The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder platform to discuss various issues of Internet governance. IGF is one of major outcomes of WSIS which was held in two installments in 2003 and 2005 respectively in Geneva and Tunis. The Internet Governance Forum serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet.
At annual meeting delegates discuss, exchange information and share good practices with each other. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise. The Forum brings various stakeholder groups to the table as equals to exchange information and share good practices. IGF has no decision-making mandates; it informs and inspires those who do. It facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges.
Building on the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals, and the mandate given at the Second Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis in 2005, the IGF (Internet Governance Forum) is a United Nations activity initiated in 2006 as a global platform for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on prevailing and emerging issues on Internet governance so as to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of Internet.
The Internet has become an integral part of people’s life. Despite the advantages, misuses and abuses lead to social problems, such as digital divide, Internet addiction, information safety, security, privacy and other evolving issues. These issues have no respect to national borders, and therefore require collaboration between countries and territories to address. The IGF approach is an open forum for knowledge sharing between stakeholders across borders, which in turn inform local policy development.
Internet Society Nepal together with Internet Governance Institute collaborated with many institutions and organizations: Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Department of Information Technology, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Facebook, Internet Governance Support Association (IGFSA), Internet Society-Asia Pacific Bureau (ISOC-APAC), APNIC, ICANN, Ford Foundation, LIRNEasia, NCELL, Nepal Telecom, NPNOG, npIX, YOMARI, Worldlink Communications Private Limited, Centre for Law and Technology, Sangrila Microsystem Private Limited, , CAN Federation, Antenna Foundation, Equal Access, FDE, Websurfer Nepal Communications System Private Limited, Lead Enterprises, IMARK, DD System & Solution, Equal Assess Nepal, Cyber International, Himalaya College of Engineering, ELITE Network, Sparrow SMS, WEBTECH Nepal, SICT Nepal, ICT Frame, and Living with ICT to facilitate inclusive, productive discussions on Internet related public policy.
Issues from a general perspective, while keeping all stakeholders involved, adhere to the generally used UN principle of discouraging ad hominem attacks. To maximize the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet governance; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; identify emerging issues and bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and contribute to capacity building for Internet governance.
In the framework of the initiative, NepalIGF 2018 conducted a two-day open discussion-cum-workshop on 2-3 November 2018 at Hotel Himalaya, Kathmandu, Nepal. To have different thematic discussions and workshops so that it could be a good platform to collect relevant information, suggestion and way out. Thus producing digital policy, laws, and regulations. 150 participants, including government representatives from relevant ministry and departments, IT experts, Legal experts, Teachers, Students, Social workers, and other stakeholders participated in the program.
