[Chapter-delegates] What ISOC is doing

[Andrew Sullivan]

Hi,

On Tue, Jul 06, 2021 at 08:10:21AM -0400, Veni Markovski wrote:
>
>It would be good to know: a) what ISOC is doing with regards to this
>issue

I think there is little doubt that the Internet model is under some threat.  In addition, in my view merely talking about some of the traditional nation-state threats misses the other threats.  As a practical matter, any attempt to erode the Internet way of networking is a problem – whether that comes from a nation-state that has never embraced the Internet way (such as those with "great firewalls"); a nation-state that traditionally _did_ embrace the Internet way (such as countries that have tried to specify "clean networks" by issuing orders that specify which other networks may not be connected to directly); or a corporation that, whether through sheer commercial inertia or through competitive strategy, ends up controlling and closing off too much of the network infrastructure.

That's why we adopted the strategic objectives to build the Internet ("Extend the Internet to communities that do not have it and need it most"), promote the Internet ("Promote the Internet model of networking as the preferred model"), and defend the Internet ("Shape the policies of leading governments in favor of the growth of independent networks, which are free to interconnect", "Counter attempts by leading governments to undermine encryption", and "Defend against shutdowns by increasing cross-border connectivity and resiliency").

Here are some of the ways we've been doing that:

     • The Internet Society staff monitor and participate, when possible, in UN discussions that may impact the multistakeholder model of the Internet (e.g. CSTD, HLPDC, OEWG).  We will not, however, get involved in politics around the election of the next ITU Sec Gen.
	• We maintain our position on the future of the IGF, our support for the general multistakeholder approach for Internet governance, and are attending to discussions of WSIS Renewal leading up to 2025.
     • We advocate for the Internet Way of Networking principles, which are a response to top-down multilateral attempts to take over the governance of the Internet.
     • We coordinate informally with colleagues from the technical community, who are also engaged in these
	• We have been active in the work of the Christchurch Call, as a way of illustrating that multistakeholder efforts that affect the Internet can respond to government-originating issues and concerns.
	• We are monitoring and analyzing proposed cybercrime treaties.
	• We have developed targeted messages, consistent with limitations on our lobbying capacity, to meet legislative proposals that are attempts to control the Internet in political jurisdictions where we believe we can be effective. We sometimes collaborate with other organizations in an effort to make our voice stronger.

There is current work on a plan to engage chapters interested in these topics. (Elizabeth Oluoch and Christine Saegesser are leading that activity.)  So, we are keen to hear what chapters have to say about issues of importance to them.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

A

-- 
Andrew Sullivan
President & CEO, Internet Society
sullivan at isoc.org
+1 416 731 1261