Frequently Asked Questions

1. General Information

Internet Governance Forum f
Participants

2. Pre-Conference Information

Location
Logistical Information f
Registration
Visas
Accommodation
Funding
Deadlines

3. Venue/Conference Facilities

Transportation
Security
Food Facilities
Accessibility
Business Rooms
Internet, Electricity, Printing, Photocopying
Advertising
IGF Village

4. The Conference

Meeting Rooms
Workshops
Languages
Remote Participants
Press and Media
Social Activities
Miscellaneous
Getting Involved

1. General Information

Internet Governance Forum

Q: What is the Internet Governance Forum?

A: The IGF is a  forum for multi-stakeholder dialogue on public policy related to Internet governance issues, such as the Internet's sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development. The United Nations Secretary-General formally announced the establishment of the IGF in July 2006 and it was convened in October/November 2006.

What is the purpose of the IGF

The purpose of the IGF is to maximize the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas; create feedback loops between the different types of sessions; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; listen, dialogue and learn as well as identify key themes that would, in the future, benefit from the multi-stakeholder perspective of the IGF.

Who is the conference for?

The IGF welcomes organisations and persons from diverse relevant expertise and geographical areas around the world. The meeting is open to all World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) accredited entities, as well as other institutions and persons with proven expertise and experience in matters related to Internet Governance. The invitation to the fifth meeting in Vilnius provides additional details.

2. Pre-Conference Information

Location

Q: Where and when will the 2010 IGF Meeting be held?

A: The 2010 IGF will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the Exhibition Center LITEXPO on 14 -17 September 2010.

Logistic Information

Q: How do I find my way after I arrive in Vilnius?

A: The shuttle service will be organized for all participants. More information is available on the Host Country's Web site.

Registration

Q: How can I register for the 2010 IGF Meeting in Vilnius?

A: Online registration is available on the IGF website.

Q: How do we get our security badges?

A: Badges will be issued on site before the Meeting starts. Participants are required to go to the badging desks at the LITEXPO with a copy of the registration form and a government issued picture ID. The badging desks will be open from Sunday 12 September 09:00 hours and participants are encouraged to collect their badges as early as possible after arrival to avoid congestion.

Q: How much do I pay to attend the conference?

A: Conference attendance is free.

Visas

Q: Do I need a visa to attend the IGF meeting in Vilnius?

A: Please check the visa requirements with your country’s embassy or consulate.

Also you can check this List of Countries, whose citizens do not require visas to enter the Republic of Lithuania.

Q: How can I get a support letter for my visa if I need it?

A: The official confirmation of registration sent by email to every registrant will be accepted as enough proof for visa requests.

Accommodation

Q: How do I get accommodation as I attend the conference?

A: Information on various accommodation options, including rates, is available on the Host Country's Web site. You are responsible for making bookings and paying for your accommodation.

Funding

Q: Is there funding for some participants?

A: The IGF Secretariat does not provide funding for participants. However, the following organisations provide funding:

1: Canada has made funds available through the ITU for participants from developing countries. Preference will be to those who have a role to play (e.g. panellists in workshops). Requests for funding can be submitted to strategy [at] itu [dot] int This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2: Funding opportunities available through Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum

Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum seeks to encourage greater participation from Commonwealth member states on issues and discussions related to Internet Governance, with a view to coming up with informed solutions or the pooling of good practice to address their needs more directly. For more information, please contact the Commonwealth IGF Secretariat:

Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: http://www.commonwealthigf.org/

 

Deadlines

Q: What is the deadline for submitting workshop proposals?

A: The deadline has passed and the IGF is no long accepting new workshop proposals for the IGF Meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Q: What is the deadline for revising and merging Workshop proposals?

A: 31 July 2010.

2. Venue / Conference Facilities

Transportation

Q: How do I get to and from my hotel to the conference venue?

A: A shuttle service will be provided to transport participants to/from the hotel/airport for the 2010 IGF Meeting in Vilnius. Participants who are not staying is one of the listed hotels are advised to go to one of the hotels listed as a pick up point. More information about the transportation is available on the Host Country's Web site.

Q: What other forms of transportation are available to get to and from the venue?

A: A number of transportation options are available for participants, including taxis and the public bus transportation service. The bus and trolleybus system operates between point-to-point bus services that connect important places within the city and is quite efficient (timetables can be found here). Also there is a large choice of taxi companies and the possibility to book it online.

Security

Q: What arrangements are there to ensure security of delegates?

A: Standard UN security will be provided within the meeting premises. Only registered participants and staff with conference badges will be allowed into the conference venue.

Food Facilities

Q: Will food be provided at the Litexpo?

A: Moderately priced food will be available at food courts at the venue. More information is available on the Host Country's Web site..

Q: Can we take the food into a meeting room?

A: No, there will be no such possibility.

Q: There will be possibility to organize individual receptions with food gathering?

A: Yes, for more details please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it directly.

Accessibility/ First Aid

Q: Is the venue in Vilnius accessible for people who require wheelchair accessibility?

A: Yes. All meeting areas of the venue will be accessible to people with wheelchair needs. Participants with special needs should This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by email in advance of the meeting date.

Q: Will there be first-aid facilities on the premises of the venue?

A: Yes, there will be an ambulance on duty and local hospital ready to help in case of emergency. Lithuania is a member of EU and all regulations of health insurance system apply here too.

Meeting Rooms

Q: What is capacity of the meeting rooms??

A: It varies. Different Meeting Rooms can accommodate between 30 and 140 participants.

Q: What type of equipment will be available in each meeting room?

A: All rooms will utilize standard equipment.

Internet, Electricity, Printing and Photocopying

Q: Will there be Internet access? Will access be free of charge?

A: Yes. Internet access will be made available to all participants free of charge at the conference venue.

Q: What type of electricity outlet is in use in Vilnius?

A: Information about electricity outlets in Vilnius can be found here.

Q: How can participants make photocopies?

A: There will be Document shearing center with all necessary equipment.

Advertising

Q: Can participants put up commercial logos, flags or advertisements?

A: Commercial logos, flags, banners or printed publications are not allowed in the Main Meeting Halls.

Q: Are there any other ways for participants to disseminate promotional materials?

A: Yes. A welcome package will be given out to all participants on the first day of the IGF Meeting.

IGF Village

Q: What type of booth will be made available, and its size?

A: Please find here all information, regarding the IGF Village.

Q: Can an organization have several booths?

A: No.

Q: Are there restrictions on the type of materials that can be posted on the booths?

A: Materials and publications should be non-commercial, adhere to commonly respected standards of decency and be in accordance with UN practice and principles.

3. The Conference

Meeting Rooms

 

Q: What is capacity of the meeting rooms?

A: It varies. Different Meeting Rooms can accommodate between 30 and 140 participants.

Q: What is the set up of the workshop rooms?

A: All workshop rooms will provide a podium facing the audience. Participants cannot rearrange the rooms to serve their own personal needs.

Q: Will there be a possibility to use the equipment of video conference?

A: For renting any extra equipment please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it directly.

Workshops

Q: Will there be speakers in the Main Session Debates?

A: The goal of these debates is to bring as many participants into the dialogue as possible and allow for a debate with maximum interaction with participants.

Languages

 

Q: What is the working language of the IGF meetings?

A: Interpretation will be provided in all 6 UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and Hindi for all sessions taking place in the Main Meeting Hall.

Remote Participants

Q: How can remote participants remain up-to-date on forum proceedings?

A: Both Main Session Workshops and Main Session Debates taking place in the main hall will benefit from Webcast, in both audio and video formats, and real-time transcription of verbatim written record of the proceedings that will be posted to the IGF Web site. All other sessions will be audiocast.

Q: Will remote participants be able to submit questions and comments during the workshops?

A: Yes, remote participants can submit questions and comments via email. A public remote chat capability will be provided for all main sessions and workshops.

Press and Media

Q: Will there be a media office to serve delegates and organizations?

A: An official UN media center will be available for accredited journalists. Organizations wishing to hold a media conference are requested to go through the UN media staff.

Q: Will the IGF have an official photographer?

A: No.

Q: Will there be an opportunity for delegates to pre-record prepared speeches?

A: Yes. More information will be made available in due course.

Social Activities

Q: Will there be social events at the IGF and where can participants find information about those events?

A: More information will be provided on the Host Country's Web site. There may also be some less informal social gatherings initiated by different groups. The host country website will also provide a list of activities in Vilnius.

Miscellaneous

Q: Can the reporting back session be done in writing?

A: All workshop organizers are required to send in written reports after every workshop. Those reports are then compiled and will be posted to the Web site in due process.

Q: Can new Dynamic Coalitions be proposed now and will they have a space for holding their meetings in Vilnius?

A: New Dynamic Coalitions can be proposed but must be registered by the IGF secretariat and active to have a space for holding their meeting in Vilnius.  All dynamic coalitions may request a listing on the IGF Web site by contacting the IGF Secretariat: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

5. Contact Information

Contact Addresses and Number

Q: Whom do I contact for more information?

A: Contact the IGF Secretariat at the following:

Tel:     +41 22 917 57 59
Fax:    +41 22 917 00 92
email:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mailing Address:

The United Nations

Secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

Palais Des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10

Switzerland

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 July 2010 14:35