Aspen Institute to host Aug. 10-13 roundtable discussion on ideas to strengthen Internet

By: InnovatioNews Thursday July 24, 2014 0 comments Tags: Aspen, Aspen Institute, Charlie Firestone, Internet

 

ASPEN - Leaders and experts from the public and private sectors will meet next month in Aspen to discuss innovative ways to strengthen the Internet to promote free expression, personal choice and a vibrant economy.

The annual Forum on Communications and Society, a project of the Aspen Institute's Communications and Society Program, will be held Aug. 10-13 and will be streamed live.

The forum is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which promotes informed and engaged communities.

This year's forum, "Strengthening the Internet for Free Expression and Innovation," will bring together 35 experts in a roundtable and working group format.

Experts will develop approaches to encourage innovation and openness on the Internet. The group will also come up with innovative solutions for government, businesses and individuals to help ensure the Internet remains an open and equitable platform for free expression, commerce and learning, event organizers said.

An interactive report detailing the group's findings and recommendations will be published online later this year.

"The goal of (the event) is to help frame complex issues surrounding the flow of content and commerce over the Internet - our global common medium - and to arrive at actionable steps for moving in the right direction," said Charlie Firestone, executive director of the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program.

Among the participants for the program are Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Mozilla Foundation Executive Chair Mitchell Baker, Kickstarter co-founder and CEO Yancy Strickler and New York Public Library President and CEO Tony Marx.