Session
Subtheme
Kazi Nazrul University
Debasish Nandy, Kazi Nazrul University, Asia-Pacific Group Monojit Das, Independent Analyst, Asia-Pacific Group Manish Jaiswal, Indian Aerospace Defence News(IADN), Asia-Pacific Group Gabriel Karsan, African Parliamentary Network, African Group Millenium Niongoze, Women youth Leader, Tanzania, African Group Dr. Khouzeifi doud, Cyber Security Resecher, African Group
Debasish Nandy, Kazi Nazrul University, Asia-Pacific Group Monojit Das, Independent Analyst, Asia-Pacific Group Manish Jaiswal, Indian Aerospace Defence News(IADN), Asia-Pacific Group Gabriel Karsan, African Parliamentary Network, African Group Millenium Niongoze, Women youth Leader, Tanzania, African Group Dr. Khouzeifi doud, Cyber Security Resecher, African Group
Organization's Website
Speakers
Debasish Nandy, Kazi Nazrul University, Asia-Pacific Group
Monojit Das, Independent Analyst, Asia-Pacific Group
Manish Jaiswal, Indian Aerospace Defence News(IADN), Asia-Pacific Group
Gabriel Karsan, African Parliamentary Network, African Group
Millenium Niongoze, Women youth Leader, Tanzania, African Group
Dr. Khouzeifi doud, Cyber Security Resecher, African Group
Onsite Moderator
Manish Jaiswal
Rapporteur
Millenium Niongoze
SDGs
10.3
10.4
10.5
Targets: This session aligns with the IGF 2025 issue areas of Digital Inclusion, Human Rights, and Access and Empowerment. This session aligns with the following SDG 10 targets: SDG 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices.” Link to Session: The session will focus on ensuring equal access to internet governance opportunities for underrepresented groups. By discussing barriers and discriminatory practices, it aims to reduce inequality in participation, empowering marginalized voices in policy decisions. SDG 10.4: “Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.” Link to Session: The discussion will emphasize policies that create more inclusive governance frameworks and institutional practices, ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds—particularly those from the Global South, persons with disabilities, and the elderly—are provided with the tools, resources, and support to participate in internet governance processes. SDG 10.5: “Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations.” Link to Session: This target emphasizes strengthening the global frameworks that regulate technology and internet policies. The session will address how international bodies can create fairer structures and mechanisms for more inclusive decision-making that includes diverse participants from underrepresented communities. By ensuring broader representation in internet governance, the session will contribute to the realization of these SDGs and foster a more inclusive digital environment for all.
10.4
10.5
Targets: This session aligns with the IGF 2025 issue areas of Digital Inclusion, Human Rights, and Access and Empowerment. This session aligns with the following SDG 10 targets: SDG 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices.” Link to Session: The session will focus on ensuring equal access to internet governance opportunities for underrepresented groups. By discussing barriers and discriminatory practices, it aims to reduce inequality in participation, empowering marginalized voices in policy decisions. SDG 10.4: “Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.” Link to Session: The discussion will emphasize policies that create more inclusive governance frameworks and institutional practices, ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds—particularly those from the Global South, persons with disabilities, and the elderly—are provided with the tools, resources, and support to participate in internet governance processes. SDG 10.5: “Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations.” Link to Session: This target emphasizes strengthening the global frameworks that regulate technology and internet policies. The session will address how international bodies can create fairer structures and mechanisms for more inclusive decision-making that includes diverse participants from underrepresented communities. By ensuring broader representation in internet governance, the session will contribute to the realization of these SDGs and foster a more inclusive digital environment for all.
Format
The session will consist of a panel discussion with speakers representing various stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, private sector, civil society, and underrepresented groups. The format will include:
Keynote Introduction : A brief introduction to the issue of underrepresentation in internet governance, outlining the challenges and importance of ensuring diverse voices are included.
Panel Discussion : Speakers will address specific questions about barriers to participation, strategies for overcoming them, and successful initiatives that have promoted diversity and inclusion in decision-making processes.
Interactive Q&A : An interactive question-and-answer session will allow both onsite and online participants to ask questions, offer insights, and discuss ways to promote inclusive governance.
Breakout Sessions : Participants will be split into small groups to discuss specific topics such as how to improve access for marginalized communities, the role of technology in creating inclusive spaces, or designing better public-private partnerships for inclusive governance. Each group will present their ideas at the end of the session.
Concluding Remarks : The session will conclude with a summary of key takeaways and an open call to action for stakeholders to commit to more inclusive practices in their own work.
Duration (minutes)
30
Description
This session will explore strategies and solutions to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are equally represented in internet governance processes. It will focus on increasing the participation of underrepresented groups, including youth, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities, the elderly, and people from the Global South, who often face barriers to involvement in digital policy discussions.
The session will examine the importance of balanced representation across sectors—governments, international organizations, private sector, civil society, academia, and the technical community—and how such participation can lead to more inclusive, equitable, and effective digital policy outcomes.
Through case studies, best practices, and policy recommendations, the session will focus on practical approaches to overcoming the structural and systemic barriers that underrepresented groups face. It will also consider how technology platforms, international collaborations, and policy frameworks can be reformed to foster more equitable representation.
This session aligns with the IGF 2025 issue areas of Digital Inclusion, Human Rights, and Access and Empowerment.
By ensuring broader representation in internet governance, the session will contribute to the realization of these SDGs and foster a more inclusive digital environment for all. Real-time Streaming: The session will be streamed live to allow online participants to watch the panel and interact with speakers. The online platform will be integrated with the onsite discussion through shared screens and synced audio. Online Q&A: Both onsite and online attendees will be able to submit questions and comments via a live Q&A platform, ensuring equal participation. A moderator will collect and prioritize questions from both groups to ensure inclusivity. Moderation: A dedicated moderator will facilitate the interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, ensuring that both groups are equally represented in discussions and Q&A. Breakout Sessions: Online participants will be grouped into virtual breakout rooms using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, where they can discuss specific topics in smaller groups. Onsite participants will have similar group discussions facilitated by local moderators, ensuring all groups can engage meaningfully. Real-time Translation: To accommodate a diverse global audience, real-time translation will be provided for major languages, ensuring inclusivity for non-native English speakers. A dedicated online group will allow attendees to network, access session information, engage in discussions, and participate in interactive elements throughout the event. It will also facilitate communication between onsite and online participants before, during, and after the session.
By ensuring broader representation in internet governance, the session will contribute to the realization of these SDGs and foster a more inclusive digital environment for all. Real-time Streaming: The session will be streamed live to allow online participants to watch the panel and interact with speakers. The online platform will be integrated with the onsite discussion through shared screens and synced audio. Online Q&A: Both onsite and online attendees will be able to submit questions and comments via a live Q&A platform, ensuring equal participation. A moderator will collect and prioritize questions from both groups to ensure inclusivity. Moderation: A dedicated moderator will facilitate the interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, ensuring that both groups are equally represented in discussions and Q&A. Breakout Sessions: Online participants will be grouped into virtual breakout rooms using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, where they can discuss specific topics in smaller groups. Onsite participants will have similar group discussions facilitated by local moderators, ensuring all groups can engage meaningfully. Real-time Translation: To accommodate a diverse global audience, real-time translation will be provided for major languages, ensuring inclusivity for non-native English speakers. A dedicated online group will allow attendees to network, access session information, engage in discussions, and participate in interactive elements throughout the event. It will also facilitate communication between onsite and online participants before, during, and after the session.