|
The Ministerial meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy in 2008 has the objective to take stock of the changes effecting our economies and societies and to articulate a collective vision, one that is shared by all stakeholders, of a desirable future economy and society supported by the Internet. Realising this vision will require action by all stakeholders, and across national borders.
In this context, the OECD Information Computer and Communications Committee underlined the importance of involving non-governmental stakeholders in the discussion towards the Ministerial, and encouraged member countries to engage in consultations with all stakeholders at the national level.
Non-governmental stakeholders forums
Three Stakeholder Forums, organised respectively by business, the Internet technical community, and Civil Society/TUAC, will take place in Seoul by the day before the Ministerial, on 16 June 2008.
More information about the Forums and their agenda are available on the websites of the different groups:
See also the Ministerial Programme "at a glance"
If you wish to participate in these events, or contribute to their preparation, please contact the reference points for each stakeholder group listed below.
How to participate?
For more information, please check the websites below or contact the reference point for each group:
Online Public Consultation
The OECD invited public comments on issues such as convergence, innovation and trust, all of which will be discussed at the OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy, which will take place in Seoul, Korea in June 2008.
The consultation was launched to provide an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to contribute to the discussion, and to allow governments to benefit from a wider range of viewpoints and expertise. Responses to the questionnaire are available, and include - among the others - contributions from eBay Canada, the Internet Society of Australia, INTUG, plus consumer associations and several universities.
If you would like to know more about the public consultation and its process, please check our FAQs page, or read the list of questions we used.
For any further questions please contact the OECD secretariat.
Thank you again to all participants for their contribution!
*****
Questionnaire preview.
The questionnaire is composed by 4 open-ended questions. Answers should be limited to 350-400 words. References or links to further documents and materials can be added at the end of the questionnaire.
1. USING THE INTERNET TO IMPROVE FUTURE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND SOCIAL WELFARE
The Internet is a key economic and social infrastructure on which the world depends to support economic growth and social development in countless areas, from healthcare and education to public services and the environment.
In this context, policies to create an enabling environment need to be carefully crafted and co-ordinated across policy domains, national borders, and various stakeholder communities.
Guiding principles for the Internet economy over the next decade are needed.The OECD’s Seoul Ministerial represents an opportunity for government, business, the technical community, and civil society to consider the social, economic and technological trends shaping the development of the Internet Economy, and to discuss policies which can provide an enabling environment for the future.
Please list the fundamental policy priciples that, in your view, are key to building the Future of the Internet Economy:
[about 350-400 words]
2. BENEFITING FROM CONVERGENCE
Through technological development and regulatory reform, network platforms for data, voice, and video that were previously separate are converging to a single platform based on the Internet protocol. Furthermore, the Internet has increasing capabilities as a platform for computing, as well as communications, through developments such as “Web 2.0” and “Grid Computing”. This is resulting in a range of new services, a re-evaluation of business models and changing levels of competition in formerly distinct markets. Policy is caught up in this change and needs to be adapted to the new environment. The Internet’s capabilities are expected to be further transformed as it embraces new technologies such as wireless access or sensor networks. The theme on Benefiting from Convergence will consider, amongst others:
• Overarching principles needed for convergence and the transition to the next generation of high speed networks.
• Guidance to help consumers navigate the transition towards a converged network that offers bundled and tailored
• services while stimulating competition.
• Policies for opportunities and challenges offered by evolving RFID and sensor networks.
Please provide your comments on the topics discussed under this section:
[about 350-400 words]
3. FUELLING CREATIVITY
The Internet has greatly expanded our capacity to create, compute, communicate, co-ordinate, and innovate, toppling barriers that constrained so many economic and social activities in the past. It has led to increased productivity, lowered costs and raised living standards in ways difficult to imagine just a few years ago. Important outputs of this creative activity include new software and hardware products, sensor technologies, new ways of organising global business, employment creation, and the development of digital content across the economy and in research, government, health and education. The theme on Fuelling Creativity will consider, among the others:
• How to enable innovation and encourage new co-operative models for growth and employment.
• Enabling maximum access to public sector information and content and its re-use by the private sector.
• The value of e-science in innovation policy and in the OECD's innovation strategy.
Please provide comments on the topics discussed under this section:
[about 350-400 words]
4. BUILDING CONFIDENCE
As it becomes a key conduit for economic and social transactions, the Internet attracts a fraudulent and malicious element that is increasing in size and sophistication and threatening the confidence of consumers and users. As no single entity, working alone, can ensure a trusted online environment, there is a need to work collectively – across borders, engaging all stakeholders – to formulate and implement effective rules and practices to prevent an erosion of confidence. theme on Building Confidence will consider, amongst others:
• Policies to ensure the security of critical information infrastructure and combat malicious software.
• Multi-stakeholder, cross-border co-operation for privacy, security and consumer protection.
• Policies to empower consumers on line; ensure fair mobile commerce transactions and combat online identity theft.
• Policies for digital identity and its management.
Please provide comments on the topics discussed under this section:
[about 350-400 words]
Please provide links or references to any background material or additional information:
[links to online documents or document reference]
*****
To see the results of the consultation, visit our online questionnaire page.
Back to the top
|
