Session
Panel - Auditorium - 60 Min
*Please note that the title is a working title The open, interconnected and interoperable Internet is increasingly under threat, with technical, legislative, and policy developments further risking furthering a “splinternet”. Bans or restrictions on international data flows, interference with free expression, privacy, and/or encryption; and Internet shutdowns all pose a threat to the open, interconnected and interoperable Internet, along with the associated benefits to social and economic development, while also harming human rights. The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is a partnership of 34 countries and counting committed to helping ensure that international rights and freedoms hold fast online. Since the FOC’s inception in 2011, the Coalition has advocated for a free, open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet. Promoting meaningful multi-stakeholder cooperation is essential to push back against rising digital authoritarianism, and regulatory and technical fragmentation. This hour-long panel will provide IGF participants with the opportunity to explore the intended and unintended causes and potential effects of Internet fragmentation. It will build on multi-stakeholder roundtables conducted by Global Affairs Canada with stakeholders in 2022, as well as the work of the Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation. This panel will bring together multi-stakeholder experts from civil society, academia, and industry, with an emphasis on the necessity for human rights to be centered in all discussions related to the governance of digital technology and the Internet.
1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? We would aim to give attendees the opportunity to make comments and ask questions in real-time, as well as through the Q&A and chat functions, ensuring that the interaction is not one-way. We would encourage speakers to keep their cameras on. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? We will aim to set rules of engagement for the attendees (inform them about the different ways they can interact during the event with the speakers and fellow participants, let them know how they should use the chat feature, help them understand when to stay muted/unmuted, advise them on how and when they should ask questions, tell them who to contact in case any technical issues arise). We would also assign designated moderators for chats and tech support, and prepare compelling content and structure of the agenda while being wary of meeting length. The FOC Support Unit would also prep calls with the speakers before the event. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. We have not had any complementary tools or platforms planned at this time (subject to change).
Freedom Online Coalition
Carolina Rossini, Lawyer focusing on intellectual property, open standards and data privacy
Philippe Ándre-Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the Center for International Digital Policy at Global Affairs Canada
Alexandra Funk, Research Director for Technology and Democracy at Freedom House
Jason Pielemeier, Executive Director at Global Network Initiative
Flavia Alves, Head of International Institutions and Relations at Meta
Bernard Shen, Assistant General Counsel in Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft
Sheetal Kumar, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Zora Gouhary, Global Partners Digital
4.7
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
10.6
9.1
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
16.10
16.6
16.7
16.b
17.6
Targets: Bringing together multi-stakeholder experts from civil society, academia, and industry, the session will aim to build on multi-stakeholder roundtables conducted by Global Affairs Canada and Global Partners Digital, which will be taking place in the summer of 2022, as well as the work of the Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation. The roundtables, as well as the IGF session, will emphasise the necessity for human rights to be centered in all discussions related to Internet fragmentation, and the governance of digital technology and the Internet. The roundtables will be guided by the following questions: - How is internet fragmentation affecting human rights? - With regards to internet fragmentation, what role could the Global Digital Compact play? - What role can multilateral coalitions such as the FOC play? - Specifically, what are the priorities regarding meaningful connectivity and internet fragmentation that should be communicated to feed into the Compact? By raising awareness of the technical, policy, legal and regulatory measures and actions that pose a risk to the open, interconnected and interoperable Internet, and promoting meaningful multi-stakeholder cooperation to address Internet fragmentation, this session links to the following SDGs: 9) build resilient infrastructure that enables affordable and equitable access for all 10) promoting appropriate legislation, policies and actions that ensure equal opportunity 16)develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, and ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making 16) ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements 17) promote north-south, south-south cooperation on access to technology, and enhance knowledge-sharing.