An Assessment of the UN Internet Governance Forum: Different Actors in a Multistakeholder Environment

Abstract

The dialogue and debate initiated after the WSIS in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), was built as a multi -stakeholder environment based on an equal footing participation. This was possible by allowing the intervention of all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, private sector and academia. This space of participation has a mandate established in the Tunis Agenda of the Information Society and i t has the following main objectives:• Discuss public policy issues related to key element s of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet. • Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body. • Interface with appropriate intergovernmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview. • Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities. • Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world.• Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries. • Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations. • Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise. • Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet governance processes. • Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources. • Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users.