[governance] FW: [IRP] Please provide your input on the impact of the IGF

[Michael Gurstein]

Ginger and all,
 
I've just finished completing the below mentioned q'aire and I have a few
observations to make on it.
 
While the q'aire seems to be reasonably well constructed I'm not sure about
the basic framework of analysis that will be used.  It seems from looking at
the q'aire that a (the?) primary independent variable will be the national
origin of the respondent. Also, it seems that the q'aire was constructed so
as to see if respondents could in fact attribute "impact" to the IGF.
 
I think that there are real issues (from the perspective of a "supporter" of
the IGF) in these two elements and they do I think result in a pre-judging
of the outcome of the q'aire unfavourably (and IMHO unreasonably) in the
negative.  While I personally have very severe reservations about the IGF
(and have expressed these in this venue from time to time), my reservations
had little or nothing to do with either the direct perceived "impact" of the
IGF or on its specific impact on my own country Canada.  Overall, I see
little or no "impact" of the IGF in Canada (nor I would guess in all the
OECD countries and only very selectively outside of these).
 
This however, should not be taken as a complete negation of the significance
of the IGF which I think lies elsewhere (if for no other reason than that
the "impact" of a body such as the IGF is unlikely to be visible in such a
short time period as is under review).
 
Rather the significance of the IGF should be seen in terms of how it has
directly and indirectly contributed to the creation of a basis for
concensus, a language for discussion, a (suitable) cadre of informed people
to carry on the discussion (it is here where I have my issues with the
current IGF but I won't go into those further at this point), the provision
of a venue for the undertaking of the discussions and so on and so on.  None
of this is particularly "national" (in fact little of it is likely to be
national which is the point I think of transnational agencies) and little of
it is likely to be visible as concrete "impacts" (or even outputs--which is
what is currently being discussed in the form of possible IGF
"recommendations" etc.). So a quest for
identification/assessment/determination of "impacts" is really beside the
point.
 
To ask for (specific policy associated) "impacts" and "impacts" moreover
visible at a national (or even global) level is in IMHO to impose a
pre-judgement on the result of the inquiry and one which as mentioned above
is very unlikely to be positive towards the continuation of the IGF.
 
My own feeling is that the major impact/significance of the IGF is that it
provides a relatively open and accessible opportunity for regular dialogue
(and issue focussing) in areas of on-going and very rapidly changing
significance and that IMHO is probably sufficient to warrant its
continuation, but unfortunately none of that is captured or capturable via
the q'aire being presented.
 
Best to all,
 
Mike Gurstein
-----Original Message-----
From: irp-bounces at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org
[mailto:irp-bounces at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org] On Behalf Of
Ginger Paque
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 5:49 PM
To: irp
Subject: [IRP] Please provide your input on the impact of the IGF


(apologies for cross-posting)

Hi everyone,

Diplo Foundation is conducting an online survey to identify the impact of
the IGF Process. Most of you are both familiar with and involved in this
process, and are ideal candidates to provide valuable input. Please take a
few minutes (10-12) to complete the survey. It will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Hvala, Danke and more.
Ginger

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=y7VRGPKsJUE2fJie_2bX2eaA_3d_3d


DiploFoundation Begins Research Survey on the Impact of the IGF

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) process is a direct result of the UN
World Summit on the Information Society. It offers a forum for developing
discussions about Internet Governance in a multistakeholder environment
which allows for not only cross-border but cross-stakeholder sharing on an
equal basis of partners from governments, civil society, business, academia
and the technical community.

The fourth IGF will take place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November, 2009.
As it enters its fourth iteration, the IGF is undergoing a process of review
and evaluation, which makes a survey of its impact particularly relevant and
important. DiploFoundaton has recently begun a research survey to identify
this impact. This information will be valuable for all stakeholders to
consider as best practices, examples or what has worked, and where we need
to focus our efforts to improve.

The process of developing and analyzing the results of this survey will be
conducted by DiploFoundation and other partners, supported by a grant from
AT&T. The project aims to collect a wide range of responses to
questionnaires in two formats: an online survey which will provide input for
a statistical analysis of trends in impact
(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=y7VRGPKsJUE2fJie_2bX2eaA_3d_3d), and
an interview survey of stakeholders from government, civil society,
business, academia and host countries which will form the basis for a
narrative report. The interviews and questionnaire will also collect
recommendations for future enhancements of the IGF and related activities.
This information will be valuable for all stakeholders to consider as best
practices, examples of what has worked, and where we need to focus our
efforts to improve. The project will be conducted during September and
October, 2009, with the release of a report at the IGF in Sharm El Sheikh,
November 15, 2009. Please address any questions to IGF.Impact at gmail.com.



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