1net

Feb '14

Below is the relevant part of the EC new Internet Governance policy as it pertains to Cooperation and Coordination.

3. A COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

Mutually respectful dialogues between all stakeholders on the future development of global Internet governance are essential given the global economic and societal importance of the Internet. The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has emerged from the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) to facilitate forward-looking discussions amongst all stakeholders, many of whom had not cooperated closely before. It is important, however, to improve the quality and format of IGF outcomes to enhance its impact on global Internet governance and policy.

Stronger interactions between stakeholders involved in Internet governance should be fostered via issue-based dialogues, instead of through new bodies. This would allow relevant stakeholders to address specific challenges across structural and organisational boundaries.

Such arrangements could be inspired by the distributed architecture of the Internet which should serve as a model for better interactions between all parties.

Moreover, a sustainable model needs to clearly define the roles of actors in the governance process, including the role of public authorities to fulfil their public policy responsibilities consistent with human rights online. Such sustainability also needs a shared commitment by all stakeholders to a coherent set of Internet governance principles.

Accountability mechanisms for actors in the Internet space are essential, including organisations responsible for key Internet tasks. Mechanisms such as self-assessment and independent (peer) review can strengthen implementation and recommend improvements.

The Affirmation of Commitments of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and its use of multistakeholder review panels could be one inspiration for other organisations and processes.

The Commission will engage with stakeholders to:

  • strengthen the Internet Governance Forum, taking account of the
    Recommendations of the Working Group on Improvements to the IGF2;
  • clearly define the role of public authorities in the multistakeholder
    context, consistent with an open and free Internet;
  • facilitate issues-based multistakeholder dialogue and decision-making
    across organisational boundaries.