Internet Governance
The definition of ‘Internet governance’ was recognized at the second phase of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). According to the view endorsed by the WSIS, Internet governance implies the ‘full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations’ (Article 29 of the Tunis Agenda).
By recognizing that all stakeholders have different roles and responsibilities, the definition of ‘multisectoral approach’ includes a wide range of possible (and equally legitimate) arrangements to address different issues. In terms of cyber defense, for instance, the responsibilities of governments require an unquestionable leading role, despite the desired, and even required, involvement of non-governmental sectors. On the other hand, in regard to technical and operational issues, it is understood that the main impetus may come from non-governmental sectors, in particular the technical and academic communities, even though governments keep responsibilities concerning the impact of the decisions reached in the sphere of public policymaking.
Brazil has occupied a privileged position in international discussions on Internet governance. Such influence and capacity of engagement is closely related to the adoption of a multisectoral model of management of Internet use and governance-related aspects, which are consolidated in the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br). The Brazilian model is regarded, to date, as one of the most complete national multisectoral mechanisms for addressing Internet-related issues, having even served as an inspiration or reference to numerous countries and groupings, including the EU and the OECD.
Brazil has actively taken part in and influenced international discussions on the aspects of Internet governance. It has hosted two meetings (Rio de Janeiro, 2007, and João Pessoa, 2015) of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which was established by the WSIS as a multisectoral forum for discussion of themes relating to the Internet and its governance. The country also has a prominent role in the works of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Covering themes ranging from human rights to security, from infrastructure to cultural and linguistic diversity, etc., both internationally and regionally, the so-called ‘Internet governance ecosystem’ is actually composed of dozens of organizations, forums, processes and debates.