Session
More in Common
Anna Lob, More in Common, Western Europe
Anna Lob, More in Common, Western Europe
Organization's Website
Speakers
Anna Lob, More in Common, Western Europe
Onsite Moderator
Anna Lob
Rapporteur
Anna Lob
SDGs
16.10
16.6
16.7
Targets: This Lightning Talk aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, specifically targeting the following subgoals: 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. Addressing the disengagement of invisible segments within populations is crucial for fostering inclusive societies. When individuals feel overlooked and unheard, they are more likely to withdraw from societal participation, leading to news avoidance and increased susceptibility to misinformation. By identifying and engaging these audiences, stakeholders can ensure that diverse perspectives are incorporated into policymaking, journalism, civil society work, and the workplace. This inclusive approach strengthens democratic processes and contributes to the development of robust, resilient institutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of all societal segments. Thus, the strategies discussed in this talk directly support the achievement of SDG 16 by promoting inclusivity and strengthening institutional integrity.
16.6
16.7
Targets: This Lightning Talk aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, specifically targeting the following subgoals: 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. Addressing the disengagement of invisible segments within populations is crucial for fostering inclusive societies. When individuals feel overlooked and unheard, they are more likely to withdraw from societal participation, leading to news avoidance and increased susceptibility to misinformation. By identifying and engaging these audiences, stakeholders can ensure that diverse perspectives are incorporated into policymaking, journalism, civil society work, and the workplace. This inclusive approach strengthens democratic processes and contributes to the development of robust, resilient institutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of all societal segments. Thus, the strategies discussed in this talk directly support the achievement of SDG 16 by promoting inclusivity and strengthening institutional integrity.
Format
The Lightning Talk is structured as a 30-minute session, comprising a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A segment. This format ensures a comprehensive delivery of the research findings and best practices, while also providing ample time for audience engagement and discussion. By allocating two-thirds of the session to the presentation, attendees receive an in-depth understanding of the topic. The subsequent Q&A period allows for clarification, exploration of specific interests, and interactive dialogue, enhancing the overall impact and relevance of the session.
Duration (minutes)
30
Description
Building Trust Online with Invisible Audiences: Research and Best Practices
How can stakeholders build trust with and include invisible audiences in digital spaces? To explore this question, the international nonprofit organization More in Common conducted research across various countries. Through collaboration with partners, best practices have emerged on addressing the needs of these audiences and creating online spaces where individuals feel acknowledged and safe to engage. This Lightning Talk will present findings from countries including Germany, the UK, France, Poland, Brazil, and the USA, aiming to inspire new ideas on fostering inclusion, trust and rights in digital environments.
In recent years, More in Common has identified invisible segments within populations worldwide: individuals who often feel overlooked and unheard, find themselves on the periphery of public discourse, and perceive their perspectives as undervalued by many political stakeholders. This sentiment often leads to disengagement from major societal developments and challenges, accompanied by a sense of resignation. Consequently, such disengagement can for example result in news avoidance and increased susceptibility to misinformation. To strengthen societies and democracies, it is crucial for stakeholders to consider how to engage these audiences and incorporate their perspectives into policymaking, journalism, civil society work, and the workplace. This applies to both offline and online spaces. However, online platforms offer numerous opportunities for direct engagement. Yet, many stakeholders struggle to reach these audiences, feeling that the same individuals are always engaged.
This Lightning Talk directly aligns with the IGF 2025 subtheme "Building Universal Access and Digital Rights." Specifically, it addresses the following aspects:
Universal Access: By identifying and understanding invisible segments, stakeholders can develop strategies to ensure these groups have equitable access to digital platforms and resources, thereby promoting inclusivity.
Digital Rights: Addressing the feelings of being unheard and undervalued among these populations underscores the importance of upholding digital rights, such as freedom of expression and participation in the digital public sphere.
Alignment with WSIS Action Lines:
The content of this Lightning Talk corresponds with several WSIS Action Lines:
C3: Access to Information and Knowledge: Promoting inclusion enhances access to information for all societal segments.
C8: Cultural Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Diversity and Local Content: Incorporating diverse perspectives contributes to cultural and linguistic richness in digital spaces.
C10: Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society: Recognizing and involving invisible audiences addresses ethical considerations of equality and representation.
Alignment with the Global Digital Compact (GDC):
The talk supports the objectives of the Global Digital Compact, particularly in the areas of:
Fostering an Inclusive Digital Ecosystem: Involving all societal groups creates a more inclusive digital environment.
Creating Trustworthy Digital Spaces: Presenting strategies for building trust strengthens the integrity of digital platforms.
To ensure inclusivity and broader participation, this session is designed as an interactive hybrid event, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendees. The 30-minute format includes a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A segment, facilitating active engagement from all participants. Leveraging digital collaboration tools, such as virtual whiteboards and live polling, will enable real-time interaction, ensuring that remote participants can contribute seamlessly alongside those attending in person. This approach aligns with best practices for hybrid meetings, promoting an equitable and engaging experience for all attendees.
To ensure inclusivity and broader participation, this session is designed as an interactive hybrid event, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendees. The 30-minute format includes a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A segment, facilitating active engagement from all participants. Leveraging digital collaboration tools, such as virtual whiteboards and live polling, will enable real-time interaction, ensuring that remote participants can contribute seamlessly alongside those attending in person. This approach aligns with best practices for hybrid meetings, promoting an equitable and engaging experience for all attendees.