The concept of governance has changed over the last decades. It includes plurality of actors involved in political processes, and the importance of “soft power” in the international scene is increasing. A diverse body of participants does not only respond to “correctness”, it also contributes to better decisions and is crucial for the successful implementation of policies on the ground.
During the discussions at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), it became clear that it was necessary to develop a concept of governance that would apply specifically to the internet. According to the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, “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”.
This article presents an analysis of multi-stakeholder participation in internet governance processes, considering international ones such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Developement (CSTD) and presenting experiences at national level in Brazil.