International Communications and Information Policy

Information and communication technologies provide access and opportunity for people from all parts of the globe [photo provided by the International Telecommunication Union]

"...I believe very strongly that the internet is possibly one of the greatest tools for democratization and individual freedom that we've ever seen. And I know that there are a lot of governments across the world that are trying to block it, trying to regulate it, trying to make sure that people can't really use it to its full advantage. And they may have some minimal success, but they really won't be able to undermine its power ."

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Remarks at Google Headquarters
Mountain View, California

"[O]ne of the things that makes the Internet profoundly different and makes our time profoundly different than any other time in human history [is] the ability for everyone, when they have access to the Internet, to have access to the world's knowledge. Through that access to the world's knowledge, people can find the path forward to economic development, social improvement, and, ultimately, of course, to political freedom."

Ambassador David A. Gross, Deputy Assistant Secretary and U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy
Remarks to the Second Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Calendar of Upcoming Events:

October 16	Meeting of the Advisory Committee on International Communications Policy (ACICIP) - Washington, DC
October 21-30	World Telcommunication Standardization Assembly - Johannesburg, South Africa

The International Communication and Information Policy (CIP) group is one of seven issue-oriented organizations within the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. CIP advocates international policies for expanded access to information and communication technologies (ICT), improved efficiency in the worldwide ICT and telecommunications market through increased reliance on free-market forces, and fair opportunities for U.S. companies to participate in this important sector around the globe. In supporting such policies, CIP supports foreign policy goals of empowering people by giving them fuller access to a wealth of educational opportunities, information resources and forums for exchange of ideas. Additionally, an efficient ICT and telecommunications global structure creates a healthier environment for U.S. companies doing business in all sectors, improving the standard of living at home and abroad.