The UNESCO Internet Study:Keystones to Foster
Inclusive Knowledge SocietiesWilliam H. Dutton
Quello Professor of Media and Information PolicyQuello Center, Michigan State University
Follow @QuelloCenter
Presentation for UNESCO’s Session C9 of the WSIS Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, 28 May 2015.
UNESCO’s Vision:Universal Knowledge Societies
Free, Open and Trusted Internet
Worldwide Information & Knowledge Resources- Ability to Access, but also- Ability to Contribute Information & Knowledge
Sustainable Social and Economic Development
The Internet: Broadly DefinedInterconnected Information & Communication Technologies, such as the Internet and- Web- Social Media- Developing Mobile Internet- Internet of Things (IoT), and- Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Robotics
Keystones for a Global Internet
• Access to Information and Knowledge
• Freedom of Expression• Privacy• Ethical Use Online
UNESCO’s Internet StudyIdentified Four Fields – Metaphorical Keystones
for Bridges to Inclusive Knowledge Societies
Framework of Internet Universality – R-O-A-M Normative Principles to Guide Actions
Multi-round Consultation on Report and ‘CONNECTing the Dots’ Conference, March 2015
Consultations and FeedbackReview and Synthesis of UNESCO Reports and
Documents
Anchored in Academic and Research Literature
Multi-Stage Consultation Process including all UNESCO Member States with over 200 Responses and Submissions, Plus
Conference Captured in Report [MAXQDA]
Access to Information & Knowledge
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
172
115
1,310
4
467
159
639
Africa Arab States Asia & Pacific CIS Europe The Americas
Source: ITU – http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx. March 2015.
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Freedom of Expression
Privacy on a Global Internet
Ethics on a Global Internet
• Big Data Resources
• Surveillance
• New Challenges (IoT)
• Moral Panics over Social Media
• More Connected• Rise of Filtering
• Greater Access• Deepening
Divides
Access to Information
& Knowledge
Freedom of Expression
PrivacyEthics
R-O-A-M Principles for Internet Universality
• Human-rights Based, Expression, Privacy, ..• Diversity, Equality, Security, and EducationRights
• Open Standards, Interfaces, Text, Data, .. • Technical Expertise, and Political SupportOpen
• Accessible to All – Create and Consume• Overcome Exclusions: Skills, Literacy, DisabilityAccess
• Incorporating Users, User-Centric Perspectives• Government, Private Sector, Civil Society, Tech
Multi-Stakeholder Participative
The Next DecadeLast Decade’s Narrative: Technical Innovations
The Next Decade’s Narrative: Policy, Regulation & Governance
At Stake: • The Vitality of the Internet • Inclusive Knowledge Societies• Global Economic and Social Development
