Consumer Representation in the Information Society

Rationale

Consumers International's vision for this project is to open new doors for the consumer movement within a range of global and regional institutions of governance in the information society. We aim to present policy-makers with a cogent and coordinated consumer voice in these institutions, covering issues such as access to broadband, network neutrality, internet governance, access to information, online privacy and freedom of expression, with a particular focus on issues of concern to consumers in the global South.

Two broad strategies will be involved in pursuing this vision. The first involves prioritising the opportunities for the consumer movement to present its voice in existing governance and policy institutions for the information society, and resourcing consumer representatives to meaningfully and positively contribute to the work of these institutions. The second will be to advocate for the opening up of other institutions that are presently closed to input from consumer representatives, or whose processes for such input are too narrow or inaccessible.

Thus by harnessing the collective voice and effectiveness of consumer groups working around the world and across issue sectors, we aim to guarantee that consumers' interests in the information society are adequately represented in regional and global policy fora. The project's ultimate objective is that more consumers around the world, and particularly in the global South, will be able to fully and freely exercise their human rights in the information society through equitable access to information and communications technologies.

Methodology

The Consumers International network will pursue the goals of this project through the following approaches:

1. Research providing a gap analysis of opportunities for consumer representation within relevant governance institutions for the information society. (complete)
2. Coordination and capacity building to empower the consumer movement to better utilise available resources in exploiting these opportunities. (ongoing)
3. Engagement with institutions that do not offer adequate opportunities for consumer representation, with the objective of improving their democratic legitimacy. (ongoing)
4. Recording and reporting on the results of the project and lessons learned. (planned)

How to get involved

1. Read the background papers that we have prepared as part of this project:
   • Public Interest Representation in Global IP Policy Institutions by Dr Jeremy Malcolm
   • Arresting the Decline of Multi-Stakeholderism in Internet Governance by Dr Jeremy Malcolm
   • Public Interest Representation in the Information Society by Norbert Bollow
   • Mapping “Public Interest Representation in the Information Society”: A Network Analysis Experiment by Dr Elena Pavan
2. Utilise our meetings page to keep up to date with meetings of international institutions that affect consumers in the digital age - and add new meetings that you know about.  You may also qualify for support to attend such meetings. A screencast is available to help you.
3. Help to update the Internet governance map being developed by a multi-stakeholder working group, sponsored by CI, working at http://idgovmap.org/. This was part of the first stage in the above methodology above, but the work continues. Visit that site for more information.
4. Join our A2K list where more information will be posted.