[cooperation-wg] RIPE NCC Roundtable Meetings - Some Background

Dear colleagues,

Based on recent discussions, it would perhaps be useful to provide some background information on the RIPE NCC Roundtable Meetings for Governments and Regulators (to use their full title).

The RIPE NCC has been holding these events since 2005, generally on a twice-yearly basis, as an opportunity for representatives of governments and public sector authorities to engage directly with RIPE NCC staff and key members of the RIPE community. Over the years, agenda items have included issues such as IPv6 adoption, Internet governance developments, network security, and Internet measurements and analysis. Presentations are generally delivered by RIPE NCC staff, though there have been occasions when representatives from other organisations have presented on issues relevant to the RIPE NCC or RIPE community (e.g. Olaf Kolkman delivered a presentation at the last Roundtable Meeting on the IETF and its role in Internet security).

The Roundtable Meetings are held as invitation-only events. This is to allow government representatives, who are often constrained in what they can say in open forums, to speak and exchange information freely. This is vital to ensuring that all participants get the most out of the meetings. The trade-off is that Roundtable Meetings are purely informational - no formal policy discussion or decision-making occurs.

As noted on this list, recent Roundtable Meetings have been held alternately in Amsterdam and Brussels - this has been a conscious move to engage more effectively with European Commission and Parliament staff, as well as EU member state representatives who may otherwise be in Brussels at the time. We have coordinated with contacts in the European Commission to organise our Brussels Roundtable Meetings adjacent to relevant meetings or events held by the Commission. Our plan is to continue this pattern, but we are always open to adjusting our Roundtable Meeting organisation to more effectively reach new participants.

The Roundtable Meetings have a great success in helping the RIPE NCC to build relationships with the public sector and inform public sector representatives on issues relating to the RIPE community. While the Roundtable Meetings are invitation-only, the RIPE NCC is very happy to hear input or suggestions from the community (particularly this working group) on issues that might usefully be included on the agenda (we are currently developing the agenda for our next Roundtable Meeting in February, and have noted the discussion that has taken place here regarding IP interconnection). 

We also strongly you to connect us with public sector representatives from your country who may be interested in attending. 

I hope this is helpful for discussions going forward, and I am happy to answer questions either on or off the mailing list.

Chris Buckridge
External Relations Officer, RIPE NCC