At a ceremony in London today we were delighted to have Stephen Timms, the Minister of State for Competitiveness at the UK Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform announce the winners of our Best Practice Challenge 2007 for Internet Governance. 

The Challenge was open to organisations, groups or individuals who supply a product or service that has improved Access to the Internet for the disabled or disadvantaged, provided more Security online, contributed to Openness, or encouraged online Diversity. 

Winners of the 2007 Best Practice Challenge are:

Access

Winner: Computer Aid International
Runner-Up: Royal National Institute for The Blind (RNIB)

Security

Winner: Netcraft
Runner-Up: Bebo

Diversity

Winner: ChildNet – Know It All
Access: Culturenet Cymru

Openness

Winner: MySociety
Runner-Up: Amnesty International – The Irrepressible Campaign

Joint  special award - multi stakeholder co-operation

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)


The Best Practice Challenge is part of an initiative by Nominet, Department for BERR (Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reforms) and key parliamentarians to create a UK Internet Governance Forum. The Challenge recognises organisations, groups or individuals that have delivered a safer, more accessible, diverse Internet experience.

Stephen Timms said, “Judging by the quantity and quality of the entries received for this year's Best Practice Challenge Awards, the UK has much experience to share and promote when it comes to Internet governance. Competition has been strong. The judges have seen a wealth of excellent nominees which showcase the best of the UK's forward thinking Internet community. I would like to thank Nominet for their initiative in setting up this important awards scheme, which enables us to commend innovative organisations who are leading the way in making the Internet accessible and safe for all."

Alun Michael MP, Chair of the Best Practice Challenge Judges commented: "Nominet went looking for examples of British creativity and innovation in the use of the Internet, They found a vibrant, thriving scene, where a wide variety of organisations are successfully tackling today’s challenges in innovative ways."

Full details of winners and runners up are available here.