In June, the OECD had a Ministerial Conference on the Future of the Internet Economy. They published a report which is intended to help countries shape policies concerning the Internet economy. The themes that are addressed are the following:
- Making Internet access available to everyone and everywhere.
- Promoting Internet-based innovation, competition and user choice.
- Securing critical information infrastructures and responding to new threats.
- Ensuring the protection of personal information, respect for intellectual property rights, and more generally a trusted Internet-based environment which offers protection to individuals, especially minors and other vulnerable groups.
- Promoting secure and responsible use of the Internet; and,
- Creating an environment that encourages infrastructure investment, higher levels of connectivity and innovative services and applications.
There were some positive policy suggestions that were made, such as:
- Promote a culture of openness and sharing of research data among public research communities.
- Raise awareness of the potential costs and benefits of restrictions and limitations on access to and sharing of research data from public funding.
The OECD Civil Society Forum, comprised of the OECD Civil Society Reference Group and the The Trade Union Advisory Committee, produced a paper (and their own conference) intended to bring to the attention of the OECD Ministers assembled and the OECD member countries the concerns of those not represented at the Ministerial conference.
Their paper highlights the following:
The policy goals for the Future Internet Economy should be considered within the broader framework of protection of human rights, the promotion of democratic institutions, access to information, and the provision of affordable and non-discriminatory access to advanced communication networks and services.
Their recommendations cover
- Freedom of expression
- Protection of Privacy and Transparency
- Consumer Protection
- Promotion of Access to Knowledge
- Internet Governance
- Promotion of Open Standards and Net Neutrality
- Balanced Intellectual Property Policies
- Support for Pluralistic Media
a carrot would've suited him better!
very nice little painting!