[Chapter-delegates] Press release: Diverse voices the key to continued Internet development

[Gerard Ross]

Hello

For your information, here our second IGF press release, which we  
shall be issuing shortly. this is based on the speech Lynn just  
delivered at the opening session, which will be available on our web  
site later today.


Kind regards
- Gerard

--
Gerard Ross
Senior Communications Manager
Internet Society
Email: ross at isoc.org


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Press release - for immediate distribution
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DIVERSE VOICES THE KEY TO CONTINUED INTERNET DEVELOPMENT
- Internet Society President urges UN forum to maintain
support for multistakeholder dialogue

HYDERABAD, INDIA, 3 DECEMBER 2008 - As the main United Nations forum  
for discussing Internet-related issues opens its third annual meeting  
in Hyderabad, India this week, the head of one of the world's leading  
Internet organisations has called for ongoing commitment to  
multistakeholder processes for Internet development.

Speaking on the opening panel session of the Internet Governance Forum  
(IGF), Lynn St.Amour, President and CEO of the Internet Society (ISOC)  
reminded participants of the proven effectiveness of the existing  
model of Internet development. The "Internet model", as it is known,  
is characterised by distributed responsibility; collaborative decision  
making processes open to interested parties, in a framework of  
consensus-building practices; and the ability for innovation and  
evolution to take place at the user level.

"The Internet model underpins the incredible success of the Internet's  
evolution to date," said Ms St.Amour. "The Internet Society values the  
opportunity created by the IGF. We are encouraged to see the pursuit  
of issues in a multistakeholder engagement model. And we maintain that  
these outcomes would not have been possible in any of the traditional  
intergovernmental models."

The IGF was formed as an outcome of the World Summit for the  
Information Society (WSIS). But, as a series of more traditional UN  
events, issues of accreditation, intergovernmental protocols, and  
other formalities restricted the range of voices WSIS heard on crucial  
emerging issues.

In response, the UN Secretary-General established the IGF to run  
annually from 2006-2010 as a multistakeholder, non-duplicative, non- 
decision-making forum for dialogue.

At this midpoint for the IGF, Ms St.Amour reflected upon the process  
so far, saying that it has been "a learning experience for everyone."  
While the Internet community has always worked in open inclusive  
processes, this has not been a familiar model for all.

"Governments and intergovernmental organisations should value the IGF  
as an incredible opportunity," said Ms St.Amour. "Nothing in the IGF  
either binds governments to implementation in their sovereign  
territory, nor prevents them from taking the actions they believe are  
in the interests of their citizens. In fact, participating in IGF  
enriches their, and their citizens' decisions,"

There is evidence that understanding is building. In June this year,  
the OECD held a ministerial meeting on the future of the Internet  
Economy, in which ISOC played a leading role coordinating the inputs  
of many participants of the technical community, together with  
representatives of business and civil society.

While some critics have labeled the IGF a "talk-shop", Ms. St.Amour  
argued that such statements miss the point.

"Without the regular intergovernmental constraints, the IGF has  
emerged as unique forum where ideas can be explored and tested by  
stakeholders, on an equal footing, unburdened by the constraints of  
intergovernmental procedures and negotiations."

"Ideas can be explored and tested by stakeholders, on an equal  
footing, unburdened by binding decision-making processes and  
intergovernmental procedures and negotiations," she said.

But Ms St.Amour also cautioned that the value of the IGF remains  
dependent on the commitment and support of its participants.

"The value comes from those of us here, those who follow remotely, and  
most importantly those who come away from this meeting and say 'yes, I  
can use that back home' - that is what makes the IGF worthwhile," she  
said.

The Third IGF meeting runs from 3-6 December at the Hyderabad  
International Convention Centre.


About the Internet Society
---------------------------
The Internet Society is an international, non-profit organisation  
founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet related standards,  
education, and policy. With offices in Washington, DC, and Geneva,  
Switzerland, it is dedicated to ensuring the open development,  
evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of people  
throughout the world.

Further details
----------------
Scott Hoyt
Vice President, Strategic Communications and Business Planning
E-mail: hoyt at isoc.org
Telephone: +1-703-439-2120 x2142
1775 Wiehle Avenue
Suite 201 Reston, VA
20190-5108 USA

or

Gerard Ross
Senior Communications Manager
E-mail: ross at isoc.org
Telephone: +41-228-071-444 x2261
4, rue des Falaises
CH-1205-Geneva
Switzerland