Response by the Internet technical and academic community representatives to the CSTD Working Group on improvements to the IGF
The Internet technical and academic community representatives to the UN CSTD Working Group on improvements to the IGF welcome the opportunity to respond to the issues for discussion agreed to by the Working Group at their first meeting in Montreux, Switzerland, 25-26 February 2011 and subsequently distributed by the CSTD Secretariat as a questionnaire on 1 March 2011.
The IGF has grown quickly in its first five years to become the pre-eminent—and perhaps only— place where all stakeholder groups can come together and, through an open and inclusive process, learn about and discuss public policy issues related to Internet governance. During the IGF’s first five-year mandate, it has evolved to achieve a level of stability in its structure, in its processes, and in its level of funding. It is also clear that the discussions within the IGF have matured and evolved, reflecting the increased level of trust that has grown between the different stakeholders over the years. But it must continue to improve.
This brief paper describes some of the IGF’s key areas of strength and identified several areas for improvement. Of all the issues raised in this paper, perhaps the most vital one is to continue to attract participants from all stakeholder groups in developing countries and from among underrepresented groups.