Net governance forum opens debate

Today marks the opening of a four-day period of debate and discussion on how the web should be governed to safeguard its future and protect users.

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meets today in Athens to share best practice and thought leadership on how to get the most out of the web, with the aim of encouraging change through dialogue rather than enforcement.

The IGF was borne out of the World Summit on Information Society, which took place in Tunis last November. It brings together high-level decision-makers and influencers from governments and private and public sector entities around the world.

The forum will consist of a number of core sessions, focusing on openness, security, diversity and access in addition to more than 30 issues-based workshops.

"I would like to wish all the participants of this first Internet Governance Forum success in their endeavours here over the next few days," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media during her keynote speech as part of today's opening ceremony.

"May the democratic heritage of Athens inspire our talks and guide our debates, controversial though they may be. The future of the Internet will very much depend on such an open dialogue and on the willingness of all interested parties - whether from the side of civil society, of industry or of governments - to cooperate in a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding."

During a Nominet-sponsored event held last month entitled The Road to Athens, Nitin Desai, chair of the IGF, detailed his hopes for what the forum will achieve.

"Much of the discussion on internet policy has been conducted by people whose specialisation is the internet," he said.

"We need to bring in people who are involved in other areas of policy, because the Internet is increasingly affected by what is done elsewhere."

Some 1,200 delegates are expected to attend the event in person, in addition to those taking part in the proceedings via web cast.

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