Tal
EuroDIG 2012, Stockholm 14 juni 2012
Anna-Karin Hatt, It- och energiminister
Tal vid EuroDIG 2012
Det talade ordet gäller!
Vice President and Commissioner Kroes,
President Jagland,
Vice President Alvaro,
Dear participants, both here in the room and on line;
Welcome to Stockholm and the fifth European Dialogue on Internet Governance. I am very glad to see you all here. And a special warm welcome back to those of you who where here at the Stockholm Internet Forum in April this spring.
I am very proud that the fifth EuroDIG is being held here in Stockholm. Because EuroDIG is a very important multi stakeholder event, which has grown and evolved since the start in Strasbourg four years ago.
And the issues we will discuss is truly getting more and more important. The Internet has truly become of utmost importance as a tool for communication - between countries, companies, and people.
If this development shall proceed we must, no matter what sector or what stakeholder group we represent, continue to work together to overcome the challenges we face and together seize the opportunities and work on building a digital society for all.
The Internet gives us the ability to bridge the gaps and overcome the divides between people and cultures around the world. It gives us real opportunities for freedom of information, freedom of expression and for full participation in political processes. The Internet is a vital platform for our modern democracy.
A truly open Internet is also one of the most important driving forces for innovation, new services and efficient competition.
The way the Internet is governed, and where the discussions and decisions of the development of the internet are held, must continue to evolve and develop so that every organisation, every stakeholder, and every person can participate on an equal footing. In many ways, the Internet belongs to us all. And that is why the governance of the Internet must continue to be built on transparent multi stakeholder platforms.
My vision is that we - together - shall be able to create a truly inclusive digital society, where every organisation, every stakeholder, and every person can participate on an equal footing. And an open digital society for everyone has been my priority since I took the initiative to create the Digital Agenda for Sweden.
The fulfilment of the Swedish Digital Agenda, and of the European Digital Agenda, needs the engagement and involvement of all sectors in our society. Inclusiveness, engagement, and transparency must remain at the heart of our work.
Because we are facing many great challenges - the climate change, an ageing population, and, in too many parts of the world, an ongoing assault on free speech.
Our answer to those challenges must be an open and transparent dialogue between different sectors. Based on a proper understanding of the different roles and responsibilities we have.
This years EuroDIG is a great opportunity to exchange such views, to share our best practices and to highlight the diversity of experience between different stakeholders. This is an opportunity to identify common ground to raise at the global meeting of the Internet Governance Forum.
EuroDIG is also an opportunity to raise awareness in Europe and among European stakeholders about the relevance and value of the multi-stakeholder dialogue on Internet governance.
I think this type of dialogue should be brought to other fora, such as the World Congress of Information Telecommunications this autumn. That meeting can really affect the Internet in the future, and we all need to be clear - and stand firm - for the ideas and important common ground we share.
I trust this years EuroDIG will continue to foster dialogue, cooperation and the creation of the new ideas that will pave the way to a fully inclusive digital society for all.
So let me wish you all the best for your discussions, today and in the future, aswell as a very pleasant stay here in Stockholm!
Welcome to Stockholm.
Welcome to EuroDIG.
Let the discussions start!
