In the development world of Pacific governments and NGOs, overseas travel is little discussed but frequently undertaken. The list of events multiply each year such staff are able to spend close to half the year on the road — and frequently do. But how does this ongoing interruption affect services to the public?

The Internet Governance Forum is a sprawling, unfocused event with disparate interests. It was designed to have no regulatory authority, no policy levers and indeed, no formal mandate to advocate even for issues about which the entire world is in screaming agreement. It can’t even publish findings. And that is its genius.