Mission

The Net Dialogue website aims to shed light on international Net governance and spur public discourse on this emerging body of regulation. The site is intended for the benefit of people in government, business, civil society, international organizations, the media and the public at large. With input from people who have information to share, we hope this collaborative site will serve as a model for governments to replicate in providing transparency and opportunities for public comment on initiatives.

Contact

Before contacting us, please refer to the FAQ to see if your question has already been answered.

For more information, please contact NetDialogue@cyber.law.harvard.edu.

To submit an initiative or international organization you think we are missing, please go to the feedback page.

The Nuts and Bolts

WHO
The clearinghouse on international Net governance is the website arm of Net Dialogue, a joint project between Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society (Berkman Center) and Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society (CIS). The project bridges the high-tech communities of Boston and Silicon Valley and the international policymaking community of Geneva, Switzerland. Net Dialogue is made possible by funding from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

( Coordinators | Developers | Volunteers )

WHAT
The clearinghouse website (a) presents consolidated news on what is happening in intergovernmental organizations dealing with the Net, and (b) offers a forum for public discussion of these initiatives.

WHERE
Based at Stanford and Harvard, the project centers itself in the high-tech hubs of Silicon Valley and Boston, in recognition of the fact that technology is driving the need for international Net governance.

WHEN
Net Dialogue's clearinghouse on international Net governance officially started in 2004 to call attention to the institutionalization of Net governance at the global level. This resource may be viewed as contributing to the second phase of the World Summit on Information Society (Tunis, November 2005).

WHY
With technology developing at an exponential rate, the next ten years are projected to revolutionize the way we live. Web services and other advancements around the corner promise to make interconnected devices all pervasive in life, with electronic agents' continually exchanging and analyzing information without individuals even being aware of it.

Due to the global nature of the Net, governments must cooperate to set and administer policies for this space. This is not the traditional form of international cooperation, where each government can decide whether or not to go along with a certain arrangement. Rather, many policies for the Net go forward by virtue of enough countries participating, and, once this critical mass is met, in effect serve as the rule for all.

Given that the distinction between the "real" world and the "virtual" world will be fading, it is urgent that the governance frameworks that we are now building are designed soundly.

HOW
The Net Dialogue clearinghouse seeks to spur sound policymaking by publicizing information on international Net initiatives and fostering dialogue.

Terms of Use

This website provides general information about legal topics, but it does not provide individual legal advice. Net Dialogue is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Using this website or sending us email does not create an attorney-client relationship. Net Dialogue provides this general legal information on an "as-is" basis. Net Dialogue makes no warranties regarding the general legal information provided on this website, and disclaims liability for damages resulting from its use. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license.