Overview
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and Internet Governance are two distinct concepts that often get conflated. The IGF is a multistakeholder platform that brings together various stakeholders to discuss Internet governance issues, while Internet Governance refers to the development and application of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet. The IGF was established by the United Nations in 2006, with the aim of facilitating dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders on Internet governance issues. In contrast, Internet Governance is a broader concept that encompasses the policies, procedures, and institutions that govern the Internet. For instance, the [[internet-corporation-for-assigned-names-and-numbers|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)]] plays a crucial role in Internet Governance, as it is responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet. Meanwhile, the [[world-wide-web|World Wide Web]] has been shaped by Internet Governance, with its inventor [[tim-berners-lee|Tim Berners-Lee]] advocating for an open and accessible Internet. The bottom line is that while the IGF is a platform for discussing Internet governance issues, Internet Governance is the actual process of governing the Internet, involving various stakeholders, including governments, corporations, and civil society organizations, such as the [[electronic-frontier-foundation|Electronic Frontier Foundation]].