The Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI)
Date Initiated: January 2002

The Markle Foundation worked with the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) and Internews as the founding partners in developing and promoting agendas for policy development and reform on a country-specific level. The initiative served as a resource for local stakeholders (ISPs, content providers, investors, telecommunications and wireless service providers) as well as NGOs, academics, and government entities in order to promote transparency and predictability in business regulation; competition; privatization; open network and universal service; and market driven solutions and user agency. The project lead consultative, coalition-based efforts to identify legal and regulatory impediments to Internet development, and worked with local initiatives to integrate open Internet principles. Global Internet Policy Initiative(GIPI) analyzed Internet-related laws in Nigeria, India, and Ukraine, and conducted an assessment of information technology policy needs in Eastern and Central Europe

The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age. With expertise in law, technology, and policy, CDT seeks practical solutions to enhance free expression and privacy in global communications technologies.

Internews is an international, non-profit organization that supports open media worldwide. Its projects currently span the former Soviet Union, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the United States.