---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Heike Loeschmann <[email protected]> Date: Tue, Sep 22, 2015 at 12:33 AM Subject: [commoning] Internet as a Commons - Public Space in the Digital Age - Brussels, October 1st 15-18.30 hours To: [email protected] The Green Group, The Commons Network and the Heinrich Böll Foundation invite you to a most relevant debate: *Internet as a Commons - Public Space in the Digital Age.* We will explore the need for a comprehensive new narrative for the Internet. A narrative that frames Internet as a common good, accessible by all, and managed by a plurality of actors in a way benefiting society at large. In other words: as a Commons. BACKGROUND The Internet has become an important part of our global public sphere. Internet provides access to a wealth of information and knowledge, and the possibility to participate, create and communicate. This public space made up of internet infrastructures is increasingly threatened from two sides; by the centralization and commercialization through the dominant positions held by giant telecom and Internet companies, as well as by an increasing trend in state regulation and censorship of the net. This poses important questions about how we choose to organize and regulate our digital societies, and how Internet governance models can be developed and implemented to ensure fair and democratic participation. When it comes to the future of the Internet, a key discussion is one of infrastructures; who owns, runs and controls them. The question of regulation, and who oversees the regulators, is made complicated by the transnational nature of the net. The debates around net neutrality, infrastructure neutrality and Internet monopolies reflect the important choices that are to be made. It is essential the EU formulates a comprehensive vision on the internet that addresses the protection of civil liberties such as free speech and privacy, but also the growing commercialization of our digital public spaces and the commodification of personal data with the effect of the market encroaching on all aspects of our daily lives. Only then can it make relevant interventions regarding the Internet and its governance. Let´s discuss how to re-decentralize and reclaim the Internet for all. *This conference will be live streamed at: http://greenmediabox.eu/en/live/%20%3Chttp://greenmediabox.eu/en/live/%3E* <http://greenmediabox.eu/en/live/%20%3Chttp:/greenmediabox.eu/en/live/%3E*> Registration for life participation: http://www.greens-efa.eu/events/registrations/658-internet-as-a-commons.html Background & Programme: http://www.greens-efa.eu/internet-as-a-commons-13850.html Join the event community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/939398269451418/ Contact: Sophie Bloemen Commons Network +49 (0)170 2827005 +31 (0) 649957744 Dr. Heike Löschmann Referat Internationale Politik Heinrich Böll Stiftung +49-3028534318 _______________________________________________ Commoning mailing list Commons-Institut e.V. Germany [email protected] https://lists.schokokeks.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/commoning -- Check out the Commons Transition Plan here at: http://commonstransition.org P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net <http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation>Updates: http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens #82 on the (En)Rich list: http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/