If you know or not but being a member of the Internet Society (ISOC) certainly has more benefits than being careless towards the Internet and your own rights. We have loads of complains and issues when our internet doesn’t work, or we complain more about cybercrime, spamming, child pornography etc all the time but do we do anything about it a Big No.
At real grounds what we do is, what counts. We simply waste our time talking with people about what to do and how to do it but we fail to do any action, instead of wasting our time if we could support organization like ISOC or be a member of it then there are more prospect of learning, spreading awareness and information exchange. It’s not just about how much you are aware but it’s about the collaborative effort in bringing change to your society and individuals around you and ISOC certainly helps you by providing effective training, network and resources. Most importantly ISOC gives you that platform to share your energy and feeling of you not being alone.
ISOC to some extent seems as a big organization with big policy people and leadership but in reality it’s any other organization with common people and individuals with strong opinion and beautiful smiles.
To be precise, ISOC is not just an organization, it’s a community of scholars, technicians, activists, professional etc. who group together to voice and create a platform to give space and presence of right approach of internet governance. It’s a perfect multistakeholder group that speaks, talks and breathes about open and free internet for all.
As said by tech gurus, “Internet is the next big thing” but we fail to realize that with its growing prospects more problems are also increasing making individual vulnerable in context of lack of resources and information. Especially with developing nations which have adopted technology but have fail to address the governance part, technology is surely threatening their livelihood. If technology is not guided with proper mechanism and policy it can surely turn into a threat.
What we can do is we first have to know and aware our self with highlighting the problems and after that we can unite to voice and lobby the issues in a more collaborative way so that the issues and problems would be taken care of. ISOC provides a unique platform where everyone can opinion and comment. Another aspect of its leadership is the next generation leadership that gives spaces and energy to the new members and thus approaches its new members with the same concept.
ISOC’s main theme is “Internet for everyone” may seems too loud but reality is they have been working towards issues of concern of addressing each and individual around the globe making us feel secure online and protect our rights of FOE to Human rights to access.
Reason for joining ISOC
1. Being responsible towards society and internet
2. Understanding core issues and spreading awareness
3. Network Expansion
4. Practice of multistakeholderism
5. Knowledge sharing and exchange of voices
6. Collaborative action against internet Externalities
7. Capacity building and outreach programs
8. Next Generation Leaders
9. Voicing issues of concern
10. Be part of the internet revolution
11. To stand for change
I joined ISOC because I wanted change for myself for my society and my country, and technically voicing issues of concern individually was not possible but with the help of ISOC, I have been able to highlight issues of concern. It has not only helped me personally but professionally had expanded my network. One thing I can be sure of is when you know you are speaking right you do not need flowery words, one can just relate and connect. ISOC is not just a voice it’s a way of life where you know what you want and where you are heading. Being part of the ISOC I have realized that you not only stand for change but you stand for the thousands of voices that want change. I am not marketing ISOC but being part of this dynamic group I have grown and understood the real values of internet.
Personally, for me Internet is freedom and that’s what we all have envisioned, I believe there are hundreds and thousands more who believe in the same ideology and together we all can make a difference and ISOC helps me to dream about this for my coming generation.
Date: 28th October 2014
Author: Shreedeep Rayamajhi
Link: https://internetgovernancediplomacy.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-should-you-join-internet-society.html
