/1net: Setting the Scene

Efforts to continuously strengthen the dialogue on Internet cooperation, as part of the global multistakeholder processes and mechanism are important. On 8 October 2013 the leaders of organizations responsible for coordination of the Internet technical infrastructure globally met in Montevideo, Uruguay, to consider current issues affecting the future of the Internet. As was noted in the Montevideo Statement on the Future of Internet Cooperation: The Internet and World Wide Web have brought major benefits in social and economic development worldwide. Both have been built and governed in the public interest through unique mechanisms for global multistakeholder Internet cooperation, which have been intrinsic to their success. The leaders discussed the clear need to continually strengthen and evolve these mechanisms, in truly substantial ways, to be able to address emerging issues faced by stakeholders in the Internet. As part of their statement: They identified the need for ongoing effort to address Internet Governance challenges, and agreed to catalyze community-wide efforts towards the evolution of global multistakeholder Internet cooperation. Following the Montevideo Statement, the community met at the 2013 in Bali to further discuss community wide efforts towards achieving these objectives and engaging with the broad community, including civil society, business, technical community, governments, and academia. This website and the dialogue seeks to contribute to strengthening the Dialogue on Internet Cooperation. This dialogue doesnt have a set time line, and is a contributor to initiatives including the upcoming meeting to be hosted in Brazil in March 2014, as well as other forums. The Dialogue does not replace existing organizations, it does not replace existing discussions or forums, but rather its to bring together different views contributing to a range of discussions. To reaffirm the strength of decentralized mechanisms that together evolve to address emerging issues and strengthen the multistakeholder approaches to Internet governance. Its critical to note this dialogue does not replace the IGF, rather the IGF is an important forum to be strengthened as part of this dialogue.

So what is the Dialogue about? Purpose: To catalyse a multi-stakeholder movement to develop, through an open processes, a framework for evolving, broadening and strengthening Internet Governance/Cooperation arrangements, and to advocate for its adoption. Commitment: Those joining the Dialogue intend to participate in good faith in its deliberations, and signal their general commitment to supporting an Open, Transparent and multi-stakeholder Internet Governance arrangements with ideas and resources. Multi-stakeholderism: The Dialogue's focus lends itself to multi-stakeholder discussion, and so any groups (e.g. the Steering Group) within the Dialogue should aim themselves to span and include all stakeholders. Problem description: There is a perceived need for Internet Governance arrangements to evolve to meet the needs of today's Internet. A range of 'use' issues are open for discussion under current arrangements (most broadly at the Internet Governance Forum), but not for decision. At the same time, an extensive series of multilateral discussions in 2014 may be an occasion for states to build multilateral Internet Governance arrangements. Contributors to the Dialogue believe that Internet Governance is best done through multi-stakeholder means - that is, in ways which incorporate the views, and seek the agreement, of all those involved in the evolution and development of the Internet. By signing up youre contributing. Please choose in addition to the general discussion if theres specific topics youd like to contribute to.