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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I had made this posting a few days back to the IG caucus,
with CC to plenary list, but for some strange reason it hasn’t come on
this list. So, I am reposting (though with a few changes)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Dear</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Friends,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>We
wish to bring to your notice what we think is an important issue regarding the
future of the Internet. </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
most important institutional gain from the WSIS is the setting up of an
Internet Governance Forum (IGF) which is mandated to take up important public
policy issues relating to the Internet. Even though it is not a negotiating or
decision making body, in the present context wherein the governance of the Internet
is captured mostly by dominant interests, the IGF becomes an important global
policy space for pushing progressive and pro-development agenda in relation to
the Internet.</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>A
noteworthy thing about the IGF is that civil society has important, and almost
equal, official status in the IGF as governments and the private sector.
Therefore, if the</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'> </span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>IGF does indeed
evolve into an effective global policy space, it can serve as an important
global governance innovation as well. </span></font><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>We
write this with concern over that fact that progressive forces promoting the
public domain, communication rights, media rights etc do not seem to be engaged
with the possibilities of the IG Forum sufficiently. And as the Internet
increasingly emerges as a main arena for these issues, this lack of engagement
can be disastrous. </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
imperative NOW:</span></font></u><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>IGF
has called for submission of themes for its first meeting. The way the
substantive business of the IGF takes off initially will in many ways determine
and</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New"'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>de</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>limit the
scope of the IGF. Civil society groups need to put forward progressive themes
early enough to be able to define the substantive spaces within the IGF.
(Experiences in forums like WIPO for pushing development agenda are instructive
on how it is necessary to capture thematic spaces early in these global policy
forums) </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>We
are especially concerned that with issues like network neutrality already
threatening the Internet in very basic ways, (please see</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>
<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4552138.stm"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4552138.stm</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> for one
such report on how a multiple tiered Internet with content, services and access
differentiated by ability to pay, and other considerations, is already taking
shape)</span></font><b><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'>there is a need for the public and egalitarian nature of the Internet to
be asserted unequivocally as a fundamental principle for global public policies
regarding the Internet.</span></font></b><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;font-weight:bold'>Why your participation in this process is URGENTLY
REQUIRED</span></font></u></b><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Fostering
the Internet’s ‘public’ character– as a principle and
in its concrete policy expressions is an urgent imperative. The implications
for policy span the three layers of the Internet - logical, content and
physical infrastructure - and the essential public and egalitarian nature of
the Internet concerns all three layers. (Openness in Domain Name System space
pertains to the logical layer, network neutrality and preserving the public
domain issues implicates the content layer, while issues like open spectrum,
community/municipality wireless, wireless commons etc concern the physical
layer). The IG Caucus had invited themes for submission to the IGF and
from IT for Change we have made a proposal on ‘defining and fostering the
public nature of the Internet’ to be submitted for being taken up at the
first meeting of the IGF. We are of the view that this issue should get wider
support.</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>If
you feel that this is an important issue which must be taken up by the IGF,
please send your endorsement to this proposal. <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>The last date for submissions is 31<sup>st</sup> March</span></b>, and
therefore your endorsement should reach</span></font><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'> <a
href="mailto:Parminder@ITforChange.net"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>Parminder@ITforChange.net</span></font></a> </span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> by the
30<sup>th</sup>. In case you have further clarifications, please write to us.
</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Thank
you. </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Parminder
</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Suggested theme for the first meeting of the Internet
Governance Forum</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>: Defining and fostering the
‘public-ness’ of the Internet – issues of public interest,
public domain, public infrastructure and public good in the context of the
Internet. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>a. A concise formulation for
the proposed theme</span></font></b><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In
determining global public policy issues and directions for IG, it is important
to first define and characterize the Internet. Its essential public and
egalitarian nature must be asserted as basic principles through open
discussions at the IGF. And these principles can then be interpreted in terms
of specific issues that face us today - content issues (protecting and
promoting the public domain, network neutrality) infrastructure issues
(universal access, public infrastructure, open spectrum, Internet as public
good), as well as many other issues.</span></font><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>b. A brief description of why it is
important </span></font></b><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
Internet, as understood by most of us, is what it is basically because of its
egalitarian and public nature. It is important to articulate these fundamentals
of the Internet strongly, and use them as the guiding principles to debate and
develop global public policies on IG. WSIS was an arena that required quick
resolutions for consensus positions. This imperative did not allow sufficient
informed debates on developing public policy principles for IG, including
characterizing the essential public and egalitarian nature of Internet as the
technology that promises a ‘better world for everyone’. IGF is the
right forum for initiating this process, and taking it forward in a sustained
manner. Formulating these ‘essentials’ of the Internet, and due
exposition of their implications in various contexts, will enable better global
policy responses to pressing issues including network neutrality and universal
access. If these essential principles that define the Internet are not
discussed and settled urgently, the Internet is likely to disintegrate, along
both political and economic lines. Even if it is going to be a difficult and
protracted process, discussing and resolving this is essential and the IGF is
the right forum to initiate it. </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>c. </span></font></b><b><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";
font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>How it is in
conformity with the <st1:State w:st="on">Tunis</st1:State> Agenda of the World <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Summit</st1:place></st1:City> on the Information
Society (WSIS)</span></font></b><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
WSIS Declaration of Principles assert “… … our common desire
and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented
Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share
information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to
achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and
improving their quality of life…… ”.</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
earlier mentioned issues of characterizing the global resource of the Internet
fall within these overall ideals agreed at the WSIS. <st1:place w:st="on">Para</st1:place>
31 of the Tunis Agenda declares </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>“We
recognise that Internet governance, carried out according to the <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Geneva</st1:place></st1:City> principles, is an
essential element for a people-centred, inclusive, development oriented and
non-discriminatory Information Society.”</span></font><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>d. How it</span></font></b><b><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";
font-weight:bold'> </span></font></b><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>fits within the
mandate of the IGF as detailed in para 72;</span></font></b><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Discussion
on the stated issue is important in order to develop guiding principles for
laying down a public policy framework on IG. </span></font><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>(72
a of Tunis Agenda: Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of
Internet Governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness,
security, stability and development of the Internet;)</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Such
discussions will lay the guiding principles for, and help clarify, possible
policy responses to important emerging issues of network neutrality, public
internet infrastructure, spectrum de-licensing etc. </span></font><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>(72
g: Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies
and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations;)</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>And
most importantly, it puts IG discussions in the context of the broad guiding
principles adopted at <st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City>, and later in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tunis</st1:place></st1:State>. </span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>(72
i: Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles
in Internet Governance processes;)</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>e.
Who the main actors in the field are, who could be encouraged to participate in
the thematic session</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>All
stakeholders – from governments, civil society, business and
multi-lateral organizations to those organizations currently involved with IG,
like the ICANN, have an important role in discussing these issues. However,
more stress needs to be placed on the inclusion of representation from
developing countries and (2) the development community without core ICT
backgrounds. </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>f. Last but not least,
why should this issue should be addressed in the first annual meeting of the
Forum rather than in subsequent ones.</span></font></b><font size=2
face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
first phase of Internet development was driven purely by enterprise and
innovation, and in many ways by private sector leadership, which served us
well. Internet grew mostly autonomous of public policy in this phase. </span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>But
now with the power of Internet firmly established, and its economic and
political threat to many entrenched interests increasingly obvious, we are into
an important phase of development of the Internet where its egalitarian and
public nature is increasingly under threat. To stem this trend and possibility,
global public policy response in the form of clearly establishing the public
and egalitarian nature of the Internet, and laying out its policy consequences,
needs to come in urgently. </span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In
the absence of this, it may soon be too late to reclaim the promise of the
Internet for developing a “people-centred and development oriented
information society” as envisioned by the WSIS. As a commentator recently
said in the context of the issue of ‘network neutrality’, if urgent
policy action is not taken, the situation may soon become intractable, and it
will then be like trying to push the ‘genie back into the bottle’. </span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New"'>________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New"'>Parminder Jeet Singh<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New"'>IT for Change<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New"'>Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New"'>91-80-26654134<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New"'>www.ITforChange.net <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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