Paul M Kane.AC,.IO,.SH, TM Domain Registry Director, European Operations Serving the Community in the 21 st Century. Policy Development

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov Introduction Who is “in charge” of the Internet? – You are! What do users want? – Ask them! Why have different frameworks? Because we are all different and “one-size does not fit all”. How? Consultations, physical and virtual When and where? Global, participation encouraged

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov Who is “in charge” of the Internet? Internet empowers “Users” control who determine: > Technical standards; > Policy development; > Demand for new services; > Redundancy of old services – walk with their feet. One size does not fit all > Need to respect cultural, linguistic and operational diversity > Different levels of understanding and willingness to participate in open process. > Different interpretations of right to “Freedom of Speech”

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov What do “users” want? – Ask them! Who are the “Users” > All of us, every citizen in whichever walk of life; be that person employed/unemployed, child/adult – every person is an important individual. Freedom of expression > Every person contributes to society > Users want Services to improve their quality of life > Use their skills to determine their future. > Collectively, like minded users drive new services, make policy changes, and change the world!

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov Why have different frameworks? Success depends on having the “right” framework! > We are all different - respect for cultural, linguistic and operational diversity is essential. > Liberal market driven frameworks, have greater economic success, but such thinking is not universal > Prescriptive frameworks take time to change, whereas user demands are dynamic, change fast and frequently > Enforcement of the “wrong” framework results in unhappy users, who frequently circumvent the blockage. Make it “right” by encouraging users to be involved!

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov How? Consultations, physical and virtual Physical meetings important, virtual meetings easier for faster response. > Websites, , Blogs, on-line votes all used by Internet Community to ensure their services meet the requirements of their users (low barrier, low cost, easy accessibility, efficient time management) > Physical meetings used for votes, consensus building and discussion. (high barrier, greater cost, harder accessibility, time commitment) Inclusive and informed debate essential !!

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov When and Where? Technical Best Practice/Standards: > IETF – (3 meets/year schedule until 2010 – very active mailing lists) > W3C – (Excellent workshops – Schedule 2011) Service/Application Best Practice Forums: > Open Source > MySpace, YouTube, Google, Mozilla, Friends Reunited. Registry Best Practice: > COM, NET, ORG, etc – > 2 letter Registries – individual Registries and Regional Organisations like CENTR coordinate meetings/mailing lists for informed debate. > IP Address Registries -

Informal Round Table – Athens, 1 st nov All “users” are equal…….. The technology of the Internet is not important Dialogue is vital Informed debate essential Let’s discuss and learn from each other. Thank you