IGF 2025 Networking Session #196 Connecting the Global South for Digital Resilience

    ProboxVE
    In-Person panelists: Iria Puyosa, Senior Research Fellow - Atlantic Council, Democracy + Tech Initiative, Venezuela/EEUU Lillian Nalwoga, Online Participants: Martha Roldós, Journalist & CEO of Fundación Mil Hojas, Ecuador Abdullah Ahmadi, Afghanistan Democracy and Development Organization (ADDO), Afghanistan
    Speakers
    In-Person panelists: Iria Puyosa, Senior Research Fellow - Atlantic Council, Democracy + Tech Initiative, Venezuela/EEUU Lillian Nalwoga, Online Participants: Martha Roldós, Journalist & CEO of Fundación Mil Hojas, Ecuador Abdullah Ahmadi, Afghanistan Democracy and Development Organization (ADDO), Afghanistan
    Onsite Moderator
    Mariví Marín, Executive Director – ProBoxVE, Venezuela
    Online Moderator
    Humberto Rumbos, Chief Program officer - ProboxVE, Venezuela
    Rapporteur
    Humberto Rumbos, Chief Program officer - ProboxVE, Venezuela
    SDGs
    5.b
    9.c
    10.6
    16.10
    16.6
    17.16
    17.17


    Targets: This session supports SDG 16.10 by promoting access to trustworthy information and countering disinformation. It fosters transparent institutions (16.6) and strengthens cross-regional partnerships (17.16, 17.17) among civil society actors in the Global South. It also addresses digital inclusion and ICT access challenges (9.c), while enhancing the voice and representation of developing regions in global internet governance (10.6). The session is proposed, moderated, and features a majority of women participants, contributing to SDG 5.b by highlighting women’s leadership in the digital space.
    Format
    Roundtable

    This networking session will feature thematic tables (both online and in-person) centered on key topics such as electoral interference, regional disinformation trends, rapid response collaboration, and civic monitoring in closed or fragile contexts. Participants will engage in guided small-group discussions, with facilitators at each table ensuring inclusive and cross-regional dialogue. A shared Miro board will be used to map actors, tools, and strategies in real time, fostering knowledge exchange. To maintain momentum and possible bigger alliances beyond the session, a Slack or Signal group will be launched to enable follow-up coordination and collaboration among participants across regions.
    Duration (minutes)
    60
    Description
    This session brings together participants from the Global South—Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia—to discuss regional strategies and collaboration to resist disinformation, digital authoritarianism, and information manipulation. By fostering real-time connections, participants will explore how digital civil society can coordinate efforts to safeguard democracy and push back against cross-border information operations.

    Online and in-person tables facilitated in parallel Shared Miro board for mapping actors & tools Slack/Signal group created for follow-up coordination