Forums for Participation

Overview

The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) serves the Caribbean telecommunications and Internet community by influencing policy, providing information in all aspects of the industry as it evolves, and facilitating a meaningful collaborative process.

Who can join?

Full membership is available to telecommunications operating companies. Affiliate membership is available to any entity wishing to show support.

Who can participate?

CANTO sponsors many education and training workshops, discussion forums and an annual Conference & Trade Exhibition that are open to the public. Other work that involves governments and ministries may be closed to members.

Overview

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is an organization dedicated to facilitating the development of the regional telecommunications sector as well as working with Caribbean intergovernmental agencies for capacity building, knowledge sharing, education, and policies for Internet governance within the Caribbean.

The CTU maintains a multistakeholder approach to the development of regional Internet Governance policy, drawing on the expertise and experiences of policy makers, regulators, service providers, content providers, consumer groups, academia, professionals, end users, and other Internet interest groups in the region e.g. the Caribbean Internet Forum (CIF), the Caribbean ICT Virtual Community (CIVIC), CARICOM’s Regional Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Steering Committee.

Who can join?

Membership is available to States (both CARICOM and non-Caricom member states) and to private sector companies and civil society organizations involved in the telecommunications sector.

Who can participate?

Many of the CTU’s educational offerings and discussion forums are open to the public. Other work draws on their multistakeholder membership base to facilitate regional cooperation toward advancing information and telecommunication services for all people in the Caribbean.

Overview

The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), part of the Organization of American States (OAS), was established in 1994 to promote the development of telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and the exchange of best practices and policy development in the Americas region.

CITEL’s evaluations include relevant legal, regulatory and technology-related issues such as universal access to ICT, common standards, network interoperability, and compatible use of the radio spectrum. These activities uniquely promote country and regional economic development and contribute to a consolidated representation of Members’ positions at regional, hemispheric and international policy meetings such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Who can join?

• Member States of the OAS
• Private sector organizations as Associate Members

Who can participate?

Most meetings are restricted to Member States and Associated Members. Private sector participation is encouraged through associate membership. Final reports of the working committees are generally available to the public on the CITEL website.

Overview

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a United Nations (UN) affiliated Member State organization with global treaty level recognition for information and communication technologies, with an emphasis on international cooperation between governments and the private sector.

Who can join?

• A State member of the United Nations
• A State not a member of the United Nations
• Industry, international and regional organizations, as well as academia may join as sector, associate, or academia members.

Apply for membership

To locate appropriate government contacts to discuss ITU issues, go to the ITU Global Directory and enter the Member State you wish to contact.

Who can participate?

Membership is required to participate in the various Study Groups, Working Groups, and to attend sector meetings as well as ITU World Conferences and Treaty Conferences. Some general information is available on the ITU website, but most documentation is restricted to members while under discussion and revision. Final treaty information is available to the public.

Overview

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS), Internet number resources such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), space allocation, protocol identifier assignment, generic (gTLD) and country code (ccTLD) Top-Level Domain name system management, and root server system management functions. ICANN relies on a bottom-up, consensus-driven, multistakeholder model to accomplish its work.

Who can join?

ICANN is not a membership organization. It has Supporting Organizations with elected and appointed representatives, a Government Advisory Committee, and a Board of Directors elected in part by the community and supporting organizations.

Who can participate?

ICANN holds three meetings per year open, all are open to the public. There is no registration fee, just the travel costs associated with attendance. Remote participation is available.

Overview

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) brings together many stakeholder groups to discuss the public policy issues regarding the Internet. Even though IGF meetings do not produce negotiated outcomes, the discussions from IGF do provide public and private sector policy makers valuable insight and information about important issues. The IGF provides equal opportunity for developing and developed countries to engage in debate on Internet governance. The IGF believes that involvement by all stakeholders is necessary for the advancement of the Internet.

Who can join?

The IGF is an open forum for dialogue and has no membership component.

Who can participate?

Governments, civil society, organizations, and individuals may all participate in workshops and general plenary session discussions. There is no barrier to entry other than the travel costs associated with attending the annual forum. Remote participation is available.

Overview

The Internet Society (ISOC) is a global nonprofit, cause-driven organization which focuses on many topics related to the well-being of the Internet including policy, governance, standards, technology, and development. It works to encourage a healthy, sustainable Internet available to everyone now and in the future.

Who can join?

Membership is available to individuals and organizations who wish to show support for ISOC’s mission. There are also many ISOC chapters throughout the world with unique membership structures.

Who can participate?

ISOC provides information and education materials openly through its website, and partners with organizations around the globe to provide technical training. There is no membership requirement to benefit from the majority of ISOC’s resources.

Overview

Founded in 1960, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a forum where governments work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common economic and social problems. OECD members analyze and compare data to predict future trends, and set international standards by understanding what drives economic, social, and environmental change. The OECD has 34 Member countries, and works closely with various developing economies throughout the world.

The OECD is also focused on issues related to the developing Internet economy. At events including the OECD Ministerial Meeting On The Future of the Internet Economy (2008), the OECD High Level Meeting on the Internet Economy: Generating Innovation and Growth (2011), and in a number of committees and working parties, the OECD has examined a range of topics relating to the economic and social effects of the Internet.

Who can join?

ITAC membership is open to Internet technical or research organizations who agree to the principles set forth in the ITAC charter.

Who can participate?

ITAC members meet to discuss issues and collectively provide a technical perspective during consultations, calls, and meetings of various internal OECD study groups.