Session
Fundacion Multitudes
Organizers & Speakers Organizers: Fundación Multitudes (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) Onsite Moderator: Paulina Ibarra – Executive Director of Fundación Multitudes, expert in digital governance, gender equality, and civic engagement. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) Onsite Speakers: 1️⃣ Elisa Loncón – Former President of Chile’s Constitutional Convention, Mapuche leader, advocate for indigenous digital rights. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) 2️⃣ Renata Ávila – Guatemalan lawyer and digital rights activist, CEO of Open Knowledge Foundation, expert in digital governance and human rights in technology. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) 3️⃣ Carlos Cortés – Founder of Linterna Verde (Colombia), journalist and expert in disinformation, digital media, and Internet governance. (Media & Digital Rights, Latin America) 4️⃣ Mariel García-Montes – Mexican researcher at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, expert in AI ethics and digital rights for vulnerable communities. (Academia, Latin America) Virtual Participants (Optional): Paula Martins – Regional Coordinator of the Latin American Media Alliance (IFEX-ALC), expert in freedom of expression and disinformation in LAC. (Civil Society, Latin America) Eduardo Ferreyra – Director of Derechos Digitales, lawyer and specialist in technology regulation and digital rights in Latin America. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean)
Organizers & Speakers Organizers: Fundación Multitudes (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) Onsite Moderator: Paulina Ibarra – Executive Director of Fundación Multitudes, expert in digital governance, gender equality, and civic engagement. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) Onsite Speakers: 1️⃣ Elisa Loncón – Former President of Chile’s Constitutional Convention, Mapuche leader, advocate for indigenous digital rights. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) 2️⃣ Renata Ávila – Guatemalan lawyer and digital rights activist, CEO of Open Knowledge Foundation, expert in digital governance and human rights in technology. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean) 3️⃣ Carlos Cortés – Founder of Linterna Verde (Colombia), journalist and expert in disinformation, digital media, and Internet governance. (Media & Digital Rights, Latin America) 4️⃣ Mariel García-Montes – Mexican researcher at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, expert in AI ethics and digital rights for vulnerable communities. (Academia, Latin America) Virtual Participants (Optional): Paula Martins – Regional Coordinator of the Latin American Media Alliance (IFEX-ALC), expert in freedom of expression and disinformation in LAC. (Civil Society, Latin America) Eduardo Ferreyra – Director of Derechos Digitales, lawyer and specialist in technology regulation and digital rights in Latin America. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean)
Organization's Website
Speakers
1️⃣ Elisa Loncón – Former President of Chile’s Constitutional Convention, Mapuche leader, advocate for indigenous digital rights.
Organizational Affiliation: Independent / Academia (Universidad de Santiago de Chile)
Stakeholder Group: Civil Society
Regional Group: Latin America and the Caribbean
2️⃣ Renata Ávila – CEO of Open Knowledge Foundation, Guatemalan lawyer and digital rights activist, expert in digital governance and human rights in technology.
Organizational Affiliation: Open Knowledge Foundation
Stakeholder Group: Civil Society
Regional Group: Latin America and the Caribbean
3️⃣ Carlos Cortés – Founder of Linterna Verde (Colombia), journalist and expert in disinformation, digital media, and Internet governance.
Organizational Affiliation: Linterna Verde
Stakeholder Group: Media & Digital Rights
Regional Group: Latin America and the Caribbean
4️⃣ Mariel García-Montes – Researcher at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, expert in AI ethics and digital rights for vulnerable communities.
Organizational Affiliation: Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University
Stakeholder Group: Academia
Regional Group: Latin America
Onsite Moderator
Paulina Ibarra – Executive Director of Fundación Multitudes, expert in digital governance, gender equality, and civic engagement. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean)
Online Moderator
Inés Tobar – Director of Projects at Fundación Multitudes, expert in digital governance and civic engagement. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean)
Rapporteur
Fernanda K. Martins – Director of Advocacy at Fundación Multitudes, expert in digital rights, AI governance, and disinformation. (Civil Society, Latin America and the Caribbean)
SDGs
5.b
9.c
10.2
10.3
16.10
17.16
17.17
Targets: SDG 5 – Gender Equality (5.b): Enhancing the use of digital technologies to promote women's empowerment, particularly for indigenous women facing disinformation and AI exploitation. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (9.c): Increasing access to ICTs and ensuring universal and affordable Internet access for indigenous communities, addressing the digital divide in Latin America and the Caribbean. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities (10.2, 10.3): Promoting social, economic, and political inclusion of indigenous peoples by tackling digital disinformation and ensuring fair representation in AI governance. SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (16.10): Ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, particularly for indigenous human rights defenders who are targeted by disinformation campaigns. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals (17.16, 17.17): Strengthening global partnerships between indigenous communities, digital rights organizations, policymakers, and AI experts to build inclusive and ethical digital governance frameworks.
9.c
10.2
10.3
16.10
17.16
17.17
Targets: SDG 5 – Gender Equality (5.b): Enhancing the use of digital technologies to promote women's empowerment, particularly for indigenous women facing disinformation and AI exploitation. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (9.c): Increasing access to ICTs and ensuring universal and affordable Internet access for indigenous communities, addressing the digital divide in Latin America and the Caribbean. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities (10.2, 10.3): Promoting social, economic, and political inclusion of indigenous peoples by tackling digital disinformation and ensuring fair representation in AI governance. SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (16.10): Ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, particularly for indigenous human rights defenders who are targeted by disinformation campaigns. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals (17.16, 17.17): Strengthening global partnerships between indigenous communities, digital rights organizations, policymakers, and AI experts to build inclusive and ethical digital governance frameworks.
Format
Roundtable
This Networking Session will foster cross-sector collaboration among indigenous activists, digital rights advocates, policymakers, AI governance experts, and media representatives, with a strong focus on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The session will provide an interactive space for knowledge-sharing, storytelling, and strategic networking, ensuring that discussions lead to tangible advocacy outcomes at key global digital governance forums. Structure (60 minutes total): 🔹 Opening Remarks (10 min): Overview of the impact of disinformation and AI exploitation on indigenous communities in LAC, highlighting real-world cases and trends in the region. 🔹 Storytelling Segment (10 min): Indigenous leaders from LAC will share personal experiences and case studies on how digital threats—such as targeted disinformation and AI-driven cultural appropriation—have affected their advocacy, governance, and community resilience. 🔹 Facilitated Networking (30 min): Participants will be grouped by sector (indigenous activism, digital rights, AI governance, policy, media) or region (Latin America, Caribbean, Global South allies). Each group will discuss one key issue (e.g., disinformation, AI ethics, indigenous data protection) and propose one concrete action to strengthen indigenous digital sovereignty in LAC. 🔹 Collective Insights & Next Steps (20 min): Groups will share their key takeaways, followed by a collaborative mapping exercise where participants identify common priorities, potential partnerships, and concrete commitments. This process will ensure that the workshop leads to actionable advocacy steps and lasting connections beyond IGF 2025. Discussions will be linked to global digital governance spaces such as the UN General Assembly (UNGA), AI for Good (Geneva, July 2025), and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF, New York, July 2025), positioning indigenous digital rights within key international policy dialogues.
This Networking Session will foster cross-sector collaboration among indigenous activists, digital rights advocates, policymakers, AI governance experts, and media representatives, with a strong focus on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The session will provide an interactive space for knowledge-sharing, storytelling, and strategic networking, ensuring that discussions lead to tangible advocacy outcomes at key global digital governance forums. Structure (60 minutes total): 🔹 Opening Remarks (10 min): Overview of the impact of disinformation and AI exploitation on indigenous communities in LAC, highlighting real-world cases and trends in the region. 🔹 Storytelling Segment (10 min): Indigenous leaders from LAC will share personal experiences and case studies on how digital threats—such as targeted disinformation and AI-driven cultural appropriation—have affected their advocacy, governance, and community resilience. 🔹 Facilitated Networking (30 min): Participants will be grouped by sector (indigenous activism, digital rights, AI governance, policy, media) or region (Latin America, Caribbean, Global South allies). Each group will discuss one key issue (e.g., disinformation, AI ethics, indigenous data protection) and propose one concrete action to strengthen indigenous digital sovereignty in LAC. 🔹 Collective Insights & Next Steps (20 min): Groups will share their key takeaways, followed by a collaborative mapping exercise where participants identify common priorities, potential partnerships, and concrete commitments. This process will ensure that the workshop leads to actionable advocacy steps and lasting connections beyond IGF 2025. Discussions will be linked to global digital governance spaces such as the UN General Assembly (UNGA), AI for Good (Geneva, July 2025), and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF, New York, July 2025), positioning indigenous digital rights within key international policy dialogues.
Duration (minutes)
60
Description
This Networking Session will explore how indigenous communities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are navigating the challenges of disinformation, AI exploitation, and digital sovereignty within the broader context of Internet governance and trust-building. It aligns with the IGF 2025 sub-theme "[Building] Digital Trust and Resilience," focusing on the intersection of disinformation, biased AI-generated content, and indigenous rights in the digital space.
Indigenous leaders and human rights defenders are increasingly targeted by disinformation campaigns, which undermine their legitimacy, discourage civic engagement, and deepen societal divisions. These attacks are deeply gendered, with women accused of abandoning traditional roles and men framed as being controlled by non-indigenous elites. At the same time, artificial intelligence is being used to extract and commodify indigenous knowledge—including oral histories and languages—without consent or benefit-sharing, reinforcing a new form of digital colonialism.
The session will provide an interactive space for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic networking between indigenous activists, digital rights advocates, policymakers, and AI governance experts. Participants will discuss strategies to counter disinformation, ensure ethical AI development, and promote indigenous-led digital governance models.
This event directly contributes to ongoing global discussions on digital rights, AI ethics, and indigenous sovereignty, connecting to frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact and WSIS+20 review.
Relevant Resources:
UN 2020 Review of the Beijing Platform for Action (Indigenous Women’s Rights and Digital Challenges)
Reports on AI, disinformation, and indigenous knowledge from Derechos Digitales, Open Knowledge Foundation, and Linterna Verde
Case studies on disinformation attacks against indigenous leaders in LAC
This Networking Session is designed to provide an interactive and inclusive experience for both onsite and online participants, ensuring meaningful engagement across all formats. 1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? Dedicated Online Moderator: A designated moderator will manage the virtual platform, monitor the chat, and relay online questions to ensure remote participants are actively included in discussions. Live Speaker Rotation: Online and onsite speakers will be equally integrated, with opportunities for both groups to present insights, participate in discussions, and contribute to collaborative exercises. Real-Time Q&A Integration: A live Q&A session will allow onsite and online attendees to submit questions simultaneously, ensuring equal participation in the discussion. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? Hybrid Breakout Groups: Online participants will be assigned to virtual breakout rooms that mirror the onsite discussion groups (e.g., by sector or region), allowing for parallel collaboration. A rapporteur from each group will summarize key takeaways, ensuring both onsite and online discussions feed into the final mapping exercise. Live Collaborative Mapping: Using digital whiteboarding tools (e.g., Miro, MURAL, or Padlet), both onsite and online attendees will co-create an action-oriented map of common priorities, partnerships, and commitments. Storytelling Accessibility: Indigenous leaders’ storytelling segment will be livestreamed with multilingual captions, ensuring accessibility for remote participants. 3) Complementary Online Tools/Platforms for Increased Participation Mentimeter or Slido for interactive polls and real-time audience feedback. Miro or MURAL for collective action mapping between onsite and online participants. Zoom or IGF's Official Hybrid Platform for breakout discussions and live engagement.
This Networking Session is designed to provide an interactive and inclusive experience for both onsite and online participants, ensuring meaningful engagement across all formats. 1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? Dedicated Online Moderator: A designated moderator will manage the virtual platform, monitor the chat, and relay online questions to ensure remote participants are actively included in discussions. Live Speaker Rotation: Online and onsite speakers will be equally integrated, with opportunities for both groups to present insights, participate in discussions, and contribute to collaborative exercises. Real-Time Q&A Integration: A live Q&A session will allow onsite and online attendees to submit questions simultaneously, ensuring equal participation in the discussion. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? Hybrid Breakout Groups: Online participants will be assigned to virtual breakout rooms that mirror the onsite discussion groups (e.g., by sector or region), allowing for parallel collaboration. A rapporteur from each group will summarize key takeaways, ensuring both onsite and online discussions feed into the final mapping exercise. Live Collaborative Mapping: Using digital whiteboarding tools (e.g., Miro, MURAL, or Padlet), both onsite and online attendees will co-create an action-oriented map of common priorities, partnerships, and commitments. Storytelling Accessibility: Indigenous leaders’ storytelling segment will be livestreamed with multilingual captions, ensuring accessibility for remote participants. 3) Complementary Online Tools/Platforms for Increased Participation Mentimeter or Slido for interactive polls and real-time audience feedback. Miro or MURAL for collective action mapping between onsite and online participants. Zoom or IGF's Official Hybrid Platform for breakout discussions and live engagement.