The Upcoming 7th IGF and the IG Process

Few days to go now as we head into the 7th annual Internet governance Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, when we take a look at all the thematic themes  that have discussed  over the years since the start of the IG process, despite in some cases the frustrations, we must each give ourselves a part on the back, The IG process has now yielded more focus on having IG entrenched in our various countries development agenda especially through concrete ICT policies. Compared  to last year the amount of National and regional IG blocks have increased and become more active incorporating  a field of varied interest groups.  The key as we look forward to Baku is to remain active within our core thematic areas of focus, also we have to reach out to the children at schools, get them involved through various advocacy programs.  Communities have to know, when I mean communities I mean the local municipalities who play a big role in governance and developments of their communities.

Cultural sensitivity   must  be a priority in emerging issues on "Internet Freedoms" as we head into the 7th IGF , what seems acceptable in country A might not be in country B as much as we agree we all human with different attributes we  also have to accept no matter the strides we have made within IG, our reflections and desires globally must always put in context what is actually obtainable or acceptable in certain countries especially when they touch on issues of religion for example. 

When we take the case of the movie done in Los Angles but caused death and violence not in Los Angles but in Africa and the middle east, this shows why "Self regulation" is important in as much as we cultivate freedom at all levels we should respect  the values, cultures, religion of others different from us in distance lands within the global village we live in today.

The case of Malala has touched millions of us, when I look at my continent we still have thousands  of girls not having access to school but Malala's  strength and desire for girls to be educated  has shown through the Internet how change can occur and issues looked at nationally within the the globally context of the right for the  girl child to be educated.  Remember her story started from her blog.

We should remind ourselves that with more access through the great strides of mobile telecommunication, if we develop our IG processes well, then  national issues pertinent to IG for development will be well focused  on within governmental context of national development priorities especially in access to information for all irrespective of where they live.  That's why we need to engage our governments not by bullying them or making them seem ignorant but by educating and having continuous dialogue with them, remembering the "political,species" is very sensitive and always wants to protect his / her turf.

Child protection are issues that have to be more highlighted in the coming in this 7th  IGF , the need for more synergy and having a  symbiotic working  relationship between key governmental actors and civil society has to occur, Governments know matter how they sometimes  claim to be cash  constrained  must be made to realize the need for  all countries to set up an online child protection unit embedded within their ministries or departments of youth and children affairs.linked with various civil society agencies nationally, regionally  and internationally who focus on such areas,  Civil societies involved in Online Child protections and other advocates are the catalyst to drive this process and that's what will make it work.

Lastly we still have our  frustrations  of what has yet to be done or issues that are driven under the carpet due to X and Y agendas we should remember our constraints are our challenges, the Internet is now a critical tool for our various  national  and socio economic developments so we have to remain active actors in this process.  We should  continue contributing in our own little way to make the little difference we can, the work is yet to be finished in some cases it has just started hence the need for us to join forces agree to disagree within the spirit of a true multi stakeholder approach to Internet Governance.