Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Rosemoary Koech-Kimwatu, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Stephanie Borg Psaila, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
|
Name |
Role |
In-person/Online |
|
Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu - KICTANet |
Speaker |
In-person |
|
Stephanie Borg Psaila – Diplo Foundation |
Speaker |
In-person |
|
Kenneth Harry Msiska - Forus |
Moderator |
In-person |
|
Bibbi Abruzzini - Forus |
Online Moderator |
Online |
|
Patricia - CIPESA |
Rapporteur |
In-person |
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The roundtable layout is ideal for this workshop as it promotes open dialogue and equality among participants, facilitating a collaborative environment where each participant, whether representing civil society, government, or other stakeholders, can contribute equally to the conversation. This setup supports the workshop's aim of fostering deep discussions on enhancing the role of CSOs in digital policy, allowing for the sharing of diverse perspectives and best practices. A 60-minute duration provides sufficient time to present the research findings, discuss the challenges CSOs face, and explore actionable recommendations without overwhelming participants. This timeframe strikes a balance between depth and efficiency, ensuring that discussions remain focused and productive, and allows for an engaging exchange of ideas that respects participants' time commitments at the forum.
How can CSOs overcome existing barriers to influence global internet governance policies more effectively? What strategies can be implemented to ensure more substantial participation of CSOs from the Global South in IG policy-making? In what ways can governments and international organisations modify their engagement strategies to facilitate more robust contributions from CSOs in the shaping of digital governance?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will leave the workshop equipped with: A robust set of guidelines and strategies to bolster CSO advocacy and policy engagement. Recommendations for governments and international bodies to support more inclusive and effective governance processes. Enhanced understanding of the crucial role of CSOs in shaping the landscape of internet governance and increasing the efficacy of multistakeholder forums. This workshop also aims to refine the capabilities of CSOs, enabling them to fine-tune their contributions and thereby heighten their impact on global digital policy discussions.
Description:
The engagement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is vital for inclusive and accountable digital policy processes. CSOs not only represent diverse stakeholder interests, including those of marginalised communities, but also bring crucial insights that foster transparency and uphold fundamental rights within digital policy-making. However, despite their importance, CSOs encounter significant barriers such as restricted access to important policy discussions, challenges in navigating complex IG environments, and underrepresentation, especially from the Global South. During this workshop, we will present research findings from a key study conducted under the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) project, funded by the European Union, on the capacity of CSOs to influence digital policy, with a focus on emerging technologies. Our discussion will focus on bridging the current gap between CSO engagement and their potential for profound influence in the IG arena. We will explore robust strategies for enhancing CSO influence in policy-making, and share actionable recommendations for governments and other stakeholders to better integrate CSOs into the IG process. Participants will also engage with innovative approaches and best practices that have demonstrated concrete impacts in strengthening the role of civil society in shaping effective digital governance frameworks. This workshop not only provides CSOs with the tools and insights needed for greater advocacy efficacy but also fosters a collaborative dialogue among all stakeholders, striving for a governance model that truly reflects the needs and rights of all internet users.
Enhanced Understanding: Participants will gain insights into the current challenges and opportunities for CSOs in influencing digital policy processes. Practical Strategies: Discussion based on a set of practical strategies that CSOs can implement immediately to improve their advocacy efforts. Actionable Recommendations: Delivery of concise recommendations for governments and other stakeholders to improve the inclusivity of CSOs in policy discussions.
Hybrid Format: To facilitate seamless interaction between onsite and online participants, our session will utilise a dual-moderation system: one moderator onsite and one online. This approach ensures all questions and contributions are equally addressed. We will supplement video conferencing by interactive tools for real-time polling and Q&A sessions, and provide dedicated time slots for online participants to share insights. This will enable direct engagement from all participants, regardless of their location.
Report
Note: A more in-depth session report and analysis is available at https://dig.watch/event/internet-governance-forum-2024/ws-266-empowerin…
Session Report
#266 Empowering Civil Society: Bridging Gaps in Policy Influence
Date: Wednesday, 18 December
Time: 12:30–13:30 UTC (15:30–16:30 Arabian Standard Time)
Location: Workshop Room 4
Participants:
- In-Person Attendance: 28 participants (11 women)
- Online Attendance: 8 participants via Zoom
- Total Attendance: 36 participants
Partner Organisations Represented:
CIPESA (Uganda), DiploFoundation, ECNL (Netherlands), Forus (France), KICTANet (Kenya), SarvodayaFusion (Sri Lanka), PICISOC (Fiji), Fundación Karisma (Colombia).
Agenda Overview
The session was convened to share insights from the research done by the CADE consortium on Empowering Civil Society: Bridging Gaps in Policy Influence.
It focused on amplifying civil society voices to influence rights-respecting digital policies globally, particularly in alignment with the Global Digital Compact (GDC) objectives. The discussion emphasized empowering CSOs to navigate and influence digital governance spaces, especially in the context of emerging technologies and global challenges.
Key Highlights
1. Opening Remarks by Kenneth (Forus):
- Introduced the CADE project, outlining its objectives, partner organizations, and its multi-faceted approach to empowering civil society.
- Highlighted the project’s work across four engagement platforms aimed at grassroots CSOs and their role in promoting accountability and transparency.
- Discussed CSO participation in global digital policy forums:
- ICANN: Challenges of influence disparity, opportunities like fellowships, and the need for inclusive representation.
- IETF: Barriers such as technical jargon and a lack of engagement opportunities for CSOs.
- ITU: Inclusion is improving, but financial and accreditation challenges persist.
- IGF: Funding for activists from the Global South exists, but the dominance of the English language and large tech companies often sidelines their perspectives.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Rosemary (KICTANet):
- Stressed the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach involving academia, governments, and CSOs to ensure inclusivity.
- Encouraged leveraging convening power to amplify diverse voices, especially from underrepresented regions like Africa and Latin America.
- Provided updates on KICTANet’s work to strengthen institutional capacity post-COVID-19 and create more balanced global participation frameworks.
3. Global Trends and Findings
Stephanie (Diplo): Presented findings from a mapping study on CSO participation in global policy forums such as
- Limited representation of Global South CSOs in standard-setting organizations.
- Challenges with ICANN’s definitions of CSOs, which hinder equitable engagement.
- High costs of participation and accreditation at forums like ITU.
- Proposed moving beyond mapping activities to create tailored, actionable initiatives that empower CSOs to address these gaps effectively.
4. Regional Perspectives from the audience
- Nana (Nigeria): Highlighted the need to lower barriers for CSO engagement, including simplified processes for accessing funding and resources.
- Pratishta (India): Noted that despite their impactful work, CSOs face limited recognition and complex funding mechanisms.
- Paulos Nyirenda (Malawi): Called for research into ICANN’s definitions of CSOs, emphasizing the need for clarity to foster inclusivity in technical discussions.
5. Key Questions and Responses
From the OHCHR: What lessons can CSOs draw from the study ahead of the GDC and WSIS+20?
- Stephanie (ECNL): Advocated for balancing participation globally, ensuring civil society is well-equipped to engage meaningfully in upcoming forums.
- Rosemary (KICTANet): Reiterated the importance of strengthening institutional capacity and creating sustainable, hybrid participation mechanisms post-COVID-19.
Key Issues Identified
1. Language Barriers: Dominance of the English language that excludes non-native speakers from effective participation in the various international summits and engagements such as the IGF.
2. Geographic Imbalance: Most global forums are held in North America, Europe, or Asia, marginalizing Africa and Latin America.
3. Accreditation Challenges: High fees and bureaucratic processes limit CSO access to forums like ITU.
4. Lack of CSO Definitions: Platforms like ICANN lack clear definitions, leading to inconsistent recognition of CSOs.
5. Funding Limitations: Most funding mechanisms are tied to short-term initiatives, undermining long-term sustainability for CSOs.
Proposed actions
1. Research and Advocacy:
- Conduct a detailed study on the definitions of CSOs within platforms like ICANN to ensure clarity and inclusivity.
- Develop advocacy materials for eliminating accreditation fees and simplifying access for underrepresented CSOs.
2. Capacity Building:
- Organize training sessions to equip CSOs with the skills to navigate technical jargon and policy discussions in forums like IETF and ITU.
- Develop resources and toolkits tailored for grassroots CSOs to enhance their participation in global digital policy spaces.
3. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement:
- Establish multi-stakeholder partnerships to amplify marginalized voices and bridge gaps in representation, particularly for CSOs in the Global South.
- Convene hybrid (in-person and virtual) sessions to ensure broader participation in post-COVID-19 forums.
4. Sustainability and Funding:
- Advocate for sustainable funding models that prioritize long-term impact and untied resources for CSO initiatives.
- Partner with global organizations to establish grant schemes specifically aimed at CSOs from underrepresented regions.
5. Inclusivity in Global Platforms:
- Push for equitable geographic rotation in hosting global policy forums to enhance participation from Africa and Latin America.
- Advocate for the inclusion of diverse languages in global policy dialogues to reduce barriers for non-English-speaking participants.
Conclusion
The session underscored the importance of empowering CSOs to influence global digital policy, addressing barriers to participation, and fostering inclusivity. The actionable solutions and deliverables outlined aim to bridge gaps and ensure sustainable, equitable engagement in digital governance.
A more in-depth session report and analysis is available at https://dig.watch/event/internet-governance-forum-2024/ws-266-empowerin…