RIPE

Réseaux IP Européens (RIPE, French for "European IP Networks") is a forum open to all parties interested in wide area IP networks. The objective of RIPE is to ensure the administrative and technical coordination necessary to enable the operation of the Internet. RIPE is not a standardisation organisation like the IETF and does not deal with domain names like ICANN. RIPE is not a legal entity and has no formal membership. This means that anybody who is interested in the work of RIPE can participate through mailing lists and by attending meetings. RIPE activities are performed on a voluntary basis and decisions are formed by consensus. Work is carried out within a variety of working groups. Each has one or more mailing lists where relevant topics and questions are discussed. RIPE Working Groups meet throughout the year during RIPE Meetings.