The draft outcomes document for the WSIS+10 review says that, "We recognize that the Internet is a global resource that must be managed in an open and inclusive manner, which serves the public interest." The NETmundial Multistakeholder Statement says the “Internet is a global resource which should be managed in the public interest.” Resolutions appended to the ITU’s core treaties say that IP-based networks must be interoperable and globally reachable in the public interest, and that governments must provide a clear legal framework “to ensure adequate protection of public interests in the management of Internet resources, including domain names and addresses.” ICANN’s Bylaws and Affirmation of Commitments employ the term three and five times, respectively. ICANN’s GAC has invoked the term to justify some of its positions, and applicants for new gTLDs are asked to undertake Public Interest Commitments. But what does the “public interest” really mean with respect to critical Internet resources? There has been no collective effort to clarify the standard to be followed. ICANN’s new Strategic Plan prioritizes developing ”a common consensus based definition of public interest” for the organization; could a broader, parallel public discussion be helpful?
This Roundtable will explore such questions as:
• At the national level, the term has been used in fields like telecommunications and broadcasting to promote universal connectivity, stability, competition, and diversity. Are these or similar goals relevant for global Internet governance?
• If it proves impossible to agree a robust definition, can we at least sharpen the focus by identifying actions that do/not seem broadly consistent?
• Would trying to define the term be chimeric, and set off interest-based negotiations? Should we simply use it as a vague aspiration, or desist in using it?
Moderator:
William Drake, University of Zurich / Noncommercial Users Constituency, ICANN
Participants:
Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Compass Rose Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Jari Arkko, IETF Chair, Finland
Olga Cavalli, Government of Argentina
Vint Cerf, Google, USA
Anriette Esterhuysen, Association for Progressive Communications, South Africa
Amb. Benedicto Fonseca Filho, Ministry of External Relations, Brazil
Jeanette Hofmann, The Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Germany
Tarek Kamel, ICANN, Switzerland
Wolfgang Kleinwachter, European Summer School on Internet Governance, Germany
Marília Maciel, Rio de Janeiro Law School, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil
Nii Quaynor, University of Cape-Coast, Ghana
George Sadowsky, ICANN Board of Directors, USA
Asst. Sec. Lawrence Strickling, Department of Commerce, USA
Thomas Schneider, Federal Office of Communication, Switzerland
Remote Moderator:
Grace Githaiga, Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)
Rapporteur:
Stefania Milan, Tilburg University, the Netherlands
