A multi-stakeholder initiative
NetHui 2011 is a conference that brings together everyone involved with Internet issues in New Zealand. The event is based on the format of multi-stakeholder collaboration successfully introduced by the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The inaugural NetHui will be held over three days from 29 June – 1 July 2011 in Auckland. In future years the conference will be held in other cities of New Zealand.
The theme for the 2011 conference is “Shaping our Future Together”. The first two days of the conference are participatory discussions while the third day brings together those discussions into a panel format.
InternetNZ is organising NetHui 2011 as a platform for all those involved with the Internet in New Zealand to involve their communities. InternetNZ will act as a nucleus, with various interested people and organisations planning and running individual discussion areas.
Chief Executive Vikram Kumar says “This is a conference for everyone dealing with Internet-related issues in our society and economy. It is an opportunity for us to consider both the potential social and economic benefits as well as the continuing challenges the Internet provides New Zealand.”
“We are enthusiastic about organising a conference which reflects the Internet itself- involving everyone in the community as an equal and valued participant. InternetNZ envisions a conference bringing together different perspectives on Internet-related issues leading to networked action.”
Background
Since 2006, United Nations-sponsored IGF meetings have enabled solid public policy discussions with a focus on the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet. A key element of these global events is active participation by all stakeholders – Government (both politicians and officials), business, community organisations, academia, students, technologists, and interested individuals.
IGF events are an opportunity for discussions, cross-fertilisation of ideas, identification of opportunities, and increased understanding between multiple communities with a common interest- the Internet.
Regional and national IGF events have now proliferated, extending the reach and ensuring local focus. See: http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/regional-igfs
Management
At IGF meetings all stakeholders operate on an equal footing. For NetHui 2011, InternetNZ will provide an organisational platform and will work collaboratively with the many local stakeholders in the Internet community to ensure a truly representative event befitting the IGF global vision.
Leaders in business, government and civil society will be called upon to endorse the event. An organising committee will be formed, with representatives from stakeholder groups. Their role will be to provide their stakeholder perspective and play an active role in reaching out deep within their community to shape the conference and promote active organisation/participation.
Social media, collaboration and video engagement tools will extend the virtual reach of the event.
InternetNZ sees the conference as a way to further its mission of protecting and promoting the Internet for New Zealand. It does not seek a profit from the event and will aim for it to be cost-neutral. InternetNZ will partly fund the conference as well as work with the organising committee to raise sponsorship to cover a major portion of the cost . This will help to minimise costs for participants.
The timing of the event, 29 June to 2 July 2011, aims to avoid school holiday periods and parliamentary sitting periods.
Feedback
NetHui is a collaborative effort. Please join the forums to discuss the content and operation of the event.
