WSIS+10 workshop?, was Re: [bestbits] Next steps on principles (was Re: Coordination...)

Sun Dec 9 14:06:41 EST 2012

Hello everyone:

Watching this very interesting discussing, and looking at the impending deadline for workshop proposals for the WSIS+10 review meeting Feb 25-27 in Paris (www.unesco.org/wsis2013)--proposals are due tomorrow, Monday the 10th, form attached--we at CDT were wondering whether it might make sense for some of the Best Bits participants to collaborate on a workshop proposal on the positive agenda issue.  Perhaps a "developing a positive civil society agenda on internet governance" type of workshop if the meeting format would tolerate a civil society-dominated workshop, or perhaps a more broadly constituted panel focusing on "If not the ITU, then what? Positive visions for the future of internet governance".  (I suggest the former simply because it would be the easiest to put together on such short notice, since most if not all of the best potential panelists are already on this list, and indeed, are perhaps already on this thread).

Matthew Shears will be attending the WSIS meeting for CDT; it's not clear yet whether I and/or Emma would join him, but either way, one of us would be happy to be on such a panel if folks think it's worthwhile.  I'm also happy to work to get this proposal out the door tomorrow but would love to hear feedback on whether it is a good idea, and whether we need to make it a diverse panel or could focus on civil society's role.  Also curious to hear what if anything others on the list are planning in terms of workshops for this meeting (speaking generally we're happy to participate and help out wherever we can).

I suppose we also should start discussing whether we'd like to attempt to reconvene the Best Bits group in Paris prior to the WSIS+10 meeting and the MAG meeting.
____________________________________
Kevin S. Bankston
Senior Counsel and Free Expression Director
Center for Democracy & Technology
1634 I St NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
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kbankston at cdt.org

Follow CDT on Twitter at @cendemtech

On Dec 6, 2012, at 9:58 AM, Pranesh Prakash wrote:

> Jeremy Malcolm [2012-12-06 15:15]:
>> On 04/12/2012, at 12:01 AM, Norbert Bollow <nb at bollow.ch> wrote:
>> 
>>> Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette at apc.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> This does bring us back to our 'Best Bits' goal about developing and
>>>> proposing principles for internet governance. Should we not begin to
>>>> plan our next steps?
>>> 
>>> Absolutely.
>>> 
>>> How can things realistically be moved forward in a positive,
>>> constructive way?
>> 
>> 
>> I worry that the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" meme with which most are approaching WCIT will solidify into a general opposition to any global norm-setting outside of the Internet technical community's institutions, and that Internet policy development will thereby be confined to the national level.  This is not helped by the US government's predisposition to avoid taking on international obligations (the Disabilities Treaty being the latest example, besides the Law of the Sea, the International Criminal Court, the Cybercrime Convention, the Treaty for the Visually Impaired, etc) - except of course through multilateral trade agreements!  I think we need to work on addressing that perception, and point out that:
>> 
>> 1. Multi-stakeholder Internet governance will be soft law, guidance rather than compulsion.
>> 2. Even the US is promulgating global Internet norms through fora that suit it (OECD, APEC, and the "free flow of information" provisions in the TPP).
>> 3. So we need to move this into multi-stakeholder global fora, at a higher level that does not bind anyone, and need not restrict national policy space.
>> 4. There are various non-technical Internet policy issues that have no appropriate global home (nor should the ITU become their home).
>> 5. For example, a potential core competency is connecting Internet governance with human rights, as a framework to guide the development of national and multilateral norms for IP enforcement.
>> 6. Let's propose an IGF-based multi-stakeholder enhanced cooperation mechanism that would be an acceptable way to deal with such issues.
> 
> This is a most excellent summation and suggestions.
> 
>> We all hate hierarchy, but sometimes a little bit of structure is necessary to provide firm enough guidance to policymakers (look at the failure of IPv6 adoption).  The existing loose network of Internet governance institutions, even if their "cooperation" is "enhanced", isn't structured enough to provide such guidance in a way that will satisfy the stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental) who are seeking more from the enhanced cooperation process.
>> 
>> At Best Bits a few options were described, though we ran out of time to debate them.  As I see it, there is a UN-linked option (which in turn divides into an IGF-based option or an IGF-independent option), or there is a UN-independent option (the Enhanced Cooperation Task Force, ECTF).  So far, almost none of us have been serious about pursuing any of these.  But the status quo is not going to hold.  One way or another, Internet governance is going to evolve, and it will do so with us or without us.  We've spoken loudly enough about what we don't want - the ITU.  So, what do we want?
> 
> I think a stock-taking of where things have moved on the issues highlighted in the WGIG documents then would be helpful.
> 
> I've some notes from conversations I was having with different people at Best Bits in terms of a 'positive agenda', that I hope to type up and elaborate on, and send to the list.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Pranesh Prakash
> Policy Director
> Centre for Internet and Society
> T: +91 80 40926283 | W: http://cis-india.org
> PGP ID: 0x1D5C5F07 | Twitter: @pranesh_prakash
> 

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