Internet governance - Call for comments - Australian Government

The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts is seeking the views of interested parties to assist the Australian Government in its participation in a forthcoming international meeting on Internet Governance, held under the auspices of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

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Internet governance emerged as a significant public policy issue during WSIS Phase 1. One of the agreed outcomes was that the UN Secretary General should establish a Working Group with the task "to investigate and make proposals for action, as appropriate, on the governance of the Internet." A Secretariat for the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) has been established, although membership of the Working Group itself has not yet been finalised.

The Secretariat is organizing consultations open to all Governments and stakeholders on the establishment of the WGIG, its structure and working methods as well as the scope of its work. The meeting will take place on 20 / 21 September 2004 in Room XVIII, at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. Interpretation in all UN languages will be provided.

Issues The views of any interested parties are sought on the general issue of Internet governance, and in particular :

(a) The composition of the Secretary General’s Working Group on Internet Governance

(b) The scope of the Group’s work and its method of operations

(c) The adequacy of existing international arrangements in facilitating deployment and use of the Internet in a transparent and accountable manner

(d) The respective roles of governments, the private sector, academic and technical experts and civil society

(e) Any barriers to participation by developing countries in the Internet governance framework.

Comments should be sent by cob 28 August 2004, submitted either by e-mail to intgov@dcita.gov.au, or in writing to GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601. Telephone inquiries may be directed to Mr Tom Dale on 02 6271 1099.