<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div>Dear Listers,</div><div><br></div>Here's a message by European Commission Vice President Nelie Kroes who is expected in Nairobi for the IGF to be held in Nairobi in September. <br><br>Europe has a champion VP on internet governance issues and also acknowledges the critical role the internet plays in economic, social, political and cultural development. <br><br><br><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/neelie-kroes/i-propose-a-compact-for-the-internet/">http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/neelie-kroes/i-propose-a-compact-for-the-internet/</a><br clear="all"><br><div>Today I had the pleasure of speaking at the OECD�s <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.oecd.org/site/0,3407,en_21571361_47081080_1_1_1_1_1,00.html">High-Level Meeting on the Internet Economy</a>. It is a chance for people across the world � from the US and Japan to Mexico and South Africa � to get together and talk about the challenges we are facing.<p>From how to deliver broadband for all, to how to keep the Internet open.</p><p>I spoke about my view of what matters on the Internet. There�s been a lot of discussion recently about principles which do, or should, underpin the network. The <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.g20-g8.com/g8-g20/g8/english/live/news/renewed-commitment-for-freedom-and-democracy.1314.html">G8</a> recently agreed a few � principles like openness, freedom, non-discrimination and respect for human rights. Other bodies, including the OECD itself, are also developing their own.</p><p>I think this is a very worthwhile exercise for these bodies � and for the European Commission, too: it�s clear to me that the Internet is a European strategic domain � and our stance towards it should be underpinned by the same values, priorities and interests as everything else we do.</p><p>If, like me, you believe that the Internet is a force for positive change in the world, then it�s worth thinking about what the key features are that we couldn�t do without, the �internet essentials�, imperative features which must be preserved if the Internet is to go on playing the role it plays in the world.</p><p>So I�ve set out <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/11/479&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">my own initial ideas about this</a>. I think the main ingredients are these:</p><p>- <strong>C</strong>ivic responsibility. On the internet, we are not atoms. And just as when we are out in �normal�, offline society, we bear responsibilities to each other which go beyond the purely legalistic, especially when there is harmful behaviour out there.<br>- <strong>O</strong>ne internet � we should safeguard the idea that, on the Internet, every node can communicate with every other. This unity is what allows the Internet to thrive in the way it has; we need to avoid fragmentation.<br>- <strong>M</strong>ultistakeholder governance of the Internet � because the participation of all stakeholders in policy making is a good one, which we support in this domain and others.<br>- <strong>P</strong>ro-democracy. With the right tools � like open access to Government information, and platforms for collective action � the Internet can become an instrument supporting democratic life, and we should promote it as such.<br>- <strong>A</strong>rchitecture matters � the architecture of the internet is fundamental to its dynamics. I�m sure the architecture will change in the future as new challenges emerge � but we need to be aware of the implications that different models might have.<br>- <strong>C</strong>onfidence of users is a prerequisite: barriers to confidence and trust are barriers to access. If we don�t solve problems like protection of personal data, privacy and identify; like online safety for children; like cybercrime and resilience of the network, then people will be turned off the net and we won�t unlock the Internet�s potential. And finally,<br>- <strong>T</strong>ransparent governance � so that the multistakeholder model doesn�t fall apart. In particular we need to be transparent about the role which government representing their citizens play, and ensure that those views aren�t ignored.</p><p>So you could call this �a Compact for the Internet�.</p><p>This isn�t about regulation � as I�ve said before, the Internet should remain a place of freedom, and regulation should be only an exceptional last resort; in any case keyhole surgery rather than amputation.</p><p>But, as the Internet develops � becomes more and more part of our lives, and develops into new areas like the Internet of Things � then we need a vision of what properties of the Internet should remain. (See my speech on the IoT <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGidzvj0hgI">here</a>).</p><p>These are just my initial ideas � I�ll be developing them further over the coming months. And I want to get your views too; what do you think really matters about the Internet? Tell me on this blog, or on Twitter: #internetcompact</p><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><br><span></span><br><span></span><span></span><span><img height="110" width="200" id="2f498ff9-d952-478f-8e57-026c2b2ecbb0" apple-width="yes" apple-height="yes" src="cid:75A0DB1B-5738-4187-B2E6-551F3F3D872B"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><br><br><br><span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66); font-style: italic; ">dot KE for Every Name in Kenya!</span></span><br><br><br><br></span>
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