Session
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom setup allows sufficient focus on the panel of speakers while also encouraging participation from the audience. The idea is that part of the session is held as a panel discussion with a Q&A. In addition, the moderator will ask questions to the audience to assess their current involvement and trust in multilateral vs. multi-stakeholder processes for digital governance.
The Tunis Agenda for the Information Society birthed the Internet Governance Forum at the World Summit on the Information Society in November 2005. Since then, the IGF has been the primary multi-stakeholder platform to discuss internet governance issues in a structured and inclusive manner. Also, in other Internet Governance fora, the multi-stakeholder approach is well established. Despite these successes, we have seen that the multi-stakeholder approach is met with reservations from certain quarters. Indeed, in an ever-changing world, the multi-stakeholder approach must also continue to evolve. Digital policies are becoming increasingly technical and differentiated. A robust multi-stakeholder governance requires sufficient resources and transparent procedures. In this session, we investigate how the multi-stakeholder approach for digital and internet governance can be further developed to address these challenges. We will look at different regions and multi-stakeholder governance models to identify best practices. What formats have been tested and trialed to increase inclusiveness and accountability? How can these formats be further strengthened? How can forums and processes learn from these successful models? Examples of multi-stakeholder formats that serve as a basis for discussion include: • Netmundial+10 – a commemorative event marking the ten-year anniversary of the Netmundial conference. The focus is on assessing progress in implementing internet governance principles and on discussing emerging issues. It is organised by the multi-stakeholder Brazilian Internet Steering Committee cgi.br. • International Digital Dialogues – an instrument of the German government for bilateral digital policy exchange that heavily relies on participation and contributions from stakeholders in business, academia and civil society in Germany and its partner countries. • Kenya Internet Governance Forum – a particularly strong national-level forum contributing to the IGF overall that exemplifies how its multi-stakeholder process remains of key importance at a national and international level. • Indonesia’s Digital Transformation Multi-Stakeholders Partnership – a multi-stakeholder initiative aiming to support Indonesia’s digital transformation to bolster the Sustainable Development Goals. It is conceived by ten UN agencies, the Nationwide University Network of Indonesia (NUNI) and the Indonesian Digital Leaders Association (APDI).
The session will be moderated on site. The moderator will engage both the on-site and online speakers by asking questions and inviting on-site and online attendees to contribute to the discussion by making statements. An additional online moderator will monitor and moderate the chat and will be in direct contact with the on-site moderator to guarantee that the Q&A involves both on-site and online attendees. Online interaction in this session will be facilitated by incorporating the thoughts and questions of the audience expressed in the chat in real time. The online moderator will encourage the online audience to use the Q&A function of the platform provided for the session.Audiences online and on site will be asked a series of questions to survey their perspectives and involvement in multilateral and multi-stakeholder processes. For this, we plan to utilise Particify or Mentimeter. Responses will be collected at the beginning of the session and can be referred to throughout the discussion.
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport
- Philipp Schulte, German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), Government, Germany, Western European and Others Group (WEOG) - Torge Wolters, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Private Sector, Germany, Western European and Others Group (WEOG) - Lars Radscheidt, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Private Sector, Germany, Western European and Others Group (WEOG) - Luiza Ferreira, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Private Sector, Germany, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
- Renata Mielli, Coordinator of the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br), Government, Brazil, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) - Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet, Civil Society, Kenya, African Group - Irina Soeffky, German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), Government, Germany, Western European and Others Group (WEOG) - Ir. Arif Ilham, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Digital Leadership Association (APDI), Technical Community, Indonesia, Asia-Pacific Group
17.16
17.17
Targets: The session focuses on approaches that help ensure the involvement of diverse stakeholders in digital governance processes. This opens up the much-needed space to further build global partnerships and share knowledge and expertise among countries, public, private and civil society actors.
Report
Summary of the Open Forum – Next Steps in Internet Governance: Models for the Future
IGF 2024, Riyadh – December 18, 2024 (15:30 UTC +3)
The Open Forum at IGF 2024 brought together Dr. Rudolf Gridl, Director General, Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (Germany); Amrita Choudhury Director, CCAOI (India); and Keith Andere Programs & Grants Manager, African Centre for Climate Research and Innovations (Kenya); to discuss the future of internet governance through a multi-stakeholder approach, highlighting successes, challenges, and pathways forward.
Shared Perspectives
Dr. Rudolf Gridl emphasised that the future of internet governance lies in a multi-stakeholder model, with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serving as a foundational platform. Additionally, Germany’s commitment to multilateral efforts was affirmed, highlighting the importance of concrete initiatives beyond discussions. Keith Andere identified key challenges in Kenya, such as the digital divide, data privacy gaps, and rising cybersecurity threats, while noting opportunities for government support for startups, youth engagement, and stakeholder collaboration. Furthermore, Andere proposed enhancing digital literacy programs, increasing infrastructure investments, and engaging local leaders through community platforms as practical solutions for these challenges. Amrita Choudhury acknowledged India’s support for the multi-stakeholder process but pointed out that internet governance is not a priority for many developing countries facing basic challenges like internet access. As an additional topic, Choudhury stressed the need to move beyond token representation of youth, advocating for authentic engagement and accountability in governance processes.
Audience Interaction
In response to concerns about the weaknesses of the multi-stakeholder approach, Dr. Gridl underscored the importance of tackling regional challenges, while Choudhury noted the difficulty of balancing diverse interests and power asymmetry among stakeholders. To prevent the widening of the digital divide, Andere underlined the necessity of equitable access to infrastructure and resources, while Choudhury pointed to the need for capacity building and innovative solutions that demonstrate practical value, such as digital payment systems for small businesses. Regarding the future of the IGF, Dr. Gridl recognized challenges in funding and resource allocation but reaffirmed the IGF’s role as a cornerstone for multilateral internet governance. Choudhury called for a revitalised IGF with a stronger mandate and strategic vision, while Andere advocated for a decentralised IGF approach to drive grassroots change, especially in the Global South.
Final Remarks
The speakers agreed on the need for collaboration, innovation, and concrete action to strengthen the multi-stakeholder model, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness in shaping digital policies. The year ahead was seen as pivotal for the advancement of these goals.