10 October 2007

Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Free University Brussels (Belgium), Room D. 2.01

The Internet is often heralded as an open infrastructure spanning the entire globe. It allows for people of all nations to communicate over borders, to consume the growing amount of information and entertainment available, to participate in the multiple participatory platforms and web 2.0 applications. The Internet is often identified as the key driving force in all processes of globalization. The aftermath of 9/11 seems to have considerably undermined the older myth of the media induced 'global village'.   However, when it comes to the Internet the 'Myth of the Global Internet' seems to be more resilient. There are however many issues and processes which might question the 'globalness' of the Internet. Access and speeds of networks differ considerably resulting in different uses worldwide, localization techniques and DRM systems construct new borders resulting in different Internet experiences, different governments hold different opinions on Internet governance, government firewalls keep large parts of the globe locked in filtered worlds, local uses of the Internet grow considerably faster than International uses, languages and cultures are barriers for genuine global debate.

This Symposium aims to critically reflect on the Internet as a global medium. It has brought together scholars who reflect critically on the idea of the global Internet from different perspectives.

This One-Day Symposium preceeds the ECREA Symposium 'Equal Opportunities and Communication Rights: Representation, Participation and the European Democratic Deficit' which also takes place in Brussels on 11 and 12 October 2007.  The Symposium is organised by the ECREA section on International and Intercultural Communication and in the framework of the IBBT project Video-q-sac.

Preliminary Programme

The One Day Symposium on "The Myth of the Global Internet" is meant to be an occasion of exchange and debated amongst scholars whose research interests converge over the Internet and its future development. In order to promote a rich exchange of ideas, an open debate amongst the public and the speakers is highly envisaged. In order to do so each speaker will be allowed a max of 15-20 minutes to present her/his topic and 10-15 minutes to Q&As and debate with the public and the other speakers.

Welcome of Participants/public: 9:30-9:45h

Introductory Notes: 9:45-10h - Leo Van Audenhove

Keynote Speaker 10-10:30h - The Myth of the Global Internet, Andrew Calabrese

Section 1: Invisible Controls, 10:30-12h

Controlling space, time, speed and quality on the Internet: An analysis of mechanisms and instruments. 10:30-11h  - Leo Van Audenhove, Luciano Morganti, John Vanhoucke, IBBT-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Beglium)

How global is the Internet: An analysis of players and production, 11-11:30h - Luciano Morganti, IBBT-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)

Government Control: The Internet in authoritarian states, 11:30-12h - Jan Schwate, Technical University of Ilmenau (Germany)

Section 2: Unequal Infrastructures - Global Digital Divide, 12-13h

Internet in the developing world: The revolution did not take place, 12-12:30h - Pascal Mbala, IBBT-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)

Contextualizing the digital divide in Latin America, 12:30-13h - Concepcion Travesedo de Castilla Universidad de Malaga (Spain)

Lunch break: 13-14:30h

Section 3: Regulating the Internet, 14:30-15h

Internet governance, between global infrastructure and multistakeholderism, 14:30-15h - Amar Lakel, Françoise Massit-Folléa, Vox Internet Research Program (France)

Multiple Cultures - Multiple Uses: 15-17h

Speaking of meta: Questioning the Internet as Homogeneous news medium, 15-15:30h - Michaël Opgenhaffen, Lessius University College (Belgium)

Cyber exclusion as global social exclusion: South-East European experience, 15:30-16h - Zoran Kostov, University "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" (Macedonia)

Interactivity and online newspapers of Bangladesh, 16-16:30h - Shameen Mahmud, University of Dhaka (Bangladesh)

Cultural differences reflected on the Internet: A comparison between Belgian and Dutch e-commerce websites, 16:30-17h - Malaika Brengman, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)

Concluding Remarks, 17-17:30h - Andrew Calabrese

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Attending the Symposium is free, however registration is required. Registration is possible via the IBBT website: http://events.ibbt.be/workshopecrea/.  If required, both speakers and attendees should search for their own accomodation. There is enough parking space at the university for those coming by car.

However, you need a barcode to leave the campus grounds by car. Please indicate whether you will be coming by car. We will send you a printable bar codes a few days before the beginning of the Symposium.

For Additional Information, Contact:

Leo Van Audenhove, IBBT-SMIT-VUB at: leo.van.audenhove@vub.ac.be