Governance
The European Internet Forum (EIF) is established as non-profit association (‘ASBL’) under Belgian law. It is governed by its Statutes and Bylaws, which have been updated in October 2014 and December 2014 respectively.
EIF's structure reflects the principle of political leadership and control, while ensuring openness, participation and equity for business and associates members, who support EIF financially through annual fees.
Below you will find more details about EIF's governing bodies and the current members in charge.
A diagram of the EIF governance can be found here: pdf download
A diagram of the EIF programming process can be found here: pdf download
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly includes all EIF members and meets at least once a year for the Annual General Assembly. The full list of EIF members can be found here.
- All Political Members (MEPs)
- All Business Members
- All Associate Members
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
The Programming Committee (PC) is the real ‘engine’ of the EIF. Co-chaired by a Steering Committee MEP and a Business Board member, it includes all EIF members and meets regularly to discuss and propose the EIF programme of activities.
- All Political Members (MEPs)
- All Business Members
- All Associate Members
STEERING COMMITTEE
The Steering Committee (SC) is the most important governing body of the EIF. It sets the strategy of the EIF, approves the programme of activities based on a proposal by the Programming Committee (see above), decides on membership, appoints the Programming Committee co-chairs and advises the Board of Management.
The SC is chaired by an MEP and includes (current composition as from 21 April 2015):
- Pilar del Castillo, MEP (EPP) - EIF Chair
- Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (EPP) – Programming Committee Co-chair
- Angelika Niebler MEP (EPP)
- Marietje Schaake MEP (ALDE)
- Adina-Ioana Vălean MEP (EPP)
- Michał Boni MEP (EPP)
- Morten Helveg Petersen MEP (ALDE)
- Sabine Verheyen MEP (EPP)
- Neena Gill MEP (S&D)
- Brando Benifei MEP (S&D)
- Julie Ward MEP (S&D)
- Catherine Stihler MEP (S&D)
- Eva Kaili MEP (S&D)
8 Business Board members: see further below
6 Associate Board members: see further below
External personalities (upon invitation of the Political Members):
- James Elles, former MEP, EIF Co-founder
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
The Board manages administrative and financial matters. Chaired by an Associate Board member Nicola Frank, EBU, it includes (current composition as from 20 March 2018):
Business Board members:
- Elizabeth Crossick, RELX Group
- Daniel Friedlaender, SKY
- Tilmann Kupfer, BT
- Karim Lesina, AT&T
- Fabrizio Porrino, Facilitylive
- Carlos Rodriguez Cocina, Telefonica
- Andreas Tegge, SAP
Associate Board members:
- Nicola Frank, EBU - Chair of the Board
- Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, DIGITALEUROPE
- Margot Dor, ETSI
- Lise Fuhr, ETNO
- Innocenzo Genna, EuroISPA
- Natalia Vicente, ESOA