[kictanet] US SIGNALS A NEW ERA OF INTERNET GOVERNANCE IN ITS WILLINGNESS TO GIVE UP ICANN OVERSIGHT

[Ali Hussein]

Listers

Apologies for cross-posting. 

As the US signals its willingness to give up oversight of the Internet to a global multi-stakeholder constituent I can't seem to help but wonder whether I should repeat the old adage:-

'Be careful what you wish for'.

In the aftermath of Snowdenia it is not unreasonable for us to have had the knee jerk reactions of the kind that erupted all over the world. Now the Multi-stakeholder community must have sober discourse, which must involve private sector for profit and do gooders, governments and the citizenry of the world at large. Even when this discourse degenerates into a Tower of Babel we must not loose sight of the ultimate goal:-

A Free, Borderless Internet where information and commerce flows without the overpowering big brother oversight that the likes of Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran seem to be advocating and which the US has been stealthily practicing behind everyone's back.

Can we rise up to the challenge? 

http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303546204579439653103639452?mobile=y

Countries like Kenya have the opportunity to take leadership in this new dispensation. I suggest that we do just that. May I humbly request the CS to convene a Multi-Stakeholder forum in the earliest possible time to craft a National Response and Position on this issue? 

I humbly submit that we CANNOT afford to remain on the sidelines while matters of National Importance that are being shaped by international events continue to pass us by. More importantly the 'Digital Government' MUST be seen to engage all stakeholders going forward.

Ali Hussein

+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113

Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
Blog: www.alyhussein.com

"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots".  ~ Albert Einstein

Sent from my iPad
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