WEBVTT

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The Internet.
It has the potential to affect and improve every aspect of your life:

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your education,

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your health,

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your social life,

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your business,

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your choices.

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But if the way that it’s governed changes, your life will too.

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Right now, people from around the world work together

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to make decisions about how the Internet functions.

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People like engineers,

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business owners,

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politicians,

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advocates,

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students,

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teachers,

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scientists and more.

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They all help develop technical standards and protocols

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and increase user access to keep us all connected.

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This kind of open, collaborative approach is called
multi-stakeholder governance.

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But there’s a debate happening about the future of the Internet,

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and the result could limit which stakeholders have a say.

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Some believe only government leaders should decide how the Internet
is run.

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But if only governments have a voice at the table ...

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it will stifle innovation and economic growth.

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It could also lead to increased censorship and control.

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As more people get connected to the Internet,

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we must expand, not restrict, the current approach

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to make room for new voices and new ideas.

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This way you can continue learning,

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solving problems,

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exploring,

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innovating,

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growing your business

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and expressing your views.

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You can do your part.

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Make sure people from your country are actively representing your
interests

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in preserving a free and inclusive Internet.

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Because the Internet belongs to everyone.

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Let’s keep it that way.

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[TEXT: Produced by the U.S. Department of State for everyone who cares
about the future of an open Internet.]

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[TEXT: Get involved: openinternet.state.gov #openwww]