Introduction

Internet is one of the best gifts that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has given us. The ultimate aim of Internet is to reach the unconnected and make them a part of the mainstream. This calls for transforming the policies that govern the usage of Internet, which should aim at allowing each and every person of the world to access and use this technology freely. With this, Internet will be able to fulfill its basic objective of improving the quality of life of the masses. Therefore, the standards and the government policies should aim at a sustainable, open and universally applicable policy that can foster socio-economic development.

Understanding the needs of such consultation on public policy for Internet society, a half day workshop, co-organised with Internet Society (ISOC), will be held at eINDIA 2009

Aim of the Workshop

The workshop aims at engaging stakeholders towards a meaningful discussion on Public Policy Debate on Internet society.

This workshop will engage with several different types of institutions, innovators, technology providers, besides government, end-user communities, etc. The recommendations that emerge from this workshop and tutorial is aimed to serve as inputs for policy advocacy.

Key Stakeholders

The workshop looks at bringing together key stakeholders from across the spectrum:

1. Government Agencies: Department of Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications
2. Regulatory Bodies: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
3. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
4. Internet Service Providers
5. Technology Providers
6. Internet Society Chapters – Chennai, Delhi, etc. and Representatives from ISOC (international)
7. Industry Associations: Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI)
8. Civil Society Organisations
9. Academicians and others

Workshop Agenda
Date: 25 August 2009
Venue: Hyderabad International Convention Centre

1400 - 1530	The Internet Today 1400-1410 Welcome and Introduction Rajnesh D Singh ISOC 1410-1430 The Internet is for everyone Jon McNerney ISOC 1430-1500 Internet Governance and ISOC's Enabling Access Initiative Frederic Donck ISOC 1500-1530 The Internet: An Indian Perspective Deepak Maheshwari Director – Corporate Affairs Microsoft, India
1530 - 1600	Afternoon Break
1600 - 1730	Panel Discussion 1600-1615 Multilingualism on the Internet Tulika Pandey Additional Director - Department of Information Technology, Government of India 1615-1630 Global Addressing and IPv6 Sally Wentworth ISOC 1630-1725 Panel Discussion: The Internet and Public Policy Issues - an Indian Perspective Panellists: Tulika Pandey Additional Director - Department of Information Technology, Government of India Rajesh Chharia President - Internet Service Providers Association of India Osama Manzar Director - Digital Empowerment Foundation Niel Hirjee Calport Technologies Ravi Gupta CSDMS (TBC) Moderator: Nikhil Agarwal Europe Asia Business School 1725-1730 Conclusion and Next Steps Frederic Donck ISOC