WIDE

News&Events

2012

News
2012.10.26
WIDE Project Statement on Internet Governance

The following is a brief summary of points for consideration, by the WIDE Project (*1).

With the active participation of individual researchers and engineers throughout the history of the development of the Internet, the Internet infrastructure in almost all countries around the world has been built and maintained by the private sector.

In reality, the discussions on the governance of the Internet have been and should be conducted through multi-stakeholder processes, respecting different points of view due in part to individuals' diverse backgrounds working with various legislative structures.

The continuing participation of the private sector, individuals, non-governmental organizations and the public sectors of various countries to the discussions on the governance of the Internet is a keystone to the ongoing and future development of the Internet.

If the Internet infrastructure in a particular country significantly hampers the fundamental rights of specific stakeholders, it causes the fragmentation of the platform, and the value of the Internet as an innovation engine is totally lost.

Therefore, the WIDE Project recommends the discussions on the governance of the Internet should continue to be conducted through multi-stakeholder processes, especially by the private sector's leadership, respecting their diverse backgrounds working with various type of institutes and individuals.

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(*1) WIDE Project, www.wide.ad.jp

Beginning with Internet deployment in Japan in the 1980s, the WIDE Project has been involved in the governance scheme locally in Japan, regionally in Asia Pacific, and globally for our society. The WIDE project is pleased to promise to engage in and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on multi-stakeholder approaches to Internet governance.