This document is the "Civil Society-TUAC Seoul Declaration" presented at the 2008 OECD Ministerial Conference on the Future of the Internet Economy. It outlines concerns of civil society organizations around issues like freedom of expression, privacy, employment, access to knowledge, and more. It calls on OECD countries to address these issues and protect human rights in their internet policies. It also calls for the establishment of a Civil Society Advisory Committee to the OECD to allow formal participation of civil society stakeholders in internet governance issues.
The digital inequality in Europe and beyond needs to be broken. This can be achieved by having a universal treaty, a Digital Magna Carta, that lays the basic foundation for the goals that are to be achieved by all countries. However, not all countries has the same maturity level in ICT penetration. Therefore, to study other countries treaties with specific tasks outlined for how to become digital societies is important, both for EU and others. If we all shall enter the digital society upgrades of the ICT infrastructure will be built by the public and private sector and also by the contribution by people. When it concern purchases of personal technology we in EU has to buy this on our own, while in the developing world aid workers could disperse this technology to micro businesses. It is also important to educate people about the benefits of embracing the services a digital society provides which can be done by the public sector and in procurements from companies. Also include individuals who currently work at ICT companies that have an interest to work as spare-time workers. These have the benefit with knowledge about upcoming technology.
by Lasantha De Alwis
Head of Corporate Services of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (the Commonwealth agency mandated in the field of ICTs)
mail: l.dealwis@cto.int
Supporting the global efforts in strengthening the safety, security and resilience of Cyberspace, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013, organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation. The ceremonial opening examined how Cyberspace could be governed and utilised in a manner to foster freedom and entrepreneurship, while protecting individuals, property and the state, leading to socio-economic development. Speakers of this session, Mr Mario Maniewicz, Chief, Department of Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications, ITU; Mr David Pollington, Director, International Security Relations, Microsoft; Mr Alexander Seger, Secretary, Cybercrime Convention Committee, Council of Europe; Mr Nigel Hickson, Vice President, Europe, ICANN and Mr Pierre Dandjinou, Vice President, Africa, ICANN, added their perspectives on various approaches to Cybergovernance, with general agreement on the role Cyberspace could play to facilitate development equitably and fairly across the world.
Hosted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cameroon together with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon and backed by partners and industry supporters including ICANN, Council of Europe, Microsoft, MTN Cameroon, AFRINIC and Internet Watch Foundation, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013 seeks to broaden stakeholder dialogue to facilitate practical action in Cybergovernance and Cybersecurity, some of which will be reflected in the CTO’s own work programmes under its Cybersecurity agenda.
ODDC Context - Investigating the Impact of Kenya’s Open Data Initiative on Ma...Open Data Research Network
Presentation in the first workshop of the Exploring the Emerging Impacts of Open Data in Developing Countries project. Looking at the context of open data, and the research case study planned for 2013 - 2014. See http://www.opendataresearch.org/project/2013/jhc
The digital inequality in Europe and beyond needs to be broken. This can be achieved by having a universal treaty, a Digital Magna Carta, that lays the basic foundation for the goals that are to be achieved by all countries. However, not all countries has the same maturity level in ICT penetration. Therefore, to study other countries treaties with specific tasks outlined for how to become digital societies is important, both for EU and others. If we all shall enter the digital society upgrades of the ICT infrastructure will be built by the public and private sector and also by the contribution by people. When it concern purchases of personal technology we in EU has to buy this on our own, while in the developing world aid workers could disperse this technology to micro businesses. It is also important to educate people about the benefits of embracing the services a digital society provides which can be done by the public sector and in procurements from companies. Also include individuals who currently work at ICT companies that have an interest to work as spare-time workers. These have the benefit with knowledge about upcoming technology.
by Lasantha De Alwis
Head of Corporate Services of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (the Commonwealth agency mandated in the field of ICTs)
mail: l.dealwis@cto.int
Supporting the global efforts in strengthening the safety, security and resilience of Cyberspace, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013, organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation. The ceremonial opening examined how Cyberspace could be governed and utilised in a manner to foster freedom and entrepreneurship, while protecting individuals, property and the state, leading to socio-economic development. Speakers of this session, Mr Mario Maniewicz, Chief, Department of Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications, ITU; Mr David Pollington, Director, International Security Relations, Microsoft; Mr Alexander Seger, Secretary, Cybercrime Convention Committee, Council of Europe; Mr Nigel Hickson, Vice President, Europe, ICANN and Mr Pierre Dandjinou, Vice President, Africa, ICANN, added their perspectives on various approaches to Cybergovernance, with general agreement on the role Cyberspace could play to facilitate development equitably and fairly across the world.
Hosted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cameroon together with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon and backed by partners and industry supporters including ICANN, Council of Europe, Microsoft, MTN Cameroon, AFRINIC and Internet Watch Foundation, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013 seeks to broaden stakeholder dialogue to facilitate practical action in Cybergovernance and Cybersecurity, some of which will be reflected in the CTO’s own work programmes under its Cybersecurity agenda.
ODDC Context - Investigating the Impact of Kenya’s Open Data Initiative on Ma...Open Data Research Network
Presentation in the first workshop of the Exploring the Emerging Impacts of Open Data in Developing Countries project. Looking at the context of open data, and the research case study planned for 2013 - 2014. See http://www.opendataresearch.org/project/2013/jhc
Access has been highlighted as a key issue in Eastern Africa. This presentation looks at access from the civil society perspective of Real Access should equal Real Impact and highlights 12 criteria against which impact can be assessed.
Digital innovations -Empowering digital ecosystems and startups Soren Gigler
Presentation about the main programs of the Digital Innovation and Blockchain program at the European Commission to foster digital innovations, innovation ecosystems and enhance the access to finance for digital startups and scale-ups.
WSIS+10 Overall Review of the Implementation of the WSIS OutcomesDr Lendy Spires
This document presents a review of the progress made in the implementation of Action Line C7 (E-business) since the first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2003. It is based on the 10-Years Review Report Template contained in the WSIS Forum 2012: Outcome Document. As Action Line facilitators, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have supported eight facilitation meetings in Geneva, since 2009 as part of the annual WSIS Forum.
These meetings have provided a venue for different stakeholders to exchange views and experiences with regard to trends, impact and policies related to e-business (box 1). Box 1. Action line facilitation meetings related to E-business, 2006-2013 E-business action line meetings have focused on a number of issues since 2005, covering the various aspects highlighted in the Geneva Plan of Action under e-business. The meetings have occasionally been organized jointly with other action lines. 2006: E-Business and and E-employment (with e-employment action line) 2007: ICTs, Global Supply Chains and Development (with e-employment action line) 2008: E-Commerce as a Key Facilitator for SME Competitiveness 2009: E-Business and Poverty Alleviation 2010: ICT and Rural Enterprise (with e-agriculture action line) 2011:
The Promise of Mobile Technology (with e-agriculture action line) 2012: Promoting the Domestic ICT Sector 2013: E-Commerce and Development Source: UNCTAD, ITC and UPU. In 2012-2013, the facilitators jointly organized an open consultation on the e- business action line. A wide range of stakeholders, such as trade bodies, international organizations, businesses, governments and civil society across the globe took part in the consultation. The findings of this process were presented at the WSIS+10 Review meeting held in Paris at the UNESCO Headquarters in February 2013.
In between the annual WSIS Forums and related meetings, the respective work programmes of the three co-facilitators have continuously supported the implementation of the action line on e-business. The International Labour Organization (ILO) was among the original co-facilitators of this action line but has not been active after 2008.
World Congress on Information Technology 2014 - MéxicoWCIT 2014
The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), often referred to as the “Olympics” of the ICT Industry, is the biennial flagship event organized, since 1978, by the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), the leading consortium of the ICT industry.
This year, Mexico will host the event for the first time in Latin America in alliance with the Federal and State Government of the country and with the IT Industry.
1. CIVIL SOCIETY - TUAC
“THE SEOUL DECLARATION”
TO THE OECD MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
ON THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET ECONOMY
Seoul, Korea
16 June 2008
This gathering of civil society organizations and organized labor at the OECD Ministerial
Conference on the Future of the Internet Economy provides a unique opportunity to bring to the
attention of the OECD Ministers assembled and the OECD member countries the concerns and
aspirations of people around the globe, those who are on the Internet and those who are not.
We thank the OECD and the Government of Korea for the opportunity to organize a civil
society and labor event and to participate in the OECD Ministerial Conference. Civil society and
labor together prepared a paper for the OECD and organized a conference "Making the future of
the Internet work for citizens, consumers and workers." A wide range of organizations
participated in this effort, and this Declaration builds on its results.
A BROAD FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET ECONOMY
The policy goals for the Future Internet Economy should be considered within the broader
framework of protection of human rights, the promotion of democratic institutions, access to
information, and the provision of affordable and non-discriminatory access to advanced
communication networks and services. Compliance with international human rights standards and
respect for the rule of law, as well as effective human rights protection, must be the baseline for
assessing global information society policies. Economic growth should be for the many and not
the few. The Internet should be available to all. We therefore call attention of the OECD to
Ministers to the following issues and we make the following recommendations:
* Freedom of expression. Freedom of expression is being violated around the globe by state
censorship and by more subtle measures such as content filtering, privatized censorship and
restrictions on so-called “harmful content.” We urge the OECD to defend freedom of expression
and to oppose mandated filtering, censorship of Internet content, and criminalization of content
that is protected under international freedom of expression standards.
* Protection of Privacy and Transparency, We reaffirm our support for the OECD Privacy
Guidelines as a fundamental policy instrument setting out minimal requirements for the
transborder flow of personal data. We recommend adoption of the recent policy guidance on
RFID and Online Identity Theft as Council Recommendations. We call on OECD countries to
adopt and enforce data protection laws covering all sectors, both online and offline, and to
establish international data protection standards that are legally enforceable. We further urge
member states to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability for all data processing for
border security, identification, and decision-making concerning individuals.
June 2008 1 “The Civil Society-TUAC Seoul Declaration”
2. * Consumer Protection. Trust and confidence are critical to the success of the Internet economy.
The OECD should ensure that consumer protection laws are properly enforced and cover digital
products to the same extent that other consumer goods and services are covered. We recommend
that the OECD adopt the policy proposals on Empowering Consumers in Communications
Services and in Mobile Commerce as Council Recommendations, and that the OECD member
countries implement these recommendations. We support the OECD’s efforts to facilitate cross-
border enforcement of anti-spam laws and to develop effective online dispute resolution
mechanisms.
* Employment, Decent Work and Skills. We recommend that OECD Member countries promote
learning and training opportunities for workers and address the technological and organizational
change in the workplace. We further urge the OECD to lower the carbon footprint of the ICT
industry and to promote compliance with core labor standards and the OECD Guidelines for
Multinational Enterprises.
* Promotion of Access to Knowledge. We support open access to government-funded scientific
and scholarly works and endorse the OECD Principles and Guidelines for Access to Research
Data. We support the OECD Recommendation for Enhanced Access and More Effective Use of
Public Information. OECD countries should oppose extensions of copyright terms and private
ownership of essential knowledge and cultural information that can be made available on the
Internet. We recommend that the OECD undertake a study on the importance of copyright
exceptions for education, libraries and archives, the disability community, and new innovative
services.
* Internet Governance. Internet governance structures should reflect democratic values and be
transparent and publicly accountable to users. Global Internet policymaking should involve equal
participation of all people, countries, and stakeholders. We call upon the OECD member states to
support the Internet Governance Forum and to promote the multi-stakeholder process of the
World Summit on the Information Society.
* Promotion of Open Standards and Net Neutrality. Standards-making processes should be open
and should encourage competition. This promotes innovation and development. We support the
procurement policies that promote open standards, open data formats, and free and open
software. We further recommend that the OECD Member Countries oppose discrimination by
network providers against particular applications, devices, or content and preserve the Internet's
role in fostering innovation, economic growth, and democratic communication.
* Balanced Intellectual Property Policies. We urge the OECD member countries to maintain a
balanced framework for intellectual property protection that is least intrusive to personal privacy,
least restrictive for the development of new technologies, and that promotes creativity,
innovation, and learning. We support the OECD Policy Guidance for Digital Content. OECD
countries should oppose proposals that would deny individuals access to all Internet services and
opportunities based on alleged copyright infringement. We are also concerned about the secrecy
of the "Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement" (ACTA) treaty process and the possibility of
policies that may limit legitimate business activity, the participative web, and e-government
service delivery.
* Support for Pluralistic Media. The Internet is a universal platform for innovation, growth, and
the ability of people to express and share their views. New forms of media and new applications
are emerging that challenge old paradigms and enable broader public participation. At the same
June 2008 2 “The Civil Society-TUAC Seoul Declaration”
3. time, dominant Internet firms are moving to consolidate their control over the Internet. It is
vitally important for the OECD to develop a better understanding of the challenge industry
consolidations pose to the open Internet. The OECD Policy Guidance on Convergence and Next
Generation Networks provides a basis this work.
* Inclusive Digital Society. The Internet should be accessible to all. OECD member countries
should ensure that all residents have the means to access the Internet and should provide public
Internet access, training and support. Particular attention should be paid to rural, remote and
aboriginal populations, as well as the disability community.
* Cultural Diversity. We support the efforts of the OECD to promote access to the full range of
the world's cultures and to ensure that the Internet economy reflects the true diversity of
language, art, science, and literature in our world. The deployment of International Domain
Names should be a priority.
PARTICIPATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND LABOUR
This participation of civil society and organized labor reaffirms the role of all stakeholders
in the Future of the Internet Economy. Now it is time to formalize this process.
In 1998 civil society and labor urged the OECD Ministerial Conference in Ottawa to
establish an Advisory Council, similar to the Business Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) for
business and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) for labor. We said that this new
Advisory Council should include civil society groups in such fields as human rights and
democracy, privacy and data protection, consumer protection, and access to information and
knowledge.
We urge the OECD to establish now the Civil Society Advisory Committee. The creation
of an OECD Civil Society Advisory Committee is necessary to help realize the democratic goals
of inclusion, participation, transparency and accountability at the OECD.
The OECD offers an important forum for the discussion of policies concerning the future
of the Internet. We welcome this dialogue and urge the Ministers and members countries of the
OECD to fully engage civil society and labor organizations within their own countries.
In all decisions related to the Internet economy, we advise the OECD Ministers and the
members countries to give particular attention to those indicators concerning literacy, education,
and health. The success of the Internet Economy should be measured by the well-being of
citizens, and not simply the extent of technology diffusion.
June 2008 3 “The Civil Society-TUAC Seoul Declaration”