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Some 2,000 representatives from 100 countries, drawn from government, the private sector, expert groups and NGO's, attended the second Internet Governance Forum (IGF) organised from 12 to 15 November 2007, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio took part in the Forum together with several other Council of Europe experts.
The IGF focus was divided along the following broad themes : access, openness, diversity, security and emerging issues.
In its submission to the Forum, the Council of Europe puts forward its view on the benefits and challenges of this important tool for economic growth and social development. It underlines the public service value of the Internet and places users rights, in particular freedom of expression and safety at the forefront.
The Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is central to the Organisation's contribution. Opened for signature by European and non-European States, this Convention obliges States to make any behaviour such as knowingly obtaining access to child pornography sites on the Internet or the solicitation of children for sexual purposes a criminal offence. Signed in Lanzarote on 25 October by 23 member States, it will come into force as soon as it has been ratified by five States.
In addition, the Convention on Cybercrime – and its Additional Protocol concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems – are the only international treaties dealing in general terms with offences committed on, by means of or against the Internet, and these treaties set up a general system of international co-operation.
Forum Chairman Sérgio Rezende's summary
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio: for a democratic citizenship on the web
In her opening speech to the Forum on 12 November, Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio declared: ''We in Europe , adults and children alike, we have a dream and an ambition. The dream is to make democratic citizenship a reality for all on the world wide web; our ambition is to show the world the way to achieve this.''
Opening speech
Safe surfing on the Internet : launch of a game for children
(More...)
Freedom of expression and Internet security: complementary values in the information society
(More...)
New code for public participation in Internet governance
(More...)
High level expert group on cybersecurity:
''Any successful campaign against cybercrime will have to be as global as cybercrime itself.''
Speech
Open forum on protecting children on the Internet
''The Internet is not and must not be a “pirate cage” for children. It must first and foremost be a place where children learn, play, exchange, grow up.''
Speech
Best practices forum on public participation
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