WDR Background

The World Dialogue on Regulation for Network Economies (WDR) project was initiated by infoDev, Global Information and Technologies Department, World Bank. This is a flagship project that also falls within two infoDev core programs, telecom reform and information infrastructure development. LIRNE.NET was chosen in a competitive selection in response to an infoDev RFP. The project began on 1 July 2000 on a three year contract (Grant Agreement # 546-011501). The project builds on an earlier regulatory colloquium and accompanying web site by focusing on frontier issues of telecom reform and information infrastructure development with an emphasis on web-based information and international dialogue.

The objective is to attract a diversified set of partners to the project, so the project will become an independent entity as soon as possible. The foundation partners are infoDev, the LIRNE.NET Universities (Technical University of Denmark and Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands) and Media@LSE, London School of Economics, Learning Information Networking Knowledge Centre (LINK), Wits University, Johannesburg and the Public Interest Program Unit, Ministry of Economic Reform (PIPU), Sri Lanka.

Background research on the WDR and the initial dialogue theme began immediately. Preparatory discussions, seminars and workshops have been held in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. The project was formally launched at the infoDev Symposium in Washington, D.C., 5-6 December 2001 and the website was launched on January 30, 2002.

The WDR mission is to facilitate an international dialogue that generates and disseminates new knowledge on frontier issues in regulation and governance to support the development of network economies.

The WDR core activities are:

	Dialogue on Interactive Web Site - WDR promotes dialogue on frontier issues within the regulatory community.
	Discussion papers, Working Papers and Reports - WDR research teams produce a series of reports based on the priority research questions identified each year.
	Forum Discussions among Experts - WDR and its partner organisations host numerous expert meetings, seminars and public forums throughout the year, many of which you can join. Information will be posted on the WDR News section of the home page of this website or you can subscribe to the WDR e-Brief.
	Wide Dissemination in Print & Electronic Form - In addition to this website, WDR research papers are presented at conferences and published widely in print.

WDR Annual Dialogue Cycle

	September/October: Dialogue leading to the selection of the dialogue theme.
	October/January: Research, seminars, workshops, discussions on the annual dialogue theme.
	January/February: Prepare and post Discussion Papers to direct dialogue.
	September: Draft Report for dialogue on web, WDR Forum, and Board.
	October: Prepare Final Report.
	November/December: Publish Final Report in print and on web site. Post comments.

For more information contact info@regulateonline

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Dialogue 2003

Dialogue 2002

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