============================================================================== ISOC Document 94-334 Title: Open Global Networking Institute Author(s): A.M.Rutkowski Date: 1994.10.16 Body: Board of Trustees Document: 94-334 Revision: basic Supersedes: - Status: released Maintainer: A.M.Rutkowski Access: unrestricted ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Open Global Networking Institute This is a proposal for a joint Programme between the Open Society Foundation and the Internet Society. Introduction Over the past several years, an entirely new electronic networking infrastructure has rapidly enveloped the globe. This unique network of networks called the Internet allows in principle anyone, anywhere, to connect a computer, a computer program, or even an entire network in such a way that it can instantly both reach and *be reached* by any other computer, program, or network. Internet technology allows this to be done easily and relatively inexpensively over virtually any kind of underlying telecom infrastructure. Because the Internet and its technology have emerged largely through the activities of countless diverse institutions, corporations, individuals and initiatives in the scientific and educational realm - as opposed to centrally planned communications networks by government, intergovernmental organizations or dominent telecom authorities - it is referred to as "bottom-up" infrastructure. The Internet by design, operation, and management is "open," heterogeneous, and autonomous. These qualities have also had an enormous synergy not only with current technological developments, but perhaps more importantly with the creative energies and expressive human spirit of countless people and organizations throughout the world to develop new products and services, to coordinate global initiatives, to diminish the barriers and open organizations and people to new ideas, alternatives, and "flat" collaboration. As such, the Internet and its applications have served as the primary global model for information empowerment for individuals and organizations. Thus the Internet is more than just a network or a technology, but perhaps most importantly a human phenomenon of virtually instant open global collaboration, information discovery, and dissemination of ideas without parallel. For all of these reasons, Internet diffusion at the national level has rapidly become a subject of major interest throughout the world. Open Society Internetworking is a result of these directions. Open Internetworked societies - as articulated by George Soros at the 1994 International Networking Conference at Prague - are generally more economically and intellectually robust and dynamic societies which draw upon and effectively employ the energies and creativity of all their constituents in the emerging global village. The diminished barriers and openness also results in a greater respect and support for human diversity and rights, as well as reduced human conflict. Internet Diffusion Although the diffusion of Internet, its technologies, and applications have occurred occurred at a speed and scale unprecedented in electronic networks or human communication, it remains uneven. Available capital is always a major consideration, but recent analysis of Internet infrastructure relative to national GNP/GDP reveals widespread deviations among nations. An assortment of factors - relating to political-economic policies, regulatory constraints, telecommunication tariffs, trade policies, taxation of computer equipment or software, computer-networking-skilled individuals, and societal/cultural attributes - all significantly affect diffusion of the Internet and its use within different countries or regions. Some of these factors are not easily changed. Indeed, in a a kind of classic "chick-and-egg" quandary, it is Internet deployment and use that can lead to change. During this transition to a global Internet infrastructure, there is an urgent need for leadership, information, education and assistance to those attempting to develop Internet infrastructure in many places throughout the world. It is toward this need that this proposal is directed; and the Internet Society as the non-governmental, non-profit International Organization for the Internet is an ideal venue from which to initiate such a programme. The Open Society Internetworking Programme The Open Society Internetwork Programme would be created as a joint initiative of the Open Society Foundation and the Internet Society as a global focal point for information and assistance concerning regulatory, trade, and policy matters related to the diffusion of the deployment and use of open Internet infrastructure. The specific activities of the Programme would include: 1) develop, implement, and study Open Society InterNetworking as a concept and goal on a worldwide basis, and articulating its benefits; 2) obtain and maintain a server-based global reference service that portrays current country-by-country regulatory, GATT*, and related policy information relevant to the deployment of open Internet infrastructure; 3) provide regulatory counsel to those in C&E European and developing countries, or non-governmental international organizations who are attempting to develop open Internet infrastructure; 4) use other Internet Society activities such as the International Networking Conferences, International Internet Operations Conferences, Workshops, and publications to provide a continuing focus on the Programme; 5) provide support to Open Society Foundation initiatives; 6) work with other international organizations and national regulatory and trade* officials to improve national regulatory and trade environments so as to enhance open Internet infrastructure; 7) get information to the general public, press, and other appropriate forums about this subject and leading opinion makers toward developing progressive policies; 8) further develop the scope and capabilities of the Programme through additional grants, volunteers, compatible initiatives in other international organizations, and Internet Society Chapters in countries throughout the world. (* GATT/World Trade Organization activities will become especially important during the coming year as the World Trade Organization rounds on the GATT Telecom Annex and country committments become active. Generally, national trade officials are willing to commit to highly progressive telecom policies that will significantly benefit Internet diffusion.) Staff, Facilities, and Funding The use of Internet Society headquarters, Internet capabilities, and resources would provide maximum effectivity at very low cost. A single Program director with about half-time administrative assistance would likely suffice for the near-future. Considering salaries, benefits, travel, communication, equipment, and facilities costs, funding in the $150-200k range would suffice. Differentials largely include travel, seniority of the Programme Director, and distribution of materials. Society overhead is relatively quite low and the location is excellent. Reston is near Dulles airport, in the middle of the global networking "netplex," close to Washington, and costs of office space and living are relatively low. Because the Internet Society's Executive Director has been extensively involved in most aspects of the Programme's activities over many years, the potential synergies at a professional level are significant, and could allow for a relatively less experienced but energetic Programme Director. In addition, many Internet Society members worldwide are known to have a significant interest in the scope of the Programme. The Programme Director would ideally be a highly motivated graduate lawyer-foreign affairs specialist, familiar with telecommunication, trade, and human rights policies and law, have some nominal computer and computer networking abilities, with good leadership and public presentation skills. At the outset she/he would be personally responsible for all activities of the programme, with half-time administrative assistance, and potential significant volunteer help. =========================================================================