[bestbits] IGF Invitation: Roundtable on Equity and the Developing World in Internet Governance (Thursday, 12 Nov., Room 10 at 2.00 pm)

[Gangesh S. Varma]

Dear All,

The Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi
<http://ccgdelhi.org/>and Digital Asia Hub <http://www.digitalasiahub.org/> are
hosting a roundtable on *'Equity and the Developing World in Internet
Governance'* [*Workshop 78] *at the IGF this year. The roundtable will take
place from *14:00 - 15:30 *on* Thursday, 12th November *at* Workshop Room
10*.

The workshop aims to discuss, the concept of equity in the changing
contours of the 'multistakeholder model'. Equity, in the context of global
internet governance, could refer to two concerns: *Firstly*, the equitable
representation of voices and perspectives from developing countries and
emerging economies, especially civil society, in Internet Governance policy
debates. *Secondly* and equally critical, is the notion of inter -
generational equity. The Internet community of today is constantly
evolving, bringing in new actors, constituencies and interests. The
roundtable discussion will attempt to articulate equity principles, with
specific reference to three existing Internet Governance structures: ICANN,
the WSIS process, and the ITU.

Are Internet governance structures well placed to absorb and accommodate
new entrants who do not speak the epistemic language of domain names and
protocols? If not, what are the institutional barriers preventing such
adaptability? The areas of discussion include but are not limited to the
following:

1. Equity as increased access and meaningful participation for actors from
the developing world.

2. Spaces where claims to equity can be made: ITU, ICANN and WSIS and
constituent bodies, associated working groups, regional and national level
governance mechanisms.

3. Processes that should be more equitable - plenary meetings,
multistakeholder consultations, expert networks and implementation
programmes.

4. Barriers to equity and meaningful participation - funding, capacity,
representation and gender.

The roundtable will be moderated by Professor Ang Peng Hwa, Member -
Steering Committee, Digital Asia Hub and President - elect, International
Communication Association. The confirmed participants include Rahul Gosain,
Buru Kilic, David Bogado, Jan Scholte, Jane Coffin, Javier Pallero, Milton
Mueller, Mwendwa Kivuva, Nigel Hickson, Parminder Jeet Singh, Paul Wilson,
Peter Micek, Rafik Dammak and Sheetal Kumar.

We hope to see many of there and do feel free to get in touch for any
details.

[Apologies for cross-posting]

Best,
Gangesh
-- 

Gangesh Sreekumar Varma | Senior Fellow
Centre for Communication Governance | National Law University, Delhi
| Sector-14, Dwarka, New Delhi - 110078 | Cell: (+91) 8447159123 | Fax:
(+91) 11-280-34256 | www.ccgdelhi.org . www.ccgtlr.org
<http://www.ccgdelhi.org/> . www.nludelhi.ac.in | Twitter: @ccgdelhi
<https://twitter.com/CCGDelhi> . @gangeshvarma
<https://twitter.com/gangeshvarma>
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