Given the importance of Multistakeholder Governance for the future evolution of the Internet and in addressing issues of public policy and technology, the Internet Society has launched a two-phase process, trying to identify the key characteristics and main challenges of Multistakeholder governance.
Phase I – Multistakeholder Governance Survey
This initial part of the study was done in form of a questionnaire that sought to identify the perception of users on issues relating to Internet governance.
The survey gathered over 300 individual responses, from 53 countries, to capture perspectives on the origin and future of multistakeholder Internet governance. The conclusion shows that the model works, but there are ways to make it clearer and more inclusive and to leverage enhanced cooperation to strengthen participation in the Internet ecosystem.
Phase II – Call for Papers
Phase II of this process involves the Internet Society soliciting high quality academic papers on the following thematic areas:
- The transition of multistakeholder governance from the environment and sustainable development to the Internet. Was multistakeholderism, as a governance choice for the Internet after the World Summit on Information Society, successful?
- Enhanced Cooperation: what does it mean and what is its contribution to Multistakeholder participation in particular and Internet Governance in general?
- What is the role of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in the context of the WSIS environment and as part of intergovernmental governance structures?
- Different organizations (ICANN, ITU, WIPO, OECD, Council of Europe) claim to have adopted multistakeholder governance but they offer different perspectives and interpretations of it. Why does the concept of multistakeholder governance invite such different interpretations?
- Many argue that multistakeholder structures are the only way to ensure that the Internet – both technically and socially — continues to evolve successfully. Do you agree with this assertion and how do you think the future will look like in the context of multistakeholder Internet governance?
Note: Authors will be required – to the extent possible – to take into consideration the Internet Society’s Multistakeholder Questionnaire outcomes and conclusions as part of their research. The final report can be found here.
The open and sustainable Internet
This call is one component of the Internet Society’s broader initiative focused on the open and sustainable Internet. While the Internet has proven its success from economic, development, technological, and societal perspectives, its continued growth as a multistakeholder platform cannot be taken for granted.
The Internet Society strongly believes that to ensure a sustainable Internet, the Internet must maintain its core characteristics of open, global and interoperable technical standards for innovation; open access and freedom of expression for all users; openness for business and economic progress; based on a collaborative, inclusive, multistakeholder governance model.
The academic papers the review committee considers meet the standards of scholarly and research excellence will be included in a single book publication. In 2014, the Internet Society will be self-publishing an e-book on Multistakeholder governance as part of its effort to contribute to the ongoing discussions on multistakeholder participation
Important dates
- Abstract Submission (extended): January 31, 2014
- Author Notification: February 15, 2014
- Paper submission: June 1, 2014
- Author feedback: August 31, 2014
- Notification of status: September 2014
Abstract & Paper Length and Format
Abstracts should not exceed 500 words and should focus on one of the five (5) thematic areas; researchers should clearly identify which one of the thematic areas they have chosen.
Submitted papers must be no longer than 20 pages, excluding references. Papers must be formatted for letter-size (8.5 x 11) paper, in double-column format with a 12pt font. Authors are required to submit their electronic papers in PDF format.
Important: over-length papers will not be considered for review.
In order to make blind reviewing possible, authors must omit their names and affiliations from the paper. Also, while the references should include all published literature relevant to the paper, including previous works of the authors, it should not include unpublished works.
Submission Details
Submissions received after the deadline or that do not meet the length or formatting requirements will not be considered for review. No email or fax submissions will be accepted. Notification of receipt of an electronically submitted paper will be emailed to the designated contact author soon after receipt. If there are problems with the electronic submission, the program chair will contact the designated author by email.
Policy on Multiple Submissions
The Internet Society will not accept any paper, which, at the time of submission, is under review for or has already been published, or accepted for publication. Authors are also required not to submit their papers elsewhere during the review period. These restrictions apply to journals and conferences, workshops and other similar specialized presentations. Authors will be required to confirm that their submissions conform to these requirements at the time of submission.
Confidentiality policy
All submissions will be treated in strict confidence until the publication date.
Review Process
Papers will be subject to blind peer review. Selection criteria include accuracy and originality of ideas, as well as clarity and significance. Papers will be judged based on the usual measures of quality, with consideration of the relevance to the theme and the potential impact on Internet governance discussions.
The decision of the Program Committee will be final and cannot be appealed.
Publication
All papers submitted will be published as part of the Internet Society’s publication series (both online and in hard copy). The Internet Society is also in the process of trying to secure a deal with an academic journal to host a number of articles on a special issue based on Multistakeholder governance. The review committee will determine the papers to be hosted by the journal. As soon as we reach a deal with a journal we will notify the authors.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Intellectual property rights, including copyright, will be with the author. By participating in this phase, authors grant the Internet Society a royalty free, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the author’s work as required to allow the Internet Society to perform its mission and functions.