*The global governance of the Internet:* *Intergovernmentalism, multistakeholderism and networks* * * *International workshop * *Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 May 2013* *A **GigaNet* <http://giga-net.org/>* workshop, organized in cooperation with the **Programme for the Study of International Governance*<http://graduateinstitute.ch/internationalgovernance/welcome.html> * at the **Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies*<http://www.graduateinstitute.ch/> * * *Call for memos* The unprecedented growth and the fast development of the Internet have prompted new forms of interaction and collective action, generating a series of institutional changes, innovations and challenges. Following the WCIT conference in Dubai, more and more questions have been raised regarding the role and relevance of intergovernmental organizations in Internet governance. In parallel to the policy discussions on the issue, this two-day workshop proposes a series of scholarly debates on the role of intergovernmental organizations in Internet governance and on the promises and limitations of multistakeholderism. The workshop builds on the proximity to ITU's World Technology Policy Forum and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) consultations for the 2013 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and aims to review current research on global Internet policy-making. We invite five-page long memos that address the role and future of different models of governance of the Internet, presenting recently completed research or work in progress. Papers from any discipline or institution, from emerging as well as established scholars, are encouraged. Key questions to be addressed include, but are not limited to, the following: · What are the long-term implications of the failure of the WCIT? Is talk of an Internet “Cold War” relevant, or misleading? · How can we assess the role of intergovernmental organizations in Internet governance? · How can cooperation between intergovernmental organizations and NGOs be structured? · What are the potential and limitations of multistakeholder models of governance? · What role do non-hierarchical networks currently play in global Internet governance, and should that role be increased or diminished? · What is the relevance of sovereignty and jurisdiction when the Internet creates cross-border harm? Extended abstracts of approximately 800 words can be submitted through the Easy Chair website<https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=giganetgeneva2013> *.** **It is expected that participants prepare five-page long **memos **that will be circulated in advance and a 15-minute presentation on the day of the workshop.* *IMPORTANT DATES* Deadline for extended abstracts (of approx. 800 words) submission: *March 18, 2013*. Decisions will be made by March 25, 2013. Memos expected by May 3, 2013. Attendance at the workshop is free and open to all interested parties. The initial Program Committee includes: Roxana Radu, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Jean-Marie Chenou, University of Lausanne John Laprise, Program Committee Chair, GigaNet Milton Mueller, Steering Committee Chair, GigaNet Anne-Claire Jamart, Programme for the Study of International Governance, The Graduate Institute *** The Global Internet Governance Academic Network <http://giga-net.org/>(GigaNet) is a scholarly community initiated in spring 2006 in conjunction with the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Its four principal objectives are to: (1) support the establishment of a global network of scholars specializing in Internet governance issues; (2) promote the development of Internet governance as a recognized, interdisciplinary field of study, (3) advance theoretical and applied research on Internet governance, broadly defined: and; (4) facilitate informed dialogue on policy issues and related matters between scholars and Internet governance stakeholders (governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society). Alongside the annual symposium preceding the IGF, five GigaNet regional workshops have been so far held in Paris, France (2008), Brussels, Belgium (2009), Seoul, So. Korea (2009), Montreal, Canada (2010), and Washington D.C, U.S (2011). The Programme for the Study of International Governance<http://graduateinstitute.ch/internationalgovernance/welcome.html>provides a forum for scholars of governance and international organizations to interact with practitioners from the policy world in order to analyze global governance arrangements across a variety of issues. Offering a unique platform for innovative research and exchange, scholars engage with people working at the United Nations in Geneva, in addition to the many non-governmental actors working on aspects of public and private governance in international Geneva. The Programme is based at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies <http://www.graduateinstitute.ch/> -- Roxana Radu PhD Candidate in International Relations/Political Science Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement Geneva - Switzerland