Internet Governance Forum: the evolution of the multi-stakeholder model between critical issues and future prospects

Abstract

The article explores the dynamics of the existing, multilateral cooperation process – at national and international level – that defines the policies to develop the Internet ecosystem. It explains the role of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in particular, touches on the IGF milestones, and subsequently focuses on the critical elements of the Internet governance in the short term. The article highlights the current complex and unprecedented scenario of the Internet governance that is quite fragile from an operational perspective and is more and more subject to the economic interests of the big Internet players. The national governments and international organisations are at risk of seeing their part undermined. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to have a clear vision of the future of Internet governance as it will affect our fundamental rights, the economic growth and the standards of freedom of the democratic systems. These are all top priorities of the present political agenda where the issue of controlling the Internet is crucial too. The search of sort of gentle balance of powers among all the Internet governance decision-making actors is the ultimate goal within a supranational environment that has become more challenging because of political, technical, economic and jurisdictional factors.