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RE: [atlarge-discuss] Trying to broaden a Mission Statement



Richard Henderson wrote:

>Thoughts on Mission Statement:
>
>We are a non-profit organisation, open to people all over the world, which
seeks to
>promote the fair and free use and administration of the Internet, as a
means to
>freedom, justice, development, commerce, communication, and personal
interests.

Fine.  However "people all over the world"  would read better as "all people
world-wide" or such.

>We believe that the Internet is a priceless worldwide resource which should
be
>administered to benefit all peoples, regardless of wealth, social status or
gender.

I'm sure we could add other qualifiers to that list, but it's fine!

>To this end, we believe that the ordinary people of the world - including
both the
>millions of end-users and also those millions without online access as
yet - should be
>fully represented in the processes of Internet Governance.

Yes.  The heart of our mandate.

>As part of our mission we believe that the Internet must be subjected to
democratic
>oversight, rather than the vested interests of big business or powerful
regional
>governments, favoured groups or political entities.

Also very good.

>We aim to provide a platform to give a voice, and representation, for
people all over
>the world who wish to use the Internet and explore its implications for a
wide range
>of issues including: oppressive regimes and restricted access to the
internet; freedom
>of speech; issues of poverty and development; commerce and intellectual
property
>issues; issues of justice, charity work, and the Internet's role in these;
consumer issues,
>with particular reference to internet processes; and the governance and
administration
>of the Internet itself.

I don't disagree with any of this, but a more-general statement might be
more appropriate, least someone accuse us of "scope creep."  :)

>In conclusion, we aim to support the needs and rights of all to internet
access, and to
>ensure that the use and administration of the Internet is enabling, rather
than prejudicial
>or detrimental. The Internet belongs to the world and to the millions of
ordinary people
>who use it day to day, develop it, learn from it, share on it, co-operate,
communicate -
>and belongs equally to the millions beyond who are our future internet
users or
>beneficiaries. We, the ordinary users of the Internet, have an overwhelming
right to
>determine its development.

Very nice.

>These are our slogans:
>
>"INTERNET FOR EVERYONE"  ...  "IT'S YOUR INTERNET"

Well . . . !  Let me think on those.  I agree with the sentiments, but  . .
. !


>* * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>Appendix (one of what could be several):
>
>Participation in Internet Governance.
>
>We aim to achieve the representation of the worldwide internet public in
the processes
>of internet governance, firstly by creating a platform for the expression
and
>representation of viewpoints; and secondly by insisting on our right to
participate in
>ICANN (the body authorised by the US DoC to administer the technical
structures
>of the internet) and to be fully represented in it at decision-making
level.

Agreed

>We believe that elected representatives of the worldwide public should have
a
>controlling influence in the governance and administration of the internet,
including
>those key areas currently administered by ICANN.

Yes.

>To this end, we are presently involved in ICANN's organisation of an "At
Large"
>structure, but remain a separate and independent entity with a free voice.
We support
>the election of ordinary internet users as Board Members in ICANN and press
for this
>principle to be adopted.

Yes.  And that separation is critical.

>Meanwhile we will also participate in other public forums and lobby both
inside and
>outside ICANN to get a significant user representation in all processes of
Internet
>governance. It is the right of the people - worldwide - to be represented
in the control
>and development of what is essentially THEIR resource : a resource for all
peoples,
>with the potential to influence so many lives and benefit so many people.

Very true.  We shouldn't limit who we might talk to, be it organizations,
governments, etc.

>The moral case is so strong that we will fight for its fulfilment : the
fulfilment of a vision
>of one world, represented at user level and individual level, sharing
together and
>communicating together, an internet truly for the people and run by the
people.

No problem here, Richard.  Good writing overall!

Bruce Young
Portland, Oregon
Bruce@barelyadequate.info
http://www.barelyadequate.info
--------------------------------------------
Support democratic control of the Internet!
Go to http://www.icannatlarge.com and Join ICANN At Large!



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