IGF
 | |
| Industry: | Internet Governance |
| Founded: | 2006 |
| Founder(s): | United Nations, World Summit on the Information Society |
| Headquarters: | Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10 |
| Country: | Switzerland |
| Website: | intgovforum.org |
| Facebook: | IGF Facebook |
| Twitter: |  @intgovforum
|
| Key People | |
| Chengetai Masango, Program & Technology Manager Lynn St. Amour, Chair, Multistakeholder Advisory Group | |
The Internet Governance Forum or IGF was established in order to provide the necessary support for the United Nations Secretary General in conducting the mandate from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).[1] The IGF serves as a platform wherein stakeholders from industry, government and civil society can discuss issues related to Internet governance. It serves as a collaborative, interactive platform where all stakeholders can put forward their views and exchange ideas beneficial for Internet governance. The IGF was formally established in 2006 as a part of the outcome of the second phase of WSIS. The first IGF meeting took place in October-November 2006 in Athens, Greece, with Internet Governance for Development as its theme.[2]
Objective
As per the Tunis Agreement, the main objective of the IGF is to serve as a multilateral, democratic, transparent, multi-stake holder entity for the discussion of key areas of Internet governance, that will look after the security, stability, development, robustness and sustainability of the Internet across the world.[1]
Mandate
The Mandate for the IGF was set under paragraph 72 of the Tunis Agreement, and states that the IGF is principally a discussion forum established to facilitate dialogue amongst its participants. The IGF should “recognize the emerging issues in Internet governance, bring these issues to the attention of the general public and relevant bodies, and make recommendations as and where it feels appropriate." However, the mandate doesn’t give the authority to IGF to make any decisions.[3]
Funding
The IGF is funded through donations from various stakeholder groups. A majority of the funds that go into organizing IGF meetings are provided by the host countries. As far as the funding of the IGF Secretariat’s activities are concerned, they are funded through the multi-donor Trust Fund, which is administered by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).[4]
In December 2014, it was reported that ICANN had donated $50,000 to the IGF Support Association.[5]
Activities of IGF
The IGF organizes Workshops, opens Best Practice Forums, and holds meetings of its Dynamic Coalitions.
Meetings
- IGF 2006: "Internet Governance for Development"
- IGF 2007: "Internet Governance for Development"
- IGF 2008: "Internet for All"
- IGF 2009: "Internet Governance – Creating Opportunities for All"
- IGF 2010: "Developing the Future Together"
- IGF 2011: "Internet as a Catalyst for Change: Access, Development, Freedoms, and Innovation"
- IGF 2012: "Internet Governance for Sustainable Human, Economic and Social Development"
- IGF 2013: "Building Bridges - Enhancing Multistakeholder Cooperation for Growth and Sustainable Development"
- IGF 2014: "Connecting Continents for Enhanced Multistakeholder Internet Governance"
- IGF 2015: "Evolution of Internet Governance: Empowering Sustainable Development"
- IGF 2016: "Enabling Inclusive and Sustainable Growth"
- IGF 2017: "Shaping the Digital Future"
- IGF 2018: "Internet of Trust"
- IGF 2019: "One World. One Net. One Vision."
- IGF 2020: "Internet for Human Resilience and Solidarity"
- IGF 2021: "Internet United"
- IGF 2022: "Resilient Internet for a Shared Sustainable and Common Future"
- IGF 2023: "The Internet We Want - Empowering All People"
- IGF 2024: "Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future"
IGF and ICANN
ICANN has always commended the efforts of IGF in bringing together the Internet Community, including ICANN, to discuss issues concerning both ICANN and the IGF. The IGF has also provided ICANN with a good opportunity to share their experiences and information regarding the process of governing the Internet, and what role it plays in enhancing the workings of the Internet. [6]
National and Regional IGFs
There are 93 national and 19 regional NRIs.
Youth Initiatives
There are 32 youth IGF initiatives, 4 youth initiatives integrated into the NRIs and 3 additional programs to build youth participation in Internet Governance.
References