[governance] Is 'tit for tat' all that can be accomplished?

[Jeremy Malcolm]

On 11/06/13 18:35, michael gurstein wrote:
> Unfortunately there doesn`t seem to be even the most minimal agreement
> on this list concerning the nature of the public interest with respect
> to the Internet and Internet Governance (or even if there is a public
> interest with respect to Internet Governance). It has thus proven to
> be fundamentally impossible to ``do something productive``.

There is some guidance in the IGC Charter about what members are
expected to be signing up for when self-asserting their membership of
the IGC.  The IGC's Vision, for example:

    The policies that shape the Internet impact not only the development
    of the technologies themselves, but also the realization of
    internationally agreed human rights, social equity and
    interdependence, cultural concerns, and both social and economic
    development. Our vision is that Internet governance should be
    inclusive, people centered and development oriented. Our
    contributions to the various forums relevant to Internet governance,
    will strive to ensure an information society which better enables
    equal opportunity and freedom for all.


This is what distinguishes the IGC from other Internet advocacy groups,
and we are all expected to subscribe to it, and to the rest of the
Charter, when joining the IGC and when affirming our membership.

Notably, it is not apolitical.  Therefore we shouldn't have to start at
square 1 whenever it comes to agreeing on a position that advances the
public interest; we can begin by ruling out all the positions that
conflict with the Vision, and dismissing them when they hold up consensus.

Perhaps having reference to this statement when disputes arise could
help guide the IGC back onto the rails.  It will not be easy for people
to be overruled as being "politically incorrect" vis-a-vis the IGC
Charter, but maybe that is a possible way out of the IGC's current morass?

-- 

*Dr Jeremy Malcolm
Senior Policy Officer
Consumers International | the global campaigning voice for consumers*
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