[governance] IGF theme proposal: asserting the public-ness of Internet as a guiding principle for IG

Sat Mar 18 05:24:36 EST 2006

Dear All

I think IGF should also take up some substantive issues like of defining the
public and egalitarian nature of Internet as the guiding principle for
Internet related public policy. This is important in the context of emergent
issues like network neutrality which require urgent responses.  

And since IGF is not WSIS, we can put up broader issues that tend more
toward opening up debates, rather than reach consensual agreements. 

And I also agree with Karens point made a few days back that IGC should
involve broader CS, at least from the WSIS plenary list, to develop
suggested themes for IGF. I am therefore marking this to the wsis plenary as
well. It will also be useful to take a buy-in from CS involved in IPR  WIPO
issues, since public domain vis-à-vis Internet is an important issue
implicated here. 

My proposal, in the format suggested by Bertrand is submitted as below. 

Regards

Parminder

ISSUE: Defining and fostering the public-ness of the Internet  issues of
public interest, public domain, public infrastructure and public good in the
context of the Internet. 

a.      A concise formulation for the proposed theme

In determining global public policy issues and directions for IG, it is
important to first define and characterize the Internet. Its essential
public and egalitarian nature must be asserted as basic principles through
open discussions at the IGF. And these principles can then be interpreted in
terms of specific issues that face us today - content issues (protecting and
promoting the public domain, network neutrality) infrastructure issues
(universal access, public infrastructure, open spectrum, Internet as public
good), as well as many other issues.

b.     A brief description of why it is important 

The Internet, as understood by most of us, is what it is basically because
of its egalitarian and public nature. It is important to articulate these
fundamentals of the Internet strongly, and use them as the guiding
principles to debate and develop global public policies on IG. WSIS was an
arena that required quick resolutions for consensus positions. This
imperative did not allow sufficient informed debates on developing public
policy principles for IG, including characterizing the essential public and
egalitarian nature of Internet as the technology that promises a better
world for everyone. IGF is the right forum for initiating this process, and
taking it forward in a sustained manner. Formulating these essentials of
the Internet, and due exposition of their implications in various contexts,
will enable better global policy responses to pressing issues including
network neutrality and universal access. If these essential principles that
define the Internet are not discussed and settled urgently, the Internet is
likely to disintegrate, along both political and economic lines. Even if it
is going to be a difficult and protracted process, discussing and resolving
this is essential and the IGF is the right forum to initiate it. 

c.                    How it is in conformity with the Tunis Agenda 

The WSIS Declaration of Principles assert 

 our common desire and
commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented
Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share
information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to
achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and
improving their quality of life

 .

The earlier mentioned issues of characterizing the global resource of the
Internet fall within these overall ideals agreed at the WSIS. Para 31 of the
Tunis Agenda declares 

We recognise that Internet governance, carried out according to the Geneva
principles, is an essential element for a people-centred, inclusive,
development oriented and non-discriminatory Information Society.

d.     How it fits within the mandate of the IGF as detailed in para 72;

Discussion on the stated issue is important in order to develop guiding
principles for laying down a public policy framework on IG. 

(72 a of Tunis Agenda: 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;)

Such discussions will lay the guiding principles for, and help clarify,
possible policy responses to important emerging issues of network
neutrality, public internet infrastructure, spectrum de-licensing etc. 

(72 g: Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant
bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make
recommendations;)

And most importantly, it puts IG discussions in the context of the broad
guiding principles adopted at Geneva, and later in Tunis. 

(72 i: Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS
principles in Internet Governance processes;)

e.      Who the main actors in the field are, who could be encouraged to
participate in the thematic session

All stakeholders  from governments, civil society, business and
multi-lateral organizations to those organizations currently involved with
IG, like the ICANN, have an important role in discussing these issues.
However, more stress needs to be given on inclusion of representation from
(1) developing countries and (2) development community without technical
background.  

f.       Last but not least, why should this issue should be addressed in
the first annual meeting of the Forum rather than in subsequent ones.

The first phase of Internet development was driven purely by enterprise and
innovation, and in many ways by private sector leadership, which served us
well. Internet grew mostly autonomous of public policy in this phase. 

 But now with the power of Internet firmly established, and its economic and
political threat to many entrenched interests increasingly obvious, and no
longer possible for them to ignore, we are into an important phase of
development of the Internet where its egalitarian and public nature is
increasing threatened. To stem this trend and possibility, global public
policy response in the form of clearly establishing the public and
egalitarian nature of the Internet, and laying out its policy consequences,
needs to come in urgently. 

Otherwise, if Internets growth is left to its own, as many entrenched
interests advocate, it may soon be too late to reclaim the promise of
Internet for the purposes that the world community asserted at the WSIS. As
a commentator recently said in the context of the issue of network
neutrality, if urgent policy action is not taken the situation may soon
become intractable, and it will then be like trying to push the genie back
into the bottle. 

________________________________________________

Parminder Jeet Singh

IT for Change

Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities 

91-80-26654134

www.ITforChange.net 

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