Danish IGF (Internet Governance Forum) runs for the fourth time

On the 21st of September 2012 the yearly event “Danish IGF” takes place for the fourth time. The forum is gathered on a common interest regarding the future of the internet and this year the main focus will be on the internet as an important factor for growth.

Danish IGF takes point of departure in the broader UN collaboration; Internet Governance Forum, an international forum for “multi-stakeholder policy dialogue” which were established at the world meeting concerning the Information Society in Tunis 2005.

“The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors.  At their annual meeting delegates discuss, exchange information and share good practices with each other. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise”.  

Danish IGF is a national version of the abovementioned forum and also here is the goal to create dialogue on internet related issues. Danish IGF has around 220 participants and is arranged by a list of partners including Danish Industri/ITEK, Danish Internet Forum (DIFO) and CBS. CBS is represented by the CBS Private-Platform cluster “Internet Business and Society” with Lector and cluster facilitator Mikkel Flyverbom in front.

At Danish IGF 2012 is it among others wished to discuss digital driven growth, new online business models, privacy protections, Big Data, CSR and new top domains.

Focus on Big Data: Big Business or Big Brother

One issue with especially focus of attention at this year’s conference is the hot topic”Big Data”. The use of digital technologies is constantly growing and hereby also the amount of assessable data regarding our consumption habits. According to lector Mikkel Flyverbom is the number of “tracks” which we people leave behind when using GPS or the internet much higher than we actually think.  These tracks provide a unique opportunity for in depth analysis concerning behavior and tendencies. Moreover it raises important questions about the possibilities, potentials and last but not least challenges this digital knowledge brings. Big Data becomes a stepping stone for new business strategies and greater and more precise advertising. At the same time it leads to concerns in the matter of protection, validity and ownership. Who have which rights and how is the knowledge managed optimally? Digital data circulates across public-private boundaries, and shape new public institutions and policy-making. An interesting question is therefore, what will Big Data come to mean for the private-public collaboration?

The session regarding Big Data will be held in English and will work as a panel debate with Morten Helveg Petersen from Danish Media as the moderator. The panel will consist of prominent figures as:

-Stephan Noller, CEO, Nugg.ad,

-Martin Ruby, Publicy Manager, Google Denmark

-Vagn Jelsøe, Head of Department, Forbrugerrådet

-Adam Lebech, Head of Digitization, Økonomi- og Indenrigsministeriet

The debate will focus on the following issues:

1. Potentials and opportunities: What could Big Data be used for?

2. Challenges: What requirements does Big Data bring about in regards to e.g. skills, business models, standards and framework conditions?

3. Security and Privacy: What considerations on ownership of data, data validity and protection of personal data does Big Data give rise to?

4. The role of the public sector: What new relationships between public and private actors does Big Data generate and how can data aggregation contribute to social, political and economic innovation?

5. Conclusion and findings

Danish IGF takes place at CPH Conference (DGI Byen) and all interested are welcome. The day starts at 9 am and ends with refreshments and networking from 1.15pm to 2pm.Download the official invitation(in Danish) here: dansk_igf_2012_invitation.pdf