proven competencies of all
stakeholders in Internet governance and the need to ensure their
full involvement".     What steps should be taken to identify and
engage all stakeholders and what needs to be done to make best
possible use of their competencies?

9        Para 74 also encourages the Secretary-General "to
examine a range of options for the convening of the Forum".    
Are there any other options not addressed in the questions above?
What are these options as you understand them?

10    Paragraph 72 (a) of the Tunis Agenda gives the IGF the
mandate to "discuss public policy issues related to key elements
of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability,
robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet".

     (a)   What are these issues?

     (b)   Are they all the issues mentioned in the Chapter on
Internet Governance in the Tunis Agenda?

     (c)   Which issues should be treated as priorities?

     (d)   Could these issues constitute a work programme for the
coming years?


11    The first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum should
take place "no later than 2006"

     (a)   When would be the best time for the meeting?

     (b)   What should be on its agenda?

     (c)   Should it focus on one or at the most  two issues that
would be dealt with in depth, or should it discuss a wide range
of issues?

     (d)   How should its programme be designed (time-management
plan, organizational aspects)?

12    Any other comments, suggestions or questions that should be
addressed?


Please let us know your views on any other issues that ought to
be addressed.

*Please send all submissions in either .rtf , text or . pdf via
email.

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> http://www.intgovforum.org/about.htm


The Mandate of the IGF

The mandate of the IGF is set out in Paragraph 72 of the Tunis
Agenda:

72. We ask the UN Secretary-General, in an open and inclusive
process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of
the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the
Internet Governance Forum (IGF).The mandate of the Forum is to:

   1.  Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of
Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability,
robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet;
   2.  Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different
cross-cutting international public policies regarding the
Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of
any existing body;
   3.  Interface with appropriate inter-governmental
organizations and other institutions on matters under their
purview;
   4.  Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices,
and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the
academic, scientific and technical communities;
   5.  Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to
accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in
the developing world;
   6.  Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in
existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms,
particularly those from developing countries;
   7.  Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of
the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where
appropriate, make recommendations;
   8.  Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in
developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge
and expertise;
   9.  Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of
WSIS principles in Internet governance processes;
  10.  Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet
resources;
  11.  Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use
and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday
users;
  12.  Publish its proceedings.