IGF 2025 Open Forum #55 Confluence: a board game to experience multistakeholderism

The Brazilian School on Internet Governance - a capacity-building initiative promoted by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee - created a global board game on themes related to Internet Governance and the Multistakeholder Model. Named as “Confluence”, this interactive game was designed in 2023 with the support of the alumni community of the Brazilian School on Internet Governance. The idea of a board game came from the perception that innovative ways of experiencing the dynamics of an Internet Governance ecosystem - in which decisions are made by “consensus” and affect each stakeholder in a different manner - could contribute to a better understanding around its existing negotiation mechanisms. Games are powerful learning tools and carry a multicultural vocation and values that facilitate engagement, integration and promote knowledge. The board game “Confluence”, therefore, arises as a playful proposal able to contribute with the objectives of a School on Internet Governance in the sense of train participants on Internet-related topics and the challenges for its development, in addition to deepening the debate around Internet Governance. Beyond discussing topics related to the Internet Governance agenda, the board game sheds light on the dynamics and relationships within this complex environment. These require from players constant attention and decision-making to manage different influences, balance collective goals with individual interests, understand the interests, actions and alliances of different stakeholder groups, among other situations that simulate how Internet Governance negotiations operate. The game not only reflects relevant impacts of the Internet on society, but also poses opportunities to raise awareness among leaders, professionals, students, and researchers on the importance of engaging in discussions of Internet Governance and contributing to the attainment of common goals on this topic. The Brazilian Internet Steering Comitee and The Brazilian School on Internet Governance are committed to making the game “Confluence” inclusive and accessible to members of the global Internet Governance community and individuals interested in understanding the multistakeholder model worldwide. We believe that presenting this initiative at the IGF 2025 will contribute to gather feedback from the community and create partnerships that enable the free distribution of the game under a Creative Commons license.

The Open Forum will be divided into three segments: the first will consist of a brief opening and presentation of the game. The second segment will feature an interactive walk-through and hands-on experience with the board game “Confluence”. In the last part, a Q&A with audience will happen, allowing for discussion, exchange of multiple views and questions & answers, which may even contribute with adaptation for the game dissemination. The online moderator will take care of the flow of questions within all the online tools involved in the session, reading, selecting and guaranteeing that the onsite moderator will be aware of questions and comments from the remote audience (Zoom Chat and Q&A). Finally, the rapporteur will ensure to capture all the highlights and critical information of the session to consolidate a final report. The organization team will also be alert to help participants with any technical issues and delays they may have, in order to avoid negatively impacting the session dynamics.