IFWP

Type:	Associations
Industry:	International Forum
Website:	IFWP.org
Key People
Prof. Tamar Frankel, Chairman

IFWP (International Forum on the White Paper) is a global initiated composed and sponsored by different group of associations that represents the interest of the internet stakeholders. Its primary objective is to coordinate international meetings relevant to the proposed transition of the management of the Domain Name System (DNS) from the US government to a private non-government organization.

Background

The IFWP was formed after the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) released the White Paper in 1998 and asked for public comments regarding the governments proposal to improve the technical management of the internet by transferring the management to a new non-government corporation.

Professor Tamar Frankel of the Boston University of Law chaired the first IFWP meeting held at Reston, Virginia. The meeting discussed the significant issues discussed in the White Paper such as the creation of a new private corporation to manage the DNS, new domain name registry and dispute resolution process and the issues on internet security and privacy.

IFWP Regional Forums

The IFWP was divided into four regional forums:

1. IFWP Americas-serves North and South American internet community
2. IFWP Europe-represents internet community in Europe, Africa & Middle East
3. IFWP Asia & the Pacific- serves the internet community from Asian countries and the Pacific region
4. IFWP La & C-represents Latin America, Caribbean and other Spanish speaking countries

IFWP Steering Committee

The IFWP initiative was supported by different organizations which became members of the Steering Committee:

• AIAA
• AIM
• AIP
• AOP
• APIA
• CABASE
• CAIP
• CDT
• CIX
• CSSA
• CBI
• EuroISP
• ITAA
• ICC
• IA
• ILPF
• ISP/C
• ISPA-UK
• ISOC
• SCUP
• USCIB