Evolution of Internet Governance: Empowering Sustainable Development

This is the title of the 10th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF), recently held in João Pessoa, Brazil. As in 2015 the world community marks 10 years of  the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS + 10), it is also a call to harness ICTs for social and economic change.

In a few weeks UN will review implementation of decisions made at the World Summit on the Information Society back in 2005. WSIS calls for creating “people-centered, development-oriented, inclusive information society”. How doable is it and what steps are already taken? The Internet Governance Forum on its hand is meant to ensure that ICTs will assist in developing strategies to reach Sustainable Development Goals throughout the next 15 years. Forum is a multistakeholder platform with regional and global meetings meant to foster discussion on all levels about public issues related to the Internet.

Organizers of a joint WSIS+10 emphasize that the future of the Internet must be shaped through an open and inclusive debate.  You can join their call for global collaboration by signing the statement here.

During this year’s IGF, a few new initiatives were introduced, such as Global Commission on Internet Governance, the NETMundial Initiative and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise. Also, the Italian Chamber of Deputies presented an “Internet Bill of Rights”. In terms of voicing and listening, youth is encouraged to participate actively as well. The Youth Coalition on Internet Governance developed IGF for Newbies, which introduces Internet governance and encourages youth for their own inputs.