In October 2010, the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program convened the first of four Aspen Institute International Digital Economy Accords (IDEA) Project plenary meetings.  This plenary, in Washington, D.C., comprised representatives from relevant corporations, non-governmental organizations and distinguished government leaders.  The challenge was to reassess the international regime that facilitates the free flow of communications across borders on a unified Internet.  Subsequent plenaries in Los Angeles, California in January 2011, Brussels, Belgium in March 2011, and again in Washington, D.C. in November 2011 produced spirited and thoughtful dialogue about the complex challenges of governing the flow and use of data in a single global digital economy. The four sessions resulted in the report, Toward a Single Global Digital Economy: The First Report of the Aspen Institute IDEA Project, released on April 24, 2012.

The following companies and/or individuals attended or addressed at least one of the four Aspen Institute IDEA Project Plenaries: List of Plenary Participants (PDF)

Forum to Inaugurate the Aspen IDEA Project
Washington, DC
October 19- October 20, 2010
A two-day Forum inaugurated the new Aspen Institute International Digital Economy Accords (IDEA) Project.

Background papers:

The Aspen Institute IDEA Project Framework Paper (PDF)
This paper summarizes goals and vision of the IDEA Project

Internet Freedom: A Background Paper (PDF)
Prepared for the IDEA Project by Shanthi Kalathil

International Digital Economy Accords Los Angeles Meeting
Los Angeles, California
January 17 - January 18, 2011

The Aspen Institute IDEA Plenary in Los Angeles, California, co-hosted by the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, engaged critical companies, non-governmental organizations and government officials in Roundtable dialogue to address common interests in a free and open Internet. The Los Angeles meeting was the second in a series of four plenary meetings.

International Digital Economy Accords Brussels Meeting
Brussels, Belgium
March 23 - March 24, 2011

The Aspen Institute IDEA Plenary in Brussels, co-hosted by the United States Ambassador to the European Union, was a Transatlantic dialogue to address common interests in a free and open Internet capable of enhancing economic growth, social benefits and end-to-end communication. The Brussels meeting was the third in a series of four plenary meetings and a key first meeting outside the United States.

The Brussels meeting included the participation of over 20 companies, 10 non-governmental organizations, and various government leaders, including European Commission Vice President and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, European Parliament members Alexander Alvaro and Marietje Schaake, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Chairman Konrad von Fickenstein, US Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Karen Kornbluh, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the US Department of Commerce Lawrence Strickling, US Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, US Ambassador to the European Union William Kennard, and former FCC Chairman and Aspen IDEA Project Chair Reed Hundt.

Speeches given at the Brussels meeting:

"Privacy Standards in the Digital Economy: Enhancing Trust and Legal Certainty in Transatlantic Relations" (PDF)
Remarks by Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship

"The Role of Public Authorities in Cloud Computing" (PDF)
Remarks by Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Commissioner for the Digital Agenda

"The Cloud: Unleashing Global Opportunities" (PDF)
Remarks by Julius Genachowski, Chairman of US Federal Communications Commission

International Digital Economy Accords Fourth Plenary Meeting
Washington, D.C.
November 1 - November 2, 2011

The fourth plenary meeting of the Aspen IDEA project gathered US, European and other international companies, government officials and representatives of nongovernmental organizations for two days in Washington, D.C. Reed Hundt, Chairman of the Aspen Institute IDEA Project, kicked off the November 1st Plenary in Washington, DC with a speech on the goals of the IDEA Project.

Remarks Given at the Aspen IDEA Plenary (PDF)
By Reed Hundt, Chairman, Aspen Institute IDEA Project

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