IGF 2025 Open Forum #44 Academic Networks' Role in Inclusive Internet Governance

This session will be a discussion around building global cooperation for inclusive internet governance, focusing on insights from the technical community, challenges, and charting the road ahead. Global cooperation is increasingly necessary, as the world faces challenges such as the rapid adoption of Generative AI, gaps in access to technology between the Global North and the Global South, and increasing inequalities. However, creating opportunities for collaboration among governments, experts, civil society, and stakeholders with diverse backgrounds is not an easy or straightforward process. The Global Network of Centers was created as a proposed solution to this challenge. Starting in 2012 at an international Symposium on Internet-Driven Developments: Structural Changes and Tipping Points (SCTP) the NoC has seen many iterations, different governance structures, and adapting focus on activities. In 2025, the NoC continues to grow and foster collaboration among researchers and policymakers, among other activities. In this Open Forum, participants from different Centers representing different regions and collaborative outcomes will share key insights from the NoC’s collaboration model and explore what other academic centers can learn from this experience of fostering connections among institutions actively engaged in internet governance research over the past decade. At a time of increasing fragmentation, this panel seeks to highlight the fundamental elements that unite us, promote inclusivity, and strengthen global collaboration to ensure an internet that serves humanity’s best interests. The discussion will also showcase significant projects and initiatives developed within the NoC around the globe, examining their impact on international efforts and the work of global organizations operating in this domain. This forum would be directly linked to the activities outlined in the Network of Centers 2024-2026 Roadmap, which is attached to this proposal.

1) The onsite and online moderators will be in constant communications to ensure everyone looking to participate can do so. Participants will be encouraged to raise their hands (in person or virtually) for orderly moderation. 2) As the NoC has done in past hybrid events, having an engaged online moderator communicating with the onsite moderator is key. Everyone will have the same access to visual aids and the opportunity to participate in the conversation in an orderly and relevant fashion. Our moderators will also strive to create a conversational and interactive environment, while carefully keeping time to make the most of the session. 3) We will use on-the-call polls, a word cloud app, and chat prompts to increase engagement.