Session
Dynamic Coalition on Internet Universality Indicators
Round Table - 90 Min
Over the past 17 years, UNESCO has been advocating for an inclusive and human rights-based digital governance through its engagement with the Internet Governance Forum community. At its 38th General Conference, UNESCO endorsed the Internet Universality concept with its four cross-cutting R.O.A.M principles-- an Internet based on human Rights, and the principles of Openness, Accessibility and Multi-stakeholder participation. Current Internet Universality ROAM-X framework with 303 indicators, including 79 cross-cutting ones concerning gender equality, youth, ethical dimensions and sustainable development, embodies the ROAM principles. Since its launch at the IGF 2020, the Dynamic Coalition on Internet Universality ROAM-X indicators, initiated by UNESCO, has played a crucial role in supporting over 40 national assessments across five continents. The Coalition has consistently organized meetings and sessions during global IGF and regional IGF meetings in Africa, Asia Pacific, EuroDIG, and other regions where UNESCO is actively engaged. This year, the Dynamic Coalition session will focus on the update of the ROAM-X indicators to include new relevant dimensions in the framework and guarantee the transformative aspect of the recommendations formulated in the national assessment of ROAM-X. This session also aims to encourage synergies and collaboration between the IUIs project and other initiatives championed by the IGF community to jointly advance evidence-based policy making and empower stakeholders around the world via our Dynamic Coalition. Additionally, the DC seeks to work jointly with partners to support the UN Global Digital Compact and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, this session will trigger discussions to achieve below objectives:
- Discuss the revision of the ROAM-X framework in light of the rapid development and unprecedented challenges posed by digital transformation, explore how the framework can be adapted to effectively address these evolving dynamics and ensure its continued relevance in navigating the complexities of the digital era.
- Reflect on how ROAM-X framework can support the formulation of Internet governance policies that empower all people and support the formulation and implementation of the Global Digital Compact, promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach to digital governance.
- Gather and expand the members of IGF Dynamic Coalition on Internet Universality ROAM-X indicators, reinforce the extensive partnership with the Dynamic Coalition community to advance digital governance by fostering synergies and collaboration between the Internet Universality Indicators (IUIs) project and other initiatives championed by the IGF community.
This session will feature an interactive panel discussion, where the moderator will allow brief statements from both on-site and remote experts to initiate discussions on the revision of the Internet Universality ROAM-X Indicators. An online moderator and an on-site moderator will be appointed to coordinate interactions between online and on-site participants. Equal time will be allocated to both online and on-site participants.
Polish National Commission for UNESCO German National Commission for UNESCO Council of Europe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Association of Progressive Communications Missions Publiques CETIC.br Internet Society (ISOC) Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA) Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut Global Network Initiative (GNI) UNESCO
- Opening Video message from ADG/CI, Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO
- Marielza Oliveira, UNESCO, Intergovernmental institution
- Tatevik Grigoryan, Associate Programme Specialist, UNESCO
- Simon Ellis, Independent, Civil society
- Anriette Esterhuysen, Association for Progressive Communications (APC), African States
- Ms Anju Mangal, Web Foundation, Fiji, Asia-Pacific States
- Dr. Lutz Möller, Deputy Secretary-General, German Commission for UNESCO, Western European and other States
- Alexandre Barbosa, Regional Center for Studies of the Development of the Information Society (CETIC.br), Technical community, Latin American and Caribbean States
- Mr David Souter, International Advisor
- Anja Gengo, IGF Secretariat, Western European and other States
Tatevik Grigoryan, [email protected], Associate Programme Specialist
Camila Gonzalez, Consultant, UNESCO
Karen Landa, Consultant, UNESCO
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
10. Reduced Inequalities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: This session will emphasize the importance of the Dynamic Coalition in establishing and fostering collaborations with global stakeholders and institutions through the Dynamic Coalition on ROAM. This collaborative effort aims to shape global digital transformation, promote digital collaboration, and contribute to the formulation of the global digital compact. UNESCO's Internet Universality Indicators framework addresses the lack of global and national standards and serves as a comprehensive research tool to foster Internet policies that promote sustainable development, especially the above highlighted targets, in all countries.
Report
The Dynamic Coalition on IUIs session placed a central focus on the upcoming revision of the framework. Panelists highlighted the necessity of adapting the framework to the evolving digital landscape, recognizing the need for relevance and continuous improvement.
Challenges in the digital governance landscape, such as disinformation, AI, and cybersecurity, were framed within the context of the impending revision, highlighting the framework's need for adaptability to address emerging issues.
UNESCO calls upon the international community to unite within the DC on IUI to extend the global reach of ROAM-X assessments, thereby constructing a universal internet rooted in the foundational principles of ROAM. UNESCO invites active participation in the ongoing revision of the IUI Framework, fostering a truly inclusive and diverse multistakeholder engagement.
UNESCO prompted all global stakeholders to embrace the multistakeholder approach to oversee evidence-based research with a diversity of perspectives, identify areas for improvement, and contribute to shaping an Internet that serves and empowers all.