Internet Society - Open Internet

Probably the most "active" of all our sponsored lunches was that of the ISOC (Internet Society) who provided us with fancy "card USB" Memory sticks - which we finally realised the purpose of when we thought to click the lump at the end of it (but that's another story).

The reason for it being a "hive of activity" was fourfold. Firstly, directly prior to the presentation we were directed to appoint representatives for each of the continents to build a declaration drafting committee - what many saw as an elite amongst the outstanding. Secondly, we were asked to discuss and develop a response to three major questions in reference to Open Internet:

• What does “Open Internet Governance” mean?
• What does an “Internet Open for the Public” mean?
• What does an “Internet Open for Business” mean?

Thirdly, by this stage the ice had broken and people were finally beginning to grasp the opportunity to discourse with more nationalities in 5minutes than some may have met in their lifetime before the Youth Forum. Finally, we were very hungry and the food was very good.

So, although the speech by Bill Graham was multifaceted and certainly engaged the audience at intervals, it somehow seemed to pass many by. I wonder if a many of the Fellows realised that a programme was being launched at the lunch. Which initiative was this? It was the "Next Generation Leaders Programme".

Though at times the lunch, presentation and interactive discussion may have appeared disorderly (due to the fellows apparent inattentiveness)  the actual lunchtime event was likely the most rewarding of all, with the three questions bringing the fellows to actively engage with the issue.