The 10th Internet Governance Forum takes place this week in João Pessoa at a time when Internet Governance experts continue to debate how best to shape the future of the Internet.

IGF2015

IFLA is attending the IGF for the 8th time, and will bring the library perspective to workshops on the WSIS+10 Review and copyright. IFLA will also convene the fourth meeting of the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries, where the draft Statement of Principles on Public Access in Libraries will be discussed. IFLA, together with other stakeholders has been working on this draft statement which will now be open for consultation during the IGF. The workshop will discuss how to ensure that we connect the next billion, in absence of technology and connectivity that can reach every individual, globally. The statement will be revised after the IGF and finalised in the coming months.

Joint Statement on the WSIS+10 Review process

During the IGFa group of over 25 organizations came together to issue a joint statement on the WSIS+10 Review process. IFLA is one of the signatories to the Statement which calls for the extension of the IGF’s mandate to continue its important work, and the collective work to support and successfully implement the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Background:

Over the past 10 years the IGF has matured into more than an annual meeting. Aside from its contribution to regional and national IGFs across the globe, IGF intersessional work is producing substantial outputs. In 2015 six Best Practice Forums tackled issues ranging from countering abuse of women online to policy options for connecting the next billion, not to mention the ongoing work of the Dynamic Coalitions. These initiatives have produced outcome documents that will enrich discussions at the IGF and inform policy making elsewhere in the internet governance ecosystem. The IGF’s mandate ends this year, with its fate to be determined by the UN General Assembly in December. 

How can you get involved?

As always, the IGF is also available for remote participation, and all sessions are livestreamed. While the schedule contains many tracks of interest to library and information professionals, IFLA recommends the following sessions at this year’s event:

Monday November 9th

2pm: WSIS+10 Review, Workshop Room 10

Wednesday November 11th

11am: Unlocking Internet Economy through Copyright Reform, Workshop Room 5

Thursday November 12th

11am: Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries, Workshop Room 6

You can follow the discussion on twitter: #igf2015 and other social media.