Dear Lister's,

Last year KICTANet commissioned the 3rd online discussion on Internet Governance, aimed at raising awareness, encouraging debate and discussions on Internet Governance Issues as well as identifying new emerging issues. The discussions were centered around critical Internet resources,  among the issues discussed were the impact of the undersea cable, the impact of the unified licensing model, emerging policy and regulatory issues, management of the dot KE CCTLD, Adopting IPV6 Challenges and Milestones and finally electronic crimes, privacy and data security. The report was discussed in a Face to Face meeting and presented at the East African IGF that was held in Kampala Uganda.

The discussions are here once more, this is a special year in that Kenya will be hosting the 6th IGF under the new five year period.

Background and Introduction to  Internet Governance

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance. It brings together all stakeholders in the internet governance debate, whether they represent governments, the private sector or civil society, including the technical and academic community, on an equal basis and through an open and inclusive process. [1] The establishment of the IGF was formally announced by the United Nations Secretary-General in July 2006 and it was first convened in October / November 2006.- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Governance_Forum _1

The first five years were concluded with the 5th Internet Governance Forum that was held in Vilnius Lithuania. There was consensus among stakeholders  on the need to renew the mandate for another five years and Kenya successfully bidded to host the 6th IGF meeting under the new five year mandate which will be held in September 2011 at the United Nations offices  in Nairobi. Registration for the meeting is ongoing more details available on www.intgovforum.org and www.igf.or.ke (Host country website).

KICTANET is going to hold an online discussion for 10 days starting on July 1 - to July 11, 2011. The discussion will be moderated by Barrack Otieno and Grace Githaiga. The report will be presented at a Face to Face meeting after validation slated for 15 th July 2011, more details will be availed in due course. 

Over the ten day period, we will discuss the following issues: