[WSIS CS-Plenary] Text of the "Western paper" on Internet Governance section 5

[Vittorio Bertola]

This is the text of the "Western paper" that was circulated yesterday, and
that I referred to in my updates earlier this morning.

======
PART 5 :

We recognize the efforts deployed by the initiators of the Internet, and
the need to guarantee a stable and secure operation of this efficient tool
for humanity. We are also convinced that there is a need for an
evolutionary process towards a new transparent, democratic, and
multilateral framework, with the participation of government, private
sector, civil society and international organizations.

We support the evolution and internationalization of the Internet
governance system, based on the Geneva Principles through existing and
future mechanisms, institutions and fora.

It is our conviction that all stakeholders -- governments, the private
sector, civil society and other interested parties -- should actively
participate in Internet governance in a coordinated and balanced manner,
commensurate with their respective roles and responsibilities.

We recall that the main responsibility of all stakeholders is awareness
raising, capacity building and to propose solutions to accelerate
availability and affordability of Internet in developing world.

In order to strengthen the global multistakeholder interaction and
cooperation on public policy issues and developmental aspects relating to
Internet governance we propose a forum.

This forum should not replace existing mechanisms or institutions but
should build on the existing structures on Internet governance, should
contribute to the sustainability, stability and robustness of the Internet
by addressing appropriately public policy issues that are not otherwise
being adequately addressed (referred to in para....) excluding any
involvement in the day to day operation of the Internet.  It should be
constituted as a neutral, non-duplicative and non-binding process to
facilitate the exchange of information and best practices and to identify
issues and make known its findings, to enhance awareness and build
consensus and engagement.  Recognizing the rapid development of technology
and institutions, we propose that the forum mechanism periodically be
reviewed to determine the need for its continuation.

We also encourage the development of multistakeholder processes at the
national and regional levels to discuss and collaborate on Internet
expansion and dissemination and support development efforts to achieve
Millenium Declaration goals and to support global processes.

We further recommend an evolutionary approach to existing arrangements
which aims to ensure that they operate in an efficient, transparent, and
democratic multistakeholder fashion, and also to ensure equitable resource
distribution leading to internationalized functions of the Internet, in
particular with the following actions:
·	The reinforcement of the role of Governments in ICANN decision making
with regard to relevant Internet public policy issues;
·	The reinforcement of the Internet Regional Resource Management
Institutions, to ensure regional autonomy in Internet resource management;
·	The continued internationalization of ICANN and its functions;
·	The strengthening of the participation of developing countries in
specialized institutions for the technical management and standardization
Internet bodies.

Call for the follow up of this evolutionary approach which should be in
the context of relevant international institutions, and coordinated by the
UN system.

We call upon the UN Secretary General to organize the forum as soon as
possible in 2006.
-- 
vb.               [Vittorio Bertola - v.bertola [a] bertola.eu.org]<------
http://bertola.eu.org/  <- Vecchio sito, nuovo toblòg...