NETmundial, the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance, opened Wednesday, April 23 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Around 800 participants representing governments, private sector, academia, civil society and the technical community filled the room, with at least twice that participating remotely.

The morning session consisted entirely of a parade of speeches from dignitaries, most from government, with a smattering from other stakeholder groups. A few themes and a few speeches stood out.

After the introductory remarks came perhaps the most stirring speech, from Nnenna Nwakanma. Africa Regional Coordinator of the World Wide Web Foundation. Dressed in colorful and striking African garb, she began, “My name is Nnenna. I come from the Internet.” She went on: “I work to establish the open Web as a global public good and a basic right, ensuring that everyone can access and use it freely. That is what I do for a living.” She called NETmundial the “World Cup of Internet Governance.”
Continue Reading Domain Dispatches: NETmundial Day 1 – A Parade and then a Circus

On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, Sao Paulo, Brazil will host NETmundial – the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance. Approximately 800 people will descend on Sao Paulo to spend two days and nights discussing, debating, arguing, cajoling, pleading, and demanding potential changes in the governance of the Internet. Hundreds more will participate remotely, at “remote hubs” and through the Internet (of course).
Continue Reading Domain Dispatches: NETmundial Is Right Around The Corner