[governance] IGC questionnaire Q2 for review

[Ginger Paque]

2. To what extent has the IGF embodied the WSIS principles?

Principle 1 of the WSIS principles states:* We, the representatives of 
the peoples of the world*, *assembled in Geneva from 10-12 December 2003 
for the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society,* 
declare 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, premised on the purposes and principles of the Charter 
of the United Nations and respecting fully and upholding the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights.

A reading of the WSIS principles shows a clear emphasis on Human Rights. 
Yet the IGF has side-tracked efforts to give rights and principles a 
significant emphasis in the meeting agenda, allowing a minority of 
voices to over-ride what is clearly a central obligation of the IGF.

The concept of "rights" should continue to stress the importance of 
openness and universal access. This framework must continue to emphasize 
the importance of access to knowledge and development in Internet 
governance, while adding to it the basic right of individuals to access 
the content and applications of their choice. This is in keeping with 
current debates regarding an “open Internet”, and relevant aspects of 
the often confusing network neutrality discussions.

The inclusion of " rights and principles" allows for wide discussion of 
the responsibilities that the different stakeholders have to each other. 
It allows for open examination of the principles that should govern the 
Internet, particularly in its commercial facets.

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