DECLARATION
IGF MKD ( Internet Governance Forum for the Republic of North Macedonia ) is an open, inclusive and informal space for dialogue on Internet governance issues between all stakeholders in the Macedonian society ( government, parliamentarians, private sector, civil society and the technical community, education, media , end users, etc.. ) and is aimed to raise awareness and promote a better understanding of Internet governance among all stakeholders, to build or strengthen the capacity of these stakeholders to actively participate in national Internet governance processes , to facilitate multistakeholder discussions, exchanges and collaboration on Internet-related issues that are of particular concern at national level , allowing all stakeholders to participate as equals and to contribute in creating linkages between the Internet governance realities in the region (http://www.seedig.net/ ) and the pan-European ( https://www.eurodig.org/ ) and the global Internet governance processes – global IGF – ( http://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/) .
The national IGF MK initiative should contribute in the raising awareness and promotion of the multistakeholder approach as a new form of participatory democracy, fostering a dialogue between all stakeholders. This multistakeholder approach should influence the nature of Internet governance in the Republic of North Macedonia and create cooperative models of regulation.
The Internet Governance Forum IGF MKD is aimed at addressing issues such as free access, infrastructure, quality of services, local content and local apps, cyber security, online safety, policy and regulatory environment and community engagement. It is bringing diverse stakeholders under a single platform to discuss challenges and propose solutions.
IGF MKD is aimed to identify local problems and propose solutions; provide a capacity building opportunity to young people around IG; discuss and identify new project ideas and have them scrutinized by experts. IGF MK brings local and international experts together to share knowledge and experiences and to help create a platform for people who could debate IG issues.
IGF MKD aims to function as a process which includes an annual meeting and the related preparatory steps, as well as inter-sessional activities (such as webinars and surveys). This process is planned and run in a bottom-up, open and transparent manner, by the IGF MKD community – a multistakeholder group of individuals . This group is continuously expanding and anyone interested is welcome to join at any time.
Coordination of IGF MKD activities is done by an coordinative body , also multistakeholder diverse.
IGF will not make decisions, but will try to influence those who do. The open discussions held at the meetings are reflected in key messages, outlining main takeaways, possible goals and proposals for future actions. These messages can, in turn, help inform and influence decision-making processes within governmental entities, national parliaments, companies, education, regional organizations, etc.
Core principles of the IGF
The IGF MKD should be organized in accordance with five core principles, which are:
1) Open and transparent,
2) Inclusive,
3) Bottom-up,
4) Multistakeholder, and
5) Non-commercial.
IGF MKD is inspired by the global IGF process , EuroDIG and SEEDIG and is aimed at maintaining close connections with them , in line with its objective of creating synergies between local Internet governance realities (concerns, challenges, etc.) and the regional, pan-European and global processes. In addition to benefiting from support from the IGF , EuroDIG and SEEDIG , IGF MK aims to feed into these two processes.
At global level, the voice of national IGF initiative will be reflected during discussions at SEEDIG that are conveyed to the IGF, as contributions from the SEE community. At European level, synergies are created between the SEEDIG and EuroDIG processes.
The global IGF process has over the years identified a wide-range of issues to be addressed by the international community and has shaped decisions taken throughout the world.
The global IGF does not adopt resolutions or create any binding treaties. Its importance lies in its ability to facilitate discourse between governments, intergovernmental organisations, private companies, the technical community and civil society organisations that deal with or are interested in Internet governance related public policy issues.
IGF global gatherings discuss proposed regulatory frameworks, potential risks, global trends, as well as best and worst practices that have been adopted or are currently under discussion. Participants also examine the impact of treaties, recommendations and other documents adopted in various international venues within the Internet governance ecosystem.
Main objectives
- Raise awareness, build capacity and promote a better understanding of Internet governancerelated matters among the stakeholders of their respective communities;-
- Facilitate multistakeholder discussion and exchanges of ideas and opinions;
- Seek to foster multistakeholder collaboration among the stakeholders from their respective communities; and
- Bring the perspectives of the respective communities to the global IGF agenda and reflect the perspectives of the global IGF into the NRIs events, where and when relevant and needed.