What is Internet Governance and Why Does it Matter?

In November 2015, CloudFlare participated in the tenth annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) held in João Pessoa, Brazil. The IGF is a platform for discussing decisions that will impact the future of the internet and has been influential in shaping corporate strategies, standards proposals, and national government policies. This year's event featured an extensive range of issues and diverse speakers. A major underlying debate was observed between two mindsets: "foresters" who advocate for permission-less innovation and a free market approach, and "gardeners" who believe in choosing the best technologies, business models, and policies rather than leaving it to the market. The future of IGF will be determined by discussions in New York City where UN member states will decide whether to renew its mandate and if it should continue as an equal platform for all stakeholders or change into a government-defined agenda setting entity.