Frequently Asked Questions

Internet Governance refers to the framework in which the policies, strategies and vision relating to the community’s use of the internet and how it is structured comes together. 

The most widely accepted definition came from the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) in 2005, stating that "Internet governance is the development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internet." (de Bossey, 2005, p. 4). 

You can read more about Internet governance here. 

There are plenty of resources available to you. You can find these by doing a quick Google search, or by accessing any of the links we have included below.

• ICANN Wiki – https://icannwiki.org/Internet_governance 
• ISOC article “Who makes the Internet work: the Internet ecosystem” – https://www.internetsociety.org/internet/who-makes-it-work 
• ISOC Course “Shaping the Internet: History and Futures” – https://www.internetsociety.org/tutorials/shaping-the-internet/ 
• Digital Watch – https://dig.watch/what-is-internet-governance-digital-policy 
• An Introduction to Internet Governance (book by Jovan Kurbalija) – https://www.diplomacy.edu/sites/default/files/An%20Introduction%20to%20IG_6th%20edition.pdf 
• Georgia Tech Internet Governance Project – https://www.internetgovernance.org/what-is-internet-governance/
• “What does ICANN do?” – https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/what-2012-02-25-en 
• ICANN Beginners guides – https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/beginners-guides-2012-03-06-en 
• History of the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) – https://www.apnic.net/about-apnic/organization/history-of-apnic/history-of-the-regional-internet-registries/ 

NetThing is Australia’s Internet Governance Forum, an annual event for the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the internet in Australia. You can find out more about us here. 

Yes. You can view it here. 

There are lots of ways you can get involved in the NetThing community! 

You could become a member of the steering committee, sponsor an event, attend our annual forum, follow us on social media, or simply join the conversation on internet governance and policy.

If you are interested in joining our organising committee we are happy to have you! 

NetThing’s Organising Committee is made up of passionate individuals who give just a bit of their time to keeping NetThing going. Our main focus is our annual get together, and we typically meet once a month, and in the leadup to the event, fortnightly. The best part is that we can do it all online! 

Email us at netthing.info@gmail.com

NetThing is a volunteer-run initiative, working to provide an open and inclusive space for the discussion of issues pertaining to the internet in Australia. We are entirely dependent on the financial contributions of our generous sponsors, all of whom  have helped to make our events to date the successes they have been.

If you are interested in sponsoring NetThing or one of our events, you can contact us directly at info@netthing.org.au

It's official! NetThing 2022 is happening on Thursday 27 & Friday 28 October 2022. 

NetThing 2022 is once again being held as a virtual event. However, there will be some opportunities for localised in person events. Stay tuned for more information about these throughout the year. 

Registrations have not yet opened for NetThing 2022.  Check out our social media or sign up to our newsletter to get the most up to date information. 

We'd love to have you! If you are interested in participating in this year's forum, there are two options: 

a) you can submit a session proposal, or 

b) you can submit an expression of interest. 

More information is available HERE.