Multi-stakeholder Engagement
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), beginning in 2003, marked a turning point, with all stakeholder groups focusing more closely on the processes and structures of Internet governance. The term "enhanced cooperation" was used to describe the ideal of these many disparate groups working together for the protection and promotion of the Internet (see items 69-71 in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society).
The WSIS was directly responsible for the foundation of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). This event has been staged annually since 2006 and provides an opportunity for representatives from the technical community, the public sector, business and civil society to come together and discuss the many issues that fall under the heading of Internet governance.
Internet Governance and the RIPE Community
At the RIPE 54 Meeting in 2007, the RIPE community formed the RIPE Task Force on Enhanced Cooperation. The goal of this group was to advise on issues of enhanced cooperation between the RIPE community and stakeholders such as governments and regulators. Based on the advice of the task force, the RIPE Cooperation Working Group was formed in 2009 as a means for the RIPE community to communicate with other Internet stakeholder groups, and as a forum in which to develop or clarify RIPE community positions on issues relating to Internet governance.
RIPE NCC Roundtable Meetings
The RIPE NCC also hosts regular Roundtable Meetings for Governments and Regulators. These invitation-only events are an opportunity for the RIPE NCC and members of the RIPE community to speak with representatives of the public sector about Internet governance issues of common concern.
Working With Other Stakeholders
The RIPE NCC is committed to engaging with a wide range of governments and related global institutions with an interest in the development of the Internet. This includes work in the following areas and institutions: