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Sixth Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Chair’s Summary

Abstract: 
The theme of the meeting was: “The Internet as a catalyst for change: access, development, freedoms and innovation”. Over the last few years, international fibre optic capacity has grown abundant, more than 12 million Kenyans have gained access to the Internet, mobile banking services have revolutionized national financial networks, and the Internet has played an active role in human development. Concerns voiced at the meeting included: transparency in Internet governance and operations, online safety against cyber-crimes, the protection of children on the Internet, accessibility and affordability of the Internet, multi-lingualism online, “information egalitarianism”, and the continued need for a multi-stakeholder open policy dialogue. The Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) session discussed the inclusion of international institutions such as WIPO and WTO in policymaking, mobile Internet and the capacity of core transport networks, the Internet as a human right conjoined with the right to development, and the growth of access and “capacity gaps.” Emerging issues discussed included spectrum allocation and 4G and LTE (Long Term Evolution) technologies. The role of Internet resources such as the DNS system, new gTLDs, and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions were also discussed.
Author: 
jessica.choi@wellesley.edu
Institution: 
IGF
Year: 
2011
Region(s): 
Industry Focus: 
Information & Telecommunication,Internet & Cyberspace
Country: 
Kenya
Datatype(s): 
Events