A World Without the IGF

Last week in Geneva, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) met to discuss preparations for IGF Berlin. The Internet Society is concerned that the IGF community is showing signs of fatigue and believes that certain things must be improved in order for it to survive in an increasingly crowded Internet policy arena. We also believe the world is much better with the IGF than without it.

As the IGF reaches its fourteenth year, we must ask ourselves if it is still capable of dealing with the myriad governance challenges surrounding the Internet and policymakers – and whether the IGF can continue to evolve the Internet way – into an open and distributed global network of networks grounded in voluntary collaboration.

Imagine a world without the IGF. A world where we won’t be able to welcome people from most corners of the earth, from multiple stakeholder groups, and from diverse viewpoints and perspectives to adress the Internet’s pressing public policy issues. All sharing a common goal, albeit sometimes speaking different languages.

Certain things have indeed improved. We have seen better advanced planning from UNDESA and the IGF Secretariat, along with a supportive, well-organized, and solid support from the Continue reading

IGF 2018: Improvements and a Call for Contributions

The annual meetings of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) have been consolidated as the main space for discussion and exchange of ideas among the stakeholders of the Internet community on an equal footing. However, there are diverse activities which take place throughout the year that require the participation of all the actors of the community.

The Intersessional Activities

The concept of Dynamic Coalitions (DCs) emerged during the first IGF meeting in 2006. These are informal groups, focused on specific topics that report their activities to the IGF Secretariat each year. Currently, there are 17 active coalitions, which involve diverse topics ranging from accessibility and disability to Internet core values. It is possible to join the work of each of them by accessing the site published by the IGF Secretariat.

On the other hand, following the recommendations of the Working Group on IGF Improvements, the IGF community promoted the creation of the Best Practice Forums (BPFs) as a way to generate more tangible outcomes. For the 2018 cycle, four BPFs were approved; all of them are currently seeking feedback from the community. Some of them have a deadline of September 30, while others will receive contributions until October 15. Continue reading

Buenos Aires as a center of discussions on Internet Governance

Without a doubt, this will be a busy week for the Internet Society in Latin America and the Caribbean! Various activities will take place alongside the 11th edition of LACIGF, including discussions on gender and youth, as well as the Workshop for Chapter Leaders of the region. As usual, ISOC will have an important presence in several activities.

LACIGF 11: the maturity of the regional space

From July 31 to August 2, the regional community will meet in Buenos Aires to celebrate the 11th edition of the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Internet Governance Forum (LACIGF). More than ten years after the first meeting took place, LACIGF is now an established event of high importance, where issues related to Internet Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean are discussed.

The agenda includes diverse topics, in which ISOC will be participate. Raquel Gatto will join the discussions on personal data protection, in addition to co-organizing the session on National and Regional Internet Governance Initiatives. In addition, Sebastián Bellagamba will join the debate around Community Networks. And let’s not forget about the keynote speech that will be given by Raúl Echeberría about the future of the global IGF.

The event will be Continue reading

Solutions needed! It’s time to close the digital gender divide

By Raquel Gatto and Joyce Dogniez

If you could sneak peek a future in 10 years in which the Internet is everywhere, would it still be the same access for men and women, boys and girls?

The latest Internet Society report focused on the future of the Internet Society shows that new digital divides are emerging. One of them is a gender divide.  Today 250 million fewer women than men use the Internet. If we don’t act now to close this gap, we will lose out on a digital future that includes everyone.

Closing the digital divide and bridging the gender gap is a promise the world made to itself in 2015 when world leaders ratified the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

This week more than 100 Ministers and 1,500 delegates are attending the World Telecommunications Development Conference, a 10-day meeting dedicated finding new solutions on how Information and Communication Technologies can advance development.

We’re here to send a message that to shape a digital future that benefits all of humanity, we need new thinking, new approaches and new tools for this rapidly changing world around us.

We need your help.

If you’re at the World Telecommunications Development Conference Continue reading