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Dealing with positive and negative externalities of the Internet as a global public resource

Published on 05 May 2015
Updated on 07 August 2022

[Update] Read the reports which summarise the panel discussions:

[Update] Taking the project forward: Read the concept note on the Policy Research and Dialogue Project, published on 4 May
[Update] High-level speech by Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Dr Helena Dalli
[Update] View the conference photo gallery, and download the conference poster
[Update] Follow live tweets: #internetgpr
[Update] The conference in the media:

Dealing with positive and negative externalities of the Internet as a global public resourceConference announcement

While users, business, governments, and civil society have different roles in the development and use of the Internet, they share the common concern of preserving a functional and safe Internet as a global public resource. DiploFoundation, with support from the Government of Malta, is holding an international conference on The Internet as a Global Public Resource. The conference will take place in Malta, on 29-30 April 2015. The Malta conference will initiate a research and policy project aimed at discussing the future developments of the Internet as a global public resource.

The conference will take place on 29-30 April, at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta, Malta.

1. Context

The Internet is vital for the functioning of modern society. Much of the world’s current economic growth comes from the Internet (more than 20% in developed economies). The Internet is essential for delivery of many public goods: education, health protection, security, and democratic debates, to name a few.

While users, business, governments, and civil society have different roles in the development and use of the Internet, they share the common concern of preserving a functional and safe Internet as a global public resource. 

Dealing with the Internet as a global public resource requires a mix of innovative policy solutions and well-tested approaches. The conference will capitalise both on Malta as a vibrant digital society, and its long tradition of promoting global public resources and related concepts (e.g. the common heritage of mankind).

2. Objectives

  • Initiate the research and policy project on the Internet as global public resource
  • Explore the technical, organisational, commercial, and societal aspects of the Internet that could be considered global public resources or related concepts (e.g. global commons, common heritage of mankind)
  • Identify the roles of different actors (government, business, civil society) in both promoting and protecting global public resources
  • Learn from the experience of global public resources in other policy areas (e.g. climate change, health, security) and ensure transversal cross-fertilisation
  • Explore ways to link the Internet as a global public resource with the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda
  • Propose further research and policy dialogue on the Internet as a global public resource

3. Conference programme (draft)

(Last updated: 28 April 2015)

First Day (29 April 2015)

9:00‒9:30

9.30‒10.30

Registrations

Official welcome by the Hon Dr George Vella, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta

Introductory statements by

  • Ms Megan Richards, Principal Adviser to the Director General of DG CONNECT, European Commission
  • Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director, DiploFoundation & Head, Geneva Internet Platform
10.30‒11:00 Coffee break and group photo
11:00–12.30

What aspects of the Internet can be considered global public resources?

  • Mr Louis Pouzin, computer communications pioneer and one of the fathers of the Internet (keynote address)
  • Dr Alex Sceberras Trigona, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malta
  • Professor Joe Cannataci, Head, Department of Information Policy and Governance, University of Malta; Chair in European Information Policy and Technology Law, University of Groningen
12.30–14.00 Lunch break
14.00–15.30

How can we deal with the positive and negative externalities of the Internet as a global public resource? How can we ensure that privately owned Internet infrastructure (more than 90%) contributes to the Internet as global public resource?

  • Mr Godfrey Vella, Digital Champion of Malta; Member of the Board of the Malta Communications Authority (moderator)
  • Mr Nick Ashton-Hart, Executive Director, Internet & Digital Ecosystem Alliance (IDEA)
  • Dr Richard Hill, President, Association for Proper Internet Governance
15.30‒16.00 Coffee break
16.00–17.30

What can Internet policy learn from other policy areas where the concept of a global public resource has been used (e.g. climate change, health)?

  • Professor Beat Bürgenmeier, Professor Emeritus, University of Geneva
  • Professor Lichia Saner-Yiu, Centre for Socio-Economic Development, Geneva
  • Mr Jasper Schellekens, Internet Society Malta Chapter
  • Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director, DiploFoundation; Head, Geneva Internet Platform (moderator)

 


 Second Day (30 April 2015)

9.00–10.15

Digital policy operates in a cross-sectoral field; it cannot operate within niches. Many countries and international organisations face the challenge of addressing digital policy issues through a coordinated approach. In the next few years, Malta will play a highly important role in various global developments in which digital issues will feature prominently. The session will brainstorm ways and means on how Malta can facilitate an integrated approach to digital issues on both national and international levels.

  • Hon Dr Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties
  • Mr Tony Sultana, Executive Chairman, Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA)
  • Mr Nigel Hickson, Vice-President, UN and IGO Engagement, ICANN
  • Ms Lara Pace, Knowledge Exchange Manager, Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
  • Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director, DiploFoundation; Head, Geneva Internet Platform (moderator)
10.15–10.45 High level address by the Hon Dr Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta
10.45–11:30 Coffee break and networking
11.30‒12.30 Concluding session (summary and roadmap for future research)
   
19:30‒21:00
(Please note change in time)
Reception at San Anton Palace, hosted by H.E. The President of Malta Ms Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

 

View the speakers’ bios.

 

4. Venue and accessibility

The conference will take place on 29-30 April, at the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta, Malta.

For international delegates: view more details about the venue and how to reach it by public transport or taxi; a list of hotels within walking distance is also available.

5. Registration

To register for the event on 29-30 April, please fill in the registration form. Attendance is free of charge.

Online participation is not possible for this event.

Please note: Registrations for the reception at San Anton Palace are now closed.

6. Partners

  • Government of Malta
  • World Economic Forum
  • DiploFoundation
  • Other partners

For more infomation, contact Dr Stephanie Borg Psaila by e-mail or by calling +356 21333323 or +356 99496796.

Dealing with positive and negative externalities of the Internet as a global public resource

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