INTERNET GOVERNANCE WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR AFRICA? ASHOK.B.RADHAKISSOON

PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES Emergence of a new economy Emergence of a new economy Empowering the citizen Empowering the citizen

BASIC QUESTION??? Governance mechanism for the ICT Sector Governance mechanism for the ICT Sector Different and Differing viewpoints Different and Differing viewpoints

Harmonized Approach Allocation of Internet names and numbers Allocation of Internet names and numbers Cyber security Cyber security Standards Standards Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual Property Rights Support to e-health, e-education, e-gov Support to e-health, e-education, e-gov

Legal regulatory policy Trustworthy Trustworthy Transparent Transparent Non-discriminatory Non-discriminatory Enforceable Enforceable Effective separation-Policy Maker/regulator Effective separation-Policy Maker/regulator

Defining the contours ICT GOVERNANCE ICT GOVERNANCE V/S V/S INTERNET GOVERNANCE

PRECONDITIONS Institutional Readiness Institutional Readiness Local Capacity Local Capacity ICT Use ICT Use Affordability Affordability Cultural dimension Cultural dimension

How best can Africa benefit from Internet Governance?

Major Clarification Internet Governance issue not limited to ICANN Internet Governance issue not limited to ICANN ICANN-Private Law Entity ICANN-Private Law Entity Under the Jurisdiction of the State of California Under the Jurisdiction of the State of California

Legal Relationship-US &ICANN Memorandum of Understanding. Memorandum of Understanding. Two private parties-Nobody else Two private parties-Nobody else US Dept of Commerce and ICANN US Dept of Commerce and ICANN

Other aspects of Internet Governance Infrastructure Infrastructure Copyright Copyright Content Content Trade Marks Trade Marks Standards Standards Cyber crime Cyber crime Security Security Digital Divide Digital Divide Encryption Data and Consumer Protection Interconnection Transfer of technology Interoperability Moral and Cultural values

FOCUSSING ON THE GLOBAL ASPECT Need for: (1) Information sharing From basic to technical From basic to technical (2) Reflection On the African context-drawbacks and specificities On the African context-drawbacks and specificities (3) Structured and Coordinated approach

From WSIS to IGF Change in the status of the Forum

WSIS Negotiating Forum-Declaration & Action Plan … unanimous agreement in WSIS, as per the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, that Internet Governance should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations.… unanimous agreement in WSIS, as per the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, that Internet Governance should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations.

WGIG The WGIG has been asked, inter alia, to investigate and make proposals for action, as appropriate, on the governance of the Internet by 2005 dealing with the following issues to investigate and make proposals for action, as appropriate, on the governance of the Internet by 2005 dealing with the following issues Develop a working definition of Internet governance Identify the public policy issues that are relevant to Internet governance Develop a common understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of Governments, existing international organizations and other forums, as well as the private sector and civil society in both developing and developed countries

Internet Governance Forum Where are we (Africa) in the process? Where are we (Africa) in the process? Basic Misunderstandings Basic Misunderstandings Narrow-ICANN perspective only Narrow-ICANN perspective only Neglect of the broader internet issues Neglect of the broader internet issues Summary appraisal of the present status of Internet Governance Summary appraisal of the present status of Internet Governance

Need for change in perspective Moving from a bilateral context onto a multilateral platform Moving from a bilateral context onto a multilateral platform Need to do a balancing act- Need to do a balancing act- Preservation of what we have and use v/s v/s Constructive and adaptable changes

How do we proceed? Being honest about our shortcomings Being honest about our shortcomings Identifying our needs Identifying our needs Seeking help from specialized entities-AfriNic, ISOC, ICANN, IANA ( there are others) Seeking help from specialized entities-AfriNic, ISOC, ICANN, IANA ( there are others) Develop a specialized pedagogy Develop a specialized pedagogy

The Pedagogy Group recipients into those needing basic training in the first place needing basic training in the first place (b) specialized training for internet regular users (b) specialized training for internet regular users (c) higher reflection group-strategy (c) higher reflection group-strategy (d) Use regulators as focal points (d) Use regulators as focal points

Structuring 1.National Initiatives 2.Sub regional level 3.Regional Level-May be inter- regulator(Continuity) 4.Political strata 5.African Common Position

Getting Started Setting up of a coordinating body Setting up of a coordinating body (1) Organization (2) Production of materials (3) Funding (4) Appraisal (5) Communication

Thank You For Your Attention.