Session
Subtheme
Tech Global Institute / Freedom Online Coalition
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Tech Global Institute, civil society, Asia-Pacific Maarja Kask, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia (Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition), government, Eastern Europe
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Tech Global Institute, civil society, Asia-Pacific Maarja Kask, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia (Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition), government, Eastern Europe
Organization's Website
Speakers
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Tech Global Institute, civil society, Asia-Pacific
Rasmus Lumi, MFA Estonia, government, Eastern Europe
Edetaen Ojo, Media Rights Agenda, civil society, Western Africa
Juan Carlos Lara, Derechos Digitales, civil society, LATAM
Onsite Moderator
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Tech Global Institute
Online Moderator
Nusa Tomic, FOC Support Unit
Rapporteur
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Tech Global Institute
SDGs
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Target 9.c (Increase access to information and communications technology) aligns with discussions on digital cooperation and ensuring equitable access to internet governance. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Target 10.2 (Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all) is relevant because the session focuses on increasing Global South participation in internet governance. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.10 (Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms) directly relates to safeguarding human rights online Target 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making) aligns with strengthening multistakeholderism in digital governance SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Target 17.16 & 17.17 (Enhance global partnerships for sustainable development) support the session’s aim to foster multistakeholder collaboration across sectors and regions.
10. Reduced Inequalities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Target 9.c (Increase access to information and communications technology) aligns with discussions on digital cooperation and ensuring equitable access to internet governance. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Target 10.2 (Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all) is relevant because the session focuses on increasing Global South participation in internet governance. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.10 (Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms) directly relates to safeguarding human rights online Target 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making) aligns with strengthening multistakeholderism in digital governance SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Target 17.16 & 17.17 (Enhance global partnerships for sustainable development) support the session’s aim to foster multistakeholder collaboration across sectors and regions.
Format
Roundtable
The session can be structured as a panel session, with dedicated time following the panel for audience interaction. A roundtable layout works for this session as it fosters inclusive, participatory, and solution-oriented dialogue among diverse stakeholders. Given the focus on multistakeholderism, a roundtable encourages equal engagement from civil society, government, private sector, and technical communities. The format minimizes hierarchy, allowing participants to exchange insights, share best practices, and collaboratively develop strategies to strengthen digital governance.
The session can be structured as a panel session, with dedicated time following the panel for audience interaction. A roundtable layout works for this session as it fosters inclusive, participatory, and solution-oriented dialogue among diverse stakeholders. Given the focus on multistakeholderism, a roundtable encourages equal engagement from civil society, government, private sector, and technical communities. The format minimizes hierarchy, allowing participants to exchange insights, share best practices, and collaboratively develop strategies to strengthen digital governance.
Duration (minutes)
90
Description
This workshop will explore how strengthening multistakeholderism can enhance the protection of human rights online in the Global South. As governments and powerful private actors increasingly influence digital governance, civil society organizations (CSOs), human rights advocates, and local communities face growing barriers in shaping internet policies and protecting online freedoms. Limited representation from the Global South in key decision-making forums—both nationally and internationally—further exacerbates inequalities in digital access, privacy, and freedom of expression.
What will participants gain: This session will bring together representatives from civil society, government, the private sector, and the technical community from or working on the Global South to examine the challenges and opportunities for advancing inclusive and rights-respecting digital governance. Particularly, the session will examine the role of multistakeholderism and approaches for strengthening this model in achieving rights-respecting, community-centered digital governance.
- Expanding the participation of Global South stakeholders in global internet governance forums
- Strengthening local and regional multistakeholder platforms to influence global internet governance
- Developing accountability mechanisms to ensure that internet policies uphold human rights
1) On-site support staff and online moderators will ensure that there is a seamless level of interaction between panellists 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).
1) On-site support staff and online moderators will ensure that there is a seamless level of interaction between panellists 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).