[icann-see] SEEDIG annonced during CEECOM 2017!

[Anelia Dimova]

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Bissera Zankova, Media 21 Foundation, Anelia Dimova, Information Society Policy Expert, MTITC, Bulgaria Internet freedom at the “periphery” The experience of Bulgaria and the Balkan countries to create a free and enabling Internet environment and boost freedom of expression
The interdisciplinary study explores Internet freedom as a universal category promoting freedom of expression, creation and innovation in the digital environment through the prism of the experience of Bulgaria and other Balkan countries on the path to building digital societies. The case of Bulgaria is at the centre of the comparative analysis which attempts at answering the basic question what is meant by Internet freedom today in countries considered a “periphery” of Europe, a periphery of technological development and a periphery of knowledge based societies. Notions like “centre and periphery” can be examined against the background of the technological advent in the world today. These concepts are relative in meaning in the digital environment. Core countries may turn out to display shortcomings while countries at the periphery can demonstrate potential and catch up to a full fledged digital society. The relationship “core and periphery” bears characteristics that are intimate to other worrying tendencies in the technological age such as the digital divide. In the complex environment we live in divides have become apparent on a number of fronts. Some of them have already existed, others are new. The problem is how to find appropriate mechanisms for bridging divides. A new approach to economic development is necessary nowadays oriented towards the speeding up of digitization in all economic sectors. There should be conditions available to closing the gap between centre and periphery and to accelerating the establishment of an inclusive digital society. In spite of the good progress achieved in recent years, concerns about the persistent digital divides and the unequal distribution of ICT benefits do exist. In conformity with the overarching principle of the 2030 Agenda to “Leave No One Behind”, a particular focus should be placed by policy makers on the least developed countries in order to prevent the enlargement of existing inequalities and the rise of new ones. It is pertinent to compare all notions that indicate the deficits of the information age and to explore the ways through which we can cope with these challenges. The outcome will be the entrenchment of a digital society serving all and hence genuine Internet freedom. A conceptual framework for the elucidation of the concept of Internet freedom is the 2016 Council of Europe recommendation on Internet freedom and the understanding it provides that this freedom signifies “the exercise and enjoyment on the Internet of human rights and fundamental freedoms and their protection in compliance with the ECHR and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” On a comparative scale other approaches rooted in notions like Internet universality or Sustainable Development Goals and the respective indicators formulated on their bases will also be examined. The problem about indicators provided by international organizations is that they are based on different methodologies, lack coherence and efficiency; all the more we are not certain whether and to what extent they reflect correctly and influence the progress to the accomplishment of digital societies in different regions. Our suggestion is that it is more promising to apply national and international indicators as well as to elaborate cross-cutting indicators which denote how various dimensions integrate and impact over each other. A crucial problem with respect to bridging divides and peripheries and enhancing Internet freedom everywhere is to make global decisions applicable in particular countries. In this respect it would be pertinent to explore how local initiatives complement global solutions. Regarding this we are going to discuss the lessons of Eurodig and of the South Eastern European platform on Internet governance (SEEDIG). Created during Eurodig in Sofia SEEDIG has already carried out successful meetings in two Balkan capitals – Sofia (2015) and Belgrade (2016) and in Ohrid in 2017. The role of such platforms for fostering local Internet fora, partnerships and digital empowerment is essential but people in the region need workable projects that would bring tangible results


Kind regards
Anelia


From: icann-see [mailto:icann-see-bounces at lists.rnids.rs] On Behalf Of Sorina Teleanu
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 11:09 AM
To: SEEDIG list <icann-see at rnids.rs>
Subject: [icann-see] Internet governance developments in SEE: June summary now available

Dear all,

We are pleased to inform you that the tenth issue of our monthly summary of Internet governance and digital policy developments in South Eastern Europe and the neighbouring area is now available (online<http://www.seedig.net/2017/06/27/internet-governance-in-see-june-summary-of-developments-is-out/> and attached).

The summary includes updates from June from countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine. It also provides an overview of Internet-related events that were held in the region in June, as well as a list of events planned for July.

These updates will be discussed today, from 13.00 CEST, during the SEEhub<http://www.seedig.net/2017/06/21/event-see-hub-internet-governance-in-june-2017/>. We hope to e-see many of you around. And don't forget to register: https://www.diplomacy.edu/registrations/see-hub-internet-governance-june-2017

Special thanks for having contributed to the June summary go to SEEDIG interns, fellows, and community members Andreea, Andrijana, Dusan, Marija, Merve, Olga, Paul, Vladimer, and Vladimir.

And, as we celebrate our tenth issue this month, we would like to thank all those who have been contributing to the summary over the past ten months. We wouldn't have gotten this far without your support.

Best regards,

Sorina
(on behalf of SEEDIG's executive committee)
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