Orbit

*Call to Participate in the Survey for Input into MAG Open Consultations 4-6th April, 2016*

The MAG under UNDESA is holding its first Open Consultations next week between the 4th and 6th April, 2016. As a member of the 2016 MAG and we are working towards planning the IGF 2016. The first meeting will include and involve taking stock of the 2015 IGF and reviewing format etc.

As part of enabling informed and inclusive input, you are kindly invited to assist by participating in this Survey that I have designed to garner issues important to the Region.

Grateful if you could assist by answering this Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85WL3CK.

I have hyperlinked the Survey but here it is again: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85WL3CK

*About the MAG*

The UN Secretary-General of the United Nations established the Advisory Group (now referred to as the Multistakeholder Advisory Group - MAG). Its purpose is to advise the Secretary-General on the programme and schedule of the Internet Governance Forum meetings. The MAG is comprised of 55 Members from governments, the private sector and civil society, including representatives from the academic and technical communities.

This year marks the 10th Anniversary since the inaugural Internet Governance Forum in Greece in 2006. The Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) preceded the inaugural IGF and was initially established to create and design the initial phase of the IGF. The IGF has since evolved to become a robust platform for discussion, collaboration and exchange of ideas on key public policy issues.

*What is the IGF and its Mandate?*

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2011/press/Backgrounder_What_is_IGF_final.pdf, a multistakeholder platform that enables the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. It is a space which the UN gives for all stakeholders to participate in discussions on equal footing. The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors. At their annual meeting delegates discuss, exchange information and share good practices with each other. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise. The IGF is also a space that gives developing countries the same opportunity as wealthier nations to engage in the debate on Internet governance and to facilitate their participation in existing institutions and arrangements. Ultimately, the involvement of all stakeholders, from developed as well as developing countries, is necessary for the future development of the Internet.

Under Paragraph 72 of the Tunis Agenda, the United Nations Secretary General convenes the Internet Governance Forum which is mandated to do the following:

· Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet;

· Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body;

· Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview;

· Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities;

· Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world;

· Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries;

· Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations;

· Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise;

· Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet governance processes;

· Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources;

· Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users;

· Publish its proceedings

On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 6:41 PM, Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro < salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

Grateful if you could assist by answering this Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85WL3CK.

I have hyperlinked the Survey but here it is again: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85WL3CK

This is to gauge the levels and perception of local, national and sub-regional, regional and global Internet Governance Forums. I intend to use the input to impact my contributions in the MAG Open Consultations for the 2016 IGF.

Many Thanks,

--

*Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala T*

*P. O. Box 17862*

*Suva*

*Republic of Fiji*

*Cell: +679 7656770 <%2B679%207656770>; *

*Home: +679 3362003 <%2B679%203362003>* *Twitter: @SalanietaT*

*"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour." Aristotle*