IGF 2024 Open Forum #12 Ensuring an Inclusive and Rights-Respecting Digital Future

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 90
    Format description: The session seeks to allow input from various stakeholder and regional groups on the role of the multistakeholder community in the implementation of the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) and in the WSIS+20 Review. A roundtable setting would provide an appropriate layout for this, while the duration would allow a significant amount of voices to be heard.

    Description

    With a number of key multilateral processes underway that have a potential of changing the Internet governance landscape, notably the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), this session will provide a platform for the various stakeholders in this space, including governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, the technical community, and relevant UN bodies, to discuss strategies for upholding the multistakeholder model of Internet governance. With the WSIS+20 Review coming up in 2025, participants will explore the path forward in implementing the Pact and GDC through the process for a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future.

    Relatedly, the session will also aim to provide an opportunity for relevant stakeholders to discuss the future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in light of its mandate review in 2025. Stakeholders will examine ways to ensure the IGF’s role as a key platform for multistakeholder policy dialogue on Internet governance and for the promotion of an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space, outlined in the Tunis Agenda, is reaffirmed and strengthened, as well as discuss how the IGF can advance the commitments outlined in the GDC.


    1) On-site support staff and online moderators will ensure that there is a seamless level of interaction between panelists present at the venue and those participating through a virtual meeting platform. Attendees both in-person and online will also be invited to ask questions through the available platforms. Ample time will be carved out for engagement from audience members.

    2) We will aim to set rules of engagement for all attendees (inform them about the different ways they can interact during the event with the speakers and fellow participants, both online and offline, let online attendees know how they should use the chat feature, help them understand when to stay muted/unmuted, advise all participants on how and when they should ask questions, tell them who to contact in case any technical or practical issues arise). We would also assign designated online and on-site moderators, and prepare compelling content and structure of the agenda while being wary of meeting length.

    3) We have not had any complementary tools or platforms planned at this time (subject to change).

    Organizers

    Freedom Online Coalition
    Luca Kuiper, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
    Jacco-Pepijn Baljet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
    Lea Kaspar / Nicholas Powell / Nusa Tomic / Zora Gouhary, Freedom Online Coalition Support Unit (intergovernmental organisation - secretariat housed in Global Partners Digital)

    Speakers

    (please note the speakers are still TBC )

    MODERATOR: Lea Kaspar, FOC Support Unit/ GPD (on-site)
    Jacco-Pepijn Baljet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (on-site)
    David Fairchild, Global Affairs Canada (on-site)
    Adeboye Adegoke, FOC Advisory Network Member, Paradigm Initiative (Nigeria) - civil society (nature of participation TBC)
    Fiona Alexander, FOC Advisory Network Member, American University (US) - academia/civil society (on-site - TBC)
    Mallory Knodel, FOC Advisory Network Member, CDT (US) - civil society / technical community (nature of participation TBC)
    Veronica Ferrari, FOC Advisory Network Member, APC (Argentina) - civil society (nature of participation TBC)
    Alex Walden, FOC Advisory Network, Google (US) - private sector (nature of participation TBC)
    KS Park, FOC Advisory Network Member, Open Net Korea (South Korea) - civil society (nature of participation TBC)
    (name TBC) - Meta representative (private sector)
    (name TBC) - ITU representative
    (name TBC) - ICANN and/or IETF representative
    (name TBC) - UN OHCHR representative
    - we would also aim to involve the IGF Secretariat, and other UN bodies like the UN Tech Envoy Office in the conversation.

    Onsite Moderator

    Lea Kaspar, Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Support Unit / GPD

    Online Moderator

    Zora Gouhary, FOC Support Unit

    Rapporteur

    Nusa Tomic, FOC Support Unit

    SDGs

    16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    16.10
    16.3
    16.7
    16.8
    16.a
    16.b
    17.14
    17.16
    17.17
    17.6
    17.7
    17.9


    Targets: The session aims to, through international and multistakeholder coordination and cooperation, explore how to ensure global frameworks and policies around Internet and digital technology governance, such as the UN Global Digital Compact, uphold a multistakeholder and human rights-respecting approach, with the aim to provide a robust, effective, accountable, and transparent model of governance that is grounded in human rights law and ensures the inclusion of all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and the technical community. This includes both strengthening existing mechanisms and their roles in the space, and seeking to cooperate and avoid duplication when it comes to newly established mechanisms, to enable effective digital cooperation and achieving the SDGs.