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ISOC – The Internet Society
*Principles - http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/principles.shtml*
The Internet Society's Public Policy Principles and activities are based upon a fundamental belief that the Internet is for everyone. We envision a future in which people in all parts of the world can use the Internet to improve their quality of life because standards, technologies, business practices, and government policies sustain an open and universally accessible platform for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity.
The Internet Society's core values guide all of our activities. These are the beliefs and commitments on which our mission is based.
· The quality of life for people in all parts of the world is enhanced by their ability to enjoy the benefits of an open and global Internet.
· Well-informed individuals and public and private policy makers are the essential foundation of an open and global Internet society.
· The genius of the Internet is that its decentralized architecture maximizes individual users’ power to choose (or create) and use the hardware, software, and services that best meet their needs, and if the Internet is to continue to be a platform for innovation and creativity, its open, decentralized nature must be preserved.
· Enduring and sustainable progress toward our vision is best achieved by a combination of global initiatives and activities at a local level that engage people in their home regions.
· Technical standards and Internet operating procedures should be developed and asserted through open and transparent processes, with minimal barriers to participation or access to information.
· The social, political, and economic benefits of the Internet are substantially diminished by excessively restrictive governmental or private controls on computer hardware or software, telecommunications infrastructure, or Internet content.
· Rewarding and productive use of the Internet depends on the ability to trust critical services.
The Internet Society’s public policy programs uphold and defend these core values in local, national, and international public policy forums, where decisions that affect the ability of people throughout the world to enjoy the benefits of the Internet are made. The following Public Policy Principles or “Abilities” capture the spirit of the core values and guide our policy work:
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