1. General Information Internet Governance Forum | Q: What is the Internet Governance Forum? A: The IGF is a forum for multi-stakeholder dialogue on public policy related to Internet governance issues, such as the Internet's sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development. | What is the purpose of the IGF | The purpose of the IGF is to maximize the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas; create feedback loops between the different types of sessions; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; listen, dialogue and learn as well as identify key themese that would, in the future, benefit from the multistakeholder perspectibe of the IGF. | Who is the conference for? | The IGF welcomes organisations and persons from diverse relevant experitse and geographical areas around the world. The meeting is open to all World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) accredited entities, as well as other institutions and persons with proven expertise andd experience in matters related to Internet Governance. The invitation to the fourth meeting in Sharm El Sheikh provides additional details. |
2. Pre-Conference Information | Q: Where and when will the 2009 IGF Meeting be held? A: The 2009 IGF will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, at the Maritim Sharm El Sheikh International Congress Centre (SHICC) on 15 - 18 November 2009. A programme for the 2009 IGF will be available in due course. | | Q: How do I find my way after I arrive in Sharm El Sheikh? A: Information is available on the Host Country's Web site, Sharm El Sheikh | | Q: When can I register for the 2009 IGF Meeting in Sharm El Sheikh? A: Online registration will be available on the IGF website. Online registration will also be available at the SHICC, but online online registration before hand is highly recommended. Q: How do we get our security badges? A: There will be a badge desk at the main entrance of the SHICC. To avoid queues, participants are encouraged to get their badges in advance of the opening day. Participants must present their registration confirmation letter and passport or government issued picture ID at the desk to receive their badge. Q: How much do I pay to attend the conference? A: Conference attendance is free. | | Q: Do I need a visa to attend the IGF meeting in Sharm El Sheikh? A: Yes. Q: How and when do I get a visa for India to attend the IGF meeting? A: Please refer to the visas section on the Sharm El Sheikh website for more information. Q: How can I get a support letter for my visa if I need it? A: The official confirmation of registration sent by email to every registrant will be accepted as enough proof for visa requests. Q: How much will the visa cost me? A: The visa will be issued for free. | | Q: How do I get accommodation as I attend the conference? A: Information on various accomodation options, including rates, is available on the Host Country's Web site. You are responsible for making bookings and paying for your accomodation. Q: What is the hotel booking procedure? A: The Host Country has details of hotel booking available on their Web site. The hotel booking procedure will be managed by the Host Country. | | A: The IGF Secretariat does not provide funding for participants. However, the following organisations provide funding: 1: Canada has made funds available through the ITU for participants from developing countries. Preference will be to those who have a role to play (e.g. panellists in workshops). Requests for funding can be submitted to
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. 2: Funding opportunities available through Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum seeks to encourage greater participation from Commonwealth member states on issues and discussions related to Internet Governance, with a view to coming up with informed solutions or the pooling of good practice to address their needs more directly. For more information, please contact the Commonwealth IGF Secretariat: Email :
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Website: http://www.commonwealthigf.org/ | | Q: What deadlines have already passed? A: The following deadlines are set: - 30 June: Deadline for submitting speakers list
- 15 July: Deadline for submitting comments "on the desirability of the continuation of the forum"
- 15 August: Deadline for submitting contributions relating to the proposed substantive agenda of the Sharm El Sheikh meeting
- 16 - 17 September: Informal meeting to discuss operational matters. The meeting is open to all stakeholders [Location: EBU, Geneva]
- 15 - 18 November: 14th IGF Meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
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2. Venue / Conference Facilities | Q: How do I get to and from my hotel to the conference venue? A: Transportation Information, including Google Maps, is available on the Host Country's Web site. Q: What other forms of transportation are available to get to and from the venue? A:Information, including car rentals, will be available on the Host Country's Web site. | | Q: What arrangements are there to ensure security of delegates? A: Standard UN security will be provided within the meeting premises. Only registered participants and staff with conference badges will be allowed into the conference venue. The Indian authorities will take care of security outside the premises. | | Q: Will food be provided at the SHICC? A: Moderately priced food will be available at food courts at the venue. More information is available on the Host Country's Web site, including a listing of Sharm El Sheikh restaurants. | | Q: Is the venue in Sharm El Sheikh accessible for people who require wheelchair accessibility? A: Yes. All meeting areas of the venue will be accessible to people with wheelchair needs. Participants with special needs should
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by email in advance of the meeting date. Q: Will there be first-aid facilities on the premises of the venue? A: Yes, these facilities will be available and information on the same can be obtained at the venue. A list of hospitals and clinics in Sharm El Sheikh can be found here. | | Q: Is there going to be a room available for adhoc meetings? A: Yes. Some rooms are available for adhoc meetings on first come first serve basis. Q: Can the IGF Secretariat provide private business rooms throughout the day with computers and a printer? A: No. However, there is a media centre at the conference venue available for all participants. | Internet, Electricity, Printing and Photocopying | Q: Will there be Internet access? Will access be free of charge? A: Yes. Internet access will be made available to all participants free of charge at the conference venue. Q: What type of electricity outlet is in use in Sharm El Sheikh? A: Information about electricity outlets in Egypt can be found here. Q: How can participants make photocopies? A: There will be a designated UN official responsible for printing documents. Participants wishing to make copies must submit them in person at least 3 hours in advance. | | Q: Can participants put up commercial logos, flags or advertisements? A: Commercial logos, flags, banners or printed publications are not allowed in the Main Meeting Halls. Q: Are there any other ways for participants to disseminate promotional materials? A:Yes. A welcome package will be given out to all participants on the first day of the IGF Meeting. Any materials that participants wish to include in the welcome package bag must be sent in advance to the following address: To be Advised (TBA)
| | Q: When will the booths be set up and taken down? A: Set up will begin on 14 November 2009. The booths will be taken down immediately following the closing ceremony. Q: What type of booth will be made available, and its size? A: The plans for the village will be finalized shortly and the details will be published on the Host Country Website. The booths will be 3 x 3 meters, equipped with some basic furniture (table, two charis, laptop, screen). Any additional equipment will have to be rented directly from the company that will set up the IGF village. Q: Can an organization have several booths? A: No. Q: Are there restrictions on the type of materials that can be posted on the booths? A: Materials and publications should be non-commercial, adhere to commonly respected standards of decency and be in accordance with UN practice and principles. Q: Who can we contact in Egypt if we need to send materials for our booth in advance? To be advised |
3. The Conference Comprehensive information on how the conference will be organised in terms of main sessions, workshops, dynamic coalition meetings and others can be obtained from the conference programme paper. The Maritim Sharm El Sheikh International Congress Center is a testament to modern architecture and functional elegance. The entrance is 240 m2, and is equipped with a registration area. The main lobby is 3000 m2, it has direct access to the various areas of the building including: - The main hall “The Summit”,
- meeting rooms,
- A VIP area,
- A Restaurant
| Q: What is capacity of the meeting rooms? A: There are 18 meeting rooms in total:
- A summit with an area of 2200 square meters
- 11 meeting rooms with areas ranging from 14 to 800 square meters
- 6 VIP meeting rooms with an area of 55 square meters
- Interpretation booths
- Modern audio visual facilities
- An advanced lighting system
Q: What is the set up of the workshop rooms? A: All workshop rooms will provide a podium facing the audience. Participants cannot rearrange the rooms to serve their own personal needs. Q: What type of viewing equipment will be available in each meeting room and what charges apply? A: All rooms will utilize standard viewing equipment: Computer, Powerpoint projector and screen, free of charge. | | Q: Will there be speakers in the Main Session Debates? A: The goal of these debates is to bring as many participants into the dialogue as possible and allow for a debate with maximum interaction with participants. | | Q: Will there be screens showing the schedule of meetings? A: Yes. Sufficient screens are installed at the Sharm El Sheikh International Congress Centre (SHICC)for this purpose. | | Q: What is the working language of the IGF meetings? A: Interpretation will be provided in all 6 UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and Hindi for all sessions taking place in the Main Meeting Hall. Q: How will the interpretation services be used for the workshops? A: One room with booths for interpretation into two additional languages is available. Rooms of different sizes are made available. Workshop organisers will have to make their own arrangements for hiring the interpreters. Please
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for initial contact names. Interpretation will be available in all other meetings. | | Q: How can remote participants remain up-to-date on forum proceedings? A: Both Main Session Workshops and Main Session Debates taking place in the main hall will benefit from Webcast, in both audio and video formats, and real-time transcription of verbatim written record of the proceedings that will be posted to the IGF Web site. All other sessions will be audiocast. Q: Will remote participants be able to submit questions and comments during the workshops? A: Yes, remote participants can submit questions and comments via email. A public remote chat capability will be provided for all main sessions and workshops. | | Q: Will there be a media office to serve delegates and organizations? A: An official UN media center will be available for accredited journalists. Organizations wishing to hold a media conference are requested to go through the UN media staff. Q: Will the IGF have an official photographer? A: No. Q: Will there be an opportunity for delegates to pre-record prepared speeches? A: Yes. More information will be made available in due course. | | Q: Will there be social events at the IGF and where can participants find information about those events? A: The Host Country will invite participants to a reception on 15 November. More information will be provided on the Host Country's Web site. There may also be some less informal social gatherings initiated by different groups. The host country website will also provide a list of activities in Sharm El Sheikh. | | Q: Can the reporting back session be done in writing? A: All workshop organizers are required to send in written reports after every workshop. Those reports are then compiled and will be posted to the Web site in due process. Q: Can new Dynamic Coalitions be proposed now and will they have a space for holding their meetings in Sharm El Sheikh? A:New Dynamic Coalitions can be proposed but must be registered by the IGF secretariat and active to have a space for holding their meeting in Sharm El Sheikh. All dynamic coalitions may request a listing on the IGF Web site by contacting the IGF Secretariat:
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5. Contact InformationContact Addresses and Numbers | Q: Whom do I contact for more information? A: Contact the IGF Secretariat at the following: Tel: +41 22 917 57 59
Fax: +41 22 917 00 92
email:
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Mailing Address: The United Nations Secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Palais Des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland |
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